Please refer to the FAQs before contacting us with your enquiries, in order to save your time.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Brit Containers Limited is a UK-based company, operating from its head office near Stowmarket in England. It specialises in providing portable accommodation and storage delivered within the UK and Europe by self-loading lorries, including portable cabins, shipping containers, container conversions, flat pack units and Capsule Houses for various applications, homeowners and industry sectors.

Shipping containers and in-gauge converted containers can also be delivered worldwide using the global container network. Units are available for both hire and sale and can be specified to meet the exact requirements of customers.

For further information about the company, please check our Accreditation and Certificates, or contact us directly. We are aware that there are some scam operations that aim to defraud buyers of shipping containers by imitating existing companies. You can find more information on how to spot scams here.

If there is any concern that you are not speaking to us please call us directly or contact info@britcontainers.uk to check that the quotation and any payment details are genuine, or for peace of mind only buy online through www.britcontainers.uk.

Since we were established in 2002, we have been offering affordable and reliable portable accommodation and storage solutions. Please see about us for further information. We have excellent reviews and we pride ourselves on our high standards of personal customer service. Our track record means you can rely on us to deliver your products on-time and in excellent condition, and in the unlikely event we make a mistake, we will make sure that we put it right.

As with any online shopping, we require payment in advance for all purchases. We usually require payment in advance for the delivery and collection costs. If you are a large business, depending on your credit score we may be able to set up an account straightaway. Please discuss payment options with our agents on livechat, WhatsApp or directly with us at info@britcontainers.uk.

After you order is received and confirmed, you shall receive an invoice via email, together with a method of payment. We do this to have a better understanding of your requirements before we go charge you.

We accept payment by bank transfer or debit and credit card payments, with the exception of American Express. For Online orders you can pay by debit/credit card using our secure payment provider. For security and data protection reasons we do not take payment by credit card over the telephone.

We are aware that in our industry there are a number of scam websites that will take your payment but have no intention of supplying any containers or cabins. Some of those that have been reported are listed on this site. This website also contains some helpful advice on identifying scam container websites.

Checking out Brit Containers

  1.  Brit Containers Ltd was incorporated in May 2001 (company number 2572346). The registered office is 1 Mitchell Lane, Bristol, BS1 BCU. But we ship our orders out of Suffolk, IP14 4LE
  2. Brit Containers holds a number of industry accreditations. View all our accreditations and up to date certificates.
  3. Our website domain britcontainers.uk has been registered since we lost the rights to our domain www.britcontainersales.co.uk..
  4. We do not sell any products on Facebook Marketplace. We are aware of some scammers operating on this platform.
  5. All emails from us will be from an email address that ends in @britcontainers.uk. If you receive an email that you believe is from us but does not end with @britcontainers.uk, it is likely someone who is pretending to be associated with us.

One trip’ containers normally smell like new, just like walking into a timber yard. Used containers which have carried many different items in their life can have a slight nose. If a smell is likely to cause a problem please let us know when you place your order and we will select a suitable container.

There is no flat fee for deliveries, as the cost varies depending on your location. You can contact us via email or live chat to calculate the amount it would cost to deliver your product. Delivery cost is affected by the size of the product and number of units being delivered to a single location, how quickly you need the units and if you are flexible with the delivery date and time. Basically the more time and notice you give us, the greater the chance that you will receive your delivery exactly when you need it at the best possible delivery rate. We are usually booking transport at least three to five days ahead, but at peak times this can be longer.

All units are delivered by HIAB lorry, with the exception of chemical toilets and towable welfare units which are towed with a transit-style van. On sites with restricted access, we may need to deliver by alternate means, such as 4WD, forklift, telescopic handler or even man-handling our flat pack range of cabins and storage containers. This will be discussed with the Business Development team when you place your order.

When you add the product to the online basket if it’s a stock item designated for Click & Collect you will be given an option to collect rather than pay for delivery. Only items that are fully paid for can be collected and there is usually a small collection fee. We will contact you to agree a collection date and time and you will be given safety information and details so you or your drivers can safely collect your items.

Our ‘one trip’ containers come complete with a factory-fitted lockbox and we can supply a padlock to fit inside. If you are buying a used container, we can fit lockboxes as an optional extra.

All shipping containers have baffled vents to let air in and keep water out. Any steel box has a risk of condensation. The air in the container warms up during the day and moisture in the surroundings is released as vapour becomes water droplets when the temperature falls again (normally overnight).

From our experience ‘one trip’ containers are not significantly affected by condensation, but this can depend on their location. If the items you store are likely to be affected by condensation then we suggest you choose a ‘one trip’ container and ask us to quote for a grafotherm coating to the ceiling of the container which will help to eliminate droplets forming on the ceiling. Either way we recommend that you undertake regular inspections to monitor conditions and also to refresh the air inside.

If you experience problems we can either supply container desiccant to absorb the moisture or fit more vents to remove excess moisture. In extreme circumstances our container conversion division can line out and insulate the containers with rockwool and plywood or spray insulate the whole of the inside of the container, but this is only necessary in unusual climatic situations.

You should periodically grease / oil the moving parts of the door locking gear and door hinges and deal with rust patches at an early stage to protect the life of the container. The roof of the container is very important and usually the most overlooked area. Of course if you choose to hire, we will rectify any problems as soon as possible and if necessary exchange the container.

Our standard ‘one trip’ containers are usually available in Dark Blue RAL5013 but we also stock some containers in Mid Blue RAL5010 and Dark Green RAL 6007. Used containers are in the colour of the original shipping line and usually have large decals (stickers) on the side. If you have a special paint requirement we can repaint the container in any RAL colour of your choice, or we can repaint in two pack painting systems in order to reduce the paint maintenance required.

The life expectancy of a container will depend on its condition at the point of sale. A a ‘one trip’ container with careful use and regular maintenance, such as painting and servicing, can provide 20-25 years of service. A used container is sold wind and watertight and would have a much lower life expectancy which is also affected by local climatic conditions.

Used containers have normally been in service with the shipping lines for a longer period of time rather than just ‘one trip’. Typically Grade A containers will have been used for less than eight years and/ or maintained to a high standard. Standard used or wind and watertight containers have been used by the shipping lines for around 10-15 years. Structurally sound but showing signs of age, they are the most cost-effective form of container storage.

You will need a 13mm and 19mm socket and spanner, as well as a PZ2 screwdriver and minimum five tread stepladder.

We supply different types of portable cabin:

Steel anti-vandal units : With steel shutters and locking features, these are tough units and ideal for sites where security is potentially a problem. We have one of the most modern and well-kept fleets of cabins in the South East for hire. Steel cabins also make comfortable office units for sale or hire.

Jackleg cabins : This is predominantly a timber building that is aesthetically more pleasing than a steel unit and also because of the plastisol exterior finish, virtually maintenance-free. Starting with a simple open plan layout we can offer many options to upgrade the specification such as double-glazed windows, three-part dado rail style (electrical / phone/ data cabling), air conditioning, PIR lighting and carpets.

Flat pack : Flat pack cabins and containers which can be man portable are designed for restricted sites and especially suited to city centres and projects such as multi storey car parks and railway applications. They are usually delivered on HIAB as close as possible to the final destination, or with a van and trailer combination. Flat packs also provide attractive storage for private individuals.

Mobile cabins : Available open plan as an office or canteen, towable units are handy for transient sites or where there is restricted access. They can be delivered with 4WD drive and trailer if needed and suitable for off -road accommodation requirements.

A container conversion is a modular building or portable accommodation unit that has been constructed using the ISO 20ft or 40ft shipping container as a building block.

Depending on complexity, once the final drawings are agreed, typical build time is between two and ten weeks. We cannot agree an exact date until you actually place an order and we raise a proforma invoice which would need to be paid by return to guarantee the agreed date.

There are many rules affecting certification for shipping, as this requires significant structural integrity. The container could be at the bottom of a stack of six containers all with 30 tonnes in and therefore for domestic markets we do not build to this specification. Please tell us at the beginning of the project if you need to ship the container and it is also worth noting that container conversions including openings and apertures are not suitable for rail transport due to the excessive air pressure created by passing trains.

Any configuration of windows or doors may be fitted, from simple glazed panels to full side opening bi-folding doors.