HOW TO HIRE · REMOVALS & STORAGE

How to hire a container storage provider in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

No register covers container storage. Check insurance for contents, access, delivery charges and notice.

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  • One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews

THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a container storage provider in five steps

  1. Choose yard or driveStored at the depot or delivered to you.
  2. Check the insuranceContents cover and its limit.
  3. Ask about dampVentilation and condensation in a steel box.
  4. Agree accessHours at the yard, or keys if on your drive.
  5. Get delivery and collection in writingCharges and notice.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

No law licenses container storage providers in any UK nation. What protects your belongings is goods-in-transit cover, a signed inventory and written terms — and, if they choose to join one, a trade association's code.

Get the contract, the insurance limits and the deadline for damage claims in writing.

Insurance for stored goods

No law sets the cover for container storage; the contract does. Ask whether your goods are insured by the container storage provider, need your own policy, or are excluded, and what events (fire, flood, theft) are covered.

Get the insurance terms and the per-item limit in writing.

Reasonable care and skill

Every service contract includes reasonable care and skill under the Consumer Rights Act 2015; careless handling by the container storage provider that damages your belongings breaks it.

Note any damage on the inventory at unloading, with photographs, before signing. legislation.gov.uk →

Cancelling a storage contract

Storage is not excluded from the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, so a container storage contract agreed online, by phone or away from the trader's premises can be cancelled within 14 days; if you start using it sooner, you pay for the time used.

Check the notice period and minimum term as well. legislation.gov.uk →

VAT

Container storage is standard-rated, so a registered container storage provider adds 20% to the monthly rent and to delivery and collection of the container. Registration becomes compulsory once a container storage provider has VAT-taxable turnover over £90,000 in any rolling 12 months; from then VAT must be charged and shown as a separate line on the invoice.

Ask the container storage provider for the VAT number with the storage agreement and for rent, transport and VAT shown apart. gov.uk →

“What insurance covers goods in the storage container?”

A good answer: Events and a limit.

“How do you deal with condensation in the container?”

A good answer: Ventilation, pallets, moisture traps.

“Can I visit the container storage yard?”

A good answer: Access hours.

“What are delivery and collection charges?”

A good answer: Written.

“What notice ends the container storage?”

A good answer: A period in writing.

“Is the container storage site secure?”

A good answer: Fenced, lit, alarmed or guarded.

“Can the container go on my drive?”

A good answer: Size, ground and access checked.

Getting the quote right

  • Container size and monthly price
  • Who actually attends the delivery and collection: the container storage provider's employed drivers, or a subcontracted haulier
  • Delivery and collection
  • Insurance
  • Minimum term and notice
  • The VAT number, with VAT at 20% on the monthly rent and transport

Walk away if

  • No contents insurance option
  • Vague access terms
  • No written contract
  • Container left on a public road without permission
LOW
£100
TYPICAL
£150
HIGH
£350

What a container storage provider costs: £100–£350 per month

Container storage is priced per month by container size, with delivery, collection and insurance on top. Container Storage price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Container storage providers near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you.

  1. BookSize, place and contract agreed.
  2. Deliver or loadContainer delivered, or goods brought to the yard.
  3. PackHeavy items low, pallets under.
  4. LockYour lock fitted, inventory kept.
  5. CollectContainer collected or emptied at the end.

Shipping container
A steel box used for storage.
Condensation
Moisture that forms inside steel containers.
Pallet
A platform keeping goods off the floor.
Minimum term
The shortest period paid for.
Notice period
Time needed to end the contract.
Inventory
Your list of stored items.

AFTER

When the job is done

Keep the contract and inventoryFor any claim.
Check for dampOn visits.
Give notice in writingWhen finished.
Tell others how it wentA short, specific review of the container storage provider — what was done, on time or not, the clean-up — helps the next person. Problems go through make-it-right first.

STEP 1A written complaintEmail or message the container storage provider with what is wrong with the container storage, photos and the remedy you want. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 gives you repeat performance first, then a reduction in price if that fails.
STEP 2Let Locufy follow it upBelow four stars, you choose whether the container storage provider sees the problem before your review does; we follow it through, then the review goes live.
STEP 3A trade body, or Trading StandardsIf the container storage provider belongs to a trade association, use its dispute or ombudsman service. For advice, or to have Trading Standards told, ring Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 in England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 800 9060, or Consumerline on 0300 123 6262 in Northern Ireland.
STEP 4Going to courtClaims of up to £10,000 in England and Wales, £5,000 in Scotland and £5,000 in Northern Ireland against a container storage provider go through the small-claims routes, built for people without a solicitor.

Hiring a container storage provider: questions people ask

There is no licence for container storage providers and no register to check.

Usually within 14 days under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, paying for any time used.

Most pay around £150 out of a range of £100–£350 a month. For what moves the figure, see the container storage price guide; for local container storage providers, search above.

They can; ask about ventilation and use pallets.

Not without the council's permission; a drive or the depot is usual.

Only on the contract's terms or your own policy.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in removals & storage

How to hire: Self StorageHow to hire: Furniture StorageHow to hire: Document StorageHow to hire: Home RemovalsHow to hire: International RemovalsHow to hire: Office RemovalsHow to hire: Man with a VanHow to hire: Packing & Unpacking ServiceAll 701 hiring guides →

Container storage providers near you

Container storage providers in LondonContainer storage providers in ManchesterContainer storage providers in BirminghamContainer storage providers in GlasgowContainer storage providers in BelfastAll container storage providers on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  2. Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, regulation 30 — the 14-day cancellation period
  3. Civil Procedure Rules Part 26 — the small claims track (England and Wales)
  4. mygov.scot — make a court claim for money (simple procedure)
  5. nidirect — the small claims process (Northern Ireland)
  6. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  7. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register