Skip to content

Shipping Container Site Preparation: How to Prepare the Ground for your Shipping Container

21 January 2025

Category: 

Tips & Guides
preparing ground for shipping container

Shipping containers are useful for everything from storage to garage space, workshops, home offices, and even holiday lets. However you plan to use your shipping container, you’ll need to make sure the ground is properly prepared. This helps keep the container stable and prevents problems down the line. 

Preparing the ground means that your shipping container will last longer—with less risk of damp, rust, or movement. Even short-term shipping container hire requires proper ground preparation to protect the container from damage.

Why is shipping container site preparation important?

One of the major benefits of shipping containers is how portable they are. But, although you can place a container almost anywhere, you still need to prepare the ground in advance. 

Site preparation protects both the container and the ground itself. For example, if you place a container on wet or waterlogged soil, then the container will start to rust and weaken. The ground itself will be damaged as the wet soil shifts around under the container. 

In most cases, you’ll need to create a concrete base for the container to sit on. A solid, concrete foundation will prevent the container from shifting or sinking. It lifts the container off the soil, protecting it from damp or rust. It also helps to support extra weight, such as added doors and windows in a converted shipping container. 

Concrete foundations are also important because they can be levelled to support a container or stack of containers. If a shipping container is placed on uneven ground, then it can “rack out”. This means that the container warps and stretches. In severe cases, the doors might stop opening and closing properly. 

By creating a proper foundation, you can extend a shipping container’s lifespan by years. A container on concrete foundations is strong, stable, and safe from damp. But without site preparation, your container could be at risk of rust, warping, or subsidence. 

What makes a good site for a shipping container?

There are four key factors to consider when you’re choosing where to place a shipping container:

  1. Level ground. Although you can artificially level the site—including by pouring concrete—it’s much easier to start with even ground.
  2. Firm ground. If the ground is too soft, your container could sink, tilt or shift over time. Softer ground might also be a problem when you have heavy vehicles delivering and placing the container.
  3. Dry ground. Standing water can cause rust and damp to your shipping container. Make sure that there is no water pooled on or next to the placement site. 
  4. Clear ground. Tree roots in the soil can cause structural damage to shipping containers over time, as well as making it harder to level the site. Look for a clear area without tree growth.

How to prepare the ground for a shipping container

Once you’ve identified a good site for your shipping container, it’s time to prepare the ground. This includes choosing the location, preparing the soil, surveying the land, and clearing away any debris – all of which will help your shipping container last as long as possible.

a worker examining the area for shipping container placement

Choose the right location

First, think about the shipping container placement from every angle. Consider how often you’ll need to access it, what you plan to use it for, and which way the doors will be facing. For example, a shipping container that’s used as a vehicle workshop will need easy access for people and machines, as well as electrical connections. 

If you’re planning to place the shipping container on private land, you have a free hand in where it goes (subject to local planning rules). If you’re using the container on a worksite or shared property, you’ll need to make sure that it doesn’t restrict anyone else’s access. 

Clear the area of debris

Check the site for obstructions such as tree branches, garbage, power cables, or anything else that could throw the container off balance. Make sure that the route to the site is clear too, so that the shipping container delivery truck has enough space to access the site and manoeuvre as necessary. You’ll need plenty of clearance around the placement site. 

Understand and prepare the soil

There’s a wide range of soil types across the UK. And while it might seem like an obscure technical point, the soil type on your placement site will make a difference to how the shipping container sits. For example, clay soil has a thick, heavy texture that supports the weight of a shipping container well. Sandy soil is more likely to shift or subside. 

Depending on your local soil type, you may need to lay extra foundations to support and level the shipping container. 

Want to ensure your container stays in peak condition?

Staying proactive with maintenance is key to avoiding costly repairs and extending your container’s life. Learn all about essential upkeep practices, how to spot potential issues, and common repairs to keep your container in top shape.

Check out our comprehensive guide for valuable tips and advice on shipping container upkeep and repairs.

Read guide

Survey the land for slope

Sloping ground can lead to shipping containers sinking, sliding, or no longer being level. But it can be difficult to spot sloping ground without technical equipment.

There are a few ways to check the site for slope. You could use a spirit level to check the slope of the ground, although this method isn’t perfect. You might prefer to have a professional surveyor assess the site. The ideal shipping container site is level, but graded so that it directs moisture away from the foundations. 

Level and compact the ground

Hopefully, you’ve already chosen a level site with firm soil. But, to avoid any potential problems, you’re also going to want to level and compact the ground. It’s best to use an excavator and compactor to level the site. The compactor helps to push down the soil so it can support the container’s weight better. 

Lay the foundations

Next, cover the site with foundations. There are a range of options for shipping container foundations depending on where you place the container and how you plan to use it.

  • Footings are holes dug into the ground and filled with concrete to create strong points under the container’s sides and corners.
  • Piles are steel or concrete tubes which are hammered into the ground to support the container’s weight. This is a good option if the soil at the placement soft is relatively soft, but has a harder layer underneath.
  • Concrete piers are solid blocks which are placed around the site to support the shipping container’s corners.
  • Railway sleepers are bars of concrete which can be placed across the site, supporting the container’s weight at various points.
  • Railroad ties work in a similar way to sleepers, but they’re made of wood. They’re a versatile, budget-friendly option, although they’re less strong than stone or steel.
  • A gravel bed covers the entire placement site with a tough, stable surface. It’s relatively cheap and drains well.
  • A hardstanding base is a sheet of concrete that covers the whole placement site. This is the gold standard if you are concerned about drainage or the weight of the container. 

Add any blocks, supports, or reinforcing steel that the container needs on top. It’s a good idea to have a few spares on hand when the container is delivered. You might also add more slabs, packers, or shims to level the shipping container once it’s in place.

Looking for a reliable solution to level your shipping container?

Check out our levelling slabs, made from recycled EVA plastic, for a sustainable and stable base that keeps your container secure.

Buy levelling slabs

Further considerations for shipping container site preparation

Site preparation isn’t just about the physical space where the shipping container will go. You also need to think about factors like weight, delivery logistics, and local planning rules. 

Plan for additional weight

There are two things that affect the weight of a shipping container: contents and modifications.  While you might expect the contents to make a difference, many people don’t realise that modifying a container makes it heavier.

For example, if you plan to install windows or doors in your container, they will add weight along the walls of the container. You’ll need extra support so that they don’t warp over time or stop opening and closing properly.

The easiest way to support this kind of weight is with ground rails. These add support at vulnerable points and spread the weight across the length of the rail.

Ensure there is enough space for delivery

Shipping containers are compact and portable — but the vehicles that deliver them may not be!

When you choose a placement site, you’ll need to think about clearance around the delivery vehicle. That includes:

  • Side-to-side clearance for the lorry and trailer to pass through spaces.
  • Pull-away forward clearance so that the lorry can back up to the delivery spot. This must be at least 15 feet, but could be longer depending on the vehicle’s size.
  • Overhead clearance for manoeuvring the container from the vehicle onto the placement site. This should be at least 13 feet.
  • Clear paths without obstacles or debris for the vehicle to move around.

Legal requirements or regulations

The rules vary on whether you need planning permission for a shipping container. Where you live, how you plan to use the container, and how long it will be in place can all make a difference. Make sure you know the local regulations before you start site preparation.

The bottom line

Before you install a shipping container, you’ll need to choose a placement site that’s accessible, level, and prepared to take the container’s weight. You might need to compact the soil underneath or lay a foundation for extra drainage and stability.

Site preparation also includes planning for the delivery of your shipping container, checking local regulations about container structures, and preparing for any container modifications that could change the weight.

It might seem like a lot of effort, but it’s worth it. The right site preparation will ensure that your container is secure, stable, and lasts for years to come.

Need a reliable shipping container for storage, transport, or a unique project?

Check out our wide selection of high-quality new and used containers for sale today!

Buy a shipping container

Share this article

Article categories

Related Articles

self storage shipping container yard

How Much Does Storage Cost Monthly in the UK? Storage Options to Consider

Date: June 24, 2024

If you're looking for storage space in the UK, you have a range of options. But they all come with different price tags, and costs can vary depending on where you live. Read all about storage options and prices across the UK.

Read Article
shipping container converted into a man cave

From Bland to Badass: Shipping Container Man Cave Ideas

Date: December 13, 2024

Converting a shipping container in your backyard is an affordable and eco-friendly way to build your own private man cave. You can even customise it to your own taste, interests, and hobbies.

Read Article
inside of an insulated shipping container

How to Insulate a Shipping Container?

Date: June 13, 2024

It’s becoming increasingly important to insulate shipping containers, especially if they're being used as a place to live or work. Proper insulation helps make sure that the inside of the container stays comfortable, no matter the weather outside.

Read Article