Stick built shed or a storage container?

[Brian_WK]

I'm looking at getting some external storage for my house and to get some stuff out of my garage. I'm looking at about an 8x10ft shed. I would love to do a shipping container as it would be sitting on a existing slab of concrete ( my patio) And the flat roof would allow it to sit under the tree there. If I did a stick built I would have to pour a slab or footings per to sit on and would have to locate it in a different part of my yard away from where it would be convenient.

Storage container
Pros:
1.Strong
2.Sealed
3. Durable
4. Semi-portable.
5. Better location.
6. Instant shed.

Cons:
1. Having trouble getting price quote on one delivered.
2. limited to 8x10 as 8x20 would be too big (for the wife not me).
3. Would be an eye sore until I sided/ painted it.

Stick built
Pros:
1. Would be able to do a 10x10 in the proposed location.
2. Cost maybe? I have no idea have not gotten prices together.
3. Looks better once built.
4. Easy to customize to suit my needs.
5. Would improve on the selling of the house as it is already strapped for storage.

Cons:
1.Location
2. Takes time to build. This would be a next summer project. ( I could buy a pre-built but )
3. Less secure and weather resistant than container.
4. The slab/footings would have to be in an area where the phone and cable utilities run underground. Not sure of the legalities of this with the right of way. (they have replaced one neighbors cable line once and the others twice.

Anyone have experience with these and chose one over the other? The shipping container would not look at all out of place once sided as my house has a flat roof and the container would be almost even with it.

Thanks
Brian

 

[Kaizen]

why not just a shed on blocks? do they require it on a slab?
this way you have more flexibility. I think 20 and 40 foot containers are the norm. tens are avail but not as many used ones I think. keep in mind you get what you get. not new but used or refurbished. around here looks like 400 or so to deliver. course you'd have to get a truck back there or a flatbed tow truck. if it was a big one I believe they need a crane.
I'd go with a shed. you can get much more room for the price. google buy shipping containers. lots of companies out there.

 

[Brian_WK]

why not just a shed on blocks? do they require it on a slab?
this way you have more flexibility. I think 20 and 40 foot containers are the norm. tens are avail but not as many used ones I think. keep in mind you get what you get. not new but used or refurbished. around here looks like 400 or so to deliver. course you'd have to get a truck back there or a flatbed tow truck. if it was a big one I believe they need a crane.
I'd go with a shed. you can get much more room for the price. google buy shipping containers. lots of companies out there.

I haven't yet checked into the codes but I figured if I was going to build a shed I would do a slab and not have to deal with a step up. IF the utilities weren't an issue.

Getting the container into place would not be an issue.

Tried googleing and contacted a few companies. But nothing back for a price quote delivered yet in the 8x10.

Thanks for the reply!
Brian

 

[CNGsaves]

If you have nearby military base, you might have chance at smaller container. I've seen some on www.govliquidation.com

Couple of them even included Lista tool cabinets !!

 

[rayra]

I'd suggest a wood joist-floored shed, on 4x4 skids. That circumvents a lot of the building codes in frost-heave zones. And you can build a shed of the size you want for less than you can get a container for. Won't be as secure, heavy duty as a shipping container. Which you've said you'd have to cosmetically cover up anyway.

The nice thing is if you design / build it yourself, you can make it as nice or as ugly as you want, instead of starting ugly with a container. Build a shed and put a small window and flower box on it and the wife will love it.

I built this 6'x8' (roof was (3) 4x8 sheets, no cutting!) shed in ~10 workdays spread over a couple summer months about 10yrs ago, for a total price under $2500. Did all the work ourselves.

A little 1/4"=1' scale balsa mockup

 

[Brian_WK]

If you have nearby military base, you might have chance at smaller container. I've seen some on www.govliquidation.com

Couple of them even included Lista tool cabinets !!

Nothing within 5 hours unfortunately.

I'd suggest a wood joist-floored shed, on 4x4 skids. That circumvents a lot of the building codes in frost-heave zones. And you can build a shed of the size you want for less than you can get a container for. Won't be as secure, heavy duty as a shipping container. Which you've said you'd have to cosmetically cover up anyway.

The nice thing is if you design / build it yourself, you can make it as nice or as ugly as you want, instead of starting ugly with a container. Build a shed and put a small window and flower box on it and the wife will love it.

I built this 6'x8' (roof was (3) 4x8 sheets, no cutting!) shed in ~10 workdays spread over a couple summer months about 10yrs ago, for a total price under $2500. Did all the work ourselves.

A stick built in the same area with a low pitch flat roof might work and then it would already be sitting on the concrete patio. Security isn't a big issue just keeping it from rotting away with the snow that would get piled against it. No windows or Flower pots HAHA. Window would make me lose wall space and the wife can't grow anything... I like your design but i wonder if it could be built without the overhangs? If it would sit next to he house boxier would be better. Maybe even a rubber roof like is on the house. It is a Midcentry Modern house that simple lines work better with.

Brian

 

[PoorOwner]

Container is not appealing.. Shed could be appealing if one day you sell the home.

Where I am at sheds under 120 sq ft does not require concrete slab. It is sitting on cap blocks every few feet. It's better circulation under the shed as well.

 

[Cyberbear]

Metal storage units are easy fast storage. With a coat of durable paint they look pretty good and can be easily moved when necessary, or taken with you if the time comes to relocate.