You’ve bought or hired a container… but how does it actually get to you?
shipping container delivery: Spoiler alert: it’s not like ordering a bookshelf from IKEA. There’s no neat box left outside your door by a cheerful bloke with a clipboard. This is a 2.5-tonne steel box on the back of a lorry with a crane arm swinging above your flowerbeds.
Container delivery might seem like the dull bit between clicking “order” and actually using your unit — but here’s the truth: delivery can make or break your whole experience.
Not planning ahead can result in:
- Damage to driveways or gardens
- Failed deliveries (costly)
- Frantic calls to find a crane
- The world’s most expensive giant paperweight, stuck outside your gate
So let’s break down everything you need to know — from how deliveries work, to how to prep your site like a pro.
At Containerlift, we always say buying or hiring the container is the easy bit. It’s the delivery that gets people into hot water.
We’ve seen it all. Containers meant for a back garden end up stuck on a country lane. Containers plonked perfectly on top of… someone’s beloved rose bush. Driveways cracked under unexpected weight. Neighbours giving you the side-eye as a 32-tonne HIAB lorry straddles their lawn.
All of it could have been avoided with a bit of forward thinking.
This article will:
- Explain the different types of delivery vehicles (and why it matters)
- Help you assess site access
- Walk you through ground prep
- Flag the most common mistakes and myths
- And give you a printable pre-delivery checklist
Whether you’re in a remote village or a bustling city, understanding how your container is delivered makes the process smoother, safer, and a lot less stressful.
1. What Type of Vehicle Delivers Your Container?
At Containerlift, we use HIAB lorries or sideloaders depending on container size, site access, and job requirements.
🏗️ HIAB (Lorry with Crane Arm)
- Most common for 10ft, 20ft and modified containers
- Can lift over walls/fences (up to 6–7 metres away)
- Needs firm, level ground and space to extend stabilisers
🚛 Sidelifter
- Usually for 40ft or 2×20ft containers
- Lifts container off the side of the truck
- Requires long, clear space alongside the lorry
2. Have You Measured Your Access?
Delivery fails are often caused by underestimated space. Here’s what to check:
| Element | Minimum Requirement |
| Width | 3.1 m (for truck to pass) |
| Height | 4.5 m (check for low trees/wires) |
| Turning Circle | 15 m radius ideally |
| Ground Type | Solid, non-sloping, no loose gravel/sand |
| Obstacles | Overhead wires, gates, fences, parked cars |
🚫 Don’t assume “it’ll probably be fine”. If in doubt — ask us for a site survey or send a video walkaround.
3. Ground Prep: What Should It Sit On?
Containers need level, firm ground. The best options:
- Concrete pad
- Railway sleepers
- Timber bearers
- Paving slabs (evenly spaced)
Why? It:
- Keeps it level (so doors open properly)
- Prevents water pooling and rust underneath
- Supports weight evenly
💡 Pro tip: Allow 6″ ventilation space underneath the base.
🧾 4. On the Day: What to Expec
Here’s a typical Containerlift delivery day:
- Driver arrives & assesses site
- Confirms drop point
- Crane or sideloader lifts container into position
- You sign off on the delivery
Average time on site: 20–60 minutes
We don’t just “drop and go”. Our drivers are trained, patient and will help advise on positioning. Just have the kettle ready.
❌ 5. Top 5 Container Delivery Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
| Mistake | Why It’s a Problem | Fix |
| Too narrow access | Truck can’t enter | Measure gate width! |
| Soft/muddy ground | Container sinks or tilts | Use bearers/concrete |
| No one on site | Delays or failed delivery | Always be there! |
| Trees/branches | Crane can’t swing | Trim back foliage |
| Uneven ground | Doors won’t open/close | Use spirit level + bearers |
🧮 6. Cost of Delivery – What’s Included?
- Prices vary by postcode and container size
- Typically £150–£600
- Includes driver time, vehicle hire, crane offload
Extra charges may apply for:
- Re-delivery (due to blocked access)
- Waiting time (if site not ready)
- Remote locations (ferries, country lanes)
Always ask for a clear delivery quote before placing your order.
🧱 7. Can I Move It Again Later?
Yes – but not without help.
- Once placed, containers can be moved with HIAB hire
- Some people buy skates or jacks for small adjustments
- Don’t plan to drag it yourself (especially on soft or paved surfaces)
If you think you’ll want to move it later — say so up front. We’ll suggest the best solution (or even a temporary hire).
Case Study: “It Nearly Ended Up in the Neighbour’s Pond” (500 words)
Simon ordered a 20ft container for his garden in Surrey. All seemed well – until delivery day. The lorry couldn’t get around a tight bend on his single-track lane. The driver tried to reverse, clipped a low-hanging branch, and the container almost slid… directly toward next door’s koi pond.
Luckily, no fish were harmed. But it delayed delivery by a week, cost an extra £280 in rehire fees, and Simon had to hire a chainsaw and a tree surgeon.
Moral of the story? Measure first. Send photos. Check your bendy lane before it’s too late.
“We can get a container just about anywhere — as long as you tell us what ‘anywhere’ really looks like.”
📢 Call to Action
Ordering a container?
Let’s get the delivery right the first time.
✅ Transparent pricing
✅ Expert advice on site prep
✅ Friendly drivers who know what they’re doing
👉 Talk to our team before delivery day
