Happy Easter & Container Grades – What's the Difference?

Container Option’s April Blog

We hope that everybody had a Happy Easter and is now steadily recovering from their sugary overloads! Surprise, surprise, we are going to talk about shipping containers not just any type of shipping containers but used shipping containers! Specifically, why grades exist, the difference within the industry regarding price & quality, lastly we will give you an example of each grade! So strap in, grab your remaining chocolate eggs and devour (the blog & the eggs).

To Begin…

Shipping containers are the perfect solution to a wide range of problems and buying a used shipping container is more affordable than a new build and will still perform the same role with a little bit of work. This is great for business’ and individuals alike who each have varying & diverse requirements. There is a variety of different containers available for your needs & budget.

Container Grades

Ever heard that no snowflake is exactly alike? Well the same goes for used shipping containers! Every container undertakes a unique journey all over the world before they eventually end up on a property or in someone’s back yard. Over their life containers often experience a world of hurt, (as they are designed to!) and eventually they end up in a container depot; some covered in rust, some with patches and repairs, dinged and dented wherever you can imagine! Despite all this, a container’s lifespan is not complete, they are still able to be utilised provided they are given a little bit of work. Every container that comes into a depot will fall into one of a few categories called grades. These grades determine the level of damage or imperfections a container has and how that translates into a product that you, the customer will receive.

Difference in the Industry

The Australian container industry regarding the resale of used shipping containers isn’t governed by set standards for defining container grades. Each container supplier (reseller) has their own definition as to how they classify their containers. Whilst the terminology is the same amongst container suppliers, ‘A’ Grade, ‘B’ Grade, ‘C’ Grade, Wind Water Tight etc, the standard to which each seller holds a container varies drastically! I do not exaggerate when I say that you can go to three separate companies in a row, ask for a ‘B’ Grade and get three different containers (& prices) each time. The only real standard that exists is price and generally the more you pay the better quality you receive/or should receive. To be certain you are receiving value what you are paying for, always ask your container supplier to send you internal and external pictures of your container before it is sent out to you to avoid unpleasant surprises, or even better take the time to visit the reseller’s yard and see your container first hand!

Our Container Grades & What to Expect

Container Options puts a strong emphasis on ensuring our customers get the best bang for their buck and will often go that extra mile to provide good quality containers. “Value for Money!” ‘We have a range of container grades for all budgets and requirements from Single Use containers, A’ Grade, ‘B’ Grade, Wind & Watertight and Straight out of the Stack. While these are grades commonly used across the industry, quite often you’ll find that Container Option’s grades are often of higher standard than other resellers in the industry. So, the point is, if you want good quality containers & better value for money, come to us ????.

‘A’ Grade – An ‘A’ Grade container is defined as a high-quality, neat & tidy used shipping container perfect for long term storage of items such as furniture, office archives, books, modification work & the transportation of products and materials.

Container is supplied fully wind & watertight and is in good condition.	All doors, door seals and locking bars are checked and repaired.
A lockbox is fitted to the container to protect padlocks from removal by bolt cutters.	Any low areas in the roof are pushed up to prevent water pooling and the roof rusting through.
Major and minor dents are straightened out to present neat, near straight walls.	All surface rust and flaking paint is buffed back for a smooth surface.
The container is then fully re-sprayed externally to a colour of your choice. Some exceptions do apply.

‘B’ Grade or Refurbished – A ‘B’ Grade container is a good-quality, neat & tidy used shipping container ideal for use as garden sheds, tools & machinery/vehicle storage, on worksites, modification work and the long-term storage of personal affects.

Container is supplied fully wind & watertight and in good condition.	All doors, door seals and locking bars are checked and repaired.
A lockbox is fitted to the container to protect padlocks from removal by bolt cutters.	Any low areas in the roof are pushed up to prevent water pooling and the roof rusting through.
Major and minor dents are straightened out.	Surface rust and flaking paint is buffed back and touched up where it’s needed.

‘C’ Grade or Wind & Watertight – A wind & water tight container has work done to it to ensure that it is weatherproof & functional. It is a container that will suit people who are budget conscious and just want something suitable to keep the weather off their belongings or perhaps need to transport various goods & products around in a secure way.

(Usually no lockbox but was requested by the client in this case)

Container is supplied fully wind & watertight and is in general good condition.	All doors, door seals and locking bars are checked and repaired.
Heavy surface rust and flaking paint is buffed back and touched up where it’s needed.	Any low areas in the roof are pushed up to prevent water pooling and the roof rusting through.
Major dents are straightened out.

Straight out of Stack (SOOS) – SOOS is a container, as the name implies, straight out of the stack. SOOS will suit those who are eitherwilling to do work on the container themselves or just want something economical & functional. They are generally used for a shorter period of time than ‘C’ Grades.

Container is supplied fully wind & watertight and is structurally sound.	All doors, door seals and locking bars are checked and repaired.
Container is cosmetically untidy with rust, dings and dents present.	Any low areas in the roof are pushed up to prevent water pooling and the roof rusting through.
Major wall damage is straightened out.

Wrapping things up..

A huge thankyou for reading this month’s blog and hopefully you’ve learnt something useful. If all of a sudden you’re after a quality container, quickly give us a ring on 02 9723 6004 or if you want to stay up to date with us come like & follow us on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Pinterest, links are down below! If you’re already a client of ours, we would love for you to share with us via Google and Facebook reviews, all the positive things Container Options has to offer!

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