As 2025 approaches, perhaps you’ve decided that this is the year to take the plunge and finally launch that new business venture you’ve been thinking about.
Or maybe your company is already up and running, and doing so well that you need more office, retail or commercial space to handle your growing team.
Either way, it’s likely that you will be looking at suitable properties, including the option of a new-build or an extension on your existing location.
However; before you sign on the dotted line, it’s well worth considering how a converted shipping container could give your business a quicker, less expensive and more environmentally-friendly way to create the space you need.
Many businesses are choosing to transform shipping containers into all kinds of commercial and retail spaces, from offices to pop-up shops, mobile fast-food outlets to business storage spaces.
Here at Upminster Containers, we’ve helped hundreds of clients to create the space they need with a container conversion. Our most recent project helped a local fast-food client transform their 20ft shipping container into a snazzy new business premises, from which they can cook and serve their delicious menu to hungry customers.
The many alterations and additions we made to the container included insulating and fireproofing the interior, which we designed the layout for; ensuring it had space for all the appliances, worktops and storage units that the client needed. We also created serving hatches in the side of the container and designed the exterior to reflect their brand colours.
To ensure a container conversion is the right option for your business, here are a couple of things you’ll need to bear in mind:
You’ll need a strong, flat surface on which to house your converted shipping container. Most containers are 8 ft wide, with the standard length being 20ft, although a 40ft version is available.
If you need a lot of space or think you might want to extend in the future, containers give you an ideal futureproof option, as up to three containers can be stacked on top of each other and connected by an interior or exterior staircase. Or, they can be joined side by side to create as much space as you need.
This will obviously affect the design of the interior and exterior of your container. Perhaps you are seeking secure storage space for an overflow of office furniture or hardware that you don’t want to get rid of yet but don’t have room to keep in its current location.
In this case, you might need the inside of your container divided into separate, secure compartments or rooms that you can walk in and out of.
On the other hand, you might be looking for space in which people can work, so you’ll need a container converted to resemble an office or shop, with a door, windows, lighting, heating, perhaps even a kitchenette and/or toilet facilities. All these features and more can be included in your container conversion.
Here are a few reasons why converted shipping containers are becoming so popular with all kinds of businesses seeking extra space:
We all know that looking after the environment and protecting the planet’s resources are essential. New-build and extension projects often require considerable resources and emission-generating transportation.
But when converting a shipping container, you’ll be using a sturdy steel box that already exists, so fewer resources will be needed. It can also be easily transported to wherever you need it – after all, containers are designed to fit on lorries. And you could transform the roof of your container into a green space with plants to attract wildlife and boost the eco-friendliness of your unit further.
Converting a shipping container will give you full control over the look of your new business premises, both on the inside and outside – something that’s unlikely if you move into an existing building.
With a container, you get to decide on everything from the placement of windows and doors, to the interior layout, the flooring, lighting, heating, pretty much everything that goes on the inside and outside of your unit.
The expert designers here at Upminster Containers will help bring your vision to life by creating computer-based 3D designs that will show you how your container will look inside and out, so you can see what you’re getting before the conversion work begins.
Shipping containers are built to withstand the elements whilst they are transported across the ocean on ships, this means that they are ready to provide a secure and protective working environment as well as somewhere that can shield whatever you want to store inside.
By adding secure locks to any windows or doors, as well as other features such as motion sensors and additional padlocks, you can ensure your unit is safe from any unauthorised attempts to gain access.
Hopefully, we’ve given you an insight into just how versatile shipping containers can be, and how a conversion project can bring your dreams of a new or bigger business closer to reality in 2025.
If you want to find out more about our container conversion services, just reach out to our friendly team who will be happy to guide you through the process and show you how our talented designers, carpenters, electricians, fabricators and welders can deliver the workspace your business needs.
To get in touch, you can call us on 01708 225350, email us at info@upminstercontainers.com or fill out our contact form and one of dedicated team members will reach out as soon as they can.
Upminster Containers is a leading provider of shipping containers in the UK. Aside from shipping container conversions, we also offer shipping containers to rent or buy and self-storage. We also have a strong and enduring partnership with Containex, allowing us to provide advanced modular building solutions. Explore our full range of services here.
