If you want a container that fits your space, budget, and timeline, you need clear facts and local options you can trust. I focus on practical choices that work on Montana properties, from tight residential lots to open ranch land. If you want a fast starting point, review MoCan Containers’ current inventory of shipping containers for sale. They have strong coverage across the state, and you can pick the exact unit that fits your plan.

Here is how I frame the decision. Start with your site and access, then choose the right size, then match condition and budget. After that, weigh rent versus buy based on how long you need the unit. I will walk you through each step, highlight key specs, and point you to the options that tend to work best in Montana.

Start With Your Site and Access

Biggest mistake I see is choosing a container before checking delivery space. Delivery trucks need room to straighten out and tilt the unit into place.

  • For a 20-foot container, plan for about 70 feet of straight, clear space
  • For a 40-foot container, plan for about 100 feet
  • Confirm overhead clearance for trees and power lines
  • Choose firm, level ground. Crushed gravel pads work well
  • Plan the container’s door orientation before delivery

If you are not sure, ask for a quick delivery review. It prevents delays and extra costs.

Size Options That Fit Montana Jobs

Both sizes from MoCan Containers cover most storage and project needs. Choose based on your site limits and what you plan to store or build.

20-foot Container: Compact and Versatile

  • Exterior: 20 ft L x 8 ft W x 8 ft 6 in H
  • Interior: about 19 ft 4 in L x 7 ft 8 in W x 7 ft 10 in H
  • Doors: about 7 ft 8 in W x 7 ft 5 in H
  • Tare weight: about 4,920 lb

Best for tight driveways, residential lots, small shops, small job sites, and farms with limited space. It suits tools, furniture, seasonal gear, inventory, and construction materials. It is also a smart base for small workshops or sheds.

40-foot Container: Capacity for Big Projects

  • Exterior: 40 ft L x 8 ft W x 9 ft 6 in H
  • Interior: about 39 ft 5 in L x 7 ft 8 in W x 8 ft 10 in H
  • Doors: about 7 ft 8 in W x 8 ft 5 in H
  • Tare weight: about 8,600 lb

Ideal for large inventory, bulk materials, machinery, and bigger site builds. Some units are standard height, others are high-cube, which gives you more interior height for racking, tall equipment, or overhead storage. One 40-footer often beats renting two smaller units.

Condition Choices: New One-Trip vs Used

Your project and budget will decide this. Here is how I suggest you think about it.

  • New one-trip
  • Clean, straight walls and floors
  • Weather seals in great shape
  • Minimal wear, limited rust or dents
  • Strong pick if you want a sharp look, plan to customize, or need a long service life
  • Used
  • More affordable
  • Surface rust, faded paint, and dents are normal
  • Inspected for wind and water tightness and lockable doors
  • Good match for storage where looks are not critical

If you need a clean, professional image on a business site, a one-trip unit is worth the premium. If you value function and cost control, a used unit delivers strong value.

Buy or Rent: Match the Term to Your Timeline

If you need storage for less than a year, renting is often smarter. If you plan to keep it or convert it, buy. MoCan Containers makes this choice straightforward.

  • 20-foot rentals start at $150 per month
  • 40-foot rentals start at $190 per month
  • Short-term rentals start at one month, with easy extensions
  • New and used units available for rent
  • Delivery and pickup handled on your schedule

If your project timeline is unclear, rent first. If you end up needing a permanent solution, you can buy later and right-size the container then.

Budget Beyond the Sticker Price

Look at total cost, not just the container.

  • Delivery based on distance and size
  • Site prep and blocking if needed
  • Locking hardware
  • Racking, lighting, and basic ventilation if you want a workspace
  • Modifications if you plan doors, windows, power, or insulation

Build a simple checklist and price each item. That helps you compare used vs one-trip and rent vs buy on equal terms.

Why I Recommend MoCan Containers in Montana

They are a locally owned, family-run company with yards in Billings and Bozeman. That matters for three reasons. First, you can visit to inspect and choose your exact unit, which removes guesswork. Second, their inventory covers both 20-foot and 40-foot containers in new and used condition, including high-cube options on certain 40-foot units. Third, their professional delivery has the right equipment to set containers where you need them on residential, commercial, agricultural, and construction sites.

They also offer:

  • Flexible rentals for short projects, seasonal needs, and long-term storage
  • Custom modifications for workshops, offices, retail pop-ups, barns, and cabins
  • Container moving services if you need to reposition a unit later
  • Coverage across eastern, central, and southwest Montana, including the Gallatin Valley and Paradise Valley

That mix of inventory, local access, and service reduces friction at every step.

Quick Checklist Before You Order

  • Measure your space and confirm 70 feet or 100 feet of straight access
  • Confirm truck turn radius and overhead clearance
  • Choose size and door orientation
  • Decide on new one-trip or used, based on budget and appearance needs
  • Plan ground prep, blocking, and moisture control
  • Pick security hardware and any shelving or racking
  • Note any modifications you want now vs later
  • Set a delivery window that avoids muddy or soft ground

A Simple Path to the Right Container

Here is a fast plan you can follow:

1. Walk your site and take photos of the access path and pad area.

2. List what you will store or build and the space you need to move inside.

3. Pick 20-foot or 40-foot based on space and capacity.

4. Choose new one-trip if you want top condition, or used if value comes first.

5. Decide rent vs buy based on how long you need the unit.

6. Schedule a visit to the Billings or Bozeman yard to select your exact container, then book delivery.

With a clear plan, the right size, and a reliable Montana supplier, you avoid delays and extra trips. MoCan Containers gives you the ability to see options in person, choose with confidence, and get professional delivery that respects your site.

If you follow the steps above, you will end up with the right container, a clean install, and storage or workspace that works the way you expect.