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A remodel moves your house into the wrong rooms. Kitchen cabinets end up in the dining room, living room furniture stacks up in the hallway, and the garage fills with boxes. Workers need open floor to do their jobs, and you need a safe place for everything you own.
I have spent time studying the storage choices homeowners have during a remodel, and I judge each one by four things: cost, security, access, and how simple the delivery is. A shipping container storage rental scores well on all four. It sits on your property, it locks, and you keep it only as long as the project runs.
This article covers how short-term rental works, how to pick a size, how to check your space, and how to plan your rental from start to finish. I also explain why I recommend MoCan Containers for homeowners in Montana.
Why a Container Makes Sense for a Remodel
Most storage choices force a trade. A public storage unit sits across town, so every trip costs you time and fuel. A pile of boxes in the garage blocks your car and gets in the crew’s way.
A container on your driveway or yard solves both problems. Your belongings stay close, you can reach them any day you need something, and the work area stays clear.
Here is what you gain:
- Your furniture, boxes, and appliances stay off the job site.
- Workers can move around the rooms without stepping over your things.
- Your items sit behind a steel door with a lock.
- You pay for a few months instead of buying a unit.
How Short-Term Rental Works
A short-term rental can start at one month. If your contractor runs late, you can extend the rental. When the work is done, the company picks up the container.
That flexibility matters because remodels rarely finish on the first date someone gives you. Weather, material delivery, and inspections all change the schedule. A rental that bends with your project gives you room to adjust.
Pick the Right Size
Two sizes cover most home projects.
The 20-Foot Container
This size fits a single-room remodel, such as a kitchen or a bathroom. It is easier to place in a driveway or a small yard.
- Inside length: 19 feet 4 inches
- Inside width: 7 feet 8 inches
- Inside height: 7 feet 10 inches
- Rentals start at $150 per month
The 40-Foot Container
This size has twice the length. I suggest it for whole-house remodels, additions, or a full move-out during construction.
- Inside length: 39 feet 5 inches
- Inside width: 7 feet 8 inches
- Inside height: 8 feet 10 inches
- Rentals start at $190 per month
If you stand between sizes, look at the price gap. The difference per month is small, and extra room gives you space to stack items with a walkway between them.
Check Your Space Before You Book
Delivery needs more room than the container itself. A 20-foot unit needs about 70 feet of straight, clear space for delivery. A 40-foot unit needs about 100 feet, plus room for the truck and trailer to turn.
Walk your property and look at these items:
1. Overhead power lines and tree branches along the path.
2. Gates, fences, and tight corners.
3. Ground that is flat and firm enough to hold the container.
4. A spot close to the door of your home, but clear of the work area.
Check with your city or neighborhood group about rules for containers on private property. Some places ask for a permit or limit how long a unit can stay.
Why I Recommend MoCan Containers
I recommend MoCan Containers for Montana homeowners, and I have specific reasons.
They are local and family-owned. They run two yards, one in Billings and one in Bozeman. They keep what they describe as the largest inventory of shipping containers within a 300-mile radius, so you have a good chance of finding the size you need when you need it.
You choose your container. You can walk the yard, inspect each unit, and pick the one you like. They deliver that same container to your site. Most rental companies assign a unit, so this option gives you more control.
The units are built for protection. Every rental is made of heavy-duty steel, lockable, and wind and watertight. They inspect each container before delivery. Their long-term rental fleet is mostly one-trip containers that look clean and fresh.
Delivery is careful. Their tilt-bed trailers place the container where you want it. Their team reviews your space and access with you ahead of time, and they schedule a pickup when your rental ends. The delivery fee stays affordable, even for long distances.
Pricing and terms are flexible. Rates depend on size, condition, and supply, so call for a quote and an inventory check.
Visit a Yard
The Billings yard is at 1721 Old Hardin Rd, Billings, MT 59101. You can call (406) 661-1226. It serves Yellowstone County and much of eastern and central Montana.
The Bozeman yard is at 39 Jays Way in Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730. You can call (406) 661-1684. It serves the Gallatin Valley, Paradise Valley, and the surrounding region.
Both yards are open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 to 5:00. Friday through Sunday visits are by appointment. In Billings, you can stop by the yard. In Bozeman, call ahead to schedule your visit.
A Simple Timeline for Your Rental
Use this order to keep your project on track:
1. Four weeks before demolition: Measure your space and call for a quote.
2. Three weeks before: Visit the yard and pick your container.
3. One week before: Confirm the delivery date and clear the path.
4. Delivery day: Walk the driver through your placement spot.
5. Before work starts: Move your belongings into the container.
6. During the remodel: Call to extend if the schedule changes.
7. After final cleanup: Empty the container and schedule pickup.
Pack the Container with Care
A little planning makes the container easy to use for months.
- Place items you need first near the door.
- Put pallets or boards under boxes to keep them off the floor.
- Wrap furniture in blankets or plastic covers.
- Leave a walkway down the middle.
- Label each box with the room it belongs to.
- Keep a list of what you store.
Heavy items go on the bottom and near the front. Light boxes go on top. This keeps stacks steady and makes unloading easier.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Ask these questions of any rental company:
MoCan Containers can answer each of these when you call. Take your project dates, your space measurements, and a list of what you plan to store. With that information, you can pick a size and book your rental with confidence.
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