--- title: "Portable Storage Guides for Operators and Customers | NPSA" description: "Guides from the National Portable Storage Association: starting a portable storage business, container grades and sizes, pricing, permits, costs and more." url: https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides publisher: National Portable Storage Association (NPSA) phone: "(816) 960-6552" email: info@npsa.org --- Learn # Guides to the portable storage business Straight answers for operators starting or growing a portable storage company, and for customers renting or buying their first unit. For operatorsFor customers Operators ## For operators and suppliers [### How to start a portable storage business How to start a portable storage business: startup costs, fleet size, delivery trucks, licenses, permits, and a first-90-days plan for new operators. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/how-to-start-a-portable-storage-business)[### Shipping container grades explained: One-trip, IICL, cargo worthy, and WWT Shipping container grades explained for operators: one-trip, IICL, cargo worthy, wind and water tight, as-is, and what a CSC plate does and does not prove. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/shipping-container-grades)[### Shipping container sizes and dimensions for rental fleets Shipping container dimensions for rental fleets: 20 ft, 40 ft and high cube sizes, interior space, door openings, tare weights, pallets, and handling. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/container-sizes-and-dimensions)[### How to price a container rental fleet Container rental pricing for operators: monthly rates, delivery fees, utilization, payback math, and add-on fees, with public ranges and a worked example. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/pricing-a-container-rental-fleet)[### Container delivery equipment: Tilt-bed, roll-off, side-loader, and crane trucks Container delivery truck types compared: tilt-bed, flatbed, hooklift, side-loader, and crane trucks, with site clearance, CDL basics, and a site checklist. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/container-delivery-equipment)[### Permits, zoning, and HOA rules for container rental operators Storage container permits, zoning limits, and HOA rules for operators: what local codes cover, who pulls the permit, and a pre-delivery checklist. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/permits-zoning-hoa-for-operators)[### Insurance for portable storage companies: What coverage to ask about Portable storage business insurance explained: main policies, inland marine versus property cover, sample cost data and questions to ask your agent. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/insurance-for-portable-storage-companies)[### Container modifications for rental: Doors, windows, lock boxes and HVAC Container modifications for rental fleets: doors, windows, lock boxes, insulation and HVAC, plus what cutting steel does to strength and the CSC plate. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/container-modifications)[### Buying containers wholesale: A buyer's guide for operators Buy shipping containers wholesale with confidence: where operators source units, grades and published price bands, inspection checks and delivery costs. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/buying-containers-wholesale)[### Safety and compliance for container delivery: DOT, FMCSA, CDL and OSHA FMCSA requirements for container delivery explained: when you need a USDOT number or CDL, inspection and record rules, and OSHA basics for your yard. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/dot-fmcsa-osha-compliance) Customers ## For storage customers [### Portable storage container sizes: What size do you need? Storage container sizes explained: 8, 12, 16, 20 and 40 ft units, high cube, what fits in each, and how to pick a size when sources and providers disagree. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/what-size-portable-storage-container)[### Rent or buy a storage container? How to decide Rent vs buy storage container: compare monthly rent, purchase prices, delivery, site needs and the break-even point so you can choose with real numbers. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/rent-or-buy-storage-container)[### How much does portable storage cost? Monthly rent, fees and totals Portable storage container rental cost explained: typical monthly rent, delivery fees, move pricing and extra charges, with sourced ranges and a checklist. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/portable-storage-cost)[### How to prepare your site for a storage container delivery Storage container ground preparation made simple: surface, slope, truck space, overhead wires and a day-before checklist so your delivery goes smoothly. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/site-preparation-for-container-delivery)[### Do you need a permit or HOA approval for a container in your driveway? Storage container permit driveway rules: when you may need a city permit, what an HOA can restrict, and how to check before delivery. Rules are local. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/portable-storage-permits-hoa)[### Moving container or rental truck? How to choose for your move Moving container vs truck: compare cost, who drives, loading time, storage and space needs, with sourced price ranges to help you pick the right option. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/moving-container-vs-moving-truck)[### How to choose a portable storage provider: What to ask before you rent How to choose a portable storage company: compare written quotes, ask about fees, coverage, delivery and the contract, and check reviews and registrations. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/how-to-choose-portable-storage-provider)[### What not to store in a portable storage container What can't you store in a portable storage container? Learn which items are usually banned or risky, from food and propane to batteries and heirlooms. Read the guide](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/guides/what-not-to-store-in-portable-storage) [### Glossary Plain definitions of portable storage and shipping container terms. Open the glossary](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/glossary)[### Blog Industry articles, event recaps and planning checklists. Read the blog](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/blog)[### FAQ Quick answers about NPSA, membership, events and finding storage. See the FAQ](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/faq) For the industry ## Grow your portable storage business with NPSA Members get event rates, the Community Forum, the directory listing and leads from this website. [Join NPSA](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/join-us)[See member benefits](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/member-benefits) Need storage? ## Get quotes from NPSA member companies Tell us what you need and where. A member company that serves your area will contact you. [Request a quote](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/request-a-quote)[Which unit do I need?](https://npsa.preview.multisites.ai/find-storage)