New & Used Shipping Containers For Sale Dallas & North Texas

Texas homeowners are buying containers to use as home offices or as additions to their homes to expand their living space.

Many Texas businesses use shipping containers at their gates to keep track of those entering and exiting their major factories, corporate offices, or other facilities. In that way, security guards can work outside of the elements.

Water-treatment facilities can house the necessary supplies to keep drinking water safe in a repurposed shipping container. This container can then be moved from location to location—especially in a weather emergency or power outage.

Housing a diesel engine and a fuel cell, containers can be transformed into powerful mobile generators. When the electricity goes out, these generators can power a hospital emergency room or another critical business for two weeks.

Many Texas farmers store equipment, implements, or tractors in new and used shipping containers. This extends and expands the size and locations of their barns and reduces their overhead costs. Texans also keep corn, cotton, wheat, oats, sorghum, rice, hay, peanuts, potatoes, and other crops dry in converted shipping containers.

In Ladonia, Texas, vacationers can stay in a treehouse made of shipping containers. A tiny home in Fort Worth is also available to rent. Another shipping container vacation rental is in the Fort Worth cultural district. A micro resort community is in the Fort Worth River District. Called Hotel Otto, it rents eight shipping container bungalows.

From luxury homes to affordable housing, Texans are building and buying houses from repurposed shipping containers. 

For example, Dallas is home to a 3,700-square-foot luxury container home called PV14. Similarly, a 2,400-square-foot container home in Midway Hollow, Dallas, Texas listed for $730k. 

A three-story, six-shipping container home resides in the Linwood neighborhood of Fort Worth. 

East Dallas plans to build affordable apartments made of shipping containers. Rents would start at just $906 a month.

East McKinney, Texas, boasts an affordable container home community—the first in North Texas. Called The Cotton Groves, the 35 affordable family townhomes were sponsored by the North Collin County Habitat for Humanity. Each home is built from four shipping containers.

Modpools® is located in Austin, Texas, and British Columbia, Canada. It repurposes single-use shipping containers to build custom, in-ground pools throughout Texas.

Hydroponic farms in converted shipping containers are popular in Texas. For instance, a Texas supermarket chain headquartered in Dallas is growing store-grown produce in containers. 

Big Tex Urban Farms grows greens in climate-controlled hydroponic containers (two welded together) in Fair Park in South Dallas. Named GrowZilla, the hydroponic farm provides healthy food for nonprofits. 

Another Dallas, Texas, hydroponic farm, Doodle Farms, provides the greens for Legacy Hall in Plano, Texas.

Pricing is the most common inquiry we receive. Unlike standard retail products with fixed price tags, the cost of shipping containers in Dallas fluctuates based on several dynamic factors.

Inland Logistics and Transportation

One of the biggest factors influencing price in Dallas is its location. Unlike Houston, Dallas is landlocked. This means containers must be transported inland by rail or truck from coastal ports.

• Transport Costs: The cost to move a container from a port to a Dallas depot is factored into the final price. This can sometimes make units in Dallas slightly more expensive than those sitting directly at a seaport.
• Intermodal Hubs: Dallas is a major intermodal hub with significant rail infrastructure. Supply levels here depend heavily on rail logistics. Prices sometimes vary depending on whether rail yards are full, or if incoming rail traffic slows.

Supply and Demand

Prices change based on the current supply levels at the depots that service our North Texas customers. If major logistics companies are holding onto their containers for export, local inventory shrinks, and prices increase.

Container Condition and Modifications

The grade of the container dictates the base cost. A "New (One-Trip)" container, which is virtually pristine, costs more than a used "Wind and Watertight" unit. Furthermore, modifications—such as installing roll-up doors, windows, or HVAC units—will add to the total investment. At Container Management, Inc., we help you assess which grade and modifications align best with your project and budget.

Understanding the industry grading system is crucial to ensure you get the quality you expect. Here is how we classify containers available in the Dallas market.

• New (One-Trip): These units are manufactured in Asia and shipped once to the US. They are the highest quality option, featuring excellent paint, functioning door seals, and minimal dents. They are ideal for high-visibility locations or modification projects.
• Cargo Worthy (CW): These are used containers that remain structurally sound. A licensed surveyor can certify them for international shipping. They will have cosmetic wear like rust and dents but are a solid choice for long-term storage.  And most importantly, they meet the manufacturer’s structural requirements.  
• Wind and Watertight (WWT): These used containers are guaranteed to keep wind and water out, making them perfect for static storage. They are generally the most affordable option for keeping tools and materials dry.

We often hear this question from customers who want to see the unit before buying.

The containers we sell are stored in large intermodal depots and secure storage yards throughout the DFW area. These facilities are regulated and prioritize safety and security. Due to liability issues and heavy machinery operation, our insurance providers strictly prohibit public access to these depots. They are not open retail lots, but rather operational sites.

To address this, we provide clear guarantees on the condition of our containers. If you order a specific grade, we ensure the delivered unit meets those strict standards.

Delivering a 20ft or 40ft steel box in the sprawling DFW area requires careful planning. Our licensed, professional delivery service handles the logistics, but there are key factors for you to consider.

Traffic and Access

Dallas is known for its complex highway systems and heavy traffic. Our drivers are experts at navigating routes like I-35, I-45, and the loops (635 and 820), but local access is critical.

• Urban Delivery: delivering to tight spots in Uptown or specialized lots in the Design District requires precise maneuvering. We need to know about narrow alleys or low-hanging wires.
• Suburban/Rural Delivery: In areas like McKinney, Waxahachie, or Denton, we often have more space. However, we still need approximately 130 feet of straight-line clearance for a 40ft container to be offloaded safely.

Site Preparation

The clay-heavy soil common in North Texas expands and contracts significantly with the weather. We strongly advise against placing a container directly on the grass or dirt.

• Foundation: We recommend using railroad ties, concrete blocks, or a gravel pad. This keeps the container level and prevents it from sinking into the ground during wet seasons, which ensures the doors continue to open and close properly.

Zoning regulations are a critical consideration in the DFW area and vary significantly by municipality.

• City of Dallas: The city has specific zoning ordinances. Shipping containers used as permanent structures (like homes or offices) generally require building permits and must meet strict code requirements. Temporary usage permits may also be available for construction sites.
• Suburbs and HOAs: Suburbs like Plano, Frisco, and Highland Park often have strict aesthetic guidelines. Homeowners Associations (HOAs) frequently prohibit visible storage containers.
• Rural Areas: In unincorporated areas of Dallas or Tarrant County, regulations are often more relaxed, but it is still vital to check floodplain maps and general property restrictions.

We recommend contacting your local planning or zoning department before you purchase to avoid fines or having to remove the unit.

As demand for "shipping containers Dallas" grows, so do fraudulent online listings. Scammers often target buyers looking for bargains.

Watch for Red Flags

• Unrealistic Pricing: If a listing offers a delivered 40ft container for a price far below the market average, it is a major red flag.
• Pressure Tactics: Be wary of sellers who pressure you for immediate payment via wire transfer or peer-to-peer cash apps.

Secure Payment Options

The safest way to transact is using a major credit card. This provides you with fraud protection that cash or wire transfers do not. At Container Management, Inc., we accept secured credit card payments and do not pass processing fees on to our customers. This ensures your transaction is safe and transparent.