Ordering a shipping container is the easy part. Making sure your property is ready for delivery is what helps everything go smoothly.

Whether you’re placing a 20-foot container in your driveway, adding secure storage to a construction site, or setting up extra business storage, a little preparation can prevent delays, property damage, and unnecessary repositioning.

At KP Storage Solutions, we deliver shipping containers throughout the Denver metro area and across Colorado. Our experienced drivers work with residential and commercial customers every day, and we’ve found that the best deliveries start with a well-prepared site.

Here’s everything you should do before delivery day.

1. Choose the Right Location

Before your container arrives, decide exactly where you want it placed.

Ask yourself:

Will you be able to easily access the doors?
Is there enough room to walk around the container?
Will the location interfere with vehicles or foot traffic?
Is it convenient for loading and unloading?

Remember that once a shipping container is placed, moving it requires specialized equipment, so choosing the right location from the start saves time and money.

2. Make Sure the Ground Is Level

Shipping containers perform best when they’re sitting on solid, level ground.

Suitable surfaces include:

Concrete pads
Asphalt
Compacted gravel
Crushed rock
Well-compacted dirt (depending on conditions)

Avoid placing a container on:

Soft soil
Mud
Fresh landscaping
Uneven terrain
Areas prone to standing water

An uneven foundation can make container doors difficult to open and close over time and may increase stress on the frame.

If your property has a slope, ask your delivery provider whether leveling blocks or other site preparation may be necessary.

3. Confirm Truck Access

One of the biggest reasons deliveries get delayed is limited truck access.

Delivery trucks need plenty of room to safely maneuver into position before unloading the container.

Before delivery, check for:

Narrow driveways
Tight turns
Low-hanging tree branches
Utility wires
Fences
Gates
Parked vehicles
Mailboxes
Decorative landscaping

If you’re unsure whether a truck can reach your desired location, take photos of the property and share them before delivery. This helps identify potential issues ahead of time.

4. Check Overhead Clearance

Many people remember ground space but forget about height.

During delivery, the truck bed tilts upward to slide the container into place. That means significantly more overhead clearance is required than the height of the container itself.

Watch for:

Tree limbs
Power lines
Cable lines
Carports
Roof overhangs
Basketball hoops

Obstructions overhead can prevent safe delivery and may require selecting a different placement location.

5. Remove Obstacles Before Delivery

The delivery area should be completely clear before the truck arrives.

Move:

Cars
Trailers
Boats
RVs
Construction materials
Equipment
Trash bins
Portable basketball goals

Clearing the area ahead of time helps the driver complete placement quickly and safely.

How to Prepare your Property for Container Delivery

6. Think About Door Orientation

Shipping container doors only open from one end.

Before delivery, decide which direction you want those doors facing.

For example:

Toward your garage for easier storage access
Toward a loading dock
Toward your jobsite
Away from neighboring properties
Facing your driveway for easy loading

Taking a minute to think about door orientation now can save a lot of frustration later.

7. Verify Local HOA or Permit Requirements

Some neighborhoods, cities, or commercial properties may have restrictions on shipping container placement.

Before delivery, check whether you need:

HOA approval
Temporary placement approval
Local permits
Construction site authorization
Property management approval

Requirements vary by municipality, so it’s worth confirming before scheduling delivery.

8. Plan for Drainage

Proper drainage helps extend the life of your container. Avoid placing your container where water naturally pools after rain or snow.

Good drainage helps:

Reduce standing water
Minimize corrosion over time
Keep the container level
Protect surrounding landscaping

If necessary, consider adding gravel beneath or around the container to improve drainage.

9. Be Available on Delivery Day

Whenever possible, have someone on-site during delivery.

This allows you to:

Confirm final placement
Answer driver questions
Verify door orientation
Check clearances before unloading
Inspect the container once it’s in place

Most deliveries are completed quickly when the site is prepared and someone is available to guide placement.

Common Delivery Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few mistakes that can lead to delays or additional costs:

Waiting until delivery day to clear the site
Forgetting to check overhead power lines
Choosing soft or muddy ground
Blocking truck access with parked vehicles
Not thinking about which direction the doors should face
Assuming the truck can fit without measuring
Ignoring HOA or city restrictions

A little planning goes a long way toward ensuring a smooth delivery.

Quick Property Preparation Checklist

Before your container arrives, make sure you’ve completed the following:

☐ Selected the final placement location

☐ Confirmed the ground is level and stable

☐ Cleared vehicles and obstacles

☐ Checked driveway and truck access

☐ Verified overhead clearance

☐ Decided which way the doors should face

☐ Confirmed any required permits or HOA approval

☐ Ensured proper drainage

☐ Planned to be present during delivery

Let KP Storage Handle the Rest

At KP Storage Solutions, we make shipping container delivery as simple as possible. Our experienced team delivers containers throughout the Denver metro area, placing them carefully on residential properties, construction sites, commercial facilities, and rural locations. We also offer a Pay Upon Delivery policy, so you can inspect your container before completing payment.

Whether you’re purchasing a 20-foot shipping container for home storage or a 40-foot container for your business, we’ll help ensure the delivery process is smooth from start to finish.

Ready to schedule your delivery? Contact KP Storage Solutions today for a free quote and let our team help you choose the right container and prepare your property for a hassle-free delivery.