Container sales broker (no yard)

Builders, farms, small businesses and households who need extra storage or a secure site shed.

You keep the margin between the wholesale price and your sale or hire price, plus a delivery mark-up. Margins per container are modest, so income depends on how many units you place each month. Larger orders and repeat builders add more.

• Sales and quoting
• Organising deliveries and suppliers
• Clear communication with customers
• Basic understanding of container sizes and condition grades

• Public liability and, where relevant, professional indemnity insurance, check what your insurer covers
• Be accurate about condition and what 'wind and water tight' means, and check your obligations under Australian Consumer Law
• Customers may need council or landlord approval to place a container, check local rules and advise clearly
• Check biosecurity or cleanliness requirements for ex-shipping containers with your supplier
• Handle customer deposits carefully, as you carry the risk if a supplier fails to deliver
• Delivery needs truck access, so confirm site access before booking the carrier

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your set-up, insurance and marketing. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many customers you win.

Check public liability and professional indemnity cover, and your obligations under Australian Consumer Law, including accuracy about condition and 'wind and water tight'. Customers may need council or landlord approval, and ex-shipping containers may have biosecurity or cleanliness requirements to check with your supplier.

Useful skills include sales and quoting, organising deliveries and suppliers, clear communication and basic knowledge of container sizes and condition grades. Estimates suggest at least around 10 hours a week. Handle deposits carefully, as you carry the risk if a supplier fails to deliver.