Container Yard with Your Own Delivery Lorry

Builders and contractors, farms, shops, event companies and households needing storage.

Profit on container sales, monthly hire fees, and delivery and collection charges. Owning the lorry keeps the delivery margin.

• Driving a heavy goods vehicle safely
• Sales and customer service
• Managing stock and bookings
• Basic maintenance and repairs

• The right driving licence category for the lorry, plus driver CPC where it applies, so check with the DVLA
• Check whether you need a goods vehicle operator's licence for your lorry's weight and the work you do
• Lifting equipment needs regular inspection and trained operators, so check the rules on lifting operations
• Planning permission for the yard and for containers placed on customers' land
• Public liability, motor trade or goods in transit, and vehicle insurance can be costly
• Stock tied up in containers means cash flow risk if sales are slow

Startup costs are typically around £30,000 to £120,000, depending on whether you rent or own the yard, how much container stock you hold and which lorry you buy. Treat this as an estimate and get quotes before committing.

Check the right driving licence category and driver CPC with the DVLA, whether you need a goods vehicle operator's licence, the rules on lifting operations and equipment inspection, and planning permission for the yard and for containers placed on customers' land.

Monthly revenue is typically around £10,000 to £50,000, depending on your stock, the mix of sales and hire, and your delivery area. That is revenue, not profit, and stock tied up in containers can strain cash flow if sales are slow.