Renting a storage container shouldn’t mean choosing between convenience and quality. Great Lakes Kwik Space delivers portable storage and shipping containers throughout Chicagoland, placed exactly where you need them, whether that’s a driveway, a job site, a warehouse dock, or an open lot, usually within 24 hours of your call. Whether you’re clearing out a house during a renovation, staging materials on a construction site, or need overflow inventory space for a retail location, Great Lakes Kwik Space has a rental container sized and built for the job.
Great Lakes Kwik Space has served the Chicago area since 1990, and container rentals remain one of the most requested services we offer. Learn more about the full range of container types and sizes available to rent, guidance on picking the right one, and answers to the questions we hear most from renters.
Great Lakes Kwik Space stocks a rental fleet built to handle both short jobs and extended storage needs. Our rental customers span two broad groups: homeowners who need a secure place to keep belongings during a move, remodel, or downsizing project, and businesses who need mobile storage that can sit on-site for weeks, months, or longer.
Every rental container we deliver is placed at the location you choose. Tell us where you want it, and our delivery team handles the rest, whether you need it on a residential driveway, a fenced construction site, or a loading dock behind a commercial building.
Containers available for rent include standard 10 ft, 20 ft, 40 ft, and 45 ft units, along with high cube, double door, and side door configurations. Every container in the rental fleet is built for outdoor use: wind- and watertight with lockable doors.
Picking a container size usually comes down to two factors: how much you need to store and how much room you have to place it. The table below covers exterior footprint, usable interior space, and door opening dimensions for the most commonly rented sizes.
| Container | Exterior (LxWxH) | Interior (L × W × H) | Door Opening (W × H) | Cubic Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10′ Standard | 10′ × 8′ × 8’6″ | 9’4″ × 7’8″ × 7’10” | 7’8″ × 7’6″ | 563 cu ft |
| 20′ Standard | 20′ × 8′ × 8’6″ | 19’3″ × 7’8″ × 7’9 7/8″ | 7’8″ × 7’5″ | 1,165 cu ft |
| 40′ Standard | 40′ × 8′ × 8’6″ | 39’5″ × 7’8″ × 7’9 7/8″ | 7’8″ × 7’5″ | 2,350 cu ft |
| 40′ High Cube | 40′ × 8′ × 9’6″ | 39’5″ × 7’8″ × 8’10” | 7’8″ × 8’5 1/2″ | 2,694 cu ft |
| 45′ High Cube | 45′ × 8′ × 9’6″ | 44’5″ × 7’8″ × 8’10” | 7’8″ × 8’5 1/2″ | 3,043 cu ft |
For most household moves or single-room decluttering, a 10 ft or 20 ft container has enough room. Contractors and businesses moving large volumes of equipment, inventory, or furniture typically land on a 40 ft standard or high cube unit.
Standard shipping containers are the most common option among the rental fleet, with a single set of doors on one end, a fully enclosed steel box, and a flat floor rated to hold heavy, dense loads. These are the go-to choice for general storage where straightforward front-loading access is all you need.
High cube containers add a full foot of interior height compared to standard units, which is incredibly valuable when you’re stacking pallets, storing tall equipment, or simply want more room for oversized items. The 40 ft and 45 ft high cube containers are popular with businesses that need maximum cubic volume without expanding the container’s footprint.
Double door containers open at both ends instead of just one, so you can load and unload from either side without repositioning anything already inside. This layout works well on job sites where trucks need to pull up and offload quickly or in warehouse settings where through-traffic saves time.
Side door units add access along the length of the container in addition to end doors, which makes it far easier to reach specific items without unloading the whole unit first. Retailers storing seasonal inventory and businesses that need to grab individual pallets or boxes on demand tend to prefer this configuration.
“Needed to rent a storage container and Great Lakes Kwik space was able to get me a container to me that same week. Would recommend to every one who needs to rent a container.” — E & J Auto Service
Rental containers can serve a wide range of purposes. Find the most versatile ways to use your container.
A rental container parked in the driveway keeps furniture and belongings safe and out of the way while a kitchen gets redone or a household packs up for a move. No trips to an off-site storage facility, no loading a truck twice.
Tools, materials, and equipment need a lockable, weatherproof spot on-site, and a rental container delivered straight to the lot solves that without cutting into the job budget for a permanent structure.
Retailers use rental containers to hold overflow stock during peak seasons, promotional inventory, or store fixtures between resets, freeing up floor and stockroom space without a long-term lease commitment.
Manufacturers, distributors, and warehouses rent containers as flexible overflow space during expansions, equipment upgrades, or facility moves, when adding permanent square footage isn’t practical on a short timeline.
Festivals, trade shows, and other short-run projects often need secure, on-site storage for a defined window of time.
“Our company has been using Kwik Space for years. Bob always accommodates our requests and has very quick response time.” — Greg G.
Not every storage need calls for owning a container outright. Here’s how renting and buying compare on some of the top decision-making factors.
| Factor | Renting | Purchasing |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low; monthly rental rate only | Higher; full purchase price paid up front |
| Commitment | Flexible, month-to-month or set term | Long-term asset, yours indefinitely |
| Maintenance | Handled as part of the rental | Owner’s responsibility |
| Best for | Short-term projects, moves, seasonal needs | Ongoing or permanent storage needs |
| Delivery/pickup | Included in rental service | Delivery included; no scheduled pickup |
| End of use | Return the container, no resale needed | Resell or repurpose when no longer needed |
If your storage need has a clear end date, like a move, a renovation, or a seasonal inventory bump, renting is almost always the more economical route. If you’re looking at years of ongoing use, purchasing a container (new or used) usually ends up cheaper over the long run. Great Lakes Kwik Space offers both, so you’re not locked into one path before you’ve had a chance to compare.
“What a great team to work with! Cost effective, timely, and a solid, quality product so they hit on every main necessity. Even billing is simplified and efficient.” — Cindy D.
Beyond picking a size off the specs table, a few practical questions help narrow down the right rental:
How long do you need it? Short-term projects are straightforward rentals with minimal planning. Longer commitments, especially six months or more, are worth discussing with a Great Lakes Kwik Space sales rep, since rental terms and rates can be structured differently for extended use.
How will you load and unload it? If you’ll be accessing the container repeatedly and need to reach specific items without a full unload, a side door or double door configuration saves real time. Otherwise, a standard single-door container is usually sufficient and simpler to work with.
What’s your site access like? Delivery trucks need a clear, relatively flat approach and enough room to maneuver a container into position. A tight urban driveway or a lot with overhead obstructions (low tree branches, power lines) may narrow which sizes work. This is worth flagging to the delivery team ahead of time so there are no surprises on drop-off day.
What are you storing? Dense, heavy loads like tools, machinery parts, or inventory pallets do well in standard-height containers. Bulkier, lighter items like furniture, boxed goods, and seasonal displays benefit from the extra headroom of a high cube unit.
Great Lakes Kwik Space has been a trusted name in Chicagoland portable storage since 1990. Learn why customers have chosen our services for over three decades.
From compact 10 ft units to 45 ft high cube containers, plus double door and side door configurations, GLKS carries the range needed to match a container to the job, rather than choosing a one-size-fits-all solution.
Rental containers are constructed from durable, corrosion-resistant materials and engineered to be wind- and watertight, so contents stay protected through Chicago’s full range of weather: heat, humidity, snow, and everything in between.
Containers are typically delivered within 24 hours of a confirmed order and placed exactly where requested, whether that’s a driveway, job site, or loading area.
Rental rates are based on container size, rental duration, and delivery location, with no hidden fees added on after the fact. A quote request gets you a clear number before you commit.
The Great Lakes Kwik Space team helps match renters to the right size and type and stays available throughout the rental for questions or adjustments.
Rentals accommodate both short-term projects and extended storage needs, with terms that can be adjusted as a project’s timeline shifts.
“Their customer service sets Great Lakes Kwik Storage apart. They took the time to understand our needs and offered options to meet those needs. I will use them again.” — Sterling M.
Finding the right storage solution shouldn’t take more than a phone call. Great Lakes Kwik Space has spent over three decades getting containers to Chicagoland driveways, job sites, and loading docks fast, and matching renters to the size and type that actually fits what they’re storing.
Whether you need a 10 ft container for a weekend move or a 45 ft high cube for months of job-site storage, the process stays the same: pick a size, tell us where to put it, and expect delivery within 24 hours.
Ready to get started? Call 866.524.6603 or request a free quote online today!
Great Lakes Kwik Space rents containers in 10 ft, 20 ft, 40 ft, and 45 ft sizes, including standard ISO units, high cube containers for extra interior height, and double door or side door configurations for easier loading access. A sales rep can help match a size and type to your specific storage or job-site needs. Contact us today.
Rental pricing depends on container size, how long you need it, and your delivery location. Since needs vary widely between a two-week residential move and a year-long commercial rental, GLKS provides personalized quotes rather than flat published rates; request one online or by phone for an accurate number.
Both. Rental terms are flexible enough to cover short-term needs like a home renovation or move, as well as longer commercial or industrial rentals that run for months.
Yes, delivery to your specified location and pickup at the end of the rental are both part of the service, and containers are commonly placed in driveways, yards, job sites, or commercial lots. The main requirement is enough clear space and access for the delivery truck to maneuver the container into position.
Yes. Rental containers are built from durable, weather-resistant materials and designed to be wind- and watertight, keeping stored items protected from rain, snow, and humidity throughout the Chicago seasons.
Choosing the right size depends on what you plan to store. Smaller containers (like 10–20 ft) work well for household items or tools, while 40 ft and 45 ft sizes are ideal for larger equipment, commercial inventory, or bulk storage.
Permit requirements vary by city, zoning laws, or homeowner association rules. It’s recommended to check with local authorities in Chciago or Aurora before placing a container on your property.
Yes, as long as there’s enough space and access for delivery, the container can be placed where you need it for convenient loading or storage.
Standard rental fees typically include the container, delivery, and pickup. Any potential extra charges, such as special placement requirements or accessories, are disclosed ahead of time, so there are no surprises.
You can request a quote online, call the rental team, or fill out the contact form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Once you choose your container size and rental term, delivery can be scheduled quickly, often within 24 hours.
Rob was always very honest and upfront about everything and took the time to explain everything I needed.
“highly recommended. They provided us with a great storage container with ontime services.”
“Bought a used container, its perfect, no leaks and in good condition.”
“Good service and prompt delivery. A great option for temporary storage at a decent price.”
