Clearing the Site Before Your Container Arrives | A Practical Site-Preparation Guide
Published 9 Dec 2025 · Updated 2 Sept 2026 · 4 min read
In this article
- Check the actual site dimensions
- Check access for the crane / lifting truck
- Clear and level the ground so it bears the load
- Choose the support: compacted soil / footings / concrete slab
- Sort out the drainage
- Clear obstructions before installation day
- Prepare power and water (for units with a bathroom)
- Summary: a ready site = easy, safe installation and a long life
- Contact Container To Build
- Frequently asked questions
In short: Before a unit is placed you need three things ready: access, ground and drainage. The truck and crane must be able to reach the site (a road at least 3 m wide with no low power lines). The ground must be level, firm, sloped no more than 3–5 degrees, and at least 50 cm wider than the unit on every side. And water must have somewhere to drain. There are three ways to support a unit, and concrete piers suit most uses. If you are not sure, send us photos of the access road and the plot and we will check them for free.
| Support | Suits | Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Compacted soil + pads | Temporary use, storage, short site jobs | Lowest cost |
| Concrete piers (recommended) | Site offices, worker housing, knock-down houses | Keeps damp out, easy to relocate (4–6 piers for a 3×6 m unit) |
| Full concrete slab | Shops, main offices, permanent homes | Strongest, most accurate levelling |
A container that sits safe, level, dry and lasts for years doesn’t depend on the quality of the unit alone — the most important factor is the ground beneath it.
With the site ready, installation is faster and safer, and long-term problems drop by more than 70%.
This article walks through every step to prepare before the unit arrives — easy to follow, so you can check your own site right away.
1. Check the actual site dimensions
Before placing the unit, know how big the area is and whether it truly works.
The basics:
- the ground must be at least 50 cm wider than the unit on every side
- with room for the crane truck to turn and lift.
Example
- Containers of 3×6 m → you should have at least 4×7 m
- For multiple units,allow clearancefor joining units and walkways around them.
Tip: send a wide-angle photo to our sales team for an initial assessment of risks and readiness.
2. Check access for the crane / lifting truck
Even if the site itself is big enough, if the truck can’t get in, the unit can’t be placed.
What to check:
- the road should be at least 3 m wide
- with no low power lines or branches in the way.
- If the unit must be lifted over a wall, tell the company in advance.
- For very narrow access, a long-boom crane truck (Hiab) may be needed.
3. Clear and level the ground so it bears the load
Before placement, confirm that the ground won’t subside and can bear the weight.
Good ground means:
- no holes, no mud
- firm soil with no settlement
- slope no more than 3–5 degrees.
Unsuitable ground:
- loose sand
- silt or waterlogged ground
- areas with constant water flow.
4. Choose the support: compacted soil / footings / concrete slab
There are 3 ways to set the unit, depending on budget and use.
Option 1: compacted soil + pads (cheapest)
For temporary use — a storage unit or a short-term site.
- What to do:
- compact the soil firmly
- and place concrete pads under all 4 corners.
Option 2: set on footings (most recommended)
Benefits:
- keeps out damp and standing water
- reduces corrosion from below
- easy to relocate later.
Best for:
- office units
- worker accommodation units
- storage units.
- Knock-down houses
Recommended number of footings:
- 3×6 m unit → 4–6 footings.
Option 3: full concrete slab (for permanent use)
Best for:
- shops
- a main office
- a permanent home.
Benefits:
- The strongest option
- precise levelling
- and minimal long-term tilting.
5. Sort out the drainage
The most common post-installation problem is standing water — deal with drainage before the unit arrives.
What to do:
- cut drainage channels away from the area
- raise the ground above road level
- and in flood-prone areas use tall footings of 30–50 cm.
6. Clear obstructions before installation day
Before the truck arrives, clear away:
- debris, brick, stone, timber
- trees or weeds
- tanks and underground water pipes
- anything that could tilt the unit, such as lumps of mortar.
7. Prepare power and water (for units with a bathroom)
You will need:
- a mains connection / main breaker box
- a ½–1 inch water supply pipe
- a drain pipe (ideally with a catch pit).
Summary: a ready site = easy, safe installation and a long life
What good preparation buys you:
- faster installation
- lower risk of tilting
- no leaks, damp or standing water
- and years added to the unit’s life.
Contact Container To Build
Thailand’s leading hub for containers and knock-down houses for over 25 years
High-quality materials, Japanese innovation, PU foam insulation
Frequently asked questions
Can a unit be placed straight on the soil?
For temporary use, yes. Compact the soil well and put concrete pads under all four corners. If it will stay more than a few months, or water collects on the plot, we recommend concrete piers to keep damp out and stop the underside from deteriorating.
How many piers does one unit need?
A 3×6 m unit needs about 4–6 piers. On land at risk of flooding we recommend piers 30–50 cm high. If several units are joined, our team sets the pier positions to match the layout.
How much space do I need?
At least 50 cm more than the unit on every side, so a 3×6 m unit needs at least 4×7 m, plus room for the crane to turn. The access road should be at least 3 m wide (see container sizes and the trucks that carry them).
