Prepare the site · Canada guide
Prepare a container site in Canada: access, support and drainage
A container footprint is only one part of the required space. Prepare the vehicle route, unloading area and final support arrangement before agreeing a delivery date.
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Reserve three separate working areas
Draw the proposed position and door direction on a site sketch. Then add the vehicle route and the space the carrier needs to unload. A container fitting on the pad does not mean the delivery vehicle can reach it or leave afterwards.
| Area | What to record | Who needs the information |
|---|---|---|
| Final position | Container footprint, support points, doors and everyday access | Supplier and support designer |
| Vehicle route | Narrowest opening, bends, slope, overhead obstacles and surface condition | Carrier choosing the vehicle |
| Unloading area | Vehicle position, lifting or tilt-bed movement, obstructions and clear work area | Carrier and unloading provider |
Your project record · no automatic assessment
Prepare your container site and delivery record
Record the location, access, support plan and questions still open. This is a personal briefing record; it does not design foundations, approve a route or authorize unloading.
Start with what you know; leave the rest unknown. Entries stay in this tab until you choose to copy, download or open the quote form. Refreshing clears them. Do not enter confidential or sensitive information.
Include units with your measurements: ft/in for lengths, sq ft for areas, cu ft for volumes and lb for masses. Use °C for temperatures in either mode. Your free-text notes keep the units you entered when the display preference changes.
Proposed unit, stored goods or fit-out, known mass and whether it arrives empty or loaded.
Footprint, door direction, nearby obstacles and space to use and retrieve goods.
Measured entrance, bends, slopes, overhead obstacles and surface condition; label units and unresolved dimensions.
Carrier, proposed method, vehicle position, working area and any separate lifting provider.
Known fill, ground condition, services, frost or drainage concerns; record the responsible designer and document reference.
Target date, who provides access, snow clearing and what will be rechecked after rain, thaw or other changes.
Checks and evidence to keep
Record who said what, the date and a document or photo reference. “Evidence noted” does not verify a claim; explain any “not applicable” choice.
8 checks unknown or unverified; 0 marked for follow-up. These counts do not score the project or decide whether to proceed.
Preview: notes carried into the quote form
Review this text before continuing. You can edit it in the form; opening the form does not submit a request.
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View or select the complete record
The summary is added to the quote-form URL when you follow the link and may appear in browser history. Container quantity is left for you to check in that form. This tool sends no enquiry, email or supplier notification.
Walk the complete delivery route
Give the carrier photographs and measurements of the entrance, bends, gradient, overhead obstructions and final position. Include gates, utility lines, parked vehicles and culverts. The space needed depends on the truck and unloading method; a generic clearance figure is not approval.
Confirm any ferry booking, remote access, seasonal road limits or snow clearing. The route and ground must remain usable on delivery day, not just when the quotation is prepared.
Have the ground and supports assessed
A level-looking pad may conceal weak fill, drainage problems or underground services. Ask the supplier and an appropriately qualified designer to establish support locations, ground bearing and foundations for the actual container, load and use.
Freeze-thaw, frost movement and settlement can affect the support arrangement and door alignment. Keep drainage away from the unit and its access route. A sketch of four blocks is not a site-specific foundation design.
Agree readiness and handover
Identify who prepares the site, checks services, establishes the work area and signs off the position. Inspect door operation after placement and record delivery damage. Retain required permit and inspection records.
- Confirm the lifting method, qualified operator and exclusion area.
- Record weather-related cancellation and unsuccessful-delivery charges.
- Keep doors, ventilation openings and walking routes usable.
Check the site again when conditions change
Use the site-preparation record to separate measured information from unanswered questions. Keep the carrier's confirmation and the support plan with dated photographs; a completed checklist does not approve the site.
For example, a courtyard may have enough room for a 20ft unit but leave no space for the truck to straighten up or the container doors to open. Resolve the working arrangement before dispatch instead of relying on the footprint alone.
| Stage | Checks to record |
|---|---|
| Before dispatch | Work completed, route still clear, support arrangement ready, access contact and unloading plan confirmed |
| At handover | Unit and position match the order; inspect visible damage and door operation after placement |
| After heavy rain, thaw or ground movement | Look for changed drainage, settlement and door alignment; seek advice before moving supports |
Questions before you choose
Can I use any gravel pad?
Ground, drainage, frost, loading and the support arrangement need assessment for your site and proposed use. No universal pad design is established here.
Does every container need a concrete slab?
There is no universal foundation choice. The proposed load, ground, frost conditions, drainage and intended use determine the support design. Ask for the arrangement appropriate to your site.
Can I change the position on delivery day?
Discuss the change with the carrier and support designer first. Another position can change reach, vehicle access, support requirements and door clearance; it may need a revised delivery plan and price.