Shipping Containers
Shipping Container Foundations in the Fraser Valley
A shipping container is heavy, but it only needs to be supported at its support points. Helical screw piles let us build a precise, level foundation for a container without pouring a slab, so it sits straight, stays dry underneath and can be used as a shed, studio or workshop.
We install foundations for shipping containers around Chilliwack, Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley. Our Abbotsford container project is documented in our gallery, from site preparation through pile installation to the final level check.
Why screw piles for shipping containers
Precise and level
Piles are set to the elevation the container needs, and the final level is checked before it goes on, so doors open and close properly.
No slab to pour
There is no concrete to pour or cure, so the foundation is ready for the container the same day the piles go in.
Air underneath
A raised container keeps its base clear of wet ground, which helps keep the steel and the contents dry.
Easy to adjust or remove
Piles can be unscrewed later if the container needs to move, which a poured slab cannot offer.
The right pile for the job
The number and size of piles depend on how the container is loaded and on the soil. Our range runs from the P238 (up to 15,000 lbs per pile) to the P312 (up to 35,000 lbs) for heavy residential loads, and larger models for commercial use.
Our installation equipment monitors torque as each pile goes in, so we can confirm it reaches the soil strength it was chosen for before the container is placed.
Built for Fraser Valley ground
Containers end up in all sorts of places in the valley, from farm yards and acreages to backyards. The floodplain soils are often sand and gravel or clay and silt, and either works with piles that go below the soft surface.
If the site is hard to reach with a truck or has a slope, tell us when you send your project details and we will plan the install around it.
How installation works
- 01
Mark and check
We mark the pile locations and verify elevation points before the first pile goes in.
- 02
Install and monitor
Each pile is driven in with our equipment, which monitors torque so we can confirm it reaches the soil strength it was chosen for.
- 03
Set to height
Piles are cut or adjusted to the exact height, so your structure starts level, even on sloped ground.
- 04
Build right away
There is no concrete to cure, so your crew can start building as soon as the piles are in.
What a typical project looks like
Tell us the size of the container (for example 20 ft or 40 ft), where it is going and how it will be used, with a few photos of the site. We reply within 24 hours with next steps and arrange a site visit if one is needed.
On the day the crew marks the layout, installs the piles, sets each one to height and runs a level check before the container is placed. The photos in our Abbotsford container project show each stage: site preparation, pile installation, alignment and the final level check.
Planning your project
- Confirm the size and weight of the container, and whether it will be loaded with heavy contents or fitted out as a studio or workshop.
- Decide which way the doors will face and how much clearance you need around and under the container.
- Plan how the container will be delivered and placed, and make sure the delivery truck or crane can reach the pad.
- Check zoning and permit requirements with your municipality. The rules for containers vary by location.
- Have underground utilities located before any ground work. BC 1 Call is a free service.
Common questions
Does a shipping container need a concrete slab?
How long does the foundation take?
Can the container be moved later?
Will my building inspector accept screw piles?
Can you install on sloped ground?
Other foundations we build
Ready for a quote?
Tell us about your project and send a few photos of the site. We price it for free, with no obligation, and reply within 24 hours.
Get a free quote