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Commercial Container Stalls in Kenya for Sale

Commercial Container Stalls in Kenya for Sale

Looking to start a business or create a small shopping area in Kenya, but don’t want to spend a lot of money or wait years for construction? Commercial container stalls are a fantastic and fast solution! These are shipping containers that have been changed into ready-to-use shops or market stalls. They turn an empty piece of land into a money-making place very quickly.

At Frontier Containers EA Limited, we understand that starting a business or developing property needs smart thinking. That’s why we offer top-quality commercial container stalls that are perfect for entrepreneurs, property owners, and investors.


Why Use Shipping Containers for Commercial Stalls?

Using shipping containers to build shops or market stalls has many advantages over traditional buildings:

  • Portable: This is a big benefit. If you are renting the land or might want to move your business later, container stalls can be easily picked up and moved to a new place. This gives you great flexibility.
  • Easy to Set Up: Unlike normal buildings that take months to finish, container stalls are built (fabricated) in our workshop first. Then, they are delivered to your site, already finished and ready for tenants to move in and start selling. This saves a huge amount of time.
  • Modular: Need to start small and grow your market or shopping area later? You can buy one container stall now and add more later as your business grows or you get more money. This makes planning and spending easier.
  • Fast Delivery Time: Because most of the work is done off-site, setting up a whole small shopping center with container stalls is much faster than building traditional shops. You can start earning money from rent or sales much sooner.
  • Cost Friendly: Building a traditional shopping center or market is very expensive. Container stalls cost a lot less to build, but they are still strong, secure, and look good. This makes them a smart investment.
  • Secure: Shipping containers are made from very thick, strong steel. They are very hard to break into, making them a safe place to store goods or run a business.
 

Our Commercial Container Stall Sizes & Configurations

We change both standard 20-foot and 40-foot shipping containers into useful commercial stalls. Here are the common layouts we offer:

1. 20ft Container Stalls (3 Shops)

  • Container Base: Standard 20ft Dry Shipping Container (approx. 6m x 2.4m)
  • Configuration: Partitioned into 3 separate shops.
  • Internal Shop Dimensions (Approx.): 8ft (Length) x 6.67ft (Width) each.
  • Ideal For: Small markets, starting a mini shopping area, or fitting into tighter spaces.

2. 40ft Container Stalls (5 Shops)

  • Container Base: Standard 40ft High Cube Container (approx. 12m x 2.4m x 2.9m)
  • Configuration: Partitioned into 5 separate shops.
  • Internal Shop Dimensions (Approx.): 8ft (Length) x 8ft (Width) each.
  • Ideal For: Larger markets, busy shopping areas, or places with more space.

3. 40ft Container Stalls (6 Shops)

  • Container Base: Standard 40ft High Cube Container (approx. 12m x 2.4m x 2.9m)
  • Configuration: Partitioned into 6 separate shops.
  • Internal Shop Dimensions (Approx.): 8ft (Length) x 6.67ft (Width) each.
  • Ideal For: Maximizing the number of shops in a single container unit, great for high-traffic areas or dense markets.
 

Standard Features Included in Our Commercial Container Stalls

When you buy a commercial container stall from Frontier Containers EA Ltd, it comes fully equipped and ready for business. Here’s what’s included:

  • Electrical Work: We install complete electrical wiring, lighting systems, and individual socket outlets for each shop. Each shop also has its own circuit breaker, making it easy to connect a token meter for individual billing.
  • Doors: Each shop is fitted with a standard 5ft x 8ft Roller Shutter Door. These doors are strong, look nice, provide excellent security, and are hard to break into.
  • Painting: The container is spray painted both inside and out. You can choose the colors you want. This helps prevent rust, allows for branding, and makes the stalls look attractive.
 

Types of Commercial Container Stalls Based on Doors

We offer two main styles of container stalls, depending on the type of door you prefer:

1. Roller Shutter Stalls

  • Description: These are container stalls fitted with automatic or manual roller shutter doors. These are the doors that roll up into a coil above the opening.
  • Benefits:
    • Space-Friendly: They open upwards, so they don’t need space in front to swing open like normal doors. This is great for busy markets.
    • Security: Roller shutters are very strong and provide excellent security for the shops.
    • Popular Choice: They are the most popular type of door for container stalls because they are practical and look professional.
  • Features: All other standard features (electrical, painting) are the same as our standard stalls.

2. Cut-Out Door Stalls

  • Description: These stalls use the actual metal side of the container to create the shop front. The part that is cut out to make the shop opening is carefully modified and fitted back as a door with high precision.
  • Benefits:
    • Unique Look: They can have a more industrial or integrated look with the container’s original design.
    • Sturdy: Being part of the original container structure, they are also very strong.
  • Features: All other standard features (electrical, painting) are the same as our standard stalls.
 

Estimated Pricing for Commercial Container Stalls in Kenya

The prices listed below are for the fabrication/modification of the container into stalls only. You will also need to add the cost of the empty container itself (see our Dry Shipping Containers page for those prices) and any transportation and offloading costs.

(Please note: Prices are estimates and can change based on market conditions and specific requirements. Contact us for the most accurate, current quotes.)

 
Stall Configuration
Estimated Fabrication Price (Kshs)
Notes
20ft Container Stalls (3 Shops)
350,000 – 400,000
Includes 3 partitioned shops with roller shutters, electrics, painting.
40ft Container Stalls (5 Shops)
580,000 – 650,000
Includes 5 partitioned shops with roller shutters, electrics, painting.
40ft Container Stalls (6 Shops)
600,000 – 660,000
Maximum shop count in one 40ft unit. Includes roller shutters, electrics, painting.

Example Total Cost Calculation: If you want a 20ft Container Stall (3 Shops):

  • Cost of Empty 20ft Container: Kshs. 160,000 – 250,000
  • Fabrication Cost (from table above): Kshs. 350,000 – 400,000
  • Estimated Total (Container + Fabrication): Kshs. 510,000 – 650,000 (Transport & Site Prep are extra)

Contact Frontier Containers EA Limited Today!

Ready to create your own profitable commercial space with container stalls? Contact Frontier Containers EA Ltd for the best prices, quality fabrication, and reliable delivery.

We're on call 24/7

Write To Us

info@frontiercontainers.co.ke

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Commercial Container Stalls in Kenya

1. What is the total estimated cost for a finished 20ft Container Stall with 3 shops, including the empty container?

The total investment for a ready-to-use 20ft container stall is a combination of the raw unit and the fabrication work.

  • Empty Container Cost: Kshs. 160,000 – 250,000.

  • Fabrication Cost (3 Shops): Kshs. 350,000 – 400,000.

  • Estimated Total: The complete, finished unit costs between Kshs 510,000 and Kshs 650,000. You must budget extra for transport and basic site preparation (like levelling the ground).

2. How much does the largest unit, the 40ft Container Stall (6 Shops), cost to fabricate?

The 40ft High-Capacity stall fabrication is priced between Kshs 600,000 and Kshs 660,000.

  • Why the cost? This is the cost for maximizing the container's space, which involves welding 5 internal partitions, installing 6 separate roller shutter doors, and running individual electrical wiring for all 6 units. You must then add the price of the empty 40ft container (Kshs. 350,000 – 420,000) plus transport.

3. What is the key financial benefit of buying a container stall versus building a traditional kiosk?

The main benefit is Return on Investment (ROI) and speed. A container stall costs significantly less than constructing a permanent masonry structure of similar size (Source 2.4). Because fabrication takes only weeks (not months), you can start generating rental income or sales almost immediately, recovering your investment much faster than traditional construction allows.

 

4. What is included in the fabrication price? Does it come wired for electricity?

Yes, the fabrication price covers a complete, turnkey commercial unit. Standard inclusions are:

  • Internal Partitions: Solid walls separating the shops.

  • Security Doors: Installation of a Roller Shutter Door for each shop unit.

  • Electrical System: Complete wiring, lighting, and individual socket outlets for each shop. Crucially, each shop gets its own circuit breaker, allowing tenants to connect separate token meters for individual billing.

  • Aesthetics: Interior and exterior painting in your chosen colors.

5. What permits and licenses are required to set up a container stall on my property in Kenya?

While container stalls are often considered temporary or semi-permanent structures, which simplifies the process compared to permanent buildings (Source 1.4), you still require local authority approval:

  • Unified Business Permit (UBP): Required from your County Government (e.g., Nairobi City County) to operate the business activity on your land.

  • Business Registration: You need to register the business (Sole Proprietorship, LLC, etc.) nationally via the eCitizen portal.

  • Specific Licenses: If selling food or liquor, additional licenses (health certificates, liquor licenses) will be required for the tenants. We advise checking with your specific County planning office.

6. How do I finance the purchase of multiple container stalls, and do you offer payment plans?

We encourage buyers to explore financing through commercial banks or Saccos.

  • Transparency for Financing: We provide detailed, itemized quotes (separating the container cost, fabrication, and transport) that are accepted by most financial institutions for project financing.

  • Alternative Financing: Some companies in Kenya offer "Lipa Mdogo Mdogo" (hire purchase) options for container units up to Ksh 1 million (Source 2.1). Contact our sales team to discuss our financing partnerships or if you require documentation for external loan applications.

7. What kind of security features are included, and are the Roller Shutters durable?

Security is paramount because the stalls hold valuable inventory.

  • Material: The base structure is thick, high-strength CORTEN steel, which is extremely hard to penetrate.

  • Doors: We use robust, high-quality Roller Shutter Doors (manual or automatic), which are the industry standard for commercial security. These doors lock securely and are favored because they roll up, presenting less of a weakness than swinging doors.

  • Options: We can include lock boxes or reinforced bars as optional upgrades.

8. What are the internal dimensions of the individual shops, and how much storage space does a 40ft stall offer?

The space is maximized through efficient partitioning:

  • 20ft Stall (3 Shops): Each shop is approximately 8 feet (length) by 6.67 feet (width).

  • 40ft Stall (6 Shops): Each shop is also roughly 8 feet (length) by 6.67 feet (width), but you get double the units.

  • Advantage: The internal space is tall (2.9m in a 40ft High Cube), allowing tenants to install high shelving units for maximum storage capacity.

8. What are the internal dimensions of the individual shops, and how much storage space does a 40ft stall offer?

The space is maximized through efficient partitioning:

  • 20ft Stall (3 Shops): Each shop is approximately 8 feet (length) by 6.67 feet (width).

  • 40ft Stall (6 Shops): Each shop is also roughly 8 feet (length) by 6.67 feet (width), but you get double the units.

  • Advantage: The internal space is tall (2.9m in a 40ft High Cube), allowing tenants to install high shelving units for maximum storage capacity.

9. What is the process for transporting and setting up the stalls once fabrication is complete?

The process is fast and managed by us:

  • Delivery: We use specialized crane trucks (self-loaders) that safely carry the fully finished unit from our yard to your site.

  • Offloading: The crane lifts the entire unit and places it precisely onto your prepared foundation.

  • Site Prep: You must ensure the ground is level, firm, and accessible for the large crane truck. Once placed, you connect the main electrical line, and the stalls are ready for tenants.

10. Can the container stalls be insulated to protect against heat and noise?

Yes, insulation is a vital upgrade. While insulation is not listed as "standard" (to keep the base price low), it is highly recommended and available as an add-on, especially for shops selling sensitive electronics, high-end clothes, or operating as salons/barbershops.

  • Benefit: Insulation prevents the steel from becoming too hot under the sun and reduces noise transmission between shops, creating a more comfortable environment for tenants and customers.

11. What kind of interior flooring is used, and is it durable enough for commercial traffic?

The original floor of a shipping container is typically made of marine-grade plywood (Source 4.1). For commercial stalls, we offer several finished options:

  • Epoxy Coating: A chemical-resistant, anti-slip coating applied directly over the plywood to seal it and provide a very durable, easy-to-clean surface (Source 4.4).

  • Vinyl/Laminate: Used for a cleaner, more aesthetic retail look. This is cost-effective, water-resistant, and easy to replace (Source 4.1).

  • We ensure the original structural plywood is intact and then apply a finish that meets commercial durability standards.

12. Are the container stalls truly portable, and what is involved in moving a 40ft unit?

Yes, portability is the defining feature.

  • Design: Containers are built with corner castings specifically for lifting.

  • Moving: To relocate, you disconnect utilities, and a 40ft crane truck (or specialized trailer) lifts the entire unit onto the chassis. The primary cost involved in moving is the crane/truck logistics, which varies significantly depending on the distance and road access.

13. What is the difference between a "Roller Shutter Stall" and a "Cut-Out Door Stall," and which is more secure?
  • Roller Shutter Stalls (Most Popular): The door rolls up into a coil above the opening. They offer superior security and space-saving design, making them the top choice for markets.

  • Cut-Out Door Stalls: The piece of metal cut out from the container side is modified and hinged back as a door. They offer a unique, integrated look but are less common and the security relies heavily on the quality of the additional locks and hinges. We generally recommend the Roller Shutter for maximum security and ease of operation.

14. Can I customize the layout, such as combining two units into a large restaurant or bar?
  • Absolutely. While our pricing focuses on standard multi-shop layouts, our fabrication expertise (led by Eng. Stephen Karume) allows for complex customizations:

    • Joining Units: We can cut and weld two 20ft or 40ft containers together to create a wide, open-plan space suitable for a large restaurant, showroom, or supermarket.

    • Specific Features: We can add specialized features like serving hatches, custom ventilation (HVAC), or internal washroom facilities (with plumbing).

15. Are there discounts available if I purchase multiple container stalls for a large market development?

Yes. We understand that market development often involves purchasing multiple units (e.g., five 40ft containers).

    • Investor Discounts: We offer discounts on fabrication costs and potentially better transport rates when you order a large volume of stalls simultaneously. Contact our sales team (Ann Nyakio or Eng. Stephen Karume) for a customized quote detailing multi-unit savings.

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Customer’s Reviews

Don't take our word for it.

"We needed extra storage for our warehouse in Nairobi, and Frontier delivered a perfect 40ft container right on time. Their service is top-tier!"

James M.

"Leasing a modified container for my roadside shop was the best decision. It’s affordable and looks amazing!"

Fatuma A.

"The team at Frontier Containers turned our vision of a mobile office into reality. Fast delivery and great quality!".

David O

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