Surprisingly, a lot of people are venturing into new home construction endeavors given the skyrocketing real estate values. For a while, tiny homes were quite popular, but container homes could soon emerge as a new design in both residential and commercial property.
A home constructed using one or more shipping containers as the primary structural element is known as a container home. Heavy-duty steel construction, weather resistance, and durability are features of shipping containers, which are intended to carry goods worldwide.
The structural foundation of these homes is made of either new or used shipping containers.
The shipping container home is a recent addition to the tiny home trend, which is quite old. Numerous individuals convert these buildings into their residences. Others go so far as to build larger homes by piling shipping containers on top of one another.
Among these trends, you can have some questions like: In what price range can a house made out of shipping containers be built? How does the construction of a house made out of shipping containers work? What are the design options for various budgets?
There are many things to think about. Now let's get started!
The Appeal of Shipping Container Homes
Ever have a fantasy about a different way of living, one that provides something more meaningful than just getting by? Maybe you're tired of the unfulfilling grind of modern life and would rather cut costs, return to your roots, and live in harmony with the natural world.
You're most certainly not alone if this sounds familiar to you. An increasing number of individuals are drawn to the picturesque allure of shipping container homes by their quest for something novel and significant.
At a fraction of the price of traditional brick and mortar, shipping container homes provide an opportunity to start over on your terms. Millions of these enduring wonders, which were once used as cargo crates, have been given an unexpected second chance at being functional and fashionable living areas.
They allow owners to roam freely in pursuit of fascinating new sights and opportunities, in addition to coming in an affordable range of shapes and sizes.
Shipping container homes offer so much more to those who have leaped just a typical home; for them, it's a mobile window into the natural world. For this reason, shipping container homes allow you to have it all, whether your goal is to live off the grid or lower your carbon footprint at a reasonable price.
Shipping Container Home Cost Factors
The affordability of shipping container homes is just one of their many advantages.
This is because, in comparison to more conventional constructions, the materials used to make them are more reasonably priced. On the other hand, the final cost is mostly determined by the specifications of your specific project. Due to their high degree of customization, shipping container homes come in a wide range of prices.
Your shipping container home's ultimate cost will be determined by some variables like:
- Size of the house
- The count of containers
- Labor and licenses
- Installation of the foundation
- Utilities
- Insulation
- Doors, Windows, and Roofing
- Electrical, Plumbing, and HVAC
- Fixtures and furniture
- Flooring
- Painting
- Insurance
Choosing the Right Shipping Containers
You can use a single shipping container to make a small studio space, or you can connect and stack multiple containers to create a custom, functional floor plan. The majority of containers have a width of 8 feet and lengths that range from 10 to 40 feet. They can also be arranged in different ways.
It's crucial to consider the additional work required to connect or stack containers before getting too extravagant with your ideas. In addition, there are other things to think about.
Your decision will be influenced by factors such as zoning, the size and style of your home, new or used shipping containers, and finishes.
Design and Customization Options
All homes, whether they are designed by hobbyists, architects, builders, or anybody else, must be designed from the ground up. One of the main factors influencing someone's decision to construct this kind of home may be a custom home design.
Long or very long rectangle containers are suitable for a home build. There are countless configuration options for how they come together to create a home. They can have one or two stories, highlight architectural features like industrial interior walls and cantilevered rooms, and either blend in or stand out from their surroundings.
Site Preparation and Foundation
Before buying land for the container home, the homeowner should familiarize themselves with the local zoning laws as these can differ based on the location. It is also essential to install a foundation to support the new shipping container home to keep it from shifting or collapsing under the weight of strong storm winds.
A concrete slab foundation is both the most widely used and the most reasonably priced. For a higher cost, homeowners who are willing to pay more for this portion of the project can choose to install crawl space foundations or pier footings.
Permits, Regulations, and Legal Costs
A building permit is required for the installation of a new building, an addition to an existing building, or the setup of an additional building on the property. Furthermore, a homeowner must confirm that the local zoning laws permit a shipping container home in the designated area.
Even though the majority of container home builders will handle obtaining the building permits, it's crucial to confirm this before the project begins.
In addition, the container home requires homeowners to obtain homeowners insurance. For the land and container home to be owned by the homeowner, the standard local property taxes must also be paid.
Labor and Construction Costs
The cost of labor, which includes hiring general contractors, architects, draftspeople, plumbers, electricians, and interior designers, should also be factored into a homeowner's budget. The local economy, as well as supply and demand, influence labor rates in a given region.
Utilities and Off-Grid Considerations
As previously indicated, the majority of the interior infrastructure will be put in place before a prefabricated container home is delivered to the installation location. This is not the case, though, for the utilities, which might still require an extension from the nearby municipal systems before they can be linked to the newly constructed container residence.
A container house's connection to local utilities usually entails several extra expenses, including connecting it to the electrical grid, installing solar panels, septic systems, sewer lines, new power lines to remote properties, water lines, and water meters.
Interior and Exterior Finishes
Once the outside has been decided upon, the homeowner is only restricted by their budget when it comes to the choice of interior finishing materials. Additionally, if they want a truly customized home, they might decide to include container pool costs in their budget.
Shipping Container Home Cost Planning
It's essential to create a solid budget and a plan before beginning a container home construction project to help keep the installation costs within reasonable limits.
Building budgets should always allow for a little wiggle room in case unforeseen costs arise during the project or something goes wrong. Homeowners should consider ways to lower the overall cost of the container home installation to keep more money in their pocket, as the cost of the home and the land can severely strain the project budget.
Questions You May Have
Are shipping container homes safe?
When it comes to severe weather, tornadoes, earthquakes, and wind resistance, container homes are just as safe as conventional homes. Nonetheless, hazardous substances or insecticides that can be harmful to human health might have been transported in a used shipping container. Before buying, check the container for impurities.
What is the standard size of a shipping container home?
Although shipping containers come in a wide range of sizes, the most common and widely used sizes for a shipping container home are 20 and 40 feet in length. Depending on your project, a shipping container home's ideal size may vary.
