How can you build a home using shipping containers? How much do used shipping containers cost? What is the price of pre-made shipping container homes? What are the challenges if you decide to buy a used shipping container and convert it into a home?
We have written several times about creative and appealing residential units made from shipping containers. These are attractive structures, often made from multiple shipping containers, and they present a very tempting alternative to homes built with conventional construction methods.
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However, when it comes to these attractive solutions, the cost of building them often ends up being higher than that of a similarly sized building constructed using standard methods. In short, if your idea is to use an old, discarded shipping container to provide yourself with a home at an affordable price, it may not always be feasible.
Options for Ready-Made Container Homes
There are two options: you can either buy a shipping container and handle its conversion yourself, or you can opt for solutions offered by manufacturers of ready-made residential units.
A refurbished shipping container equipped with basic electrical installations, insulation, doors, and windows can be purchased for less than $30.000, excluding VAT. This is a around 150-square-foot container, which gives a very affordable price per square foot of living space.
However, it’s important to note that we are talking about a container home usually offered to construction companies, which use it as a temporary office on a construction site, later moving it to another location as needed. These units do not have a bathroom, kitchen, or other amenities, so it’s not a residential solution.
Manufacturers also offer more complex solutions created by combining multiple containers. These structures can even be multi-story, resulting in something that looks much more like a real house and functions as one.
In that version, however, the question is whether these structures are so affordable. If your only motivation for buying a shipping container house is to avoid the hassle of building and you’re looking for a ready-made product, it might be a good idea to consider the conditions under which prefabricated houses of the same size are offered.
Is it Worth Buying and Converting a Container Yourself?
In addition to buying a pre-made shipping container home, many people consider purchasing and converting a container themselves. Sometimes the motivation is creativity and realizing one’s own design ideas, and sometimes it’s the desire to save money. Whatever the reason, caution is advised.
Shipping container sellers offer a variety of containers, and buying one is similar to buying a used car. It’s advisable to see the container before purchasing, assess its condition, which is often not possible because the container might be located who knows where, and the purchase is made online.
Containers can be damaged, dented, or corroded, which later complicates and increases the cost of work. Sellers often offer containers that have been used only once. For companies, selling a used container is often more profitable than continuing to use it. These containers are excellent but not necessarily the most affordable choice.
Additionally, when buying an old container, be cautious about the types of paints used, ensuring they are suitable for residential spaces. Also, wooden floors in containers, if present, are often soaked with large amounts of pesticides and rodenticides. These are all risks and challenges you face if you embark on the adventure of converting a container yourself.
Container Dimensions and Transport
Containers are typically offered in two sizes: 20 feet long and 8 feet wide. Larger ones are 40 feet long and 8 feet wide. In both cases, the height is 8.5 feet. There are also versions with a height of 9.5 feet, which are a good choice if more thermal insulation is needed to ensure the living space does not have a low ceiling.
As with any used goods, prices can vary significantly. Standard used shipping containers can be purchased for around $1,650, while new ones can be found starting at just under $4,400.
Once you find a container at a price that suits you, the question is where it is located and where you want to place it. Transporting shipping containers is not cheap, and often the transport costs more than the container itself.
It’s also important to note that transporting a 20-foot container can be done by truck, loaded with a forklift. For 40-foot containers, the situation is much more complicated, as a crane is needed for loading, and transportation can be very complex. Embarking on a solo adventure of building a container home presents a number of challenges.
Costs of Insulation and Equipment
The costs of installing insulation and equipping the container depend on your desires and requirements and can vary greatly. One thing is clear – living in homes made from refurbished shipping containers can seem like a very affordable alternative and a way to reuse resources that would otherwise be discarded.
However, the situation is not that simple, and it’s worth considering whether this is a cost-effective option.
Photos: CMG Containers, Lot-Ek