Shipping Container Homes Explored - ONE-KEY™ Blog
The use of shipping containers in home design and construction has been on an upswing. A report estimates the global market size for shipping container construction will reach $73,070.5 million by , up from $44,788.6 million in . That&#;s a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from to .
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Not too shabby.
This surge of shipping container architecture is well documented in the public eye.
Among countless construction-related TV shows, and YouTube videos on the subject, we&#;ve seen everything from prefab shops pushing out custom designs to pre-used shipping containers finding a new purpose&#;in keeping with the &#;reuse, reduce, recycle&#; sustainable construction mantra. Through these stories, we can live vicariously as environmentally conscious home buyers with the means and determination live simply and off-grid. We can even turn to some of the best construction video games, like The Sims &#;eco lifestyle,&#; to find striking shipping container designs amid entertaining, hands-on gameplay, and simultaneously meld environmental perseverance with inspired architectural eclecticism.
Despite being quite compelling in theory, in practice shipping container construction raises some important questions. We will answer each of these important questions throughout this article:
- Is it cheaper to build a house or a container home?
- Are container homes safe?
- What are the pros and cons of building a shipping container home?
- How long do container homes last?
- How might you incorporate shipping containers and prefab into your builds?
Is It Cheaper to Build a House or a Container Home
?
The question on everyone&#;s mind: Are container homes cheaper than traditional houses?
At face value, yes. But there are plenty of factors that could drive the price of a container house to be similarly priced with a traditional house, and in some cases even more.
For reference, Forbes estimates the average cost to build a house to be $300k, excluding the cost of land. Similarly, Realtor quotes $296,652, and Rocket Mortgage quotes $290,314 with the national average for the absolute lowest being $15k and the high being $750k per Home Advisor (via Rocket Mortgage).
So, how much do shipping container homes cost?
Purchasing a used or recycled shipping container will set you back around $1,500-$5,000 on average, though the cost of a container may widely vary depending on your geographical location, the condition of the container, size requirements, modifications, and delivery cost.
By contrast to traditional houses, completed shipping container homes cost far less than a traditional home, typically ranging between $10k and $35k, and a far cry from the average $300k of building a traditional home; however, there are many factors that could lead container house to a ballooning budget and the dreaded cost overrun, such as modifications and structural engineering necessary to make a highly modified container home structurally sound (and we&#;ll discuss this a bit later).
On the other hand, an even more cost-effective solution may soon be a 3D-printed home.
Are Container Homes Safe
?
From a structural standpoint, shipping containers (in their existing state) are made from strong industrial materials, making them very strong and able to withstand harsh offshore weather conditions.
This, of course, changes when you start cutting holes in them.
However, the more pressing safety issue that presents itself with using recycled shipping containers as building materials is the very real possibility they&#;ve transported toxic chemicals in their former life. To avert this unknown entirely, you can opt to purchase a single-use shipping container; that way, you&#;ll be able to more precisely verify where the shipping container has been, and what it&#;s transported.
Pros and Cons of
Building a Shipping Container Home
Building a container home purely out of recycled shipping containers may be more of an uphill battle than what meets the eye. Despite having the mystique of sustainability, clients seeking this kind of build may be unaware of certain illuminating factors, like how insulating a shipping container will typically be more effective when using a less eco-friendly method such as spray foam over more sustainable options like recycled cotton or wool insulation.
It&#;s worth noting that other offsite construction methods like modular construction may deliver on client needs with a greater degree of customization.
Pros of Shipping Container Homes
- Cost-Effective, to a degree: Provided that you are building a relatively simple shipping container home, the cost will be generally much lower than building a traditional home from the ground up. As we discussed previously, you can, on average, source a pre-used shipping container for around $3,250. Adding the cost of land, say $3,160 for an acre (reported in the United States Department of Agriculture August report), and labor costs and architectural drawings, that&#;s still a far cry from the above-mentioned $300k. However, it&#;s important to note there are many variables that may drive this initial price through the roof (which we&#;ll discuss more in the below &#;cons&#; section). Going with a prefab shipping container home over a recycled shipping container home can offer clients additional benefits of what you would expect with prefab: predictable costs, in-factory installation (quality control), onsite delivery and preparation, etc.
- Faster build times: Similar to prefabricated construction, building a house with a shipping container can take as few as a couple days to construct modest designs or months to piece together more intricate builds, still a far cry from doing it the old fashioned way. An important thing to keep in mind: Working with a prefab shop versus sourcing perused shipping containers, while not necessarily in line with that &#;reuse, reduce, recycle&#; mentality in a literal sense of giving a windswept shipping container a new life, can help solve some of the issues we&#;ll discuss below that shipping containers pose, such as health risks and QA concerns.
Cons of Shipping Container Homes
Belinda Carr, a YouTuber, architect, and building scientist, outlines in her video titled &#;7 reasons why shipping container homes are a SCAM&#; the general problems with creating a home out of a shipping container:
Size constraints
: Standard shipping containers come in two sizes. Smaller shipping containers measure 20 ft long, 8 ft wide, and 8.5 feet tall, while larger shipping containers measure 40 ft long, 8 ft wide, and 8.5 ft tall. While you
can
custom order taller 9.5 ft tall shipping containers, Carr notes the modifications needed to make a shipping container livable significantly cut into the living space available in what&#;s already so narrow and awkward: adding insulation, mechanical systems, plumbing, electrical systems, sprinklers, and flooring.
- Possible structural problems: Shipping containers are structurally sound in their existing state. But when cuts are made&#;to add doors, windows, roof openings and skylights, large hollows to conjoin multiple containers, etc.&#;the original strength of the shipping container becomes compromised. Clients seeking a container build, thus, should be made aware that reinforcements with metal or wood will need to be made, and necessary framing with traditional drywall will significantly cut into the overall living space.
- Expensive reinforcements if adding cantilevers: The most inspired of shipping container architecture solves the inherent size constraints of building with these narrow modules by bridging multiple shipping containers together in unique configurations that maximize space and adding balconies and wrap-around porches that seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living. While certainly inspiring, accomplishing these novel architectural feats naturally come with expensive steel reinforcing beams. Prospective clients selecting shipping containers purely as an &#;affordable alternative&#; to traditional building should thus be made aware of the limited space and architectural customization of a shipping container build.
- Thermal conductivity of steel: As Carr notes, steel is not a good insulator, thus when using corrugated metal shipping containers as your primary structure, you&#;ll likely want to insulate the outside of the shipping container and add cladding to avoid mold and rot.
- Health risks with buying old shipping containers: If you&#;re buying a pre-used shipping container for your build, tracking down where it&#;s been may be a challenge, and you won&#;t necessarily know if it was used to carry general consumer goods or toxic chemicals that could cause a health risk. Carr notes that some states like California only allow one-use containers for residential reuse, so you can verify what has been transported in the shipping container. Heavy duty paints on the exterior of the shipping container, she adds, which are added to withstand harsh ocean conditions, contain carcinogenic elements like phosphorus and chromium.
- Cost to transport, depending on the location, may not be logical, especially considering that building with native materials is &#;the most eco-friendly and cost-effective method.&#;
How Long Do Container Homes Last
?
According to All States Containers, the average life of a container is 25 years with minimal maintenance.
The main problem impacting the longevity of a shipping container home is rust. This could be addressed by adding external cladding, which as discussed above, can also help to insulate and protect against mold.
While the materials used to build a house ultimately help to impact its overall longevity&#;just as the legendary fable taught us that brick withstands wilder external forces than straw&#;user input is also important and maintaining a home, regardless of whether it&#;s made with traditional materials or shipping containers, will require a certain degree of continuous maintenance.
Which States Allow Shipping Container Homes
?
All states technically allow shipping container homes. You&#;ll want to see your state and specific area zoning requirements with regard to building a shipping container home to ensure compliance.
California, for example as previously discussed, allows the use of shipping containers as a building material, but they stipulate ONLY single-use containers to be used.
Beside California, Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, Oregon, and Alaska are among the states that have a more lenient stance toward container homes. For a more complete list, YoungAlfred.com notes the states with &#;more lenient&#; zoning laws or &#;non-restrictive&#; building codes.
How Can Shipping Containers and Prefab Be Used in Your Projects?
Despite being relatively easy to transport by trailer bed, Belinda Carr notes that it might make the most sense to use recycled shipping containers &#;in coastal regions near port cities where shipping containers are readily available.&#; They may similarly be useful in areas where material shortages are common, or areas that are recovering from a natural disaster.
Working with prefab, or even better modular prefab, may drive the kind of outcomes your clients are looking for and provide even better sustainability outcomes.
Additionally compelling applications for this type of construction material may be explored on Hulu with Impossible Builds, where engineered &#;kit&#; houses are delivered to particularly challenging sites, like mountainous regions with harsh storms and intermittent, quickly waning opportunities to build.
Bottom Line:
Do Shipping Containers Make Good Houses
?
Are container homes worth it?
Of course!
As with any home, what you put into it is what you&#;ll get out of it. If homebuyers are simply after a more cost-effective solution, they can potentially achieve these ends through building a modest container home, quite possibly a &#;tiny home.&#; Additional modifications can drive the price to make the container livable and, if intricately designed, structurally sound.
Surely, container homes represent a unique architecture trend that will continue to inspire designers, engineers, and builders to incorporate various materials to design the most innovative and thought-provoking of projects.
Cost of Building a Shipping Container Home
Building a shipping container home can cost between $15,000 to $35,000, but if you want a bigger home with more containers, the price can go over $100,000.
This article explains how to build a shipping container home, including costs for land, foundations, and insulation. It also covers the cost of buying new or used containers, and the price of pre-built options. Learn why container homes are cheaper and durable, and find out if they are the right choice for you.
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Table of Contents
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How Much Does a Shipping Container Home Cost to Build?
Are Container Homes Cheaper to Build?
How Do You Build a Shipping Container Home?
How Much Do Pre-Built Shipping Container Homes Cost?
How Long Do Shipping Container Homes Last?
Is a Shipping Container Home Worth It?
Building a Shipping Container Home Cost Bottom Line
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How Much Does a Shipping Container Home Cost to Build?
Shipping container homes cost between $15,000 to $35,000 to build, on average. However, if you plan on using multiple shipping containers to build a larger home, the price can increase dramatically to over $100,000. The exact price will vary depending on where you want to put the shipping container home, the type of foundation you use, the features you want to put inside, and the size of the shipping container you buy.
Still, it&#;s hard to make a shipping container home cost as much as a regular home, even with updated features embedded inside.
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Are Container Homes Cheaper to Build?
Yes, shipping container homes are cheaper to build than regular homes. While a single container home might cost around $30,000 to build, a house of similar size would cost you around $90,000 to build, more than 3 times the shipping container home. Shipping containers emerge as one of the cheapest types of houses to build when it comes to price.
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How Do You Build a Shipping Container Home?
Look Into Land
Set a Foundation
Purchase a Shipping Container
Install Insulation
Find Amenities
If you&#;re planning on building a shipping container home, it&#;s critical to understand everything that goes into the process. There are a few steps you should follow to create this space. Each has varying costs that will add to the overall expense. Familiarize yourself before diving into the creation of one of these homes.
1. Look Into Land
First, you need to look into the cost of land in the area you plan to live in. To create a shipping container home, you need to purchase a plot of land. This cost varies depending on the state. Your shipping container will have to stay in one place.
The USDA stated that the average cost of farmland in was about $3,380 per acre. This number is up from previous years. If you want to live closer to a city or popular tourist area, you can expect to pay more per acre.
The land will also vary in price depending on the type you purchase. Farmland is different from land that already has access to varying amenities.
2. Set a Foundation
Once you have land, you need to lay a foundation for your home to sit on. There are three foundations you can use.
These include:
Trench foundations
: A hole is dug into the ground and filled with concrete.
Slab foundations
: Concrete is laid on top of the first, then the shipping home container is placed on that.
Pier foundations:
Columns elevate the structure off the ground, keeping it safe and dry.
Any of these will keep your home protected from damaging weather and other circumstances.
The average cost of laying a foundation falls at around $4,500. The trench foundation will cost the least, while the pier foundation will cost you the most.
3. Purchase a Shipping Container
You can purchase a new or used shipping container to build your home. The used will always be cheaper. Typically, a used container will have been in service before it arrives at your land. A new container is only used by you.
A new shipping container typically costs between $2,000 to $5,000. Some larger more expensive shipping containers can be as expensive as $8,000. Used containers will vary in price depending on the company and the damage they&#;ve sustained.
4. Install Insulation
Once you have your container on your foundation, insulation is the next piece in the puzzle. Insulation will keep the interior of your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. It&#;s necessary if you want comfort yearly.
Here are different types of insulation to choose from:
Spray Foam Insulation
Pros: Provides excellent thermal resistance, air sealing, and moisture barrier. It can conform to irregular shapes and is great for tight spaces.
Cons: More expensive than other types, but highly effective.
Rigid Foam Insulation
Pros: Offers high R-value per inch and is resistant to moisture. Easy to install and can be used on walls, floors, and ceilings.
Cons: Can be more expensive than traditional fiberglass but offers better performance.
Fiberglass Insulation
Pros: Common and widely available, cost-effective, and easy to install.
Cons: Needs to be properly sealed to prevent moisture accumulation and can lose effectiveness if compressed.
On average, insulation costs about $2,000 for a 2,000 sq. foot home. Measure your container to estimate how much you will need to pay for insulation.
5. Find Amenities
Finally, you can install amenities inside your shipping container home. From plumbing to electricity, there&#;s a lot to cover for the ultimate livability.
Here are some essential amenities to consider:
- Plumbing: Functional kitchen and bathroom plumbing, including sinks, showers, toilets, and water heaters.
- Electricity: Wiring for lighting, outlets, and major appliances such as refrigerators, ovens, and washing machines.
- Heating and Cooling Systems: A reliable HVAC system or alternative heating and cooling solutions like mini-split systems or portable heaters and air conditioners.
- Insulation: Adequate insulation for walls, floors, and ceilings to maintain a comfortable temperature year-round.
- Ventilation: Proper ventilation systems, including exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens, and potentially air exchangers.
- Windows and Doors: Quality windows and doors that provide natural light, ventilation, and security.
- Kitchen Amenities: Functional kitchen setup with cabinets, countertops, sink, stove, refrigerator, and adequate storage.
- Bathroom Amenities: Essential bathroom fixtures like a shower or bathtub, toilet, sink, and storage.
- Safety Features: Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and security systems.
Once you have everything, your shipping container will feel like a home. You can even add flooring and wallpaper to make the space homier.
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How Much Do Pre-Built Shipping Container Homes Cost?
A pre-built shipping container home typically costs cost between $25,000 to $50,000, depending on the specs you choose. Some very fancy pre-built shipping container homes can cost much more though. Most companies will have a selection of models to choose from, so you can go with a design as simple or complex as you would like. These pre-built shipping container homes come fully equipped with what you need to survive. You can select a home that fits inside your budget, simplifying the process significantly.
It&#;s vital to remember that not every pre-made choice will be ideal for your life. Ensure you set some money aside to upgrade and decorate the home to fit your dreams. Customization is a big part of shipping container homes!
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How Long Do Shipping Container Homes Last?
On average, shipping home containers can survive for about twenty-five years. They&#;re inexpensive and durable against all types of weather, making them environmentally friendly. Shipping containers can last for a long time!
If you don&#;t maintain your home, it will likely last closer to fifteen years. For maximum life expectancy, ensure you keep up with any damage to the house. Being proactive will help the structure last longer.
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Is a Shipping Container Home Worth It?
We&#;ve talked a lot about shipping container homes and the costs that go into them. Is a shipping container worth it? Should you put money and energy into creating a shipping container home for yourself?
Shipping container homes are cost-effective, durable, and fun to experiment with during your spare time. If you&#;re living by yourself or with a small family, they provide plenty of room to live comfortably. In a market big on experimental homes, it&#;s also simple to sell the space if you decide you want to move. Shipping container homes are worth it for the right consumer.
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Building a Shipping Container Home Cost Bottom Line
While building a shipping container home costs less than building a stick-built home of a similar size, you'll still need to save up and budget accordingly to make sure you can afford it. To make your shipping container home comfy, focus on basics like plumbing, electricity, heating, and cooling. Add insulation and ventilation for the right temperature all year. Don't forget a good kitchen, bathroom, internet, and safety stuff like alarms. With these, your container will feel like a cozy home sweet home.
As a general rule, the minimum cost for a small shipping container home will be $15,000, while something larger that uses multiple containers will be much more expensive. And if building a shipping container home sounds like a lot of work, or you don&#;t want to put the effort into building your shipping container home, you can always purchase a pre-built shipping container home as an alternative.
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