Unboxing The Cost Of Boxable Houses

NAVIGATION

Boxabl House DefinedBoxabl House CostPros And ConsPhotos & DesignsBoxabl Floor PlansBoxabl House FAQ

As the alternative housing movement grows, unique housing options like Boxabl homes have started to skyrocket in popularity. Even tech guru Elon Musk has jumped on this quirky yet simple tiny house trend!

But there’s one question that always comes up: what is the real cost of a Boxabl house? From shipping and installation to permits and land acquisition, I’ll break down all the costs — hidden and otherwise — that may come up when you purchase a Boxabl home.

Hi, I’m Ryan

As a guy who’s all about efficiency and small living spaces, the creation of Boxabl houses definitely caught my eye. And because of the low Boxabl costs, one of these tiny, portable houses may just show up in my future as an accessory dwelling unit or my own Airbnb.

What Is A Boxabl House?

How Much Does A Boxabl House Cost? True Boxabl Pricing

The cost for Boxabl prefabricated houses tends to run between $54,500 and $99,500 depending on factors like the features your Boxabl has and any extra installation costs. I want to break down the specific elements that make up the estimated cost of a Boxabl house.

The Land You Use Will Affect Your Boxabl House Cost

The first cost factor that I want to bring up here is the cost of land for your Boxabl house. Obviously, if you already own the land that you plan to build your Boxabl on, it’s going to cost less than if you plan to buy land for your prefab home. While it is true that you can earn money on your land as it appreciates, it will still cost you a pretty penny upfront.

The cost of a plot of land needed to install a Boxabl home will vary greatly depending on where you live, the size of the plot, the time of year you choose to purchase your land, and the characteristics of the plot. I would expect to pay somewhere between $55,000 to $100,000 on land alone.

How Much Does Shipping A BOXABL Home Cost?

In addition to their base price of about $54,500, shipping costs for prefabricated Boxabl houses run between $3 to $10 per delivery mile. Since Boxabl houses are prefabricated in the company’s main warehouse in Las Vegas, Nevada, it’s up to the buyer to pay for shipping. 

How Much Do Permits For Boxabl Houses Cost?

Unfortunately, the red tape of the building law world can drive up the cost of your Boxabl house costs when it comes to permits. The average cost of a building permit for a new build of this size tends to run from $2,000 to $12,000 depending on where you live and what the laws are in your state, city, and county.

States with more sanctions on additional builds and higher general costs of living, like Oregon, California, North Carolina, or New York will have higher building permit costs as well, bringing the cost for your Boxabl up significantly from the $54,500 starting point. Building permits will be cheaper in states with less intense sanctions and a lower cost of living, like Mississippi, Oklahoma, Alabama, or Kansas.

Additional BOXABL Home Costs To Consider

In addition to land, shipping, and permits, there are a few more costs for Boxabl homes. One of those major costs is utilities. It’s important to keep in mind that your utility costs will vary depending on where you live and whether or not you have access to a power-grid or plan to run your own lines. Your cost will also increase if you have to hire out for installation labor.

It’s also worth noting that while Boxabl homes do come prefabricated, and therefore have minimal building costs, there are still some unexpected costs worth accounting for. The biggest one here is your foundation.

Do BoxAbl Homes Need A Foundation?

Yes, most Boxabl homes require a foundation. Although the Boxabl house structure comes prefabricated, the homeowner is responsible for building their own foundation. I’ll list the foundation types that work with Boxabl homes, but feel free to reach out to a staff member on the Boxabl team to inquire about which foundation options are fully compatible with the Boxabl.

Foundation Types That Work With Boxabl Houses

• Concrete wall
• Concrete strip footing
• CMU wall
• Monolithic slab
• Stem wall slab
• Block Wall
• Crawl space foundation

What Is The Most Cost-Conscious Way To Install A Boxabl House?

The most cost-conscious way to install a Boxabl house is to use it as an accessory dwelling unit on land that you already own. By doing this, you’re not only saving on the cost of your land, but you’re able to shortcut utility costs as well by using the same power sources for your main house as you do for your Boxabl ADU.

Is The Cost OF A Boxabl House Affordable?

Overall, I strongly believe that the cost of Boxabl homes is affordable and a rather wise, practical choice for anyone looking to live small. The Boxabl house definitely averages fewer upfront costs than most traditionally built homes.

Additionally, Boxabl homes costs are extremely affordable when it comes to month-to-month expenses. The general cost of living in a Boxabl house ends up being around $250 a month after all initial buy and build costs have been fully factored in. I don’t know of a more affordable option in the current housing climate!

Pros And Cons Of Boxabl Housing

While there are an abundance of advantages to this newfound housing of the future, there are also some disadvantages to consider when making the decision to order a Boxabl.

Boxabl Photos And Design Inspiration

To help keep the cost for Boxabl homes low, they only have two available layouts at this time. That said, there is still a ton of variety in the ways you can decorate your Boxabl. I tend to like tiny houses with a minimalistic aesthetic, but there are lots of different styles, aesthetics, and design inspiration you can apply to your Boxabl house.

Boxabl House Interior Design Examples

The interior of your Boxabl home has lots of potential. With only 360-375 square feet to work with, you’ll have to be strategic about space. However, Boxabl homeowners are very creative. They maximize the space by making use of vertical areas and investing in small furniture.

Boxabl House Living Room And Kitchen Design Ideas

The Boxabl house comes semi-furnished and equipped with standard appliances, like a fridge, oven, dishwasher, microwave, and washer/dryer. In the Boxabl model home, the designers double their TV stand as a room divider, which I think is a great way to maximize space in the Boxabl living room. I’m a huge fan of the way the far end of the kitchen counter folds out into a desk to create a makeshift mini-office.

Boxabl House Bedroom And Bathroom Design Ideas

The bathroom is the only room in the Boxabl house that isn’t fully open concept. I love how the towel rods in the bathroom are stacked vertically to make the best use of the small space. But my favorite aspect of the Boxabl model home is the way the designers have added a makeshift closet in the TV stand facing the bedroom. What a savvy use of storage!

Boxabl Home Exterior Design Examples

The exterior of the Boxabl Casita house is surrounded in elongated, vertical windows, making it the perfect setup for abundant natural light. It includes two steps on each side that go right up to the Casita’s glass doors.  can shape things up in any home, and really adds a lot more to the Boxabl design.

The exterior design of Boxabl’s second plan includes a patio that’s perfect for grilling out with family and friends. It also includes a covered balcony connected to the stacked unit, which is a great place to watch the sunset.

Boxabl House Floor Plans

At this time, Boxabl only has two main floorplan options. There is a one bedroom, one bath option as well as a two bed, two bath Boxabl house.

One Bed, One Bath Boxabl Casita House Floorplan

The 361-square-foot Boxabl Casita is ideal for a single person or couple, and it could be used as an accessory dwelling unit or outdoor studio. This floorplan includes an open-concept kitchen, living room, and bedroom, with one bathroom in the upper right corner of the space.

Two Bed, Two Bath Boxabl House Floorplan

The second floorplan available through Boxabl is a two bedroom, two bathroom option that uses two stacked Boxabl units. One unit includes a playroom, bathroom, and master bedroom, while the other unit holds a living room, dining area, kitchen, and second bathroom.

FAQ: Common Questions About Boxabl Houses

With Boxabl houses being a fairly new concept, it makes sense to have questions. When I first caught the wave of this trend, I definitely had a lot of specific curiosities about these unique homes and their design, durability, assembling process, and more.

  How Is The Boxabl House Set Up?

The Boxabl house is set up by local installers sent to your plot by Boxabl. Once the installers arrive, the fully flat, 20 to 8.5 foot wide Boxabl home is lifted and unfolded to become a 361 to 375 square foot, fully livable house. The installers will build the structure of the home itself, but it is your responsibility to connect your Boxabl to the utility grid or hire someone else to do so.

  Why Are BOXABL Houses So Cheap?

Boxabls start at just $54,500, which is much lower than most traditional homes. The main reason Boxabl house costs are low is that the homes are mass-produced. By streamlining the construction process, Boxabl is able to increase output and efficiency while simultaneously reducing labor costs.

  How Long Does It Take To Assemble A Boxabl Home?

Boxabl houses are fully assembled on site in an hour or less by a certified and state-licensed installer. Once you’ve purchased the unit through Boxabl, the company will connect you to an installer in your area to make an appointment.

  Are Boxabl Homes Stackable?

Yes, all Boxabl home models are stackable and can be placed on top of one another or next to each other, depending on the layout and design that suits you best. You can stack your Boxabl house vertically, or even make an L shape or other variation with multiple units.

  How Do You Manage Utilities In A Boxabl House?

The Boxabl home comes with water, plumbing, electricity, HVAC, and other utilities pre-installed within the design. The utility connection, such as HVAC, plumbing, and electricity, is made to the exterior corner of your Boxabl house. If your Boxabl home is connected to the main public utility grid, making this connection should be a piece of cake.

If you choose to go off grid with your Boxabl house, don’t sweat it! There are tons of off-grid utility options that work well with Boxabl housing, like installing a water tank, using solar panels, using a rainwater catchment system, or digging your own septic or well.

  Are Boxabl Homes Water And Mold Resistant?

Despite the low cost of Boxabl homes, they are highly resistant to both water and mold. They are made of steel, concrete, and EPS foam as opposed to wood to prevent rotting and water damage from accumulating overtime.

  Can You Finance A Boxabl Home?

Because the price for a Boxabl ranges from $54,500 to $99,500, you may need to seek financing. Fortunately, you can finance your Boxabl home costs just like a traditional home. Once you’ve purchased a Boxabl home, you have the option of financing the house through Boxabl’s financing partners or a third party. Most Boxabl houses can be financed with a traditional 30-year mortgage.

  Are Boxabl Houses Legal In All States?

Aside from the Boxabl costs, the second most common question people ask me is whether or not Boxabls are legal in their area. The Boxabl building model tends meet the building code requirements of most laws in the US, even in the states where building codes for manufactured homes can be a bit dicey.

However, they are classified as a “park model RV” in accordance with ANSI 119.5 in many states, which can limit the homeowner’s ability to live in their Boxabl full time, depending on the RV laws in their specific area. If the Boxabl is mounted or bolted to solid foundation, on the other hand, it may fall under a separate legal classification.

It’s also worth noting that all Boxabl models come with state modular approval. This is great news when it comes to building codes. With modular approval, the need for local inspections of any particular building type is decreased because the build is approved at the state level. However, it’s still imperative that you check with your local jurisdiction before making a purchase just to be certain.

Is The Cost For Boxabl Homes Worth It: My Final Thoughts

Although the base cost for Boxabl homes is around $54,500, you may end up paying up to $99,500 when it’s all said and done. But, even with the permits, utility hookups, and site prep fees upping the price, the cost of your Boxabl will be significantly less than a traditional house.

And they aren’t just cost-effective. Boxabl homes are also highly durable, energy efficient, and extremely easy to set up. So overall, I think that it’s fair to say: yes, Boxabl homes are worth it.

Your Turn!

• Do you think the cost for Boxabl homes is fair in today’s housing market?
• When comparing the cost for Boxabl homes to other tiny homes, which do you think is the better value?