I get asked a lot about shipping container homes when people learn that I’m into tiny houses, and I do have some experience working with these alternative homes. My good friend D.I. built his own container home here in Charlotte, using a 40-foot container. It was the first one I’d ever seen built out in person, and it was neat to watch as D.I. built it over two years, learning along the way.
Living in a shipping container may sound a bit… unconventional. You may envision an old, rusty boxcar or simply a big metal box.
Surprisingly, shipping container homes can be quite beautiful and economically friendly. Many are drawn to their affordable nature and modern lines.
They do require a fair amount of work and preparation (and there are a few quirks to be aware of), but with some extra effort, you can create a beautiful home from something ordinarily discarded — and save thousands doing it.
What Is A Shipping Container Home?
If you aren’t familiar with shipping container homes, they’re quite interesting. Charlotte happens to be home to one of the largest fabricators of shipping container homes, and I was invited to take a tour of their facility. It was really eye-opening to see how much work went into prepping the containers so they were ready to build with.
The common perception is, “It’s easy because the box is already there.” I learned both from watching D.I. and from my plant tour that this is far from the truth. There’s a lot of effort that goes into turning a container into a home.
Shipping containers are big metal boxes (like a boxcar or the box atop the trailer of a semi-truck), sometimes referred to as Conex boxes. These containers are typically built overseas (usually in China) and are used to ship goods all around the world.
Shipping containers are widely available, and many are used only one time on a one-way trip from China (since the U.S. receives more goods than it sends back).
These metal (aluminum or steel) Conex boxes are used to ship all types of materials — some hazardous, but mostly benign. Once they’re used and retired or put out of commission, they’re often stored near ports around the United States. This means shipping containers are inexpensive to procure and readily available.
Shipping containers have been used to transport goods since the mid-1950s, but it wasn’t until 1987 that the first shipping container was patented for use as a converted home (although people used them as homes and buildings years earlier). Because the modular containers are easy to combine, it’s possible to make large buildings from multiple containers, including a mansion made of 31 containers and a hostel large enough to house 120 people!
Most people who live inside shipping container homes, however, opt for the tiny house version, using one or two shipping containers as their home. Thanks to the availability, sturdiness, and modern look of Conex boxes, they are customizable to suit almost anyone’s needs.
Why Build A Shipping Container Home?
Admittedly, I’m drawn to the idea of shipping container tiny homes. My one hesitation is that I have no experience with metalworking. I’ve never used a plasma torch or welder before. It’s definitely one of those things on my bucket list that I want to learn one day, but from seeing people actually do it, I know that before you build a shipping container home, you need metalwork experience.
Due to the metalwork experience needed, shipping container homes are a little more advanced in terms of building and modifying. They aren’t always the right fit for the typical hobbyist or DIYer who doesn’t have prior building skills because there is quite a bit of technical work required (the obvious metalwork, plus other skills like concrete, engineering, etc.). The big appeal of shipping container homes really comes from their modular design and the modern look.
That said, there are many other reasons why a shipping container home is an appealing option. For one thing, shipping container homes are relatively inexpensive. They’re also strong — they’re built to last with a tough exterior that holds up to hurricanes and earthquakes — and sustainable. It’s nice to give life to the used containers that would ordinarily be used once and then sit empty in ports (or get melted down).
Shipping container homes are also fairly easy to transport intact. Yes, they’re extremely heavy, so they aren’t exactly a tiny house on wheels, but moving a shipping container house to a new foundation is doable without disrupting the structure of the home itself. The containers can be stacked to expand into multi-story homes or configured in interesting modular designs.
The Pros and Cons of Shipping Container Homes
Houses built from shipping containers tend to be one of the more advanced tiny home options. And although there are plenty of advantages to living in a shipping container tiny house, there are certain quirks and issues to be aware of. I’ll break them down below.
Pro: Shipping Container Homes Look Great
When done well, shipping container houses have a modern, architectural quality that I find really appealing. They’re also exceedingly easy to customize. Most people choose to play up the minimalist industrial design, but others create luxury shipping container houses by softening the design of their homes with wooden accents, greenery, and other personal touches.
Pro: Shipping Container Houses Are (In Theory) Cost-Effective
The biggest draw of building or buying a shipping container home is that it’s often quite inexpensive. You can find single-use shipping containers for under $5,000, and you instantly have a shell to work in. The ready-made shell eliminates the need for things like framing, roofing, and extensive foundation work. And because they’re less than half the size of a traditional home, shipping container house interiors require fewer interior finishes.
Pro: Shipping Container Homes Are Durable
Shipping containers are built to withstand harsh oceanic conditions, so they’re much more durable than your typical tiny home. Keep in mind that adding doorways, windows and room openings will chip away at the structural integrity of your shipping container home interior. Fortunately, you can always counteract that by adding more steel beam reinforcements.
Pro: Container Homes Can Be Eco-Friendly
One of the main appeals offered by shipping container homes is that they give new life to what was previously considered industrial waste. Each shipping container small house keeps thousands of pounds of steel out of landfill. They can also be outfitted with environmentally friendly features like solar panels, water collection, and composting toilets to make them even more sustainable.
Con: Insulation Can Be Tricky With Shipping Container Homes
One of the biggest challenges to living in a shipping container home is that metal is conductive to heat and cold. Unlike wood, concrete, brick, and stone, metal is a little trickier for temperature and condensation control. As a result, shipping container homes require insulation and ventilation for comfortable living.
Thermal bridging is a huge issue in a shipping container house; the metal skin acts as a heat sink, drawing the heat out in the winter and bringing the heat in during summer. This all adds up to a less efficient building and can lead to moisture and mold issues if not properly managed.
Con: Shipping Container Homes Are Hard To Modify
Shipping containers require welding abilities to modify. Unlike wood and other home construction materials, you can’t simply create a window or cut a vent in your home without planning carefully. Welding takes time and is costly, so you’ll want to be cautious as you plan. It’s also a bit more difficult in remote locations because they don’t make battery-powered welding units.
Obviously, planning windows, vents, and other modifications means you need to be aware of load-bearing and structural elements before you make a change to the container. If you cut openings in the skin, you often need to reinforce the structure because each cut you make weakens the whole structure.
When I worked with my friend D.I. on his 40-foot shipping container home build, the need for welding skills was a big issue. He didn’t know how to weld or use a plasma torch at all when he started to build his container home, so modifications were a challenge. It was important to plan ahead so he could have a contractor do all the welding at once (rather than paying him to return over and over again).
Con: Shipping Container Houses Require Foundations
Houses built from shipping containers require a concrete foundation or, at minimum, piers. You can’t simply put your container house on the ground unsupported, and I’ve seen many novice builders attempt to skimp on their footings.
Laying a foundation takes time and adds to the expense associated with the project; it also means you need to be certain exactly how you want to plan the layout of your property. A shipping container home should be viewed as a permanent construction (although they can be moved intact to a new foundation). It is a cost that you should make sure to budget in for expenses.
Con: Shipping Container Houses Can Be Pricey
You can find prefab shipping container houses, but they’re often quite expensive. Creating a shipping container home by yourself is less expensive, but you’ll still need to enlist the help of experts — often at a significant cost.
Even procuring the shipping container and moving it to your foundation is a big undertaking. You’ll need a crane to deliver the container and set it atop your foundation. Shipping containers are extremely heavy. Depending on the length (20 foot or 40 foot) they weigh between 5,000-8,000+ pounds and cost a ton to move.
Con: Shipping Container Houses Aren’t Easy To Move
The other challenge D.I. faced was his container home was pretty much immobile. You really need a crane to even move your container a short distance or adjust it slightly on the foundation. This means when you get the container installed, you need to be certain of the exact placement you want.
Con: You May Struggle To Obtain Permits For Your Container House
The final barrier you might run into when buying or building a shipping container home is that local building code enforcement officials are often unfamiliar with them. As a result, it can be tough to get the proper permits.
Looking for more info? Here are a few reviews and honest takes on the pros and cons of living in a shipping container home:
- Why Do People Live in Shipping Container Homes? from Discover Containers
- Container Homes Pros, Cons and Cost Comparison from Build with Rise
How Much Does A Shipping Container Home Cost?
Shipping containers themselves, depending on size, cost anywhere from $3,000-$5,000+. So for a two-story shipping container house you can expect to spend a minimum of $6,000 to $10,000. Either way, it’s much less expensive to buy a shipping container that’s been used for a single ship than to buy a brand-new container.
As long as you do your research and ensure the container didn’t hold any dangerous materials, the use is almost always undetectable. You can work with scratches or dents by covering them (or removing) as part of the design. Even a little rust can be ground out and repainted.
The question of cost really comes down to how much planning you will need to do, what you can DIY, and what you’ll need to outsource. Once you’ve procured the container itself, the other pieces can either add up or be done on the cheap.
Here are several outlines of storage container build-outs with pricing:
- Top 20 Shipping Container Home Designs and Their Costs from 24hPlans
- Storage Container Pricing & Options from 360MobileOffice
- Cost Breakdown of Building a Container Home from Discover Containers
As you can see, the costs vary greatly depending on your plans and the level of architectural design you want to put into your shipping container home. If you’re most concerned with functionality, then a single shipping container buildout is an inexpensive tiny home option.
Is It Cheaper To Build A Container Home Or A Tiny House?
It’s hard to say whether it’s cheaper to build a shipping container house or a tiny home since it depends on the size and design. But overall, I think tiny homes take the edge. Don’t get me wrong, shipping container homes can seem like a bargain due to their relatively low upfront costs.
However, once you start factoring in the costs of building a shipping container home, including transportation and placement of the container itself, things add up quick. Even if you take the DIY route, chances are you will need to enlist expert help on factors like solar, electric (remember, metal is conductive), plumbing, foundations, and modification, especially if you don’t have much welding experience.
As I said before, because aluminum and steel are conductive, they must be insulated and ventilated carefully to prevent the buildup of condensation and to simply make living more comfortable. So, expert insulation, heating, and cooling will need to be configured into your cost as well.
Another often overlooked expense are the fees for permits, architectural designs, and plans for houses built from shipping containers. And as far as permitting goes, many cities don’t have much familiarity with zoning for shipping containers used as dwelling structures, so you’ll need to work with your local officials on the proper approval. This often will include hiring an engineer to work out plans to make officials feel comfortable signing it off.
How to Find and Buy A Shipping Container
If you’re ready to find and buy a shipping container tiny house, you need to start researching the size you want. Shipping containers typically come in two standard sizes: 20 foot and 40 foot. The best containers for homes are listed as “HC” or High-Cube containers. HC containers are 9 feet tall (as opposed to the standard 8-foot container).
That said, shipping containers come in many other sizes as well; you can find them ranging from 8-53 feet. The next most common size is 45 feet, but again, 20- or 40-foot containers are standard (and the easiest to find).
When choosing a size, don’t forget that you’ll be building inwards. You’ll need to frame out the inside and insulate it as well. Depending on your choices for these, you could be eating into your interior by 6-8 inches off each wall.
What Are Shipping Container Grades?
Another thing you’ll want to consider is that shipping containers are graded by condition. “A grade” means the container is good quality with a clean interior and watertight with in-tact seals. The container grades go down to “C grade,” which usually means rust is present, and the container is 10-14 years old. The prices vary by grade but for living, chances are you’ll want to pay a little more for a higher-quality container.
Shipping containers are also graded by the following:
- “One-trippers” meaning new containers that contained only one shipment.
- “Certified Cargo Worthy” meaning they’ve been used for multiple shipments but are in good condition.
- “Wind and Watertight” (WWT), indicating they’ve been used but are still in decent condition.
- “As-Is” means the container may have rust, doors that don’t seal or pinholes in the metal. Containers graded “As-Is” should probably be avoided for dwellings.
Choosing Land For Your Shipping Container Home
The last couple of factors you’ll want to consider are the land where you plan to place your container and if you already have a foundation or will need to pour one. You’ll need to ensure the land is accessible for large trucks or cranes so your shipping container home can be placed and adjusted as needed. If you can, consult with your container supplier or builder ahead of time so they can assess the logistics and walk you through any necessary site prep.
To buy shipping containers check out:
- Shipped is the biggest new and used shipping container marketplace online
- Craigslist and eBay are also options for finding shipping container homes
Before you buy, you’ll want to review these resources and guides for buying a shipping container home as well:
- How to Buy a Shipping Container from Instructables
- 10 Things You Should Know Before Buying a Container from Off Grid World
- The Complete Guide to Buying Shipping Containers from Discover Containers
How To Build A Shipping Container House
Like most of us in the tiny home world, chances are you enjoy putting in the sweat equity. (I know I do!) Shipping container homes are a more advanced project, and they require certain skills, like metalworking. Building the internal walls, insulation, plumbing, and electrical can all be completed yourself, but there are considerations so follow expert resources and instructions. It takes quite a few man hours to complete a DIY container home build.
Great examples of people who successfully DIY-built their container homes are:
- Odd Life Crafting (this site offers many steps of their container home build process)
- Process from Modern Home Project
- In-store guides for purchase from Discover Containers
Before you start your build, you’ll need floor plans and a strong idea of how you want your finished container home to look. As with any tiny home build, the planning portion of the process is vital.
For great shipping container home floorplans, you may want to view:
- Shipping Container Home Floorplans from Dwell
- Floorplans from Custom Container Living
- Shipping Container Home Designs from Off Grid World
The fact that shipping container homes are pretty straightforward (one 20- or 40-foot-long container by 9 feet high and across), means configuring floor plans isn’t terribly challenging. Considerations like plumbing, window placement, and access to grid services are really all you need to keep in mind in terms of layout. If there are any dents or areas of your Conex box you need to cover, figure that into the design as well.
As you design your home, consider the needs of each person who lives in the home. Some homes are built in sections or stacked on top of each other to create a two-story shipping container house. One container may serve as the main living area, another container may become a guest area, and another container could serve as the office.
It depends on the functionality, amount of space you desire, and how many containers you can afford or access. The good news about shipping containers is you can always add more, expand, and build out in the future.
If you decide you don’t want to take the DIY route to building, there are certainly options for fully designed and built-out prefab shipping container houses. These are, of course, going to be more expensive, but because the modular design is favored by architects, you can find really beautiful “pet projects” for sale. The design and build quality of these homes are often excellent.
Resources for pre-built container homes are:
From luxury shipping container houses to stripped-down minimalist designs, there’s no shortage of ways to customize your container home. And after seeing the amazing floorplans and layouts of shipping container homes out there, I’m sure you’ll feel inspired too. If you’re looking for a strong structure with a modern look and feel, a shipping container home might be the right type of tiny home for you.
Your Turn!
- Do you prefer the modern design of shipping container homes to more rustic tiny homes?
- Do you plan on buying a prefab shipping container house or going to DIY route?
Hi Ryan Mitchell, I stumbled upon your website because my husband and I are on the tiny house route. Do you live in a tiny house in Charlotte for real? Would love to hear about your journey. Thank you.
I was told by a close friend that ship containers are one of the best shells for a tiny house, however, as you start to cut holes to windows and doors you begin to loose some structural integrity. Have you heard this before and if so what are your thoughts?
Very nice report. I will follow up you since I am strongly thinking on building a Container home.
Great article. The county where I’d like to build has been very open to the idea. My issue has and is the HOA.
Always power wash the inside of your container. Many that were used to transport vegetables and fruits in South America were fumigated to kill insects. Take this seriously please. Robert, retired US Customs Inspector. Sometimes you can pay more and get a new container. Those used containers were all over the globe on ships, trains, and land transport. They,re safe when cleaned and power rinsed.Don,t take chances with your health
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Wow, I had no idea that you could buy a shipping container for under $5,000 on its own. Now that I know how much it costs, I am a bit more intrigued in getting one. I could have all the same things as an apartment or even a small house for a fraction of the overall price.
Wow this is an awesome post and quite detailed on the shipping container home life. I’ve had several clients purchase containers for future homes and I agree completely with your point about people wanting to slack on the foundation. I work extremely hard to convince people that the foundation is call the foundation for a reason… because the rest of the structure relies on it! So make sure the foundation is set up properly or it ruins everything in a few short years.
Greetings, I’m interested in knowing if containers can be connected in the shape of a spider design. Meaning, one vertical and three connecting horizontals on each sides. Thanks in advance foe your thoughts.
Hello, I read your content, if you are looking for home decor suggestions like me, you can find information on this site. 🙂 https://gidav.com/container-homes-uk-planning-permission-information-container-homes-2021/
Hello, I read your content, if you are looking for home decor suggestions like me, you can find information on this site. 🙂 https://gidav.com/container-homes-uk-planning-permission-information-container-homes-2021/
Can I add a 20 ft addition to the front of my house using a shipping container?
Can I use a shipping container for an 8×20 addition in the front of my house? Can I use a 20x 16 two containers to create a screened room in the back of my house?
Hi,
I’ve been considering building a container home. Do you have a directory of container home contractors in Minnesota?
I hope this message finds you well. I am reaching out to explore the possibility of renting a container to use as an office space within our garage. My primary goal is to create a private and quiet workspace that can accommodate my needs as a business owner, without compromising the available space or the flow of our home.
With four children at home, our household can be quite loud and disruptive, making it challenging to focus on work. I also run a real estate business, which often requires me to work late hours. This has unfortunately affected my husband’s rest, and I’m keen to find a solution that offers privacy and allows me to work without disturbing my family.
I am interested in learning more about how we can set up a container within our garage, ensuring it meets all the necessary requirements for a functional office space. If this is something your company can assist with, I would greatly appreciate further information and guidance on the next steps.
Thank you for considering my inquiry. I look forward to your response and hope we can work together to find a suitable solution.
If you’re looking for reliable and high-quality shipping containers, I highly recommend XPO Shipping Containers. They offer a seamless buying experience, competitive pricing, and outstanding customer support. Whether you’re purchasing for commercial or personal use, their service is both efficient and trustworthy.
Visit their website to learn more: https://xposhippingcontainers.com
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