Getting Started With Shipping Container Homes

Getting-Started-Shipping-Container-Homes-Blog-Cover

Updated On: December 29, 2020

worksheet-full

Table of Contents

Suppose you’ve just heard about these things called Shipping Container Homes and you’re wanting to learn more about them.

Don’t worry; we get lots of emails from people just like you every week asking us what they are and where to learn more about them.

We have been the number one resource for all things related to shipping container homes for the last several years. Our website is dedicated to educating shipping container enthusiasts.  We have an abundance of articles aimed at helping you navigate your journey.

Today we’re going to start from the beginning and explain exactly what shipping container homes are and then provide you with some must read articles if you want to learn more.

What Are Shipping Container Homes?

Shipping container homes are homes or offices which have been built by converting and repurposing shipping containers.

These shipping containers can be used or new, 20 or 40 feet long.  There are several options available to you, but all that matters as far as the definition is that some type of shipping container is utilized at the heart of the construction.

Blue Shipping Container Home

Thousands of shipping container homes have already been built in countries around the world including the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, South Africa, India, Germany and the Netherlands.

You can see more pictures of container homes in our Case Studies section.

Are Shipping Container Homes Popular?

Now that you know what Cargo Box homes are, you’re probably wondering if anyone actually builds and lives in them.

The answer is a resounding yes.  Across the world over the past 15 years, Container Homes have risen over 5x in popularity according to Google Trends.

Pros and Cons of Container Homes

One of the most popular reasons people build container homes is because of the price. With the right choices, container homes can be built affordably which means that they can offer a route to financial independence for many people.

Another great reason why they are so popular is that they are quite environmentally friendly. Every 40ft shipping container reused for a new purpose like a home saves more than 8,000 pounds of steel.

For many people, building a shipping container home is a perfect choice.  That said, it isn’t the right decision for everybody. 

It’s worth reading through some of the downsides to shipping container construction as well so you know what you’re getting into.

Are Shipping Container Homes Dangerous?

This is a fair question since you will be living in this home with your family. It needs to be safe!

Providing the home is built correctly and the containers are converted appropriately, then yes, shipping container homes are absolutely safe.

We have covered this thoroughly in our article just how safe are shipping container homes if you’d like to read more.

Constructing Your Container Home

If you’ve considered the options and have made the decision to construct a container home, that is fantastic! Get in touch with us along the way with any questions you might have. We can’t wait to see the results. Remember to contact us once you’ve finished construction and send some photos!

We’ve spoken with numerous people who have built their own shipping container home and there are several mistakes which people make along the way which end up costing them a lot of money. Two of the most common mistakes are buying the wrong type of shipping containers and using the wrong insulation material.

Read more in our article 5 mistakes to avoid when building.

Once you’ve read this and are becoming more familiar with container homes, you may be interested in our huge case study with dozens of container homeowner interviews. In these interviews, we ask the homeowners to share their best advice for people who want to construct their own container home.

The top three pieces of advice are:

  1. Purchase the right type of container.
  2. Review your local building regulations and permits before you start building
  3. Use contractors who have previously built container homes.

Planning Your Shipping Container Home

By now, you are well aware of what a shipping container home is, why people build container homes, and you’ve even seen some of the beginner mistakes that people make when constructing shipping container homes.

Now consider these 8 questions to ask before you build.

The biggest decision you will have to make is whether to build it yourself or bring a contractor in to build it for you.

The majority of people decide to build it themselves.  One reason is that it is much cheaper, but also because it brings you closer to the home since your blood, sweat, and tears have been poured into it!

We understand that there are people who don’t want to build it themselves. As idyllic as building it yourself sounds, it can become very stressful, especially if you are doing it for the first time.

Hiring a contractor can help take away a lot of these headaches, leaving you to do all the fun stuff like designing the kitchen and flow of the house.

It’s all about making these decisions now, so you know what to expect. Planning your project is so important, as the old saying goes: “A failure to plan is a plan to fail.”

We won’t get into planning too much in this article except to say you need to do it! Read our comprehensive article on how to plan your shipping container home. From design to budgeting, all the way through using contractors, it’s all there.

Summary

When you’re new to the concept of container homes, the amount of information available can be overwhelming, but we hope this article has helped to get you started.

Remember there are dozens of articles on our website all about shipping container homes.

Building your own container home can be extremely rewarding not only financially but also as a sense of personal achievement.

Let us know in the comments section below if you have decided to move forward on the shipping container journey. 

DC-combined-transparent-angled

Check out more great articles:

22 Responses

  1. I am so pleased to have found your website
    Looking to acquire a 40 ft container for a home to be built in Uganda. Our hot season can be pretty hot, can you advise on insulation against the elements? (we get dry and wet seasons only here, nothing extreme like winter)..
    The idea is to have a section of the house container and the other section brick, as an extension to the container. Do you have similar projects? Would have liked to use wood, but we have a termite problem here and you dont want to be messing with the termites, thus the thought of using brick/concrete with the container/metal

    1. We’re pleased that you’ve found us! If you haven’t already, check out our Case Studies (https://www.discovercontainers.com/case-studies/) for interviews and profiles of real-life container homes. You’ll be especially interested in this one (https://www.discovercontainers.com/uganda-container-home-rental/), as it is both in Uganda AND is a hybrid of both shipping container and traditional construction. You may even be able to go visit it and get some inspiration that way! Due to the fact that you’re in a warm, tropical environment, you’ll definitely want some insulation to stay more comfortable. Here are some other articles that may help: https://www.discovercontainers.com/5-methods-to-insulate-your-shipping-container-home/, https://www.discovercontainers.com/essential-knowledge-about-heat-transfer-in-shipping-container-buildings/, https://www.discovercontainers.com/cool-roof-coatings/

  2. i need a small container to convert into a braai area next to my log home. What are the sizes of the smallest containers? I need one side to be fitted with a sliding door and one short side with a window. An exit for the extractor over the braai area. I do have a flat area on my premises next to my house. Only water and electricity to be connected. I live in the Overberg. Do you have an agent in Cape Town
    Thank you
    Tersia Muller

    1. The smallest common container is 20ft x 8ft. You can find 10ft x 8ft containers but they are quite rare. Even more rare are specialized/custom containers that are shorter and narrower than these, but they are really not even worth discussing unless you have a specialized business need. Due to the metal construction, building a braai in a container is going to be hot! You’ll need a lot of forced ventilation. If you’ll email us via the Contact Us page, we can put you in touch with some container builders in your area.

  3. Great website. Do you have referrals for agents that work with the city of Los Angeles and are familiar with permits and zoning for these container homes?

    thank you

    1. Thanks for visiting! At this time, we don’t have relationships with real estate agents who can help with this. There are companies that build turnkey container homes, along with designers/architects that work on higher-end container homes and project, that can and have navigated some of the permitting and zoning challenges. Feel free to email us via the Contact Us page if you’d like further information.

  4. Hello!

    I’ve just moved to Korea and it seems like container house is not that popular here. I would love to receive your free ebook on how to build container house!

    Please and thank you!

    1. Container buildings are pretty popular across Asia, though perhaps more in Southeast Asia in places like Malaysia and Thailand. On almost any page of the website, there is a form on the right side that mentions getting the two free chapters. Just enter your email address and follow the instructions!

  5. So pleased to have come across your blog. I live in Northern Ireland and am looking for land at present with the intention of trying my arm at building a home from shipping containers. I really see the advantages of having containers below ground level, hidden completely as the ground and second floors are built. Worried / concerned about drainage and waste water sub terra.

    1. Drainage is an issue just like any house with a basement. You’d probably want gravel around the foundation to permit water to continue past the container and go further underground instead of pooling near the container. Wastewater can be handled with a pump, which a plumber could help you with. The biggest problem that you haven’t discussed is structural. Shipping containers are meant to sustain heavy loads from within on their floors, and from additional containers placed above with loads transmitted through the corner columns. The walls and especially roof of a container are not designed to resist loading of any significant amount. Placing a container underground without significant structural enhancement is asking for major trouble. Depending on the soil type in your area, soil underground can exert a tremendous horizontal force on the sides of a container until they buckle or implode. Please explore this further with a competent structural engineer before attempting this!

  6. I have been researching shipping container homes and have a question that I have not found discussed. If a home is created out of a single shipping container (my plan is using a refer) are there issues with humidity in such an enclosed home?

    1. Gale, regardless of the number of containers used, humidity is a concern for any container building, or steel building for that matter. Without proper insulation, if humid/warm air is allowed to touch a cool metal surface, condensation can occur. If you’re using a reefer, you already have a well-insulated starting point, but you’ll have to watch out for all the penetrations you make for doors/windows and try to minimize thermal bridging. If you haven’t already, check out our post on the pros/cons of using a reefer for a container structure. There are a few things to watch out for if you choose to go down that road.

  7. Hi Tom!

    After many laborous hours of research, I’ve found your website. So many informative articles! My favorite part though is your customer service. Every post you answer all questions enthusiastically with no bull. I thank you for that! As well as all the other honest people on this site. It seems this is more than just a building. It’s a lifestyle, a community. Currently starting my own home up in the North Ga. mountains, after I finish reading all your articles I’ll be getting your book. Thanks for all the Info!

  8. I would love to receive your free ebook on how to build container house. Your system refuses to accept my email. Thanking you in advance.

    1. Please send us an email Thabo, and we will sort this out for you.

  9. I am interested in finding vendors and contractors to have a container built. I cannot build the home myself.

    All the information and comments have been helpful.
    Thank you

    1. Hi Joyce,

      Send us an email (see our ‘Contact Us’ link at the top of the page) and we’ll be happy to help.

  10. Hi Tom,
    I am a retired Marine Engineer and have sailed with and maintained cargo containers in my time. I am now retired for 16 years. However, it is exciting to read that now there are thousands of these homes made from them. I might get in them [ making one for myself] soon.
    If the cost amounts to only $ 50,000 for a 1280 sq ft home. Does it include the cost of land and licenses and permits, registration etc.? I live in Michigan, United States.
    Your response will be most appreciated.
    Thanks and Regards,
    Shrinath Rao.

    1. Hi Shrinath,

      That sounds fantastic.

      In this case, we’re fairly certain that the $50,000 included the permits and architects drawings etc; however, it didn’t include the cost of purchasing the land. Obviously, every situation is unique though, and this cost may be higher or lower than what you encounter.

  11. Floors, floors, floors. Tom, how to you recommend insulating a floor. If I do it on the outside of the container (presuming I guess that I go with a stilt type of foundation) what do you recommend? Spray foam and then cover the side with flashing and the underside with exterior rated plywood. Or is inside a better option. Something like rigid pink etc.

    1. Hi Ivan,

      For the floor, we usually recommend insulating under the floor in the cavity that already exists under the container between the floor joists. If you insulate the floor “inside” the container (between the subfloor and finished floor), you’ll be reducing the interior height of your living space. Closed cell spray foam is pretty resilient, but you could put a coating over it or a ‘flashing’ as you call it if you like.