The True Costs of Shipping Container Home Ownership

Shipping Container homes are becoming more and more popular these days and for good reason. It’s a simple solution to set up and build. It is popular for its modularity and its relatively low price, and it is an original solution for an alternative to traditional homes. Some people even say that it will become the home of tomorrow! Overall, keep in mind that if you want to build a home quickly within your budget, a shipping container home is a very competitive solution. If you do want to build your own shipping container home, what costs should you consider? Check out How to Build a Shipping Container Home Easily, Cheaply and in Just Days

What is a shipping container home?

A shipping container home is a modular structure composed of one or more shipping containers fixed together by a metal frame. Shipping container homes were first used as temporary housing in the 1990s. In the 2000s. They were used to build student residences, especially in the Netherlands.

Over time, they have become new and inexpensive building concepts. There are so many of them they have become an architectural concept that often appears in contemporary architecture.

Before becoming a building element, the shipping container is usually reinforced in a factory. Insulating layers are added to the interior and exterior walls.

A shipping container home does not have to be limited to a single shipping container. You can stack shipping containers and cut them into different shapes. They can also be paired together to create larger rooms or spaces.

Shipping container homes are becoming increasingly popular among single-family homes. They are also becoming increasingly used in multi-family housing, such as public housing or student residences, and professional locations (restaurants, shops, data centers, offices.). Shipping containers can also be used for home extensions or elevations.

What is the price of a container home?

Should you buy new or used shipping containers?

While your instinct may be to buy a new shipping container to ensure quality, it is important to understand that many used containers are in excellent condition. The shipping container is made of weather-resistant steel, a strong construction material designed to withstand harsh conditions. Ideally, most suppliers offer a range of “used” shipping containers, including manufactured and certified options, so you can choose based on your cost or quality preferences. Depending on size, function, and condition, used shipping containers typically cost between $1,400 and $3,500 to purchase.

One of the major advantages of shipping container homes is their price. They are on average 15% to 20% cheaper than traditional homes. The average price of a standard shipping container home is between $300 and $600 per square foot.

The price of a container home varies from one builder to another, but it also varies according to a series of standards:

Living room
floor number
Type of foundation: dowel, concrete slab, raft foundation
Connection to water, electricity, gas, and telecommunications systems
Interior and exterior finishes
Heating system
Services for architects and building operators

What’s the cost of insulating container homes?

The metal walls of the container make this type of building boiling hot in summer and freezing cold in winter. Therefore, it is highly recommended to pay special attention to the insulation of your container home. Besides, installing a moisture-proof layer on the interior wall can reduce moisture build-up in the home.

Exterior Insulation:

Although exterior wall insulation is more expensive than interior wall insulation, it is still a solution that allows you to maximize the living space of a container home. Under-siding is the preferred installation technique for insulating this type of structure. Then, all you have to do is install the selected siding, which will adhere to the frame and cover the insulation layer. For a good insulator, budget between $17 to $47 per square foot.

Internal insulation:

While it is best to use external insulation for a container home, you can insulate your home from the inside. Then, you will have to pay attention to the thickness of the insulation layer, which will reduce the room’s living area.

The thermal insulation board can be glued directly to the container wall and then covered with plaster or other paint.

As for the external insulation, another method of installation is to install on a metal frame insulated between them. Then it will cover the insulation with a wall attached to the frame (for example, plasterboard).

If specific materials for internal insulation can be used, materials for external insulation such as expanded cork, wood fiber, or rock wool can also be used.

For this, the price varies between $14 and $59 per square foot.

Container home siding price :

Depending on your taste and budget, siding can be used to cover the external insulation and give the container a beautiful appearance. The price of container home siding ranges from $9 to $177.

What’s the delivery costs:

When choosing a shipping container budget, you should consider the cost of transportation and the location of the selected supplier. If you ignore these costs and choose a supplier hundreds of miles away from your area, you could end up paying over $1500 in freight charges, which can sometimes be more than the cost of the container. This is a huge additional cost, and now you have to add it to the external cost. That’s why it’s important to ask the supplier about their specific shipping costs before you decide, and why it might make sense to go there.

If you are far from the coast or port cities, the price of shipping the container will be different. Shipping prices vary from $700 to $1200, depending on your geographical area.

Some providers may have the lowest fees, while others may have the longest distances. Providers usually charge a flat delivery fee, as well as additional fees to earn more miles. If you choose to rent, please also contact the provider to find out the moving costs.

Conclusion:

As you can see, the container home is a practical and elegant solution that is both economical and easy to install. Its advantage lies in its modularity and flexibility. However, as with any other housing project, all the factors that affect the final price must be taken into account. Factors such as the geographical location of the manufacturer and the location of the container may not be obvious at a glance.

The price of container homes varies:

You may like to build a container home because you like the idea, the look, the ability to play with building blocks in the DIY design, or the quick turnaround time for making models.