One of the latest homebuilding trends is repurposing sturdy steel shipping containers into modern, affordable, sustainable living spaces. Whether you’re looking to design a compact backyard office or an expansive, multi-container modern house, shipping containers might be the perfect material for your next project.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Living in a Container Home?
Container homes aren’t the right fit for everyone, but they are an ingenious solution for some.
The principal advantages of a container home are its eco-friendliness and durability. You can build one much quicker than a traditional home, and since the containers were made to withstand the open seas, they’ll be robust against the elements.
However, not every community allows container homes, and the ones that do may have specific requirements to fit local codes and design standards. Used containers may have carried hazmat that needs to be removed, and you’ll have to take good care of the steel so it doesn’t rust.
Planning Your Container Home
Before you start building a container home, you’ll need to do some careful planning.
Zoning and Building Code Considerations
Not every community allows container homes, and the ones that do may have specific requirements to fit local codes and design standards. Ask your local officials about the permits and regulations they’ve set for container homes.
Pro Tip: David Callies, a land-use law expert featured in TOH Magazine, advises: “When it comes to zoning, homeowners do have rights, but they have to take positive action to know them.” This is especially true for unconventional builds like shipping container homes, where local codes may not have explicit provisions—and ignorance of the rules is never a valid excuse.
Michael Pfeiffer, vice president for codes and standards development at the International Code Council, has cautioned that building plans must be adapted for the specific region and site where a structure will be built. Container homes are no exception—a design engineered for a mild climate may not meet seismic or wind-load requirements elsewhere. Work with a local architect or engineer to ensure your container home plans comply with your area’s building code before you submit for permits.
Designing Your Container Home Layout
A typical shipping container is only about 8 feet wide, so you’ll need to be a little creative when planning your home’s layout for the slimmer space. Think about where the windows and doors will be, how you’ll stack the containers, and any functional modifications you’ll need to make to the exterior walls.
What Is the Construction Process for a Container Home?
The construction process for a container home is a bit more streamlined than a regular house.
Site Preparation and Foundation
Container homes need a foundation that meets local requirements. Depending on your local soil conditions, climate, and what you want from your space, you may use a concrete slab, pier, or basement foundation.
Pro Tip: Tom Silva, TOH general contractor, advises that what kind of foundation a builder uses is usually determined by practical matters: “how far it is to the nearest concrete ready-mix plant, how remote the job site is, what the local foundation contractors are most familiar with, and your budget.” He adds: “All things being equal, I prefer a well-poured, steel-reinforced concrete foundation because it’s better at resisting the pressure of water, which can seep through blocks, or of soil, which can topple them.”
Soil conditions can dramatically affect foundation depth and complexity. On a recent TOH project, excavation contractor Martin explained that in warmer climates, a continuous 24-inch by 12-inch-deep concrete footing—well reinforced and poured directly into the ground without forms—can support a two-story addition. In colder regions, footings must extend four to five feet deep to get below the frost line. For container homes on sites with unstable or sandy soil, or where the water table is high, a piling system driven 30 to 35 feet deep may be necessary to establish a solid foundation.
Why Steel Reinforcement Matters: As TOH host Kevin O’Connell learned on a recent project, concrete has virtually no tensile strength—it’s strong in compression but weak when stretched. That’s why steel rebar is placed within footings and foundation walls: it allows the foundation to bridge over voids or weak spots in the soil below. “You’re actually assuming that all that bad soil will go away,” Kevin noted. “So you literally are building a bridge.” For shipping container homes, which concentrate heavy loads at their corner posts, properly reinforced footings are essential.
Modifying Containers for Residential Use
Next, you, your container dealer, or your contractor must modify the shipping containers to support your home’s basic infrastructure. This generally includes the following steps:
- Adding interior walls and floor coverings
- Cutting for windows and doors
- Cutting openings between containers for stacked home designs
- Installing electrical and plumbing systems
- Reinforcing the structure
Pro Tip: Steve Like, chairman of the National Modular Building Council, notes that building for transport has its quirks: “If you’ve got to ship the house 400 to 500 miles on a flatbed, it’s going to be built a little different.” The same principle applies to shipping container homes — because the steel structure must withstand transit and crane lifts, modifications like window and door cutouts need careful structural reinforcement to maintain the container’s rigidity.
Insulation and Climate Control Solutions
Container homes need proper insulation to regulate temperature and keep moisture at bay. Builders commonly use spray foam or rigid foam boards for the task, just as they would for a regular home. However, you can also use other eco-friendly options like wool and recycled denim.
For added comfort year-round, your builder will also install climate control systems, such as mini-split air conditioners and radiant floor heating.
How Much Does a Container Home Cost?
Container homes can be significantly cheaper than a regular house if you make the right decisions. According to Angi, a single container can cost between $1,200 and $10,000. However, the bulk of the project cost will come from modifications and labor, bringing the total to somewhere between $25,000 and $250,000.
Buying a prefabricated option may be better than investing in a custom build if you’re building on a budget. Prefab designs offer less flexibility, but they also reduce the work you’d otherwise have to hire out.
If you choose to custom-build, hire a licensed architect and general contractor to plan and manage the construction. Any new home is a serious investment, and you don’t want to take chances with subpar work.
