Thursday, June 14, 2018

How To Build A Shipping Container Home Anywhere

Over a decade or so, shipping containers have turned out to be one of the most popular construction mediums, especially when it comes to saving building costs.


Shipping containers are cheaper and more tenacious than traditional building materials.

When you think of green homes, you usually think of environmentally friendly materials. What could be better than using a transportation container that can transfer nearly everything the world has to offer across the Seven Seas.

Shipping containers are accepted in every single country. Manufacturered with reinforced steel, these shipping containers are made of weather-resistant material.

Used shipping containers  have found new users in Green Home enthusiasts, farmers, and even offices that must be fitted into tight city corners.

What started off as an out-of-the-box idea has ended up being upcycled into one of the most creative living space mediums that  is cosy and as personal as a brick-and-mortar house.

Shipping Container Construction Details


If you are are a Green Home enthusiast, you would want to build your own shipping container home.

There are several factors you must take into consideration when you start off on your own project.

You probably have come across guides that teach you how to convert a shipping container into a livable space. However, there are several factors you must be aware of.

How do you get the cheapest shipping container from your closest location?

You also need to consider how to gather accessories needed to complete your project.

For example, you need power supply.You need tested plans that include a cost-effective method to complete your container home project in the shortest possible time.

Did you know that a container home can be assembled in just six weeks, if you have the right plans with you?

Pros Of Container Homes

It is often said that if you don't have enough space to store all your items turn to industrial-grade shipping containers.

Because of the modular structure of shipping containers and their standard height and length measurements, it’s easy to combine two or more structures  to create a larger home. In fact, they can be stacked one over the other up to 12 levels. (two to three levels are ideal for a shipping container home).

Nothing can beat shipping containers in terms of strength and durability, as they have been traditionally manufactured to transport all sorts of items  across testing terrains and can withstand hurricanes, tornadoes, and tsunamis.

Because of their standard sizes, they can be easily transported by rail, road, and ship as prefabricated modules.

Medium and large businesses are known to use around 50 containers, so the likelihood of you getting a used container at a cheap price is very high.

This eco-friendly material has saved the economy thousands of kilograms of steel. A standard 40-foot shipping container weights around 3,500 kilograms. So the upcycling procedure results in saving at an average of 3,500 milligrams every time a container is used in the construction business.

These modular containers do not require professional workers to assemble your home. Jobsite equipment like welding and drilling machines are needed.

Cons Of Shipping  Containers

Insulated material must be used to prevent heat from seaping into containers, especially in places facing extreme temperature variations.

Heavy equipment like cranes may be needed to mount this modular container. Delivery cost is likely to increase a great deal, if you are located in a hilly region away from the coastal shipping container market.

Joints must be properly sealed to prevent humidity from creating rust in the doors and windows.

A 40-feet container is the most you can accommodate, making it difficult to  build large houses in the city.

Building permissions may be needed from your local municipality.


Important Construction Details That You Must Know


  1. Understand the type of foundation you read to mount your container home.
  2. Learn how to insulate it, so that it remains cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
  3. One of the main issues is energy. Solar energy is one of the best sources, especially if you consider having your container home in a remote location.
  4. You will leave the exact plans and a DIY guide to come up with minimum energy bills.
  5. You must know how your home  will look before you start on the project.
  6. Keep your design tips and layout plans ready.
  7. Some permissions and permits from the local authorities may be needed before you head into your project.
  8. Finally, you must know  the lowest possible price you can arrive at when you are ready to purchase your shipping container.

How To Calculate And Bring Container Home Building Costs Down



A standard 20-foot container may cost around $3,500 depending on the age and quality of the material used.

It is important that you decide whether you need to use a 20-foot or 40-foot container.

A 20-foot container would be appropriate in the city, as it may be an extension to your existing home. Transporting a 40-foot container to the same location may turn out to be much costlier.

The best quality containers for residential purposes are WWT or Wind and Water Tight containers. These are the cheapest to buy and are likely to be in great shape.

CWO or cargo-worthy  containers are costlier, as they are still used to carry freight overseas.

The costliest are new or one-trip containers that come with a 10-year warranty.

5 Things You Must Know Before Delivery


Depending on where you are located, your container may need some prepping, For example, is your site prone to flooding? Then your container must be placed at a reasonable height above ground level.

Depending on how long you plan to keep your container at a location, you must know if a semi-trailer truck can access your property.

A plane hard surface is ideal for placing the container.

Know before hand if delivery charges are included in the total cost of the container. Professional vendors will offer you a complete breakup of the total cost before you place the order. Normally, flat charges are applicable, if delivery is made within a 60-mile radius.

Deliveries are usually made 24 to 72 hours from you place the order. Shipping containers are transported from the nearest  shipping marketplace. It’s ideal to place the order at least a week before you need delivery.

Get all the required permissions and permits before you taking delivery of your container. In some cases, agents may be hired to intervene between you and the authorities.

Offer instructions to the driver, so the container can reach your your site safely and in the minimum possible time.

Shipping Container Home Design Ideas

Have several shipping container home plans at your disposal including elevations and floor plans. These are generally DIY plans that can be applied immediately.

Keep  breakdowns ready at hand. It pays to have an example budget to get you going.

Plans keep changing when you increase the number of bedrooms.

Even though designs are simple to implement, it's best to have a comprehensive guide with detailed pictures to simplify the process. There may be several technological breakthroughs that may require you to seek expert help, unless you have access to the latest information.

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Shipping Container Homes

So you have heard of shipping container homes? You probably have a few of them tucked away somewhere, and now you're wondering how to make best use of them.


You're close to using one of the best ways of implementing shipping containers - housing. Shipping containers have practical uses even after they have served their useful life overseas. And the great news is that it cost just a fraction of what you would pay otherwise for a decent-sized home built in traditional manner.

Shipping containers have several features that you would otherwise not find in materials used in the traditional way of building houses.

1. They are made of tenacious reinforced steel that can withstand heavy punishment. These containers have been used to carry heavy loads across long distances.

2. Containers have modular shapes and are designed to prevent slippage.

3. Shipping container homes can easily last for a decade or more without showing any signs of wear and tear.

4. Now you are able to procure complete plans for one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom container homes of your choice.

5. All you have to do is refer to a blueprint created by an expert and then implement those plans with used shipping containers. The good news is that a simple container home can be assembled in less than 6 weeks.

6. You only need a design that can be used to assemble your container home in any location. If you are short of space, try out a 20-foot used container. In your farm, use as many 40-foot containers as desired to assemble your DIY Home even in a remote location.

shipping container homes

Once you know how long you wish to stay at a specific location, you can decide on the type of shipping container to use.

You can easily transport your shipping container to another location, once you have decided to relocate. All that is needed is to remove attachments before shipping container homes are lifted and transported by crane or pick-up truck.