4 Things To Know Before Buying A Shipping Container Home

Building a house from scratch is a thrilling experience. It is especially the case if you intend to be actively involved in every step of the building process.   

However, constructing a home is not always an easy task. You need to invest a lot of time, energy, money, and patience.  

Fortunately, you can now build a house out of a shipping container. They’re simple to construct, inexpensive, environmentally friendly, long-lasting in various configurations, and adaptable to changing needs.  

Although there are benefits to living in a container home, no option is without its share of challenges. So, here are some things you might want to consider before choosing shipping containers for your future home: 

Budget 

Suppose you’re planning to build a house and consider shipping containers as an option. In that case, you’re probably wondering how much is a shipping container. Usually, homes made from shipping containers may often be built at a lower cost than conventional residences.   

Typically, the price of a container house is around half that of a traditional brick-and-mortar dwelling. It’s because they may be easily customized without breaking the bank during development.  

An average two-bedroom home in the UK may cost anywhere from £187,625.00 GBP and £281,437.00 GBP to construct. On the other hand, a shipping container house often costs far less than USD$82,400.  

But remember that the container cost isn’t the only one you’ll have to cover. Factors such as location, building size, architectural details, and quality of finish can all affect the final price tag.  

Fortunately, you can erect a shipping container home on various unfriendly surfaces, saving you the trouble and expense of digging the ground. It’s also a good idea to track down a reliable provider of shipping containers so you may barter for a lower price.  

Structural Integrity 

Shipping containers are usually corrugated steel, making them sturdy and long-lasting. The elements won’t have much of an effect on them because they’re made to survive outdoors. However, since they’re made of steel, they may still be subject to rust and corrosion.   

Therefore, it’s crucial to inspect a shipping container’s exterior and interior for any damage symptoms before deciding on purchasing one.   

It’s also recommended that you don’t make any extreme changes. For instance, if you wish to build up numerous stories, you’ll need substantial support, like a steel beam. However, the cost of such a project will rise dramatically due to the engineering difficulties involved.  

Insulation And Ventilation 

Insulation is crucial in converting a shipping container into a comfortable home. Steel allows for rapid warming in the summer and rapid cooling in the winter. For this reason, spray foam insulation is a must for your shipping container house. Additionally, the vapour barrier created by this spray will prevent moisture from penetrating your container, preventing corrosion.  

Nevertheless, you may build a regular studded wall on the interior due to the high expense of spray foam insulation. However, this may require additional space if your shipping container home isn’t spacious.  

You might also want to consider installing a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to enhance the comfort level of your shipping container house. If you have this, your family will be more at ease in your home, no matter the climate.  

Local Laws And Regulations 

It’s not usually essential to obtain planning approval to construct a shipping container house in the UK. Unlike conventional residences, shipping container dwellings are only meant for short-term habitation.  

Nonetheless, there are situations in which you will need to receive the official okay to build your shipping container home. It applies to conditions like:  

If you plan on making your container house your permanent residence. 

If the area occupied by your container home is equivalent to or greater than 40% of the total area of the original property. 

If the spot you’ve picked to build your shipping container home is in a national park, a place of remarkable natural beauty, on the grounds of a historical site, etc. 

If your structure interferes with a neighbour’s right to privacy, blocks their way, or increases traffic. 

If the size of your shipping container house exceeds that of the surrounding properties. 

Final Words 

Using a shipping container to construct a home might be wise if you’re looking for a quick, cheap solution.   

But much as with conventional homes, constructing a dwelling from shipping containers involves enormous planning and decision-making. If you have these, you can be assured that your investment in the shipping container will not be wasted. These two can also assist you in staying away from costly mistakes down the road.   

Moreover, keep in mind the factors mentioned above to ensure that the building of your shipping container house goes off without a hitch.