How Much Does a Shipping Container Home Cost?

Shipping containers can be converted into excellent homes, offering a viable and attractive alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar living. If you are considering a container home for your next living arrangement, or you are considering buying container homes to rent out, cost is a key factor in your decision.

We cover the answer to ‘how much does a shipping container home cost?’ and have a look at some of the key benefits of choosing a container for your home below. Or, if you’re ready for a quote, call us today on 0333 577 3191 to discuss your requirements.

What is a Shipping Container Home?

A shipping container home is the outcome of transforming a shipping container, or multiple containers, into a viable living space. These homes are also sometimes known as tiny homes, particularly with the smaller-sized containers, and include everything you need in a home: typically a bathroom, kitchen and a dedicated space for a bed, though some larger homes may have separate bedrooms.

Container homes can significantly vary from one build to another. Some are budget-friendly eco-homes, while others are luxurious constructions worthy of a Grand Designs episode. As opposed to a shipping container office or gym, container homes usually have full connection to all necessary mains utilities like electricity, water and sewerage.

Benefits of Shipping Container Homes

Long-Lasting

Shipping containers are built to weather much more extreme conditions than those found on dry land in the UK. This means they are especially hardy, with most of their strength in the floor and end frames to accommodate being lifted with heavy cargo. Both new and used shipping containers can have a long lifespan as a container home.

Cost-Effective

Buying a shipping container is significantly cheaper than purchasing a traditional home, even if you plan to buy several containers to make a larger home. There are costs involved in transforming containers into liveable homes, but these are often less than the cost of a typical property, particularly if you buy a house that needs renovations.

Sustainable

A shipping container home is an excellent choice for eco-conscious individuals. If you opt for a used container home, you are giving a new life to a container that might otherwise sit and rust. The flat, clear and level roofing of containers works well with solar panels to generate your own electricity, or you could create a rooftop garden to encourage pollination. Smaller-scale living is also beneficial for the environment, reducing the amount of electricity and heating you use.

Portable

One of the most significant benefits of container homes is their portability. Shipping containers are designed specifically to be both stackable and transportable, enabling them to be moved by cranes around dockyards and onto ships. As a result, containers are straightforward to install and just as easy to move. If you decide you want to change the angle of your container to be east-facing for morning sunshine, it’s as simple as hiring the right equipment.

Versatile

While container homes are technically limited by the shape of the container itself, they can be made extremely versatile by choosing different configurations of containers in combination. Two staggered containers can be used to make separated rooms and a central open living space, for example, or containers can be stacked to add a second floor with stairs for access if you need more space.

How Much Does a Shipping Container Home Cost?

The up-front cost of a shipping container will depend on numerous factors. These include:

• The size of the container: A smaller container will typically cost less than a larger one, making this an important consideration for your budget.
• Combining containers: If you plan to combine multiple containers, you will need a specialist to remove any additional walls or cut in doors so you can make use of the space altogether.
• Interior walls: The installation of interior divider walls, including bedrooms and bathrooms, is an additional cost beyond the cost of the container itself.
• Interior fixtures: The kitchen, bathroom, doors, windows and any other installed fixtures will need to be added to a container to transform it into a usable home.
• Utilities: Your new home will need to be hooked up to utilities such as electricity, water and sewerage. If you plan to use solar panels, these also have to be installed.

Once your shipping container home is fully constructed, the primary price to consider is the cost of running your property. These costs are the same as any home, but are likely reduced in a container house as you have a smaller space than you typically would.

How Does a Shipping Container Home Compare to a Traditional Home?

In many ways, shipping container homes are similar to traditional homes. They offer a safe and secure space to live and keep your belongings, with full ownership over your property. However, there are a few differences between a ‘normal’ house and a container home to consider.

There is typically less space available in a container home, as you are restricted to the size of the container you choose. While it is possible to expand your property with more containers, you’ll need a specialist to help you achieve this. You will also need to buy the land where your home is placed, unless you are building on land you already own.

How to Build a Shipping Container Home

The first step to successfully building a container home is finding a trusted partner for your shipping containers. Choosing a company like KH Containers that offers both new and used containers can allow you to find a solution that best fits your budget and goals.

Once you have a suitable container, you then need to decide on a floor plan and the materials you will use to build your shipping container home. Whether you are planning to DIY your home or you’d like to work with a trusted partner to create a bespoke solution, you need an idea of the kind of space you’d like to start building your shipping container home.

Why Choose KH Containers?

KH Containers is your ideal partner for the creation of a bespoke container home. We offer shipping containers in 10ft, 20ft and 40ft sizes to help you make your vision a reality. We inspect every container to ensure it is in cargo-worthy – windproof and watertight – condition before shipping to you to ensure your satisfaction.

Our team can deliver containers as they are for your own projects, or we can offer our container conversion service, helping you transform your container into the perfect home. Contact us today to get a quote for our services or discuss your requirements with the experts.