This trend of constructing with shipping containers isn&#;t surprising considering that container homes are Eco-friendly, affordable, and incredibly strong.
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When you look at examples of shipping container homes, you find homes that were built extremely fast and for a small amount of money.
However, there are also examples of container homes that have failed because their owners have made simple mistakes that could have been avoided.
Here are a few common mistakes you can make when constructing a shipping container home.
The biggest mistake people make when building their shipping container home is purchasing the wrong size shipping container. In fact, this was the most common response we received when interviewing dozens of shipping container homeowners.
Most of the people constructed their building using regular height shipping containers, only to find out later that there are high cube containers which are an additional foot in height.
High Cube Container Height Difference
Standard shipping containers are 8 feet 6 inches in height, whereas high cube containers are 9 feet 6 inches tall. An extra foot in the height of your container is perfect for people looking to insulate the ceiling of their container without sacrificing on headroom.
In a standard container, if you insulate the ceiling, the remaining interior ceiling height is only about 7 feet. Using a high cube container, you can install insulation and still have an 8-foot ceiling height.
High cube containers do cost a bit more, but they are quite popular and not too difficult to find. Considering the benefits they offer, it&#;s usually money well-spent.
Other people are surprised to find out that containers come in lengths other than just 20 and 40ft, including, 10, 45, and 48 ft lengths. There are even some containers that are a few inches wider than most, including 53 ft containers and so-called &#;pallet-wide&#; containers.
Check out our Shipping Container Dimensions article to learn about the sizes, weights, and more for all the common (and not so common) container varieties.
Another crucial mistake people make is not accounting for the condition of the containers they purchase. While purchasing used containers is a great way to increase the sustainability of your home, you need to be prepared to do some refurbishing.
At the low end, you&#;ll often need to some do touch up painting. But more heavily used containers may require cutting out dented or rusted metal and welding in a patch. Containers naturally experience significant rust and corrosion due to their hard lives at sea and in busy ports, and it must be dealt with.
If you&#;re prepared for this work going in, that&#;s one thing. But people purchasing their containers online or by without seeing the containers in person may be surprised at the condition of the containers when they arrive.
Even if you have pictures beforehand, a shady dealer could conveniently crop out bad places from the pictures, or make them hard to spot with lower quality images. Seeing the containers in person is preferable, but at least get numerous high-quality images and videos if you can&#;t physically be there. Ensure all the corner joints are shown, and underneath and above the container is ideal if possible.
We have a ton of great information about choosing the best containers for your project, how and where to buy containers, and also how to handle container delivery that is sure to help you avoid any surprises.
Just about the worst feeling in the world is when you&#;re told that your already built house doesn&#;t comply with local planning regulations and that you need to take the house down. You don&#;t want to end up like this person, who had to take down their $1.5 million home because they didn&#;t apply for a permit. And even if things don&#;t get THAT far, you can still face significant delays and cost impacts from regulatory hurdles you didn&#;t expect.
Always contact your local public works building division, zoning office, and other applicable officials as early as possible in your project before you start construction. Be prepared by having a very good idea of what it is you want to build and where you want to build.
This normally means having scaled architectural drawings and foundation plans drawn up before you meet your local planning department. The planning application can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months and can cost hundreds or potentially even thousands of dollars depending on local fees and other required assessments.
Unfortunately, each area has its own rules and standards, so there is no one standard approach that fits all situations. Note that in the US, there are some areas that fall outside of city zoning. In these areas, a permit is not needed for building. If you are in such an area, consider yourself very lucky! But in most cases in the US you will need permits. Make sure you do your research first.
Luckily, we have a detailed article about zoning and building regulations to help you navigate these issues!
A mistake people make with insulation is not considering their local climate. For instance, in areas with lots of rain, you need to ensure your insulation provides you with a seamless vapor barrier. The best option would be to use spray foam insulation.
Courtesy of Larry Wade
In very warm, dry climates your insulation should focus on keeping your container home cool. Generally, in this case, you wouldn&#;t want a seamless vapor barrier.
There is no one correct approach when it comes to insulation. It depends on many things like the local climate, your budget, the container&#;s age, and the style of home you want.
Most people agree that spray foam insulation is the best to use in most circumstances. It certainly isn&#;t the best choice for every situation. There are many other types of insulation such as insulation panels, blanket insulation, and even Eco-friendly insulation such as recycled newspapers.
Choosing the correct type of insulation to use is crucial. If you are using the wrong type of insulation, or worse yet, don&#;t have any insulation, you are going to face lots of problems. Your container home will be freezing in winter and too hot during summer. However, your biggest concern is condensation and dampness.
Condensation can cause your containers to rust. This is very expensive to repair and can take a lot of time.
If you aren&#;t familiar with insulation methods and techniques, read our beginner&#;s guide to insulating a shipping container home.
Additionally, a common mistake people make is cutting too much steel from their shipping containers.
A key feature of shipping containers is that they are incredibly strong. In fact, they can be stacked up to eight containers high when they are fully loaded! Shipping containers are the perfect building block to use for fast, affordable construction.
Unfortunately, some people over-modify their containers. By cutting out large sections of steel from the container you are reducing its strength and thus the structural integrity of the container. Doing this will also require you to incur additional costs, because you will need to reinforce the containers with steel beams. You will also need to weld the steel beams in place, which can further add to your costs and includes time-consuming preparatory work.
You can remove sections of steel for your windows and doors without much problem, but when you remove entire walls, you will need to use support beams.
The last mistake we are going to look at is people choosing the wrong contractor to construct their shipping container home.
Many people like to build their shipping container home themselves. People without the time or DIY experience will need to hire a contractor to construct the building.
When you choose a contractor, make sure that they have experience building with shipping containers, or, at the very least understand shipping container homes and are enthusiastic to construct one.
The last thing you want is a builder who doesn&#;t understand shipping containers. This will cost you time, money and certainly won&#;t be exceptional quality.
Also, make sure you choose a contractor who is able to follow the build all the way through the project. You don&#;t want to use multiple contractors during the build, if possible.
Let us know in the comments section below any mistakes you made while constructing your shipping container home.
Like many people, you&#;ve probably been frustrated over rent and mortgage payments or had the sudden urge to drive across the country to visit your best friend.
In that case, we have the perfect point to share: with a shipping container tiny home, savings and freedom are well within reach.
What Is a Shipping Container Tiny Home?
A shipping container tiny home is a type of dwelling made from a shipping container, which is a large steel box traditionally used for transporting goods nationally and internationally.
These containers are transformed into livable spaces with bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and leisure areas.
The transformation involves cutting windows and doors, insulating the walls, adding ventilation, and installing utilities and interior finishes.
The Rise In Popularity
The popularity of shipping container tiny homes has skyrocketed in recent years. This is due to affordability, eco-friendliness, and the opportunity to have complete creative freedom.
With the growing tiny house movement, more people are seeking compact, minimalist living solutions.
These homes are especially trendy among people who value sustainability and are willing to live in smaller spaces to reduce their environmental footprint.
Design Trends
Design trends in shipping container tiny homes range from rustic to modern, with some homeowners leaving the exterior as is for an industrial look.
In contrast, others add siding or paint for a more traditional home appearance.
These homes can be surprisingly spacious and comfortable, with clever design solutions to maximize space.
Some popular interior design trends include open-concept living areas, loft bedrooms, and reclaimed materials for a rustic look.
Shipping Container Tiny Home Costs
The cost of a shipping container tiny home can vary greatly depending on factors such as the container&#;s size, the design&#;s complexity, and the finishes chosen.
On average, allocating between $10,000 and $50,000 to your budget can get you a comfortable, fully functional shipping container tiny home.
This price includes the cost of the container itself, modifications, interior finishes, and labor.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit 20ft expandable container house.
Tiny Homes vs. Traditional Homes
Shipping container tiny homes can be more affordable than buying or renovating a traditional home.
The container costs and the budget needed for renovations are significantly more affordable than a traditional home&#;s purchase and renovation prices. Container homeowners can save $10,000 or more during renovations and $60,000 or more when buying new property.
You also won&#;t have to worry about a hefty mortgage or high maintenance costs down the line.
If you&#;re a first-time homeowner or retiring and looking to spend less money on housing, owning a tiny home can be a much more manageable option.
Additional Cost Considerations
While the upfront cost of a shipping container tiny home can be lower than a traditional home, it&#;s essential to consider other costs such as land, utilities, and any necessary permits or inspections.
Additionally, financing options for tiny homes can be more limited.
Some banks and lending institutions hesitate to offer mortgages for these unconventional homes, so you may need to explore alternative financing options. Such alternatives include dedicated container home lenders and unsecured personal loans.
Advantages of Shipping Container Tiny Homes
Tiny shipping container homes have multiple benefits most people overlook. Here are five of the most noteworthy:
1. Durability
Shipping container tiny homes are incredibly durable.
They&#;re built to withstand harsh weather conditions and long journeys, making them a sturdy choice for a home.
This durability also means they require less maintenance than traditional homes.
They&#;re resistant to common issues like termites and mold, and their steel structure can withstand high winds and even earthquakes.
2. Sustainability
One of the main advantages of shipping container tiny homes is their sustainability.
When repurposing a shipping container into a tiny home, you use steel that would otherwise be discarded or merely recycled.
This aligns with the principles of the circular economy and helps reduce waste.
Your sustainable build will also lead to long-term sustainability practices, like reduced energy from utility usage.
3. Customization
The flexibility and customization options are another advantage.
This means your home can truly reflect who you are. Whether you want a minimalist design with just the essentials or a luxurious tiny home with high-end finishes, the choice is yours.
Container King offers tiny homes from 20 feet to 53 feet, and they can be customized compact kitchens, upgraded appliances, and full bathrooms equipped with a septic tank.
4. Speedy Construction
Shipping container tiny homes are also quick to build.
Once you have a design in mind, construction is usually much faster than building a traditional home. In fact, your tiny home can be remodeled and livable in as little as 30 days!
This is because the main structure&#;the container&#;is already built. All that&#;s left is to modify and install the interior finishes.
5. Portability
Finally, shipping container tiny homes are portable.
The option to construct your tiny home on a trailer gives you the freedom to move without leaving your home behind.
It&#;s an excellent option for those who love traveling or want the flexibility to move for work or living life in a new location.
Frequently Asked Questions About Container Tiny Homes
1. Are shipping container tiny homes safe?
Yes, shipping containers are designed to be incredibly sturdy and can withstand harsh conditions.
However, working with a knowledgeable builder ensures the home is adequately insulated and ventilated.
2. Can I build a shipping container tiny home anywhere?
You can build a shipping container tiny home anywhere that is approved by local county authorities.
Zoning laws and regulations vary from place to place, so it&#;s crucial to research the laws in your area before building your tiny home.
3. Can I expand my shipping container to a tiny home in the future?
Yes, you can expand your shipping container to a tiny home in the future.
A key advantage of shipping containers is their modularity. You can continue adding more containers to expand your space as needed.
The Bottom Line
It&#;s never been easier to start your shipping container tiny home. Whether you&#;re drawn to the uniqueness of shipping container tiny homes or the financial benefits that come with them, the appeal is undeniable.
Container King specializes in both customizable and expandable tiny homes, no matter what aesthetic you have in mind. For more information on shipping container tiny home costs, request a quote from Container King and we&#;ll get back to you shortly!
For more information, please visit prefab house Australia.