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A shipping container home is exactly what it sounds like\u2014a house built from repurposed steel shipping containers, also known as intermodal containers. Yes, the ones that are loaded up onto cargo ships, trains, and truck beds and sent around the world! Because the containers are already weather-resistant, as they’re often exposed to the elements on their voyages, they’re a reasonably sound choice as a building material. Plus, they’re modular, so it’s pretty easy to add rooms to your shipping container home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ah, the million-dollar question\u2014although it’ll likely cost far less than a million dollars to build a shipping container home! But there are countless variables to consider when it comes to figuring out the cost. In general, shipping container homes start around $25,000 for a single-container tiny home<\/a>. Add additional containers to your build, and the price climbs quickly. The sky is truly the limit when it comes to shipping container home costs. To help you set your budget, here’s a breakdown of average costs by various metrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On average, shipping container homes cost between $150 and $350 per square foot, per the home resource site Home Guide<\/a>. Shipping containers come in several standard sizes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Given that info, it’s pretty easy to do the math to figure out what size your shipping container home will be, based on the size of the containers. For example, an 80 square foot container would run you about $12,000 to $28,000. Note that if you wanted additional head space, you’d have to purchase a high-cube container, which is 9.5 feet high, increasing the bottom line cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lone shipping container\u2014not one tricked out to be a home\u2014usually costs between $1,200 and $10,000, according to Angi<\/a>. Here’s some general guidance as to how many containers you’ll need for various home sizes, though you can often do more or less, depending on your design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Where do shipping container homes fit in among other popular home types? They’re on the lower end of the spectrum. Because traditional homes are often larger than shipping container homes, they tend to cost more. A shipping container home is usually more similar in price to a tiny home, a prefab or modular home<\/a>, or a manufactured home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you’re pricing out your shipping container home, here are some of the many factors you need to consider. For each category, the pricing can vary greatly due to the location your home is in or the materials you choose to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A prefabricated, or prefab, shipping container home essentially comes turn-key or close to it. Overall, prefab shipping container homes are often less expensive than custom ones, but it all depends on the specifics of your project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As previously mentioned, the size of your shipping container home largely dictates the price. Naturally, smaller shipping container homes cost less than larger ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you build your shipping container home, you need a suitable plot of land for it. Depending on the lot, you might need to do some pretty intense work in order to place your shipping container home on it, from clearing trees to land grading to pouring a foundation. (Your contractor will be able to advise you on what needs doing.) And you’ll also need to figure out utilities, such as septic or sewer, electricity, water, and gas. Finally, don’t forget that you’ll also need to pay for permits and labor!<\/p>\n\n\n\n A lot of work goes into converting a shipping container into a shipping container home, and that comes at a cost. At the very least, you’ll need to install roofing, flooring, insulation, drywall, windows, doors, electrical, plumbing, and likely HVAC. For all of these things, you’re looking at both material and labor costs, unless you have a background in general contracting, electricity, or plumbing, and can save a little via DIY.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCost Per Square Foot<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Cost Per Container<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Aisyaqilumar\/Adobe Stock<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Shipping Container Home Cost vs. a Traditional Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Shipping Container Home Cost Factors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Prefab vs. Custom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Tete_escape\/Adobe Stock<\/p>\n\n\n\nSize<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Land and Site Preparation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Structure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Finishes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n