Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I noticed yesterday there are suddenly a lot of places selling these used shipping containers, and many people appear to believe they are saving loads of money using them as housing, but its actually MUCH more expensive compared to stick built or modular!
It 'sounds good' in theory, but once you have the big steel box delivered, you still have to create windows and doors, (which must be welded in)...have to run electric, plumbing, and then there is the cost of heating/cooling, and insulating it...this is where it gets expensive, considering its steel, its going to get hot in summer and cold in winter.
Im not sure how this idea got started, that using these as housing was a way to save money? Im thinking maybe they were cheaper to buy than they are currently? Most places Ive seen, sell the 40ft ones (in fair condition) for around $2500-3K, and then charge extra for delivery, which can also get very expensive depending on where you want it placed.
Even if someone buys them to use as a barn or storage...its STILL much cheaper to build with wood or block.
The only way using one of these would be cost efficient, would be if you bought directly from the shipping company (and avoid the middleman) and also have a means of hauling it, like maybe pay a guy with a 1 ton truck and heavy equipment trailer to haul it for you. (a skid steer with forks could move them around onsite). If the 'middlemen' are charging $2500...Im assuming they are buying directly from the shipping companies for probably around or less than $500. per unit. (probably less if they can buy bulk at one time).
Shipping containers are extremely sturdy and hard to break in. And the houses are cost-effective, they reuse existing materials which make them "eco-friendly", and they're very speedy to build. Not to mention that budget versions are cheap.
Generally speaking, a home made out of storage container units costs anywhere from $1,400 to $4,000, depending on the size, condition and age of the containers.
Resale value??
Container homes maintain a very high resale value (100%+) and being able to load them on a truck and deliver them anywhere makes them very attractive. https://www.cargohome.com/2018/10/27...ntainer-homes/
Since they can last way longer than 25years, they are a better option compared to mobile homes.
I noticed yesterday there are suddenly a lot of places selling these used shipping containers, and many people appear to believe they are saving loads of money using them as housing, but its actually MUCH more expensive compared to stick built or modular!
It 'sounds good' in theory, but once you have the big steel box delivered, you still have to create windows and doors, (which must be welded in)...have to run electric, plumbing, and then there is the cost of heating/cooling, and insulating it...this is where it gets expensive, considering its steel, its going to get hot in summer and cold in winter.
Im not sure how this idea got started, that using these as housing was a way to save money? Im thinking maybe they were cheaper to buy than they are currently? Most places Ive seen, sell the 40ft ones (in fair condition) for around $2500-3K, and then charge extra for delivery, which can also get very expensive depending on where you want it placed.
Even if someone buys them to use as a barn or storage...its STILL much cheaper to build with wood or block.
The only way using one of these would be cost efficient, would be if you bought directly from the shipping company (and avoid the middleman) and also have a means of hauling it, like maybe pay a guy with a 1 ton truck and heavy equipment trailer to haul it for you. (a skid steer with forks could move them around onsite). If the 'middlemen' are charging $2500...Im assuming they are buying directly from the shipping companies for probably around or less than $500. per unit. (probably less if they can buy bulk at one time).
It depends on how you are going to use them as housing. As a house - yes very expensive to convert. Just minimal housing - they can work very well. Put a cot and a heater or fan and television inside and run a line from a small generator in and you have housing. Not a house, but housing.
Shipping containers are extremely sturdy and hard to break in. And the houses are cost-effective, they reuse existing materials which make them "eco-friendly", and they're very speedy to build. Not to mention that budget versions are cheap.
Generally speaking, a home made out of storage container units costs anywhere from $1,400 to $4,000, depending on the size, condition and age of the containers.
Resale value??
Container homes maintain a very high resale value (100%+) and being able to load them on a truck and deliver them anywhere makes them very attractive. https://www.cargohome.com/2018/10/27...ntainer-homes/
Since they can last way longer than 25years, they are a better option compared to mobile homes.
A container home is going to cost way more than $4000. The container itself may cost that amount, but the finished dwelling is going to be way more.
The cargohome link you supplied is an advertising piece from a company that has a vested interest in selling them. Hardly unbiased. In addition, the page you cite says nothing about resale value, it simply tali’s about typical AirBnB revenue and suggests using shipping container homes as Airbnb properties. Very, very different from how you represent it in your post.
I noticed yesterday there are suddenly a lot of places selling these used shipping containers, and many people appear to believe they are saving loads of money using them as housing, but its actually MUCH more expensive compared to stick built or modular!eaper to build with wood or block.
That’s all well and good; but...
Your title says “efficient”- what could be more “efficient” than instantaneous floor, 4walls (1 with doors), and a roof?
If you mean “efficient” as in “reuse/recycle”- OK. The biggest problem with Modals is the import of goods to countries/islands that have no real exports. These containers just keep piling up (I see this a lot at some of the Caribbean islands ports), and shipping companies are not going to haul empty containers. For those small countries/islands cutting them up and selling them as scrap costs more than the raw material/scrap cost. And they certainly don’t have foundries for melting/recycling.
So, they certainly make a good dwelling for those impoverished- when anchored well they make good hurricane resistant dwellings as well.
That’s all well and good; but...
Your title says “efficient”- what could be more “efficient” than instantaneous floor, 4walls (1 with doors), and a roof?
If you mean “efficient” as in “reuse/recycle”- OK. The biggest problem with Modals is the import of goods to countries/islands that have no real exports. These containers just keep piling up (I see this a lot at some of the Caribbean islands ports), and shipping companies are not going to haul empty containers. For those small countries/islands cutting them up and selling them as scrap costs more than the raw material/scrap cost. And they certainly don’t have foundries for melting/recycling.
So, they certainly make a good dwelling for those impoverished- when anchored well they make good hurricane resistant dwellings as well.
As you note, this is ok for a basic emergency shelter, but that is very different from a home.
Yeah my sense is that they're gained in popularity due to the eco-friendly nature. Re-using materials and such.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
