Steps to Building a Shipping Container House, who is thinking about constructing a home out of shipping containers. Homes made from shipping containers are becoming more and more common since they are inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Even though building a shipping container home might appear difficult, its not difficult as you think. In fact, a shipping container home can be constructed in just 13 steps with the correct equipment and some direction.
Table of Contents
(01) Prepare a Realistic Budget
Before you design your container house you must set a realistic budget for construction work, different factors such as design, location, size of the living space may affect the total cost with your budget you can design a cheap or luxury shipping container home as your wish.
In setting a budget do not forget to research these expenses,
- Structural and Civil engineering
- Building materials
- Compliance permits and fees
- Architects, builders and contractors
Also we know that unexpected expenses can occur anytime, therefore you will need to allow at least 20% for a contingency fund of the overall budget of your project.
(02) Check your zoning issues and permits requirements
In some countries some areas shipping containers are not allowed as dwellings, so before start your project that you have to check local laws and permits. this is the one of time consuming process unless you don’t know about your zoning local laws and permits required. Before you start the project it takes time to get a knowledge and obtain the approval on authorities.
This is a one of time-consuming process, before start the project you must check any other shipping container homes are available in particular area, then you can contact local council’s and get information about
- Relevant Building Codes in your area
- Building Standards
- Zoning Restrictions
- Height Limitations
- Building Permits
01. Building Codes refers a building regulation is a set of rules that specify the standards for construct building or non-building structure in your area, this determine the minimum standard required and how your shipping container should be built.
02. Building Standards Building Standards refers to the materials that are typically utilized throughout the building and in similar buildings in terms of type, quality, and quantity.
03. Zoning Restrictions – Most of the government use property zoning to development of a city, in that case government deciding what are the property cab be built in particular area, In fact government uses zoning to keep similar type of property together.
04. Height Limitations – Height restrictions are a legal restraint on growth that can be found in practically every city’s zoning code in the nation. Zoning regulations govern the height of new structures based on the location, kind of construction, and land use.
05. Building Permits – allow you to apply and prove that you are complying with the building code, so that you can obtaining approval for your building construction.
Just assume that you don’t have a much knowledge or experience of working with local entities. as discussed before you can contact local councils for information or check are there any shipping container homes are available in your zone, that will help you to contact the owners of houses and get more information, last option vital one, you can choose a experienced architect and structural engineer who has work with shipping container homes, they will guided you to get the approvals easily.
| Never!! Never!! Never!! Never order a shipping container unless you have permission to build a shipping container home complies with local council |
(03) Purchase Shipping Container
13 Steps to Building a Shipping Container House; You are in a 3rd step and congratulations!! you are in a position to build your shipping container home, In this topic we are discussing about purchase of shipping container. There are different size of containers are available in a market. you can decide the size based on your plan and budget, what type of a condition container that you are going to buy (brand new/used), how many containers are required for project, what is the capacity you are looking for.
Get an idea of size and type of container before purchase
| Container Dimension Details: 10′ container Outside Length 2.99m 10ft Outside Height 2.59m 8ft 6in Outside Width 2.44m 8ft Internal Length 2.84m 9ft 4in Internal Height 2.39m 7ft 10in Internal Width 2.35m 7ft 9in Door Width 2.34m 7ft 9in Door Height 2.28m 7ft 6in Cubic Capacity 15.95m3 563cf Max Gross Weight 10,000kg 22,046lbs Tare Weight 1,000kg 2,204lbs | Container Dimension Details: -20′ container Outside Length 6.06m 20ft Outside Height 2.60m 8ft 6in Outside Width 2.44m 8ft Internal Length 5.9m 19ft 4in Internal Height 2.39m 7ft 10in Internal Width 2.35m 7ft 9in Door Width 2.34m 7ft 9in Door Height 2.28m 7ft 6in Cubic Capacity 33.2m3 1,172cf Max Gross Weight 30,480kg 67,196lbs Tare Weight 2,000kg 4,409lbs |
| Container Dimension Details: -40’GP container Outside Length 12.2m 40ft Outside Height 2.60m 8ft 6in Outside Width 2.44m 8ft Internal Length 12.03m 39ft 5in Internal Height 2.39m 7ft 10in Internal Width 2.35m 7ft 9in Door Width 2.34m 7ft 9in Door Height 2.28m 7ft 6in Cubic Capacity 67.6m3 2,387cf Max Gross Weight 30,480kg 67,196lbs Tare Weight 3,470kg 7,650lbs | Container Dimension Details: -40’HC container Outside Length 12.2m 40ft Outside Height 2.90m 9ft 6in Outside Width 2.44m 8ft Internal Length 12.03m 39ft 5in Internal Height 2.69m 8ft 10in Internal Width 2.35m 7ft 9in Door Width 2.34m 7ft 8in Door Height 2.58m 8ft 6in Cubic Capacity 76.4m3 2,698cf Max Gross Weight 30,480kg 67,196lbs Tare Weight 3,660kg 8,068lbs |
(04) Builders and Contractors Hiring
In this step you must check and hire the contractors or builders who were having a knowledge of shipping container home build, you can choose service providing company for this task but cost involvement will high, however you can study market rates and hire them individually for particular tasks.
Construction Foreman – he is know as “Project Manager” as well, he will organizing and build the container home.
Architect – he is prepare the drawings of your project and ensure they are in compliance with local codes and regulations.
Structural Engineer – If you are wish to modify heavily, you required him, most of the time its depend on the zoning requirement and cost is very high.
Electricians – Qualified electrician required to complete the electric work.
Plumber – Licensed plumber is required to carryout plumbing work.
Welders/Fabricators – If you are planning to do modifications and cuts the container skilled welder required to complete the job.
(05) Preparations of the site
There are quite few things to consider before preparation of the site,
- Sun and Shade
- Topography
- Drainage
- View
- Setbacks and Restrictions
- Site Access
What are the site site works
First step :- Mark the corners where your container home will be constructed. Allow location for utility company to start their proceedings
2nd Step :- Now you are already marked out building side, next you need to clear debris obstacles from marked areas.
3rd Step :- It’s land leveling, cut and fill as planned your foundation, after you can start land leveling.
4th Step :- Road building is now processing and can use concrete, asphalt, gravel or road base on the top of the road.
5th Step :- even though we cleaned the area on 2nd step, ‘erosion’ caused by rain and need to control erosion by build up in ponds, plants trees.
6th Step :- Now you must protect your property by using fence, security cameras or lighting protect the area that your property is in.
(06) Solid Foundation Development
Robust foundation is required to avoid collapse of shipping home, A qualified builder or an engineer is better option to get done the foundation. In shipping container homes we have around 4 foundation types.
Robust foundation is required to avoid collapse of shipping home, A qualified builder or an engineer is better option to get done the foundation. In shipping container homes we have around 4 foundation types.
Shipping Container Foundation Types
- Pier Foundation
- Stem With Spread Foundation
- Turned Down Foundation
- Piles Foundation
(07) Place the Shipping Container
Last step that we have discussed about the foundation, since we have foundation we can easily placed the container on foundation with crane, now you are in a position for final adjustments.
Last step that we have discussed about the foundation, since we have foundation we can easily placed the container on foundation with crane, now you are in a position for final adjustments.
(08) Cut your openings and install Doors, Roof, Floor etc.
In this case you can use cutting torch or plasma cutter to remove metal from shipping containers and according to the plan you can install door, windows, roofs, floor and ventilation. you might want to hire someone for to do this for you.
(09) Fixtures and Fittings
In this process include install eclectic, wiring, plumbing, HAVC system, outside AC unit and solar power panels etc.
(10) Proper Finish Application, Insulation and Temperature Control
Making a modifications of your shipping container’s are necessary but make sure to use anti-corrosive paint with proper finish touches and protect against rust and corrosion.
Temperature control is important factor while you live in the shipping container home, in this case you must consider insulation your container home
Different ways to insulating your container home
- Cotton insulation
- Crock insulation
- Wool insulation
- Spray foam insulation
Tip :- having the outside insulation also allows you to utilize the entire space of the container.
(11) Landscaping and Decorating
Landscaping is a last process of making a garden more attractive the same time you can use landscaping to prevent erosion and flooding, moreover this reducing air pollution as well.
To get more modern or rich look you can decorate interior of shipping container home.
Landscaping is a last process of making a garden more attractive the same time you can use landscaping to prevent erosion and flooding, moreover this reducing air pollution as well.
To get more modern or rich look you can decorate interior of shipping container home.
(12) Inspection and Sign Off
Today is the day that your hard working is about to pay off, In other way your shipping container home dreams come true, make sure to show your engineer and other structural experts to get get comments and if all are satisfied you call inspector to examine your building whether build is according to the standards and regulations.
Today is the day that your hard working is about to pay off, In other way your shipping container home dreams come true, make sure to show your engineer and other structural experts to get get comments and if all are satisfied you call inspector to examine your building whether build is according to the standards and regulations.
(13) Move IN
This is the last step out of 13 Steps to Building a Shipping Container House; Now you can proceed to use it and enjoy your investment to the fullest. Cheers!!
Related article of Shipping Container Homes – Beginners Guide ( A to Z ) Free
Disclaimer: The views expressed by the authors in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of CONTAINER SURVEYOR. Data and charts, if utilized, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and CONTAINER SURVEYOR do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader.
