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10 Things to Consider Before Using Shipping Containers For Your Project

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10 Things to Consider Before Using Shipping Containers For Your Project

By archives on Feb. 9, 2010 | Topics: Affordable, Container Design | Comments (38)

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10 Things to Consider Before Using Shipping Containers For Your Project

Modern day pioneer John Wells is doing some interesting work in Alpine, Texas. On his desert swath in The Field Lab , which is also referred to as The Southwest Texas Alternative Energy and Sustainable Living Field Laboratory, Wells is living off the grid and building an interesting live/work space of shipping containers. A couple years ago, he built a tiny house, which is powered by 270 watts of solar and four 100-watt small wind turbines. Now, Wells current project is the construction of a live/work space made from four 20-foot shipping containers. Wells hopes to finish his 1,600 square-foot space for less than $20,000 and has some helpful pointers for others looking to take on a container project. In mostly Wells words, here are 10 things to consider if youre thinking about using shipping containers in your next project: ********************************* 1. Even with all the hype, containers are difficult to obtain and expensive to ship long distances. If you live close to a major port city and have a really big truck and trailer, its much easier and far cheaper to get them. 2. Dont bother with those websites that have you fill out your info and up to four suppliers will contact you with competitive prices THEY WONT! 3. The price for a 20 shipping container (not including delivery) can range from $2500 to $4000. You can stick build a building with the same amount of square footage, that is just as water tight and structurally sound using traditional construction methods for less than the cost of a shipping container it just wont weigh as much. 4. Containers provide an extremely secure storage structure which requires a blow torch or dynamite to break into, and they are too heavy to walk off with. 5. If possible, get delivery by tilt bed roll off truck. Otherwise you need a small crane or huge forklift to move and position them or at least 50 really strong men. Watch your fingers! A 20 shipping container weighs almost 5000 lbs. 6. Rust is the only natural predator that can harm a shipping container, so dont scrimp on a good paint job. 7. These metal monsters become ovens or freezers depending on the outside temperature, really good insulation and ventilation is a MUST! 8. The real bonus to using a shipping container is the new green phrase adaptive reuse. Our trade deficit with the rest of the world is causing these to pile up in our country. 9. If you are going to use one for a structure, stay true to the form. Dont cover the exterior with other building materials show it for what it is. 10. While searching the web for how containers are being used: (A) most sites only show computer renderings, and (B) actual completed structures have been built at astronomical cost.
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********************************* Weve mentioned several container projects over the years, including the 10 Shipping Container Projects of 2009. Maybe well be able to include The Field Labs workshop and greenhouse in our next round up in December. You can follow the process at The Field Lab journal. Photo credit: John Wells.

About archives: This article was contributed by the founder of Jetson Green. With the arrival of new ownership in December 2012, Preston left Jetson Green to pursue other business opportunities. If you have questions or need assistance, contact tips@jetsongreen.com.

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38 comments Leave a message...

Oldest Community Marie @ M2JL S TUDIO 3
4 years ago

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Great post. Thanks for the info

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4 years ago

P ort able S t orage Cont ainers

How much would you say is the whole process of building a medium-sized storage container home? I've seen units being converted into pools. Are you planning to have that as well? What are you're thoughts on that?
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4 years ago

E lement al LE D s t aff

Is the possibility of breaking containers down into the sheets of metal a viable option for making them cheaper to ship? Do they always need to be kept in one piece to use? It seems like, in parts, they could also be integrated more with windows and other wall types, which might reduce the freezer/oven phenomenon as well.
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> Elemental LED staff

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4 years ago

The collapsible cargoshell idea is being worked. When you cut them up, though, you're going to lose some beneficial properties.
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k t dewey

4 years ago

I am a CargoSpace Living designer (www.zigloo.ca) and I am glad someone is making this information public. 90% of the calls I field are from people wanting to build "cheap" - and I end up having to educate them about the real reason to choose containers "adaptive reuse". The best way I can justify using containers is obtaining end-of-life quality containers whose next trip is getting loaded (empty) onto a freighter to India, where they can be broken down and recycled into raw steel. The huge carbon-offset by keeping them here, and utilizing their inherent strength, is the best reason to consider container architecture.
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Hannah

4 years ago

Well a few things seem out of whack with this. First off - Keep the exterior as a container "to prove your using a container"!! HUH! First of all, insulate the OUTSIDE so that you maximize the room on the interior, and then you can clad it with whatever exterior you want - I don't think you have to keep it looking like a container just to PROVE your greenness. Second - we have priced containers and pre-shipping you can get a 20ft or a 40ft, High Cube for $1750, $1500 if you buy more than one. This is not including shipping, which, yes, if you don't live near a port like we do, will cost you. Third off - we are quoted $300 sq ft for building a house, I Guarantee it will not cost that much to build a container home. A gorgeous one was built in Montreal for $75 US a sq ft..... I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinions, just sharing my two cents worth.
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4 years ago

Hannah

> Hannah

www.jetsongreen.com/2010/02/ten-things-consider-shipping-container-projects.html

I will preface - if you go out to contract this to a builder, then you will pay a premium to build, its not normal, not easy and it would probably be difficult to even find someone who would build it. If you want a container home you are going to

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10 Things to Consider Before Using Shipping Containers For Your Project

it would probably be difficult to even find someone who would build it. If you want a container home you are going to have invest your own sweat equity in it if you want to benefit cost wise at all. Learn how to use a plasma cutter:-)
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S an

> Hannah

3 years ago

I wrapped the outside f my house with AD5 aluminum wrapped polystyrene which cooled off the inside by 40% in summer weather. Then I framed over that with alight gauge non-load bearing studs.a. Siding will be hempcrete. I too was concerned with losing square footage to inside walls plus the steel magnetic walls are cool.
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10 months ago

Jeff Novas c one

> Hannah
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pet er_hac k er

Hanna can you give me a link to your containers please.......

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4 years ago

We have been building something out of 32 20" containers and where able to get much better prices per container than the ones you quote. We have been using them as an alternative to remodeling a warehouse into offices and it saved us lot's of money. But that might not be the typical scenario since the existing building shell already provided an foundation, heating and shelter. We also hat to learn that many of the dreamy container renderings can not be implemented with real containers - unless you are willing to invest a lot into additional load bearing components. An example is the "Puma Container Store" which is cool but not out of shipping containers. If you check the pictures that beast is made from custom build special shipping container look-alikes. You can detect that by watching out for corner casings in odd places: http://is.gd/8lVFW http://is.gd/8lVK0 You might like "Builders guide to Shipping Containers" at http://blogs.23.nu/c0re/2010/0... which considers some of the real world problems in container architecture.
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3 years ago

S an

> peter_hacker

I live on the sw Washington coast & purchased my 40' high cubes for $1625 ($2000 shipped to my home 100 miles nw.). It seems like all prices I see quoted in articles are much inflated. I could actually have gotten similar containers direct from a shipper as low as $900each in the port of Tacoma but would have to have had them shipped without the benefit of q kneeling trailer to offload them.
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bk f11

4 years ago

"The price for a 20' shipping container (not including delivery) can range from $2500 to $4000. You can stick build a building with the same amount of square footage, that is just as water tight and structurally sound using traditional construction methods for less than the cost of a shipping container - it just won't weigh as much." In that cost does that include the labour to build the 'stick building' or does it refer to material costs? I had always thought that shipping containers are potentially cheap because not much construction is required and the labour costs are the biggest component of the cost of a house
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E rik a B

4 years ago

What about acoustical performance? Will insulating prevent echo problems that would otherwise exist in a bare shipping container?
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3 years ago

S an

> Erika B

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c aols on

In my experience using the ad5 cut out much of the noise. The area where it not sufficient despite its companies claims was in reduction of noise from hail and rain.
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4 years ago

An idea to throw in here (from an OTR trucker): consider buying your containers after you have a lengthy list of building materials to fill them with. Since most ports lie in areas where you can obtain many of the goods you need (especially if you're going off-grid), fill your containers with materials and then have goods shipped to the site in the containers. Shipping an empty
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going off-grid), fill your containers with materials and then have goods shipped to the site in the containers. Shipping an empty container will run about the same cost as shipping a filled (or partly filled) container. You can empty the containers on-site prior to moving them around. Depending on the length of haul, you can pay up to $2.00 per mile (sometimes more) for shipping a container. You will also often find that the difference between shipping a 24' container and a 40' container long-distance will be about the same. A true, modern-day Sears-like setup would decrease the costs of these homes significantly. In the old days, you could buy a house from Sears in a rail car. Everything you needed was in the rail car. A similar approach would probably be best to reduce overall costs. I will admit that I'm happy that someone has burst the bubble on this reality. I was just writing something myself on the topic that the so-called affordability factor is often relative. You still have to consider the permits, grid-tie-in costs or off-grid land development costs (water/septic/power), and power system. Well drilling and septic costs can be extremely expensive for those thinking of going completely off-grid.
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10 Things to Consider Before Using Shipping Containers For Your Project

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A s hlinort on

> caolson

2 years ago

Alternatives: - well drilling = cistern system/rain catchment - septic = compost toilet Cost goes way down then ;)
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V ic t or W allac e

3 years ago

several excellent points particularly the points about costs however I would also strongly disagree with the point about not covering them up. As mentioned insulation is a must and the best way to insulate multiple containers in a fixed structure is on the outside of the box with a cladding over the top, the 8 ft wide room size doesn't lend itself to the further reduction for insulation and drywall Further this approach helps with permitting approval on cosmetic grounds. More information at http://www.containerhome.info
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K elley s winney

> Victor Wallace

3 years ago

Check out Ceramic insulation- Bob Vila You tube Kelley Swinney
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7 months ago

angelc arnivore

> Victor Wallace

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Papercrete makes a fabulous insulator and is far less expensive than drywall, and, having a mix of around 50% paper, can be very green and extremely economical- if the builder is resourceful.
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W his t le B lower

3 years ago

1. ...if you live close to a major port city...its much easier and far cheaper to get them. True - but they are available in almost all cities and in not-so-surprising places - i.e. farmland - where farmers use them for storage. 3. ...$2500 to $4000... This seems about right on... of course there is always someone who will sell it to you cheaper or more... 5. ...you need a small crane... Yes, the crane is expensive! Don't underestimate... 7. These metal monsters become ovens or freezers depending on the outside temperature, really good insulation and ventilation is a MUST! The biggest problem in Airstreams is condensation in the middle of winter. Think of the container as an Aistream. You've got to insulate the metal and figure out where the dew point will collect your moisture!
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9. If you are going to use one for a structure, stay true to the form. Dont cover the exterior with other building materials show

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10 Things to Consider Before Using Shipping Containers For Your Project

9. If you are going to use one for a structure, stay true to the form. Dont cover the exterior with other building materials show

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K elley s winney

> Whistle Blower

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3 years ago

Ceramic insulation- spayed on same as 6" of fiberglass. Bob Vila You tube

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quent in02

2 years ago

definitely some salient points made here. shipping container modifications make sense for a lot of reasons, but they are still not perfect for every situation so it's important to consider these factors before investing in one.
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Lbenc h100

2 years ago

thanks for the tips. i am thinking of using one as a retail outlet. any advice? regs

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LB

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Gdiwic k er

2 years ago

Greetings from Houston! My family and I are moving to Denver Colorado area in April and if we get a home with a good amount of land, I was thinking of buying and shipping a container then using it for a Man Cave and workshop. We have typical furnishings for two people. What I would like to know is what to look for as far as a company to deliver the container to my new place, how large of a container to buy, if the container is dropped at my house by a tilt bed, can the container be easily moved back onto the truck when our furnishings are loaded, and approximate cost to deliver 1100 miles away. Thanks! Ryan
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Dmc apot e1207

a year ago

Very bad post with a LOT of wrong information. A container home is MUCH more structurally sound than a wood frame house. A metal container is strong enough to load 50,000 lbs of cargo and can be stacked up to 10 containers high. That means the bottom container is holding up about 450,000 lbs! If you set a load weighing 450,000 lbs on a traditional wood framed house it would totally collapse!
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5 months ago

A rs

> Dmcapote1207
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Why would you set 450,000 lbs on top of a traditional house?

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5 months ago

Gues t

> Ars

You wouldn't. He is just making a point.

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hillbilly

a year ago

This post is giving some poor info. I live in rural Kentucky i can drive 30 min to a field with 200+ containers. All of them for sale or rent. I can purchase 6 40' containers for around 18,000$. There would be about 1700 square feet of livable space. I dont know where this person is from but in my neck of the woods it cost about 80,000$ to get a 1700 square foot stick built house under roof and thats not counting windows, doors, drywall, plumbing or electric etc. I have done my homework and as of fall 2013 i will be starting my container home and will have a 3200 square foot home for 70,000$.
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A nni B ric c a

> hillbilly

8 months ago

Hi Hillbilly, I'm in Louisville. I want to build a shipping container house, too. I'd love to follow your project as well as know where the
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I'm in Louisville. I want to build a shipping container house, too. I'd love to follow your project as well as know where the field is you have found your containers. Connect with me via FB if you can. Thx!
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3 months ago

TJ Chinn

> hillbilly

Hey there hillbilly! My wife and I are hoping to build around the Fall of 2014. I have been doing some research on using shipping containers for living quarters. I really love the idea of reusing this type of structure and honestly Im bored with the traditional way of how these houses look in neighborhoods. And when it I hear that it can be less expensive to build, count me in! If you would be gracious enough to contact me through facebook, I would love to ask you more questions and, as well as Anni Bricca, would like to follow your project and where your containers came from as well. I am a 27 year old graphic designer that works in Lexington, Ky. Thanks for posting!
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jak e

a year ago

We live in Cyprus, and we are in the process of "building a house" and are considering the container option - we are currently trying to build a 172 square meter house, in a strict budget. However the price of concrete and steel for construction has gone up by 30% in one month, and there is no building going on - this is Europe. You can't build with wood in Cyprus, as the middlemen here have made all building materials very expensive. So we are now reconsidering our design and thinking of building with 4 x 40 foot containers instead. We can insulate it and make it quite comfortable, and use limited amounts of concrete only for the "table" as Cyprus is earthquake prone, and containers are great for earthquakes as they will survive (better than concrete - the dominant building material here). Getting a container is a good option as the ports are near and there are hundreds of them available, as a lot of the work is DIY and can be contracted out to different builders. However building codes, are the big problem - even in the US, many land offices may refuse permits to build with containers citing they are not insulated/safe to live in/what-ever. You have not considered the red tape issue that local councils and land office rules may force people not to build with them.
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fus k iegirl21

a year ago

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Very helpful article! Thanks

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S uper Cubes

8 months ago

Great post!! I sell containers and modify them for my customers. I agree with almost everything you say. Particularly about the pricing and the delivery costs. Although I do get those leads and I do actually call every single one of them, but I'm just one company! :-) I think the cost and effort in building a container home is generally the biggest surprise to people who want to do it "on the cheap". But regardless if you use containers or a traditional build, you're still going to need electricity, plumbing, etc, and those costs won't be different just because you are using a container. The price will fluctuate depending on how you go about doing it, just like it would in a traditional home.
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B ill Owen

7 months ago

Wrong about rust pal, containers are made with COR-TEN steel. Although there is a patina of rust, this actually forms a protective oxidization barrier. "Weathering steel, best-known under the trademark COR-TEN steel and sometimes written without the hyphen as "Corten steel", is a group of steel alloys which were developed to eliminate the need for painting, and form a stable rust-like appearance if exposed to the weather for several years. snip... "Weathering" means that due to their chemical compositions, these steels exhibit increased resistance to atmospheric corrosion compared to other steels. This is because the steel forms a protective layer on its surface under the influence of the weather. The corrosion-retarding effect of the protective layer is produced by the particular distribution and concentration of alloying elements in it. The layer protecting the surface develops and regenerates continuously when subjected to the influence of the weather. In other words, the steel is allowed to rust in order to form the 'protective' coating." Wiki
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R_W _S

10 Things to Consider Before Using Shipping Containers For Your Project

> Bill Owen

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2 months ago

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Nope, I've had to go on top of two of them being used as storage that developed leaks from rust, and seal them up.
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5 months ago

Cas s andra Mods ingt on

We found a 20' fir $1000 on craigslist. Shipping will be $350-$500 Its going to be our shop/shed/storage. We are looking to get 2 and make a carport in the middle of the 2.
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brandon

3 months ago

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I am thinking about the shipping container for storing one ton bags of grain inside, on pallets. My concerns are temperature (guess I will insulate), rodents (are they rodent proof unless damaged?), and moisture. I assume the insulation will help with moisture by helping with temperature fluctuations, but will there be a big dripping mess in there, destroying my grain?
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3 months ago

K evin P . Franc is

I own a 20' shipping container. It is in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont, USA...I have owned it for almost 1 year. I am in the process of building on 10 acres of property that I bought there. I had considered building a container home, but now not so much! It cost $3200 + $150 to ship not too far (less than 20 miles). I didn't really negotiate the price because it was a one of a kind local item that I found on "the list" and I was the first one to respond to the post. I paid the $150 to move because I thought that the price was fair! SIDE RAILS! First! If you are going to move a container by flatbed or rollback (whatever you want to call it), you will need to find one WITHOUT RAILS. It makes it a MAJOR PAIN to winch it onto the truck if the truck has side rails. The tow operators that I called would not even CONSIDER moving it if their trucks had side rails and the VAST MAJORITY DO HAVE SIDE RAILS! Ok..with that out of the way, ther reasons I am backing of of the idea is because I think it would be easier and cheaper to build a stick house...Logistically, getting the container to my property is not the easiest task. Don't get me wrong! If I could get several more at the same price and the same condition that this on is in then I would go for it, but to be quite honest the LOCAL inventory is minimal at best. The futher you have to ship them the more it costs until it gets to the point of diminishing returns! Secondly, since I put the container on my property, CONDENSATION has reared it's ugly head. My container stays closed the majority of the time and during this past winter I noticed major condensation developing on the ceiling. It also was developing on

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