
House cargo containers are a game-changer for homeowners who need extra storage or want to create a unique living space. They can be used to expand a home's square footage without the need for traditional construction.
These containers are typically made of steel and can be customized to fit a home's design. They can be painted to match the surrounding architecture, making them a seamless addition to a property.
A standard house cargo container is around 8 feet wide and 20 feet long, but sizes can vary depending on the manufacturer and the intended use. They can be stacked on top of each other to create a multi-level storage space or living area.
With proper design and installation, a house cargo container can become a functional and stylish addition to a home.
Here's an interesting read: Double Door Shipping Containers
Benefits
House cargo containers offer numerous benefits, including their ability to be easily transported and relocated. This is due to their standardized size and weight.

They can also be used as temporary or permanent storage solutions, providing a secure and dry space for storing goods. This is especially useful for businesses or individuals with limited storage space.
Additionally, house cargo containers can be customized to fit specific needs, with options for insulation, windows, and doors. This can help regulate temperature and provide natural light.
Do Value?
A well-maintained shipping container home can retain its resale value much like a traditional home. They're relatively easy to resell since they can be loaded onto a truck and shipped almost anywhere.
You may need to inquire about the modifications you'll need to make if the shipping container home wasn't manufactured for your climate. Honomobo's largest model, HO8, is a two-story home with just over 1400 square feet of floor area.
Don't assume a container home will cost less or that it's more environmentally sustainable.
Eco-Friendly
Building a shipping container tiny home is an eco-friendly option that helps reduce waste and carbon footprint. By repurposing a used shipping container, you're giving new life to materials that would otherwise go to waste.
This approach reduces the need for new building materials, which helps conserve natural resources. Shipping container homes are also energy-efficient, requiring less energy to heat and cool.
Transportation and Site Selection

Transportation and Site Selection is a crucial aspect of building a house cargo container. A worldwide system exists for moving containers around.
Once your container reaches your site, it's relatively simple to set it in place on a prepared foundation. However, moving a shipping container home from one location to another can be difficult and expensive.
Shipping containers are designed to be transported by semi truck, train, or cargo ship, but they can be heavy and cumbersome to move around.
For another approach, see: How Do Shipping Containers Lock Together
Ease of Transport and Site Selection
A worldwide system exists for moving containers around, making it relatively simple to transport them to your site.
Shipping containers are designed to be transported by semi truck, train, or cargo ship, giving you flexibility in how you move them.
Once they reach your site, shipping containers can be set in place on a prepared foundation, requiring minimal effort.
However, moving a shipping container home from one location to another can be difficult and expensive, especially if the home is not designed to be easily disassembled and reassembled.
Carefully consider all the pros and cons before making a decision about shipping container tiny homes.
For another approach, see: Moving Companies with Storage Pods
Standard Size

A standard shipping container home is quite limiting in terms of size.
The standard size of a shipping container is only 8ft wide, which is narrow and doesn't leave much room for furniture.
Ordinary furniture doesn't fit right in a standard container because it was designed to fit on a train.
A standard container is only 8ft 6in high, which doesn't leave much headroom after insulation and wiring are installed.
There are only two standard container lengths, 20-feet and 40-feet, and two heights, 8.5-feet and 9.5-feet.
All standard models are 8-feet wide, which limits the total square footage of a tiny house container to 160-square-foot or 320-square-foot.
You can get creative by combining containers, like CargoHome's two-story home with a 20-foot container stacked on a 40-foot container.
Take a look at this: 20ft Container High Cube
On-Wheels Options
If you're considering a shipping container home, you'll need to think about how to transport it to your desired location. Shipping containers can be difficult and expensive to move, especially if they're not designed to be easily disassembled and reassembled.

One option is to mount your shipping container home on a new heavy-duty steel, triple axle trailer. This can be a cost-effective solution, with prices starting at $11,900 for a 30'-container home.
For a 40'-container home, you'll need a slightly larger trailer, which will cost $15,900. Both options come with RV Certification and economy wood entry steps included.
You'll also need a suitable vehicle to pull the trailer, with a 1-Ton truck recommended for a 30'-container home and a 1-Ton dual-wheel truck recommended for a 40'-container home.
A different take: 40 High Cube Container
Cost and Durability
A house cargo container can be a cost-effective option, with prices ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, depending on the size and features.
These prices include the cost of transporting the container to your building site, which can save you money on construction costs. In fact, some builders report saving up to 30% on construction costs by using a cargo container.
The durability of a house cargo container is also impressive, with a typical lifespan of 20 to 30 years. This is due in part to the high-quality materials used in their construction, such as steel and aluminum.
Have Predictable Costs

Shipping container homes have a unique cost structure that's worth understanding. Most of the work is completed on a factory floor for a fixed price.
This means that delivery to the site, site preparation, foundation, assembly, and utility connections are the only variable costs. You can expect to pay a predictable amount for the container itself and the basic construction.
The cost of shipping container homes can vary, but estimates suggest that smaller, more basic homes can range between $10,000 to $35,000. Larger homes built with multiple containers and amenities can range in price from $100,000 to $175,000.
Some factors that can increase the cost include the size, layout, design, and number of containers required. Other considerations include welding and fabrication requirements, cleaning costs if the container is used, and the cost of plumbing, electrical, siding, flooring, kitchen and bathroom finishes, lofts, windows, doors, insulation, and more.
Here are some estimated costs to consider:
It's worth noting that some shipping container homes can cost half as much per square foot as traditional stick building. However, it's not always easy to compare apples to apples, and there are many factors to consider.
How Long Does It Last?

Shipping container homes can last at least 25 years, but their lifespan can be significantly longer with proper maintenance.
Rust is the single most common issue that can reduce the lifespan of a shipping container home.
The climate where the container is located plays a significant role in its durability, with wet and dry climates affecting shipping containers differently.
Shipping containers made with alloys, such as weathering steel or corten steel, can form a surface level of rust that helps to mitigate further corrosion.
Regular inspections can help identify problematic areas and prevent rust from spreading, which is essential for extending the lifespan of a shipping container home.
By treating and repairing rust spots promptly, you can reduce the risk of rust spreading and ensure your shipping container home lasts for many years to come.
Cost and Durability
Proper insulation is crucial for making a shipping container house comfortable to live in, but it can also be costly.

Shipping containers are made of metal, which means they can get very hot or very cold depending on the weather.
Insulation is necessary to regulate the temperature inside a shipping container house, but it's not a one-time cost. Regular maintenance is also required to ensure it remains effective.
In the Hilda L. Solis Care First Village, they chose to use an exterior circulation system to shield much of the units from direct solar heat gain.
This design choice improved the heating/cooling performance in the village, showing that with proper planning, shipping container houses can be just as comfortable as traditional buildings.
There's no real reason why shipping container houses should get hotter than any other building if properly insulated and ventilated.
Design and Customization
Developers can work with ROXBOX to design custom container home projects, requiring a minimum of 5 units. This allows for tailored designs that meet specific needs.
Custom designs can be created through collaboration with ROXBOX, who will work with developers to bring their vision to life. Some companies offer custom shipping container homes with a design and build service.
Prefab shipping container homes are also available, which can be delivered within 10 weeks. This streamlined process makes construction time shorter and simplifies the building code inspection process.
Worth a look: Custom House, Barrow-in-Furness
Custom

Customization is key when it comes to shipping container homes. You can choose from various companies that offer custom designs to meet your specific needs and preferences.
Prefab shipping container homes are available as prefabricated modular homes, making construction time shorter. Some companies advertise delivery within 10 weeks.
Developers can work with companies like ROXBOX to develop a custom container home design if they're looking to build a minimum of 5 units. This allows for a tailored approach to meet the needs of the project.
ROXBOX will work with developers to design & build custom container home projects. If you're inquiring about a custom project, please contact their team.
The possibilities for customization are endless, from minimalist to luxurious designs. Shipping containers can be stacked or combined to create larger living spaces or multi-level homes.
Here are some customization options to consider:
- Exterior cladding on all or part of the unit
- Optional exterior decks and/or rooftop deck with stairs
- High-end finishes
- Unique windows and doors
- Interior and exterior paint
Custom shipping container homes can be designed to accommodate any lifestyle, from vacation homes to full-time living. They can also be used as guest houses, home offices, or even as short-term rentals.
Recycled

Recycled shipping containers are often touted as an eco-friendly option, but is it really the best use of a container? Many old shipping containers are repurposed into homes, conserving metal resources.
The idea of reusing leftover shipping containers has a strong appeal, with many containers no longer in circulation. This can be a good thing, but it's not always true or the best thing.
The worldwide infrastructure built to move shipping containers is a huge advantage in certain scenarios, such as areas with lacking local building expertise or emergency shelters that can be moved easily.
Can You Add a Roof?
Adding a roof to a shipping container home is a great way to increase its functionality and aesthetic appeal. You can choose from various roof styles, including flat roofs, pitched roofs, roof terraces, and living roofs.
Flat roofs are the simplest and fastest to construct, but they can be more costly to maintain, and it's essential to create a slight pitch for drainage.

Living roofs, also known as green roofs, are aesthetically and naturally pleasing, providing natural insulation and cooling.
Pitched roofs are among the most common roof types, especially in areas with heavy rainfall and snow, and come in various styles, such as gables, hip, mansard, gambrel, and skillion.
Roof terraces are creative flat spaces built on top of the roof to expand occupiable or usable space, often used for small outdoor gardens, eating or lounging areas.
Here are the common types of roofs for shipping container homes:
- Flat roofs: Simple and fast to construct, but can be costly to maintain.
- Living roofs (Green roofs): Aesthetically and naturally pleasing, providing natural insulation and cooling.
- Pitched roofs: Common in areas with heavy rainfall and snow, come in various styles.
- Roof terraces: Creative flat spaces for small outdoor gardens, eating or lounging areas.
It's essential to research and understand zoning regulations and building codes before adding a roof to your shipping container home, as they can vary depending on your location.
What Is Insulation?
Insulation is a crucial aspect of building a shipping container home, and it plays a significant role in regulating the internal temperature.
A relatively thin layer of insulation with a high R-value per inch is often used to insulate the exterior of a shipping container home, as the narrow shape doesn't lend itself to thicker insulation.
Spray foam is an effective and airtight insulator, but it's worth noting that many brands use powerful greenhouse gases in their blowing agents.
Måns Tham Arkitektkontor

Måns Tham Arkitektkontor is a Swedish architecture firm that's making a name for itself with its innovative designs. The firm's founder, Måns Tham, is a master of repurposing materials.
One of his most striking projects is a home built using eight recycled shipping containers. This off-the-grid abode is a true testament to sustainable design.
The structure's unique shape corresponds with the natural canyon of the site, creating a seamless blend of architecture and nature. The result is a home that's both eco-friendly and visually stunning.
The interior of the home features salvaged parts like timber planks, metal boards, and staircases. This thoughtful approach to materials not only reduces waste but also adds character to the space.
By repurposing existing materials, Måns Tham Arkitektkontor is setting a new standard for sustainable design.
Hilda L. Solis Care First Village
The Hilda L. Solis Care First Village is an impressive example of a shipping container complex. It features 132 permanent container homes and 100 temporary units with a full private bathroom for each resident.

The Village includes a common building with a commercial kitchen, dining area, laundry facilities, and administrative spaces. This is a great example of how shipping containers can be used to create multifamily homes and complexes.
Landscaped courtyards and a dog park are also part of the Village, providing a comfortable living environment for residents. The Village also has parking spots for staff and residents.
May Have Structural Issues
Shipping container homes can be quite narrow, only eight feet wide, which can be a challenge for living in. This narrow size can make it difficult to fit all your belongings and live comfortably.
Logistical challenges can also arise, as the base shipping container module isn't designed to accommodate running electrical or plumbing infrastructure within and between units. This can add complexity to your setup.
Making the most of the container structural system requires some rigor to keep costs in check. This means you'll need to plan carefully to ensure your container home is cost-effective.
DIY and Alternative Options

If you're looking for a more affordable and creative way to build a house cargo container, consider DIY and alternative options.
You can repurpose an old shipping container as a home office or guest house, as seen in the example of the 20-foot container converted into a cozy office space.
With some planning and research, you can save thousands of dollars on construction costs by using a pre-existing container.
Modular homes made from shipping containers can be assembled quickly, with some examples taking as little as a few days to complete.
DIY kits are available for purchase, allowing you to build your own shipping container home with minimal expertise.
Keep in mind that local building codes and zoning regulations may apply, so be sure to check with your local authorities before starting your project.
Some alternative options to traditional shipping containers include repurposed steel buildings, such as the example of the 40-foot steel building converted into a home.
Broaden your view: Cargo Container Office
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a 2000 sq ft container home?
A 2000 sq ft container home can cost between $300,000 to $700,000, depending on the size and features. To get a more accurate estimate, consider the average cost of $150 to $350 per square foot.
Does North Carolina allow container homes?
Yes, North Carolina allows shipping container homes, subject to valid statutory regulations and building standards. Check local restrictions for more information on building and zoning requirements.
Sources
- https://www.buildwithrise.com/stories/container-homes-are-exactly-what-they-sound-like-homes
- https://www.roxboxcontainers.com/residential/
- https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/shipping-container-homes-most-beautiful-around-world
- https://tinyliving.com/shipping-container-tiny-homes/
- https://compact.homes/on-wheels-container-homes
Featured Images: pexels.com