Used shipping containers may have held toxic chemicals or other materials. New shipping containers offer you the freedom and structural integrity to create any building you can dream up. If you do decide to use refurbished construction you need to ensure the structural integrity of your home. However, these containers typically have wear and damage making them unsafe for new home construction. The general theory is that if you use old refurbished shipping containers, you are doing the environment a favor. You may be able to find one for cheaper, but you’ll want to make sure you can actually build with it. One man used two containers to create a rustic cabin that is completely off the grid for $35,000.ĭepending on the quality of the container and its location, a container can cost anywhere from $1,400 to $4,500 and sometimes more. Pro: Cost Effectiveīuilding with shipping containers can save you money when compared to traditional shipping methods. However, it is smart to consult with a design firm or an engineer before embarking on your container home. Shipping containers are also much friendlier to the DIYer. Many of the small details and modifications can be done at the production site before the containers ever reach their final destination. Larger homes can be completed in a few months. Smaller homes can reach complete fabrication within three weeks in offsite fabrication.

Pro: Speedy Constructionīuilding with shipping containers is much faster than traditional construction methods. Keep reading so you can make an informed decision. If you are considering building a shipping container house here in Houston, there are a few pros and cons you should consider first. These prefabricated boxes may be the perfect solution to creating your dream home. They are so popular that even hotels like the Flophouze Hotel in Round Top, Texas are constructed entirely from shipping containers. Many people are turning to alternative building materials such as shipping containers to ease the cost of new construction. The average cost for newly constructed homes is $385,200.

Shipping container construction