Isn't there something whimsical about shipping containers, and finding a good shipping container builder to turn your ideas of grandure into your ultimate living space. My first time seeing them was when me and Mr. V did our surprise(courtesty of Pack Up 'N Go)18th wedding anniversary trip to Austin, TX. There was what looked like to me little cities within the city, all made from shipping containers. Stacked in beautiful sky reaching configurations resembling towering art installations.
I become obsessed with them ever since. Anyway we can get the most bang for our buck for our retirement residence, we're on board. Enter shipping container homes, and all of their quirky coolness.
Shipping container builders: How to choose the one that's right for you
Shipping container homes are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. They're sustainable, affordable, and can be customized to fit your exact needs. There are plenty of container builders out there, but how do you choose the right one for you? My top priority is upfront transparent pricing. This is always my first need...Tell Me About the Money! I'm a numbers gal, and getting an idea of the investment or costs, makes me really happy.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when researching shipping container builders:
Experience: How long has the builder been in business? Do they have a good track record of building high-quality shipping container homes?
Reputation: What do other customers say about the builder? Are they satisfied with the quality of the work and the builder's customer service?
Services: What services does the builder offer? Do they handle the entire process, from design to construction to installation? Or do you need to subcontract out some of the work yourself?
Price: Shipping container homes can range in price depending on the size, complexity, and features of the home. Get quotes from multiple builders to compare prices.
Here are a few questions you can ask shipping container builders to get a better sense of their experience, reputation, services, and price:
How long have you been in business?
How many shipping container homes have you built?
Can you provide me with references from previous customers?
What services do you offer? Do you handle the entire process, from design to construction to installation?
What is your typical price range for shipping container homes?
Once you're happy with the answers, and have narrowed down your choices, you can start to narrow down your choices and choose the shipping container builder that's right for you.
Additional tips for researching shipping container builders:
Read online reviews. This is a great way to get feedback from other customers about their experiences with different builders.
Attend shipping container home shows and events. This is a great way to meet with different builders in person and learn more about their services.
Get multiple quotes. This will help you compare prices and find the best deal.
Choosing the right shipping container builder is an incredibly important decision. Taking the time to research your options and ask the right questions, you'll sure to find a builder who will build you a high-quality, affordable shipping container home that you'll love for years to come.
Also keep in mind that the prices I've listed, don't include site fees, taxes or local fees like zoning, permits etc. But you may find our article on finding your shipping container build site useful in your container home quest.
Alt Structures:
ALT 20: Starting at $39,995
ALT 30: Starting at $56,995
ALT 40: Starting at $63,995
Studio: Starting at $80,000
One-Bedroom: Starting at $100,000
Two-Bedroom: Starting at $120,000
Three-Bedroom: Starting at $140,000
Four-Bedroom: Starting at $160,000
These prices are for basic floor plans and do not include the cost of delivery or installation. The actual price of your home will vary depending on the size, complexity, and features of your custom design.
Backcountry Containers also offers a variety of financing options to assist you with purchasing your shipping container home.
Bob's Containers
Studio: Starting at $59,900
One-Bedroom: Starting at $79,900
Two-Bedroom: Starting at $99,900
Three-Bedroom: Starting at $119,900
Four-Bedroom: Starting at $139,900
Anchor: Starting at \$99,000
Mainsail: Starting at \$129,000
Helm: Starting at \$169,000
Crow's Nest: Starting at \$209,000
Flagship: \$259,000
Dock: Starting at \$139,000
M5 (Mstudio): $98,318
M1: $129,571
M2: $186,080
M3: $230,028
C-HOME Studio: Starting at $69,900
C-HOME One-Bedroom: Starting at $89,900
C-HOME Two-Bedroom: Starting at $109,900
C-HOME Three-Bedroom: Starting at $129,900
C-HOME Four-Bedroom: Starting at $149,900
ModBox Builders
Catalogue Models: Starting at $240/sq ft
Custom Builds: Starting at $350-$450+/sq ft
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