The cost to build a shipping container home is $80,000 on average. Your total cost will depend greatly on the size home you choose and additonal features.
How much does a shipping container home cost? For most homeowners, this eco-friendly, small-space living solution costs anywhere from $25,000 to $250,000 or more, with luxury options reaching $400,000. Overall, you can expect to spend $150 to $350 per square foot for a shipping container home.
Shipping container homes are a great option for homeowners who don’t need a lot of space or don’t want to be tied down physically or financially by a more traditional and costly house. Before you start a new build, here’s everything to consider as you budget for all the shipping container home costs you’ll encounter during your project.
Shipping container homes generally come with a lower cost than traditional modular homes, but they are similar in price to prefab homes. Several factors can increase the cost of building a container home. Typical costs are contingent on the size of the shipping container, the number of shipping containers you connect together, the structural elements that make the home safe, and the materials and finishes you use on both the interior and exterior.
Most container homes cost between $150 and $350 per square foot (about the same as the cost of a standard ADU). Ordering a used shipping container is usually less expensive and is more sustainable than buying a brand-new one. Containers come in standard sizes so they can be easily transported on roads and cargo ships. Though you can get high-cube shipping containers with an extra foot of headroom, the standard dimensions of a shipping container are:
8-by-8 1/2-by-10 feet (80 square feet)
8-by-8 1/2-by-20 feet (160 square feet)
8-by-8 1/2-by-40 feet (320 square feet)
Most shipping container homes combine multiple shipping containers together to create larger rooms, so when you decide what you want the square footage of your house to be, then you can calculate how many containers you’ll need to purchase.
In addition to buying the shipping container itself, you have to think about the costs of professional services you’ll need to make the space into living quarters as well as tools and materials to build it.
| Type of Home | Square Feet | Average Cost (Materials and Labor) |
|---|---|---|
| Office | 80 | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Studio | 160 | $15,000–$25,000 |
| 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom | 320 | $25,000–$82,000 |
| 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom | 640 | $80,000–$130,000 |
| 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom | 960 | $100,000–$180,000 |
| 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom | 1,280 | $150,000–$220,000 |
| 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom | 1,600 | $180,000–$250,000 |
| 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom | 1,920 | $190,000–$400,000 |
Each container typically costs between $1,200 and $10,000—and that’s before you factor in labor and other materials. Most container homes use multiple shipping containers. You can make a space that feels more like a townhouse or duplex by adding multiple stories
| Type of Home | Containers Required | Average Cost (Containers Only) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 1 | $1,200–$10,000 |
| 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom | 1–2 | $1,200–$20,000 |
| 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom | 2–3 | $2,400–$30,000 |
| 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom | 3–4 | $3,600–$40,000 |
| 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom | 4 | $4,800–$40,000 |
| 4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom | 6 | $7,200–$60,000 |
Land preparation can add thousands to your shipping container house cost. Depending on the plot, you may need to clear away trees and stones and grade the land. Here are some common land prep expenses:
Land leveling costs: $1,000–$3,500
Land excavation costs: $1,500–$6,500
Land clearing costs: $1,300–$5,800
A concrete foundation is generally the best option for building a sturdy shipping container home. Concrete foundations cost anywhere between $5 to $37 per square foot, depending on the thickness and cost of the pro you hire to pour it.
Container home prices are dependent on labor. This is one of the largest overall costs, and there are typically several professionals involved beyond a general contractor. Whether you’re budgeting to build a yurt or a four-story home, you’ll likely need an architect to look over the design before you can obtain a permit. The same goes for container homes. Here are some common labor expenses:
Architects cost: $125–$250 per hour
General contractors cost: 10% to 20% of the cost of the job
Plumbers cost: $45–$150 per hour
Electricians cost: $50–$100 per hour
Landscapers cost: $50–$150 per hour
Interior designers cost: $50–$200 per hour
HVAC Installers cost: $50–$150 per hour
Painters cost: $25–$100 per hour
Typically, your contractor will handle permits and zoning. On average, building permits cost $1,380—but it depends on the area. It could cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000.
Since different areas have different zoning laws, you may not be able to build a container home everywhere. For example, if you want to build a container home on a plot of land with an existing house, that’s typically considered an accessory dwelling unit. You’ll need to check that local law allows ADUs.
Property taxes for your abode will vary based on local regulations and how the structure is classified. For instance, a portable container home will likely be taxed differently from one fixed in place. Checking with your local tax assessor will help you avoid future tax surprises.
Since container homes are unique structures, insuring them can be a challenge. Many traditional home insurance providers won't cover unique construction. However, you do still have options. You can work with an independent insurance agent or broker to find the best policy.
Like any other home you build, you’ll need to install electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling, insulation, and drywall in order to make your shipping container home a functional living space. You will also need a roof on top of the home to withstand the elements. Here are some common finishing expenses.
| Finishing Element | Average Cost (Materials and Labor) |
|---|---|
| New electrical wiring | $600–$2,300 |
| Plumbing installation | $1,500–$15,000 |
| HVAC system installation | $5,000–$12,000 |
| Framing | $1,000–$14,000 |
| Insulation installation | $4–$16 per square foot |
| Drywall installation | $1.50–$3 per square foot |
| Roof installation | $5,000–$45,000 |
| Flooring | $1,550–$5,000 |
| Doors and windows | $175–$2,000 each |
| Exterior and interior painting | $32–$36 per square foot |
Don’t forget to add the cost of appliances, furniture, and fixtures to your budget. A single light fixture could cost between $150 and $1,000, depending on the model. On average, installing a shower costs about $7,800. A new dishwasher will add another $970 on average. Furniture could cost a couple hundred per piece (if you choose a budget-friendly big-box retailer) or thousands each (if you choose antique, high-end, or custom pieces).
Before you install a container home, you’ll need to set up the land for utilities. In many cases, this involves extending utilities from the municipal system so you can connect them to your home, and it can incur a number of different costs.
| Utility | Average Cost (Materials and Labor) |
|---|---|
| Septic system installation | $3,500–$11,550 |
| Sewer line installation | $50–$250 per linear foot |
| Water line installation | $75–$225 per linear foot |
| Gas line installation | $15–$25 per linear foot |
| Connection to the electrical grid | $250–$1,500 |
| New power lines for rural homes | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Solar panel installation | $10,600 to $26,500 (with federal tax credit) |
Once your container home is installed and connected to utilities, you’ll need to think about landscaping. Many homeowners choose to save cash and do the landscaping on their own. If you don’t have a green thumb, the cost of landscaping is usually between $4.50 and $12 per square foot. It could cost as much as $40 per square foot for a major remodel.
Keep in mind that elements like the price of a swim spa, patio, koi pond, or backyard shed will each come with their own cost factors. Some homeowners choose to spend thousands on ornamental trees and other landscaping features.
There are two types of container homes—prefabricated homes and custom homes. Prefab homes are manufactured off-site and have fixed sizes and shapes. With custom homes, the sky's the limit. The plans are up to an architect and homeowner.
| Prefabricated Container Home | Custom Container Home |
|---|---|
| More affordable | Higher cost |
| Limited sizes and layouts | Huge range of sizes and layouts |
| Typically single-story | Single or multiple stories |
| High-end or budget-friendly finishes | Finishes are up to the homeowner |
A prefabricated container home costs about $150 to $300. This type of home is less expensive than a custom home because it usually includes fixtures and appliances. It also comes in standard sizes and is typically just a single story.
By nature, prefabricated container homes cut down on some of the extraneous labor costs that you’d normally incur building a home from the ground up. That doesn’t necessarily have to sacrifice quality, either. You can choose a high-end prefab home the same way you can choose a wallet-friendly prefab home.
A custom shipping container house costs around $250 to more than $400 per square foot. This type of home is fully customizable—up to the discretion of your architect. Rather than picking from a catalog of sizes and layouts, you can create your dream home. You can even make it multiple stories or add a container pool.
If you do go custom, hire an experienced custom home builder near you. Not every contractor is experienced with the nuances of installing a container home.
Unless you have experience working in construction, building any house from scratch generally always requires a licensed general contractor or custom home builder. Because this will be your home and primary shelter, you likely won’t want to take any chances for things to go wrong during the build. In addition to the home builder, you will also need to hire professionals who specialize in interior necessities such as an electrician, plumber, and heating and cooling contractor.
To save money and time, you may be able to find a home builder who offers prefabricated shipping container homes, which cost more up-front but won’t require hiring as many pros to complete.
Building any type of home isn’t exactly a budget-friendly project. Container homes are some of the most affordable, but you’ll still have to spend thousands on things like plumbing and electricity. Nonetheless, there are some ways you can tighten your budget. These tips will help you save money on the cost to build a container home:
Choose a prefab home: Prefab shipping container homes cost thousands less than custom homes—plus, you’ll save on labor costs since they’re simpler to construct.
Choose used containers: Used or recycled shipping containers cost less than purchasing a brand-new container. Just make sure you choose a high-quality used container and not one that’s worse for the wear.
Choose affordable fixtures, furnishings, and finishes: Instead of splurging for high-end flooring and luxury light fixtures, choose sturdy but affordable options. You can even buy secondhand fixtures and furniture to further cut costs.
Search for sales: Certain retailers may offer sales at certain times of the year. This is especially true for things like furniture and fixtures, but you may also be able to find discounted tile or flooring if it’s an older or discontinued product line.
Skip the extras: Build the home you need. If you don’t need four bedrooms, choose a smaller design rather than springing for a large house. If you want two bathrooms, consider making one a half bath. Keep the design minimal.
Both housing types offer a different and often more affordable path to homeownership. A traditional container home repurposes steel shipping containers to construct a durable home. You can think of the containers as the bones of the house, requiring more materials to build a home that meets local building requirements.
Modular homes are similar to mobile homes. Mobile homes are typically fully assembled in a factory and then transported to their final location, while modular homes are made up of prefabricated pieces that are assembled on-site.
When comparing costs, constructing a modular home costs $180,000 to $360,000. Conversely, container home costs can start as low as $25,000. Your total expense for either greatly depends on your location, materials, features, and land costs.
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It is a good idea to check in with your local city and state regulations before committing to building a shipping container home no matter where you live. This concept is pretty new across the country, and many places won’t let you build one.
The International Code Council (ICC) offers guidelines for home builders on the safe use of ISO intermodal shipping containers repurposed as building components, which can be helpful to review when planning or designing a shipping container home.
A contractor can install your shipping container home in as little as 90 days. This is notably quick compared to a traditional home build, which can take more than a year (providing there aren’t permitting or construction delays that make the wait even longer). For the quickest installation, choose a prefab container home.
Shipping container homes last at least 25 years on average, but they can last even longer with proper maintenance. Since shipping containers are made from metal, they’re quite vulnerable to rust and corrosion. This issue is exacerbated in coastal areas or areas with a lot of precipitation. To extend the life span of your container home, install siding that protects the exterior.
Shipping container homes are made from metal, so, over time, they can rust. Climate plays a big part in this; for instance, shipping containers in high-humidity, high-rainfall areas will rust faster than ones in a dry climate. There are maintenance steps a homeowner can take to prevent rust, and a well-maintained shipping container home can last around 25 years.
Yes, shipping container homes have a very high resale value if they’ve been well maintained over the years. You can resell this home similar to how you’d resell any home. The value depends on the market and the condition. As a bonus, you can transport many container homes depending on the design, which makes them easier to sell if the local market is challenging.
