Are you looking for an affordable, contemporary, yet sustainable housing solution that doesn’t require months of backbreaking construction? I mean, we’ve all seen the other route most people take to build a home and those things are not only expensive, it’s a day-to-day test to your sanity!
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You can avoid the headaches, the heartaches and the red tape that typically comes with buying the triple-the-average cost single-family homes in America. On the other hand, while container homes save you money, they may feel a bit too cramped for your tall self out of the same tiny box.
Into the picture comes the expandable container house that lets you have the best of both worlds—budget living that isn’t too tiny and its own durable self. But is it the real deal? That’s what we’ll answer for you as we look at four pros and three possible drawbacks that could trip you up in moving forward.
We push the boundaries at Cubinest. I do NOT mean that in a cheesy, cliche sort of way. One of our goals is to lead the market in designing and building modular homes that span the globe. We’ve been doing that for quite some time now.
Our experience gives us a unique perspective on the cutting-edge demands that face modern housing.
An expandable container home provides a solution for today’s world—much more convenience, sustainability and cash left over in your pocket. We’re going to cover everything you need to know about them right here, right now!
If you feel that an expandable container home may be the right fit, we want to help you understand the various considerations. Let’s get going!
Buying an expandable container home might make good sense for you. It might not. Stick right here to get all the answers you need.
Now that we have unveiled the pros and cons of living in these expandable monsters, let’s double-click on how they scratch some of your specific itches.
The big things you want to know about expandable container homes are that they can adjust and do big things in a snap:
More Room: You can open up an expandable container home for more floor space than its regular cousin, sitting still outside.
Cheaper Electric Bills: When you do right by them with insulation and little magic tricks to help save power, your expandable container home will lighten up your electric bill.
Money Left Over: You can save a ton of cash over stick-built homes when you buy one of these punctuation thoughts, with a similar high-quality finish.
Not As Much Work: Your expandable monster will require less TLC and mowing with the weed eater, which means it leaves more green in your wallet.
Okay champ, here’s the fun part of buying expandable container homes. Check it out from the financial side:
No Need to Make It from Scratch: Instead of constructing an expandable container home from the studs, you begin with the repurposed steel box. This immediately cuts down on materials, saving you Ben Franklin’s cousin.
Less Money Spent on Building: You pay man hours to men who do the work when you want a regular home. You’re not dropping as many dollar bills with expandable container homes because they come with cheap factory labor.
No Reason to Do a Lot of Work: Most of the time, you only need to pour a little concrete rectangle with a level on top to put the house. This cutbacks the money spent on building the base, lowering your overall costs.
Lower Electric Bills: When you slide on those cool, non-electric gadgets like solar panels, you’ll cut back on your monthly bills.
Before you buy one of these big birthday boxes to live in, you’d better make sure you’ve done your homework on these things:
Zoning Laws: No joke, some places snub container homes as non-normal houses, forcing you to pick up mom’s pen for permission.
Rules: You want to make sure the place you buy is up to code for insulation, safety, and plumbing to keep officer ticket away.
Easement Info: You’re going to need to know if you can try to pull people over to let you move your new box in.
Hookups: You must have February for your house to drink, eat, and potty because it’s just a box without all the fixings.
More than nearly any other style of house, one alternative you will love about how expandable container homes work is you can change:
The Floor and Wall Stuff: YOU can pick what materials you want on the floors and walls. Don’t put just anything in your box. Make sure you choose materials that keep you warm and look good.
Fancy House Equipment: You might want to think about putting in something like an Alexa device for your lights, a $300 doorbell or a thermostat that talks to your to regulate the temperatures.
Boxes That Hold Just About Anything: Over here, boxes go anywhere look cool. You can stick them under the seats and in the living room, if that’s what you want. All of sudden, your house feels bigger and lighter.
Cool Kitchens and Bathrooms: Make cool kitchens around the “party on top” and a fancy bathroom with stuff like nice faucets and cool serviceable tops.
Do the following things to make sure you do right by your epic box:
Put on a Solar Roof: Get rid of the monthly system of ripping up checks to give power to those on the grid.
Store Rain: Catch the water off your roof and start filtering it out for your every day use.
Green Up the Top: A green roof comes with super insulation and stops the heat from sun got the roof everywhere.
Reuse it; Don’t Trash It: When your shop for the chairs and tables, make sure you green up the style and look of your home.
What’s the Bigger Picture? (Excellent Closing Statement)
The other thrilling fact about a modular shipping container home is the savings in cost, speed of setting up the home, and reduced utility bills. If those feature fit your needs, then go for it.
On the other hand, the space, local rules, and the finish of these new, big folks might make you a little nervous. But with some blueprints and a lot of creativity, you can make a beautifully-adapted, functional home that looks awesome too. Love where you live. Whether it’s your primary house, vacation house, home office, or even a man cave, take a look at these groundbreaking homes in and beyond.
Are you interested in learning more about Prefab Mobile Expandable Container House? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Shipping container homes are increasingly becoming popular for many due to their affordability and availability. In addition to being cost-effective, they are often also considered more sustainable. Quick assembly and customization also make them attractive to potential homeowners.
But is container living the right choice for you? If the container chic aesthetic is calling your name, you're in the right place. In this post, we look at shipping container homes, what makes them popular and what you should consider before getting one for yourself.
Shipping container homes are made from a used shipping container or by combining multiple shipping containers. These homes can be either prefabricated or custom-built. Container homes are becoming increasingly popular as a more sustainable and affordable alternative to traditionally built homes.
Shipping containers are made from weathering steel, making them incredibly durable and low maintenance. They are also modular, so they can be easily transported and assembled on-site. Shipping container homes can be adapted to most climates and terrain, making them ideal for those who want to live off the grid.
If you want flexibility to expand your living space as your needs change, consider adding additional containers. Expandable container homes can be easily extended with prefabricated or custom-built containers to match the existing structure. This makes them ideal for growing families or if you want to incorporate other uses like a home office, an art studio or a home gym.
Prefab container homes are the way to go if you want a quick and easy way to build a new home. These homes are built off-site in a factory and then transported to the building site, where they are assembled.
This can save a significant amount of time and money, as well as reduce the amount of disruption to the surrounding area.
Who said container homes can't be lavish? Luxury container homes can be customized to include various high-end features, such as gourmet kitchens, spa-like bathrooms, and home theaters.
They can also be designed to blend in with the surrounding environment, making them ideal for those who want to live in a more natural setting.
Consider tiny container homes if you want to downsize your living space and live a more minimalist lifestyle. These homes are typically made from a single shipping container and can be as small as 160 square feet.
They are often very affordable and can be easily transported, making them ideal for those who want to live a more nomadic lifestyle.
Shipping container homes are made from intermodal steel containers. They come in two sizes that can be used as-is or configured to create larger space.
Most shipping containers are 20 feet by 8 feet or 40 feet by 8 feet. The smaller containers can offer 160 square feet of living space, while the larger ones provide 320 square feet.
Shipping containers can be stacked vertically or horizontally to create a more living space. You can also use shipping containers to create dwellings that house multiple independent units.
Shipping containers are versatile, durable, and modular, making them ideal for innovative repurposing beyond residential use. Here are a few creative, non-residential applications of shipping containers.
Example Use Benefits Examples Pop-up retail & cafes Convert containers into trendy shops, coffee houses, or food stalls. Portable, cost-effective, and eye-catching for urban areas or festivals. Starbucks’ drive-thru container cafés, seasonal holiday markets. Mobile art galleries Transform containers into traveling art exhibits or interactive installations. Weather-resistant, easy to transport, and customizable for lighting/display. The Container Art Festival (Taiwan), BOX PARK (London). Emergency shelters & medical clinics Rapid-deployment clinics, disaster relief housing, or mobile hospitals. Stackable, secure, and quickly modified for sanitation and utilities. Emergency COVID-19 testing units, refugee housing in conflict zones. Urban farming & hydroponics Create vertical farms or climate-controlled grow rooms for herbs, greens, or mushrooms. Efficient land use, insulation for temperature control, and pesticide-free crops. Freight Farms’ Leafy Green Machine, urban rooftop farms. Co-working spaces & offices Build portable offices, tech hubs, or startup incubators. Affordable, scalable, and ideal for remote or temporary worksites. Google’s container-based offices in Kenya, pop-up co-working hubs. Educational classrooms & libraries Deploy classrooms, STEM labs, or community libraries in underserved areas. Fast setup, low-cost alternative to brick-and-mortar buildings. Containers of Hope schools in Costa Rica, mobile STEM labs. Hospitality & eco-tourism Design boutique hotels, glamping pods, or eco-resort amenities. Unique aesthetic, minimal environmental footprint. CitizenM hotels, luxury safari lodges in Africa. Community and social hubs Build gyms, maker spaces, or youth centers in urban areas. Affordable community infrastructure with a modern vibe. Re:START Mall (Christchurch, NZ) post-earthquake retail hub.There are many benefits to reusing shipping containers for housing. Here are a few things to consider if you're looking into the pros of container homes.
While the cost of a container home will vary depending on size, design and layout, this option is generally a more cost-effective housing option. Shipping container homes are smaller and often come pre-fabricated, making them more affordable and accessible.
Pre-assembled homes are often built offsite and inside large hangers that make construction faster. If you have all the necessary materials on hand, it is possible to construct a shipping container home in just a few days.
This is a significant benefit if you need to move into your new home quickly or live in an area where housing is in high demand.
Container homes are made from repurposed shipping containers that are no longer used to carry cargo. Therefore, buying them and converting them into living spaces is considered more sustainable as they use fewer land resources and raw materials.
Shipping containers are made of durable corten steel that can withstand different temperatures and weather conditions. This construction material also requires less maintenance and can be used in different climates.
As with many things, there are a few cons of shipping container homes that can impact your decision. Make sure to explore them all before committing to a container home.
The downside of shipping container homes is that they are not recognized as valid forms of housing by many local municipal authorities. This might make it challenging to obtain the necessary permits and might not be permissible in your area.
Always do your research and work with a shipping container home builder who is familiar with the permitting process in your area.
The modular nature of shipping containers means they can often be sourced and used at a lower price. However, they will likely require additional costs for insulation, finishes, appliances and other features to make them livable.
You might also have to factor in structural integrity risks when cutting openings and additional reinforcement costs.
Another downside of shipping container homes is that they can be difficult to insulate. This is because shipping containers are made from metal.
As a result, shipping container homes can be sweltering in the summer and very cold in the winter. Insulation options are available for shipping container homes, but they can be expensive to install.
Containers that have been damaged or were treated with chemicals can be dangerous if not cleaned properly. Using new containers that can still be used for shipping instead of ones that have reached their retirement age is not the same as repurposing old ones.
Although shipping containers are less expensive than other construction materials, they must be properly insulated and outfitted with electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.
This can add up quickly, so be sure to factor in the cost of these materials and services when budgeting for your shipping container home.
Consider a container home if: Avoid it if: You prioritize sustainability and innovative design. You seek guaranteed low costs or traditional aesthetics. You have budget flexibility and enjoy DIY projects. Local codes are restrictive, or you lack time/resources for complex modifications. Local regulations are favorable, and you can secure experienced contractors.Another thing to consider is the design of your shipping container home. You can customize these homes to meet your specific needs, but it's important to work with a qualified architect or engineer to ensure that your home is safe and up to code.
Shipping container homes offer a unique, eco-conscious housing solution with notable design potential. However, success hinges on thorough planning, awareness of hidden costs, and compliance with regulations.
Evaluate personal priorities, location, and budget carefully before committing. Do your research and work with a shipping container home builder familiar with the permitting process in your area to make sure that your shipping container home is up to code.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of 20FT Retractable Container House with Shade. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.