Shipping Container Homes

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Shipping Container Homes

Roy Whooten
Rockland, MA · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 0 votes

The housing market is skyrocketing when it comes to home sales and there prices. Most people cannot afford a new home. The interest in shipping container homes is growing daily. Because of there cost to build and the options of configurations.The cost of a shipping container home is less than a framed home. They also can be fully built in half the time. I'm looking for partners and investors that have the same vision and focus.

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  • Joseph CacciapagliaBusiness Member
    Lender · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    When I've priced shipping container construction in my market, it's not actually cheaper than stick built. It also seems difficult to comply with building codes, although at least one provider here has cleared that hurdle. It does seem to be quicker though. I'd like to see it work, but I haven't been able to beat stick built or SIPs in any of the estimates that I've gotten. What are you seeing for $/SF construction costs?

    [email protected]979-218-2286
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  • James Hamling
    Real Estate Broker · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    6y

    I am highly interested in "cargominium" building, focused to affordable housing segment. 

    @Joseph Cacciapaglia I have been tinkering with it looking to hit the $90'ish per sqft for cost factoring. I have not completed one yet nor have I seen anyone anywhere near my primary markets, but wouldn't be the 1st time I did something new in the market. 

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  • Jason Hirko
    Lender · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    @Roy Whooten I looked into doing this myself and one of the things I found is the cost could be lower than wood framing assuming you are using a used container (which is also part of the appeal - the recycling aspect), but the thing that scared me off was unless you buy a container that was only used for one shipment, you had no idea what was shipped in there. Nuclear waste or DVD players? You never know. And, the amount of chemicals they soak the boards in that make up the floor is ridiculous. I watched a couple videos on how to remove that without instantly getting cancer, and I was done! 

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  • Joseph CacciapagliaBusiness Member
    Lender · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @James Hamling:

    I am highly interested in "cargominium" building, focused to affordable housing segment. 

    @Joseph Cacciapaglia I have been tinkering with it looking to hit the $90'ish per sqft for cost factoring. I have not completed one yet nor have I seen anyone anywhere near my primary markets, but wouldn't be the 1st time I did something new in the market. 

     That's not far off on $/SF from what I've come up with, but you can do at least $10/SF cheaper with stick built or SIPs  here when building affordable housing level finishes. I've also heard from several builders that blew their welding line item whenever they've built with containers. So far there are only a couple of container properties in my market, and they've all been high end, except for some very small single container homes. I'm definitely interested to hear from people that are making these work.

    [email protected]979-218-2286
    Joseph Cacciapaglia powered by Morty
    WebsiteView Page
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  • James Hamling
    Real Estate Broker · Minneapolis, MN · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 6k+ votes
    6y
    Originally posted by @Joseph Cacciapaglia:
    Originally posted by @James Hamling:

    I am highly interested in "cargominium" building, focused to affordable housing segment. 

    @Joseph Cacciapaglia I have been tinkering with it looking to hit the $90'ish per sqft for cost factoring. I have not completed one yet nor have I seen anyone anywhere near my primary markets, but wouldn't be the 1st time I did something new in the market. 

     That's not far off on $/SF from what I've come up with, but you can do at least $10/SF cheaper with stick built or SIPs  here when building affordable housing level finishes. I've also heard from several builders that blew their welding line item whenever they've built with containers. So far there are only a couple of container properties in my market, and they've all been high end, except for some very small single container homes. I'm definitely interested to hear from people that are making these work.

     Yeah, without doubt it's muddy waters and not anything easily or clearly "cheaper" than existing conventional building options. Faster yes, but speed can bring other risks such as faulty work. 

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  • George W.
    Investor · NJ · Member since 2018 · 869 posts · 921 votes
    6y

    I'm a fan of shipping containers for storage. Maybe building a small house if you park 2 side by side. Challenges I see is making rooms wider than 8'. 

    Also running duct work, pipes & electric through steel walls can be more challenging than traditional wood frames. Adding windows and doors between containers isn't as east as wood. You'll need a lot of welding work if you're building anything sizable. I'd much rather pay a carpenter crew than a welding one. 

    Also meeting insulation requirements will be tougher. How would you get r-19 walls without ferring out inside?

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