Last Updated: Sep 12, 2024
When thinking about designing sustainable homes, finding innovative uses for otherwise discarded materials is fundamental. There are over 17 million shipping containers in the world, and only about 6 million of them are in use. That means that over 11 million shipping containers could potentially be upcycled into stunning homes made from materials that might otherwise end up in the landfill. Container homes can also be less expensive than other homes with similar square footage (see: Pros, Cons, and Pricing article). If you're looking for an inexpensive house that makes the most of this upcycling opportunity, here are eight container homes that you can buy right now.
Honomobo is a leading company in container home design and offers several different models. The M Studio is one of the smaller container home models they offer, and also one of the most affordable. At 288 square feet, this home is photovoltaic ready, and also extremely energy efficient. Though pricing for 2018 has not been released, this home will most likely be well under the $70,000 price tag associated with other container homes this company sells.
This container home is modeled from a 24-foot shipping container and comes ready for immediate occupancy. It comes with insulated R-22 finished walls, R-30 hardwood hickory floors, a roof and R-54 ceiling insulation, full kitchen, bathroom with full-size shower, and wooden roofing timbers and patio trellis. With all of these extras, the Rhino's $63,999 price tag does not look too bad.
For people looking for container homes for off-grid living, Dwell Shipping Container Homes offer consulting, design, and build services. They also have a focus on recycling and repurposing used shipping containers to create livable space. They've customized small studios and 1 bedroom homes to laneway and custom multi-floor houses. Off-grid, open concept, kitchen, and bathroom - the space is customized to fit your needs and budget.
The Meka ALP 320 designed and built by Meka Homes. It is a one-floor, 320 square foot container home that includes a bedroom/studio, bathroom, kitchen, living area, and an outdoor terrace. The $85,500 price tag includes shipping estimates, a foundation, roof, and assembly costs. You can also choose from several different exterior siding finishes included in the price. This ensures your modular home not look like it is a recycled shipping container.
Backcountry Containers specializes in custom designing container homes. Each container home that they build is tailored to the specific land layout, context, and needs of each client. Single container homes start around $65,000. The company fully insulates each container home they build and offers exceptional interior design to make your container home look stunning.
Custom Container Living provides a large container homemade from two, forty-foot containers. This family-sized home has two complete bedrooms, a dining/living room, a full kitchen, bathroom, and storage room. A metal gable roof is included along with full electric and plumbing, a water heater, traditional HVAC, and other comforts making this a home completely ready to move in to for $92,900.
Kubed Living offers several shipping container homes ranging between 160 and 960 square feet. Starting at $55,000, the Kubed 160 is a fully functional, 160 square foot flagship container home with full kitchen, air and heat, and a 5-foot closet. The home is insulated with closed-cell spray foam, offering R21, split air system, plumbing and electrical, tankless water heater, kitchen appliances, and bathroom fixtures. You can also add on other comforts and upgrades for an additional price.
You can buy almost everything on Amazon these days, even a house. MODS International recently started selling its 40-foot tiny container home on Amazon.com. This is a fully furnished tiny home, which includes a bedroom, shower, toilet, sink, kitchenette, living area, and double patio doors within secure container doors. This home comes ready to hook up to sewer, water, and electric services and is both heated and air-conditioned with full insulation.
It also comes with a bottom septic connection, easy side water, and an electrical connection. The home costs just $36,000, plus a $3,600 shipping fee, and can be yours with the click of a mouse.
Tobias runs an agroecology farm and a natural building collective in the mountains of El Salvador. He specializes in earthen construction methods and uses permaculture design methods to integrate structures into the sustainability of the landscape.