Luckily my dad is a welder, my neighbor is an electrician, our county has no building codes outside of town and the 40' container I just purchased was $4,500.
Well done Samantha! I’m a carpenter in NZ. My brother is a welder fabricator specialising in containers. Contemplating on building a container home outside of town in rural area. Selling my house to finance and be mortgage free with some spare cash.
@@armanopepe1 Love that! Being Mortgage free is a huge investment in living a stress free life. You should definitely do it. Just don't quit when things get tough!
This is why you should just build it yourself. That’s where the real savings come in. When you have to pay so many different specialists, your budget disappears quickly.
Yes, these are the issues that apply to container homes. However, with the housing market being such a disaster, I honestly don't think we have any other choice but to explore this option. But thanks ❤
Sounds like we had a very different experience researching container homes. I found an architect/engineering combo firm that's done a ton of these homes before and it's been a super easy design process.
My container house contractor was very open minded to shipping container construction and told him what I wanted done he designed me a two floor plans.
I'm almost done with my first container home. I had way more issues than I expected, but I think the end product is going to be worth it. I'm working on plans for another one already. I'm on my third contractor in the first one. You definitely need someone who knows what they're doing.
Hello, would you mind telling me about some of the issues you had building your home? We plan on building a container home this year and are trying to make our plans. Thank you
@@eaudunilturnip3441 I've made quite a few videos about issues that came up on my youtube channel. My biggest issue was selecting terrible contractors. I had to get new one to step in halfway through the process to fix tons of problems that could have been avoided. The containers themselves probably weren't the main issue. One big issue is that cutting and welding took much longer and cost a lot more than I expected.
These issues apply to people who cannot, or do not want to build themselves, or have land in an area that has restrictive build codes. That's why doing the research before you build is important. Ideally, building a shipping container on your own, on land that has little to no building codes, without a mortgage, is key for this kind of life to work.
Speak for yourself, I LOVE my container home, which is actually two containers conjoined by a glass atrium. Total cost, under $100,000. Now go buy a house for that price. LOL! I'll take my container home over what you live in any day.
I think most ppl just don’t want to go the extra mile compare to building a “normal” home. For years now I been wanting a container home here in California
I'm having trouble finding shipping containers for the prices quoted in this video. In 2022 I'm still seeing containers for $2800 to $5000. Maybe they're having them shipped long distances?? I just can't see a container costing 20 to 30k before customization
As someone who is just beginning serious research on this topic I appreciate having someone willing to point out the possibility of issues. There are tons of videos on how happy people are with their homes and that is great but if your actually doing research then you want both sides of the story.
Search only negative reviews to understand if it is good for you or not. Like Shipping container homes problems. Shipping container homes disadvantages and so on.
About 2005, a contractor friend and I talked about using shipping containers for emergency housing after hurricanes. We, like many, thought that it might be a cheap way to build a living space. I looked into the concept pretty thoroughly and and even went as far as a rough design and manufacturing concept. The design process revealed several stumbling blocks, very much along the same lines as what Rob pointed out. We had the skills and factory space to make it happen. Even with the most utilitarian construction, in the end, we found the issues made the concept unviable. It wasn't particularly cheap, the moisture management was a big thing, and the internal space confined the design beyond what we felt was a reasonable living space. We're in South Florida and at the time we could by 40' containers for about $1500 for a weathertight container. Ones with holes could be had for a bit less but then you've got to weld them up. Add in the construction costs and the costs would be about the same as a panelized prefab. We had plans to build the living space somewhat akin to a box and then slide it into the container which would serve as the main structural member. Because of our low cost criteria and construction concept, moisture was a big problem that we didn't have a good answer for and what really killed the whole idea. Spray foam against the metal would solve the sweating problem but would jack up the construction cost beyond what we thought we could bear. The interior of a shipping container, if memory serves me, is about 7'8". Even at the thinnest insulation of a couple of inches per wall, your finished living space is just over 7' wide. If you are of average proportions, when you stretch your arms out to your sides, your wingspan (fingertip to fingertip) is approximately same as your height. I'm 6'2". That means my fingertips are only a couple of inches away from the walls when stretched out. A twin bed is 39" wide. If you put two of them side by side, you'll have about 8" between them. The space is tiny. Arranging all the things you need to make a livable space (bed, bath, cooking, storage) is a challenge, to say the least. So, if you've read this far and you're still interested in a container home, just be aware that you'll need to have a very flexible idea of what a comfortable living space is and, if you want it nice, an open checkbook wouldn't hurt either. 😳
@@rogermccaslin5963 You seriously asked me that question. I don't know if I should feel sorry for you or laugh my ass off. What is it that you do for a living?
Hey Rob, do you think unique stays like cottages, treehouses, and or tents is overall better investment for airbnbs than like tiny homes and conventional home Airbnbs ?
Depends on your goals. Low cash in and quick return on your capital. That said, it’s likely going to be an all cash project and that will have zero equity.
Yeah bro, I'm with you, I bought one partially built 3 years ago, and I know construction well, but working with metal and unusual materials and construction methods has turned into a absolute nightmare, not to mention figuring out where to put it or who to sell it to 😔 It'll all work out, but deffinatly not the way I wanted or the speed for sure.
Duh - you should TOTALLY build a container home ! Insulate the outside and then clad with similar material. Or make access only external and glass over the ends (sliding glass doors) in an arid climate. You can find a way !
I work at a container yard, helped build the very gate office i work in. i know exactly how to fix everything structural wise. sadly i think a container home is all i could afford for a time, can always add on tho too
I found an excellent company who specializes in container homes (and this is in Maine) and I am having them engineer my plans for me. I could use them to build but My husband and I are building it ourselves. Containers here are not nearly that expensive, a brand new 40 ft is less than 10k (I’m going used) and frankly you just have to learn how to do things. Don’t know how to weld? Learn! Don’t know how to build a foundation (because who does?!) research and learn! The quotes for my container home I’ll be starting soon is about 1/3 of the price of the old not so great house I bought that’s has foundation issues a few years ago.
Im a bit confused about all the videos i see where people explain how difficult and expensive it is. If you have construction experience and do most or all of it yourself it can be so, so much cheaper than a traditional house. The majority you dont even need two sets of hands since youre just modifying an existing structure with smaller pieces
Don't do it, its going to cost more to install all the over-engineering required once you cut holes into it versus just doing a house ground up the traditional way. The container is only as good as being an container. It would seem then, with all the costs involved to try to turn it into a real house and rust proof and fill in all the gaps to remove moisture entrance (you dont want it rusting), this is really the dumbest idea in a place that gets a lot of rain. I know this because I live in a tropical climate and i've seen containers and warehouses get fk'd up by the moisture and rain leaks that literally destroy the structure. Sure it might last maybe 10 years, but once that rust eats into the structure in too many areas, that's a lot of reinforcement you need to do, which means you need to cut into your gypboard and insulation to repair it versus a wooden / stucco/ concrete home. That also assumes you even noticed there was a problem, all of it should have been hidden behind the insulation and rustproofing as intended. BUt you don't know of the leaks from errors of sealing all gaps. Wooden homes suck too, once there's a termite infestation GOOD LUCK.
Wow this video was EXTREMELY helpful and educational. I'm a rad chick who likes to do her own yard work but have no real storage. I was gonna invest in decent shipping container just keep the critters from chewing through a dinky wooden shed. Who knew about the condensation dripping down and ruining any equipment inside. Thanks a bunch for this video.
Well Rob, I stand by what I said before, if you build it, they will come. I have considered 🤔 all you and Kai have spoken about. Yet I still see myself living in 2 of my favorite builds, the container and the A-frame.
I agree. You CAN build a container home but you cannot start modifying the container. The cheapeadt simplest way is a container home barn style home. If you take 2 x 40 ' high cubes on each side and cover them with a roof, that would be the easiest and simplest way. Do not start cutting holes/openings in the container.
What about pre built ones? I always see them for super cheap and the thought has crossed my mind of getting a plot of land, get plumbing/ electric hooked up, and just using it as my starter home to live well below my means so I build my finances for later in life. Do you think there's major things I'm overlooking?
I have built several. I found it easy. If you know anything about building and codes. But then again I live in Virginia and was able to build everything myself. It is also helpful my father hauls out of the ports. So I can get containers dirt cheap. Like almost free.
It appears that in order to turn a shipping container into functional habitat you have to virtually destroy the container then re-build it. If that's the case why use a shipping container as your starting point in the first place? You might as well have assembled your materials on site & built it in the conventional manner, then just bolt some corrugated steel on the outside to give it the recycled industrial look you like.
Point 1 of it going out of trend I don’t see happening anytime soon and if it does, add siding. No biggie. The rest are good points. Biggest deal with a container build is finding a place that allows them and having the electrical inspected before adding spray foam. Must be closed cell spray foam. It’s absolutely not cheap. You can build stick built for the same price and have way less regulation, more freedom, and more space. Fyi
I just saw a RUclips video and the guy literally kept account of all of his expenses from beginning to end and the whole thing came up to around 81 to 83k materials and all so what are you talking about???
I'd love to see you build a container home! After watching this video, I'd be curious to see how long it would actually take (and also how much!). Thanks for another awesome vid.
Rob, instead of building a container home, why don’t you build a home similarly shaped but with isotex material? I honestly think it would be the best option and you’d probably get a good return on the investment if you ever decided to sell. Give it a thought and let me know what you think.
Building a container home can be an appealing and cost-effective option for many, but it's important to carefully consider the challenges involved, including permitting, financing, and building codes, as well as the potential for unexpected delays and expenses. Ultimately, the decision to give up on a container home project is a personal one, and it's important to prioritize your own needs and resources in making that choice.
My buddy just bought a container and it was pretty expensive and hard to get. That could be because of where he lives but it seems like demand is just going up up up so prices will probably follow.
I've done enough metal work to know that cuts and simple tasks like drilling holes and using fasteners take multiple times longer than with wood so I don't get too excited to jump in on this but I've seen some pretty nicely done ones for sure.
Hi Rob! We just sold every thing we owned back in Canada last year our farm and moved to Costa Rica 8 months ago, with just 7 suitcases that is it. We bought two pieces of land here. The bare piece i am wanting to build something totally out of box for a Rental, We are on a mountain in the jungle less than a 10 minute drive from the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Right now i am scouting out a good architect or at least i hope to find one here. I had considered a container build but to be honest there are just so many of them around now i do not look at them as a unique concept anymore. So i am still rattling my brain trying to come up with my own unique idea something that blends in with the surroundings here and totally out of the box. So wish me luck ;)
You offer valid points but one doesn't have use spray foam. There are other alternatives. I used heat proof insulation and styrofoam sheets. It just sounds scary the shipping container builds. One just has to be patient. Another thing that I realized is that everyone wants all of the fancy stuff at first but it is not necessary. One just needs the basics at first. Once that is done, you can change in the future. The reason why I went with a shipping container home is because just incase I ran out of money on building a traditional house and push-come-to-shove I could have still lived in the container home until it was finished because I would technically still have a "roof" over my head. I have been living it for almost 2 years now. I'm on my 2nd build for a home office out of another 40ft high cube. I think the person just has plan it out and decide what they want. There are a number of books out there and RUclips videos that offer assistance.
Rob, I think your looking at the situation wrong, build with just the frames. Frames can be bought separately. That removes the labor to modify the container, a good architect that has experience with a container should be able to get building permits a bit easier
Containers aren't structurally sound with just the frames. Those panels on either side are integral to the capability to carry the weight of a roof or second floor. That's related to the way every time you cut into a container, you'll find an engineer telling you to reinforce that opening.
Please note I'm not talking about a container you would see in the US minus the corrugated sides. I'm talking about the bolt together frames that a specifically designed to stack six high.
@@Geneattenborough Not to my knowledge unfortunately. I've got a great design I would like to utilize them for, looks like world events might submarine that plan. I have seen a Canadian company making much heavier duty ones, but I haven't looked into it any further than browsing. I firmly believe the frames from China, coupled with either sips or stick framing is a great way to go if it is ever possible.
Wow. One of the first videos I watched when I began my shipping container home journey. I'm glad I didn't put much stock in your video. Thank you for your videos, though.
DIY and checking with your inspector. No one has ever built one in my area so I can’t easily but in my area I could do a 20 footer without an inspector. Also people around me just claim farm labor housing and they don’t deal with the county all sorts of options
Whenever I see people making shipping container homes, I think, "that's cool, maybe I should do that." Then when I think it through, I'm always like, "why wouldn't I just build a pole barn."🤔
@@Jdalio5 great idea I watch a video on one being built it's totally worth it IN my opinion the whole building an material totally makes sense more for your money an life Expectancy😁👍
It’s made of steel not wood. Concrete and steel will last for hundreds of years but your pole barn will stand for (maybe) 100. The uniqueness/look of it. The modularity of the containers themselves. I’ve seen some INSANE container build on AirBnb and they make hundreds of thousands a year renting them out.
I have a house in the country side on a 1 acre land .i want to build a second guest house.i think it is a good idea to use a container as the starting shell.
sad truth is every experience is different I started with a rammed earth design went to the city for approval they were interested but then added in stuff that drastically increased the cost I then went with earth ship type style they were against this in one area for it in another county they guy who turned me on to the idea had built one up north with ease they loved the idea but at best Im getting an ok so depending where you are is really how easy it will be but if your going ahead use a company that has a track record on doing it and let them design it you just guide it will be so much easier
Watch Out for by-laws. I just got stopped from storaging a 20 foot container in a parking lot inside a storage facility which is an industrial area. Was told its a violation of city by-laws.
Mr. "Trendy" himself calling container homes "trendy". Lol. Humans been building anything out of anything since our creation. Nothing new. Nothing "trendy" about it. Build as you please :-)
I feel for you. seems like the place you live gave you a hard time. it helps so much to have an absolute arsenal of skills to make a container build work. if you cant build it yourself, you have no business "building one".
Hey Rob I think on an earlier episode you mentioned your spending millions (billions?) of dollars on clothing. My question is, where do you get your pocket Ts? A good pocket T is hard to find.
Was that Franish or Spench? I enjoy seeing what some enterprising folks have done with these containers, but have not personally thought it to be a great idea. Thanks for the insightful videos!
Hey, is there a lifespan using this container? Does the owner will facing any issues such as rusty structures, heat issues? containers should only be low, tiny concept houses and for me it's just temporary, if the construction is a luxury, the cost will still be hefty.
I live in tornado alley and I chose a single shipping container to serve as a guest house/tornado shelter anchored to peers in the backyard. Before i ever purchased my home i searched in rural counties arround me with no building permits required. Im a 11 yr electrician by trade and I work for myself and i know plenty of other contractors to lead me in the right direction... If you're strategic about land and have some know how then you could have yourself a pretty affordable home/whatever your turning it into... Overrated? maybe to some who aren't truly interested or expected a "cheap home". But for me, our little hang out spot could save my families life one day.
If you’re going to hire contractors to build your container house then it better you build conventional but most people will like to put at least a 75% of their work in there so that being said it cheaper to build yourself
SIPS and ICF construction costs the same, allows for a more flexible floorplan and footprint, and you can buy scores of ready-made plans online. I went down this rabbit hole in pursuit of a hurricane-proof structure, and discovered all the facts covered here.
One thing a lot of people over look is that containers are designed to be stacked on top of each other, so the corners of the containers are really the only strong parts before any doors or windows are even cut out. So if anyone is thinking they can burry one, you can’t without putting in a bunch of supports.
Containers aren't $30-$40K. I just looked up reefers and found most for around $6K. I'm live on an island and there are at least 20 container homes within 5 miles from me. That said, I was told to only use reefers. My neighbor had a double container home built with full finishes and plumbing for $25K. Plus, because containers are considered "trailers," they don't require any building permits where I live. Long story short, I think it is doable. Right now I'm trying to make a decision between concrete, container, or Lok-N-Blok.
In Arkansas, building in the county, you can literally build your home from a storage shed! Container homes are easy here and Im looking forward to mine .. Want a 2 container large room..
Container homes are not for everyone. The fact that I am an engineer and contractor and my son is a former ship builder means we find the endeavor to be right up our alley. Others should take the video's warnings to heart. Permitting is the single biggest problem legal builds have to deal with. Familiarity with container homes is not widespread and cities and counties vary widely in ease of permitting.
Some good points in your video but I think you need more video footage of the things you talked about, maybe your expert showing what he went through. Building stick frame homes onsite makes no sense for so many reasons. Pre fab or factory build will become the norm, I hope. Maybe not from containers but maybe so. Codes need to change, people have to lower their expectations and the whole process sped up if we want affordable housing. I live in Ontario Canada and a custom home is coming in at around $400/ square foot and takes on average 14 months to build. A 40 foot one trip container is currenty $5400 CA (just over 4 grand US) plus delivery. Cheaper than a decent garden shed at Home Depot. All the best, Jim
I actually do know an architect I could connect you with that loves doing these types of homes! I met with him, but wasn't really sure what to do with the homes.
So everything was really informative and well put. What I noticed though is in fact everyone is basically scared to work on container homes because it’s a new concept to them, an those that have it’s still a learning curve. The other thing is it “could” be a really cheaper build than a home most of the time and I know a lot of variables come to play just like anything else. So i feel if you know what your doing an you understand what your getting into….it could be cheap, and if you know what you want but don’t really understand what your getting into than it definitely will be pricey. People should understand that there is two sides to this, it could be a really cheap build and it could be a really expensive build. If you look at the bigger picture, is that if no one was scared to work on container homes, permits and regulations were easier an more inclined to specifically container homes than they definitely would be cheap. Now if that were to happen everyone would just go that route but guess what now the price would skyrocket an it be a whole collateral mess. So in a way it works out that only a few people know what there really doing an could do the builds for really cheap. Just my thoughts make of it as you wish. Respects to anyone’s opinions and thoughts.
Hey rob, i had a question if would like to answer it, you said you make 1 million per year on Airbnb is that after all expenses (profit)? With over 18 srt. I’ve heard people doing Airbnb rental arbitrage and they have make 30% of what they made
Informative video. It’s good to lay out all the obstacles. Container homes are a good option for people with knowledge and connections. A well-rounded handyman might make headway in this project, but knowing an engineer, contractor, electrician, welder, plumber, and so on will ensure the most successful outcome. The average person with no connections and limited income seeking affordable housing will not be successful in this endeavor. The labor costs, alone, is unattainable for most people. This was true in 2021. It’s doubly true in 2022. If you’re in desperate need of affordable housing, look into used campers. Seriously. If you’re about to be homeless or are homeless and have a wee bit of money saved and looking for a last resort, used campers are your best option. The last paragraph may seem a bit out of place for this video, but homelessness is growing rapidly in the US. People are desperately looking for housing options.
Im thinking about going this route. I work with a construction management company and have access to all the heavy machinery and tools for every part of the process. I see many people claiming that building a traditional house ends up costing roughly the same amount, I cant wrap my head around that. Considering still having all the connections, stick framing something still seems to be considerably more work, and you will run into more situations where you need more than person to get something completed. If you have the tools and the know-how you can turn a metal box into a livable space by yourself, in a few weeks total -cash permitting. If you plan correctly it could also be basically modular, add additions when you have the extra money or time. 20-25 grand and you could have something, albeit bare-bones, ready to be hooked up to electric and water that actually resembles a house on the inside. For that cost youve probably barely got a foundation for your traditional house. Cost of entry seems way lower
You’ve only touched on the most obvious of problems with a SC home. There are problems with moisture buildup inside the container from body heat that then causes rust. There is heat transfer issues from the sun heating up the metal on the outside and making the home uber hot inside. There are permitting issues, footing or pad issues, and much more. You’re better of purchasing a prefab or trailer home and being done with it. And the trailer home will cost you CONSIDERABLY less.
THIS. When I was looking to buy/build a home, the total cost of a shipping container home with drawings, permits etc in OR (not including land) would have been $150K. I could have gotten a pre fab home with everything, same sq ft, at the time for $100K.
Nothing wrong with building a container, but do your research and hire people on a budget (I don't mean cheap and unqualified, I mean people charging a fair price for their work), you were quoted 150 USD per hour (Which is nuts, my sollicitor costs the same price), I get 8h worth of work for 180 USD here in Europe for a qualified builder.
Blasphemy! ;) Great video, Robert. Totally agree with your points. Shipping containers are not for the faint of heart. Lots of things to consider. P.s. I still have pipe furniture too...lol.
The cost savings in container homes is in the foundation and in the savings of doing it yourself. If your using contractors in the West, you've lost your advantage. I don't know why anyone would build one using contractors
Thanks. Many times I’ve been tempted. But you are not the only one pointing out these realities. Oh, and delivery to the mountains should be cheap, right?
Are you a comedian AND time waster? Just asking... Nothing more irritating than waiting for you to get to the point and you're apparently more interested in acting than providing proper info, concisely and informed. 1/5
Totaly agree with your points and I don't think you'r going to get that much hate. Belinda Carr pave the way for you last year when she made a similar video, she's curently up in 35K dislikes...
I like to look on the bright side... There are problems with every type of accommodation not just containers or tiny homes. The bigger the build the bigger the problems... I speak from experience.
Some solid points but also some over exaggerated points. Trendy is relative if left as a barebone container on exterior or interior yes. Most are finished with touches of design elements that can be changed like any other home remodel. On a tiny home side it is a tiny home unless you build it larger. Treat it like a regular home build on the commercial side. Well said at the end do your due diligence.
As someone who's currently building a container home, if anything, I think he under exaggerated. If I had done it in wood, I would have been done a year ago, I'm 3 years in and still having issues.
@@PhiTonics time and money most commonly underestimated across the board. Best of luck with finishing your build. Our Expedition camper build started at 30k and 3 weeks, we have doubled the budget and the time before we have ever lifted a wrench. It will be a challenge but we still expect to finish way under the cost and build time of a comparable sized motor home. Hint we still are planning for more cost increases.
Well I got that husband that can draw up the plans he builds homes and considering most friends built a home it cost them triple the price more hassle and the ones that have a shipping container homes love it
What people don’t realize is what makes a container home cheap is people building it themselves not hiring out to contractors
Lots of words like 'specialty' used. It's all DIYable.
Luckily my dad is a welder, my neighbor is an electrician, our county has no building codes outside of town and the 40' container I just purchased was $4,500.
what state and county ?
Well done
@@EZworks92 Pittsburg County, Oklahoma
Well done Samantha! I’m a carpenter in NZ. My brother is a welder fabricator specialising in containers. Contemplating on building a container home outside of town in rural area. Selling my house to finance and be mortgage free with some spare cash.
@@armanopepe1 Love that! Being Mortgage free is a huge investment in living a stress free life. You should definitely do it. Just don't quit when things get tough!
I think the misconception here is not everyone wants a “luxury” shipping container
Exactly
This is why you should just build it yourself. That’s where the real savings come in. When you have to pay so many different specialists, your budget disappears quickly.
Yes, these are the issues that apply to container homes. However, with the housing market being such a disaster, I honestly don't think we have any other choice but to explore this option. But thanks ❤
Sounds like we had a very different experience researching container homes. I found an architect/engineering combo firm that's done a ton of these homes before and it's been a super easy design process.
What's the name of the firm?
My container house contractor was very open minded to shipping container construction and told him what I wanted done he designed me a two floor plans.
I found one too! Also he is adding onto the home by building between two shipping containers!
Can any of you share the name of the firm or the contractor that does this? Thank you.
Yeah, a ton are being built in my area.
I'm almost done with my first container home. I had way more issues than I expected, but I think the end product is going to be worth it. I'm working on plans for another one already. I'm on my third contractor in the first one. You definitely need someone who knows what they're doing.
I'm following in your footsteps
Hello, would you mind telling me about some of the issues you had building your home? We plan on building a container home this year and are trying to make our plans. Thank you
@@eaudunilturnip3441 I've made quite a few videos about issues that came up on my youtube channel. My biggest issue was selecting terrible contractors. I had to get new one to step in halfway through the process to fix tons of problems that could have been avoided. The containers themselves probably weren't the main issue. One big issue is that cutting and welding took much longer and cost a lot more than I expected.
did you research your contractors from the beginning? @@josephcacciapaglia4753
These issues apply to people who cannot, or do not want to build themselves, or have land in an area that has restrictive build codes. That's why doing the research before you build is important. Ideally, building a shipping container on your own, on land that has little to no building codes, without a mortgage, is key for this kind of life to work.
Speak for yourself, I LOVE my container home, which is actually two containers conjoined by a glass atrium. Total cost, under $100,000. Now go buy a house for that price. LOL! I'll take my container home over what you live in any day.
I think most ppl just don’t want to go the extra mile compare to building a “normal” home. For years now I been wanting a container home here in California
100k For the foundation, installation, interior, plumbing, etc? Did you already have land to put it on?.
Hey that's our plan..lol partially any how would love to see pic
Where’s the pics?
Did this includes permit pricing as well?
I'm having trouble finding shipping containers for the prices quoted in this video. In 2022 I'm still seeing containers for $2800 to $5000. Maybe they're having them shipped long distances?? I just can't see a container costing 20 to 30k before customization
As someone who is just beginning serious research on this topic I appreciate having someone willing to point out the possibility of issues. There are tons of videos on how happy people are with their homes and that is great but if your actually doing research then you want both sides of the story.
Search only negative reviews to understand if it is good for you or not.
Like
Shipping container homes problems.
Shipping container homes disadvantages and so on.
About 2005, a contractor friend and I talked about using shipping containers for emergency housing after hurricanes. We, like many, thought that it might be a cheap way to build a living space. I looked into the concept pretty thoroughly and and even went as far as a rough design and manufacturing concept. The design process revealed several stumbling blocks, very much along the same lines as what Rob pointed out. We had the skills and factory space to make it happen. Even with the most utilitarian construction, in the end, we found the issues made the concept unviable.
It wasn't particularly cheap, the moisture management was a big thing, and the internal space confined the design beyond what we felt was a reasonable living space.
We're in South Florida and at the time we could by 40' containers for about $1500 for a weathertight container. Ones with holes could be had for a bit less but then you've got to weld them up. Add in the construction costs and the costs would be about the same as a panelized prefab. We had plans to build the living space somewhat akin to a box and then slide it into the container which would serve as the main structural member.
Because of our low cost criteria and construction concept, moisture was a big problem that we didn't have a good answer for and what really killed the whole idea. Spray foam against the metal would solve the sweating problem but would jack up the construction cost beyond what we thought we could bear.
The interior of a shipping container, if memory serves me, is about 7'8". Even at the thinnest insulation of a couple of inches per wall, your finished living space is just over 7' wide. If you are of average proportions, when you stretch your arms out to your sides, your wingspan (fingertip to fingertip) is approximately same as your height. I'm 6'2". That means my fingertips are only a couple of inches away from the walls when stretched out. A twin bed is 39" wide. If you put two of them side by side, you'll have about 8" between them. The space is tiny. Arranging all the things you need to make a livable space (bed, bath, cooking, storage) is a challenge, to say the least.
So, if you've read this far and you're still interested in a container home, just be aware that you'll need to have a very flexible idea of what a comfortable living space is and, if you want it nice, an open checkbook wouldn't hurt either. 😳
Roger I bought land in Naples to do this exact thing.
Well said
You just shot yourself in the foot. Can't think outside of the box.
@@40calDeathPunch
Really? Care to explain?
@@rogermccaslin5963 You seriously asked me that question. I don't know if I should feel sorry for you or laugh my ass off.
What is it that you do for a living?
Hey Rob, do you think unique stays like cottages, treehouses, and or tents is overall better investment for airbnbs than like tiny homes and conventional home Airbnbs ?
I’m interested in Rob’s opinion also, I live in GA and looking to build camps & mixed use spaces. 🤙🏽
@@DavidSno me too! Investing in GA
Here too. Looking for a code-friendly area. Many counties specifically prohibit these sorts of builds.
Depends on your goals. Low cash in and quick return on your capital. That said, it’s likely going to be an all cash project and that will have zero equity.
Yeah bro, I'm with you, I bought one partially built 3 years ago, and I know construction well, but working with metal and unusual materials and construction methods has turned into a absolute nightmare, not to mention figuring out where to put it or who to sell it to 😔
It'll all work out, but deffinatly not the way I wanted or the speed for sure.
Duh - you should TOTALLY build a container home ! Insulate the outside and then clad with similar material. Or make access only external and glass over the ends (sliding glass doors) in an arid climate. You can find a way !
They're so tiny though!
I work at a container yard, helped build the very gate office i work in. i know exactly how to fix everything structural wise. sadly i think a container home is all i could afford for a time, can always add on tho too
Shipping containers here in Seattle are $6500 for one trips... they are not $20k
I found an excellent company who specializes in container homes (and this is in Maine) and I am having them engineer my plans for me. I could use them to build but My husband and I are building it ourselves. Containers here are not nearly that expensive, a brand new 40 ft is less than 10k (I’m going used) and frankly you just have to learn how to do things. Don’t know how to weld? Learn! Don’t know how to build a foundation (because who does?!) research and learn! The quotes for my container home I’ll be starting soon is about 1/3 of the price of the old not so great house I bought that’s has foundation issues a few years ago.
Im a bit confused about all the videos i see where people explain how difficult and expensive it is.
If you have construction experience and do most or all of it yourself it can be so, so much cheaper than a traditional house. The majority you dont even need two sets of hands since youre just modifying an existing structure with smaller pieces
Don't do it, its going to cost more to install all the over-engineering required once you cut holes into it versus just doing a house ground up the traditional way.
The container is only as good as being an container. It would seem then, with all the costs involved to try to turn it into a real house and rust proof and fill in all the gaps to remove moisture entrance (you dont want it rusting), this is really the dumbest idea in a place that gets a lot of rain.
I know this because I live in a tropical climate and i've seen containers and warehouses get fk'd up by the moisture and rain leaks that literally destroy the structure. Sure it might last maybe 10 years, but once that rust eats into the structure in too many areas, that's a lot of reinforcement you need to do, which means you need to cut into your gypboard and insulation to repair it versus a wooden / stucco/ concrete home. That also assumes you even noticed there was a problem, all of it should have been hidden behind the insulation and rustproofing as intended. BUt you don't know of the leaks from errors of sealing all gaps.
Wooden homes suck too, once there's a termite infestation GOOD LUCK.
Minute 8:25 I'm sure the person that quoted you the insulation for $120K read your naive expertise. This task could be a DIY from Home Depot products.
Wow this video was EXTREMELY helpful and educational. I'm a rad chick who likes to do her own yard work but have no real storage. I was gonna invest in decent shipping container just keep the critters from chewing through a dinky wooden shed. Who knew about the condensation dripping down and ruining any equipment inside. Thanks a bunch for this video.
THE WHOLE POINT OF A CONTSINER HOUS IS "NOT LUXURY BUILD" 😂😂😂SILLY
Well Rob, I stand by what I said before, if you build it, they will come. I have considered 🤔 all you and Kai have spoken about. Yet I still see myself living in 2 of my favorite builds, the container and the A-frame.
Well I just spent $50k on all my preliminary plans and site studies for a container home. Oh well... here we go
I agree. You CAN build a container home but you cannot start modifying the container. The cheapeadt simplest way is a container home barn style home. If you take 2 x 40 ' high cubes on each side and cover them with a roof, that would be the easiest and simplest way. Do not start cutting holes/openings in the container.
Gonna build a container home once I have the funds. I’m always drawing plans and watching RUclips on containers homes.
Been 9 months. How’s it going?
Hey Rob! I think you should definitely start a container home build. You could also document the steps on RUclips which would be great content!
What about pre built ones? I always see them for super cheap and the thought has crossed my mind of getting a plot of land, get plumbing/ electric hooked up, and just using it as my starter home to live well below my means so I build my finances for later in life. Do you think there's major things I'm overlooking?
I have built several. I found it easy. If you know anything about building and codes. But then again I live in Virginia and was able to build everything myself. It is also helpful my father hauls out of the ports. So I can get containers dirt cheap. Like almost free.
Talk to me about buying from ports! Please. I’m in fl.
How do you solve the condensation problem.
@@EPICSOUNDTRAX spray foam
It appears that in order to turn a shipping container into functional habitat you have to virtually destroy the container then re-build it. If that's the case why use a shipping container as your starting point in the first place? You might as well have assembled your materials on site & built it in the conventional manner, then just bolt some corrugated steel on the outside to give it the recycled industrial look you like.
You said it. The look is what people actually want.
Point 1 of it going out of trend I don’t see happening anytime soon and if it does, add siding. No biggie. The rest are good points. Biggest deal with a container build is finding a place that allows them and having the electrical inspected before adding spray foam. Must be closed cell spray foam. It’s absolutely not cheap. You can build stick built for the same price and have way less regulation, more freedom, and more space. Fyi
I just saw a RUclips video and the guy literally kept account of all of his expenses from beginning to end and the whole thing came up to around 81 to 83k materials and all so what are you talking about???
Thanks for the video. Any idea what the color code is for the paint on your walls?
I'd love to see you build a container home! After watching this video, I'd be curious to see how long it would actually take (and also how much!). Thanks for another awesome vid.
Rob are domes trendy as well?
Been living in one for 8 years not one problem. With that hair cut I can see why a shipping container home is a problem for you
Rob, instead of building a container home, why don’t you build a home similarly shaped but with isotex material? I honestly think it would be the best option and you’d probably get a good return on the investment if you ever decided to sell. Give it a thought and let me know what you think.
Building a container home can be an appealing and cost-effective option for many, but it's important to carefully consider the challenges involved, including permitting, financing, and building codes, as well as the potential for unexpected delays and expenses. Ultimately, the decision to give up on a container home project is a personal one, and it's important to prioritize your own needs and resources in making that choice.
It makes me wonder how much these people are spending to build these 10-20 container buildings?
I saw many in the Netherlands around Amsterdam.
My buddy just bought a container and it was pretty expensive and hard to get. That could be because of where he lives but it seems like demand is just going up up up so prices will probably follow.
I've done enough metal work to know that cuts and simple tasks like drilling holes and using fasteners take multiple times longer than with wood so I don't get too excited to jump in on this but I've seen some pretty nicely done ones for sure.
Hi Rob! We just sold every thing we owned back in Canada last year our farm and moved to Costa Rica 8 months ago, with just 7 suitcases that is it. We bought two pieces of land here. The bare piece i am wanting to build something totally out of box for a Rental, We are on a mountain in the jungle less than a 10 minute drive from the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Right now i am scouting out a good architect or at least i hope to find one here. I had considered a container build but to be honest there are just so many of them around now i do not look at them as a unique concept anymore. So i am still rattling my brain trying to come up with my own unique idea something that blends in with the surroundings here and totally out of the box. So wish me luck ;)
You offer valid points but one doesn't have use spray foam. There are other alternatives. I used heat proof insulation and styrofoam sheets. It just sounds scary the shipping container builds. One just has to be patient. Another thing that I realized is that everyone wants all of the fancy stuff at first but it is not necessary. One just needs the basics at first. Once that is done, you can change in the future.
The reason why I went with a shipping container home is because just incase I ran out of money on building a traditional house and push-come-to-shove I could have still lived in the container home until it was finished because I would technically still have a "roof" over my head. I have been living it for almost 2 years now.
I'm on my 2nd build for a home office out of another 40ft high cube.
I think the person just has plan it out and decide what they want. There are a number of books out there and RUclips videos that offer assistance.
Rob, I think your looking at the situation wrong, build with just the frames. Frames can be bought separately. That removes the labor to modify the container, a good architect that has experience with a container should be able to get building permits a bit easier
Containers aren't structurally sound with just the frames. Those panels on either side are integral to the capability to carry the weight of a roof or second floor. That's related to the way every time you cut into a container, you'll find an engineer telling you to reinforce that opening.
Please note I'm not talking about a container you would see in the US minus the corrugated sides. I'm talking about the bolt together frames that a specifically designed to stack six high.
Can you actually buy container frames here in the states??
@@Geneattenborough Not to my knowledge unfortunately. I've got a great design I would like to utilize them for, looks like world events might submarine that plan. I have seen a Canadian company making much heavier duty ones, but I haven't looked into it any further than browsing. I firmly believe the frames from China, coupled with either sips or stick framing is a great way to go if it is ever possible.
Wow. One of the first videos I watched when I began my shipping container home journey. I'm glad I didn't put much stock in your video. Thank you for your videos, though.
DIY and checking with your inspector. No one has ever built one in my area so I can’t easily but in my area I could do a 20 footer without an inspector. Also people around me just claim farm labor housing and they don’t deal with the county all sorts of options
Oh wow 😳
Hard core reality. Thank you gentlemen. The ending was good to know.
Whenever I see people making shipping container homes, I think, "that's cool, maybe I should do that." Then when I think it through, I'm always like, "why wouldn't I just build a pole barn."🤔
Hard to crain away a poll buiilding...I guess it depends if you own the land or not
I wish in knew about how to build poll barns
@@Jdalio5 great idea I watch a video on one being built it's totally worth it IN my opinion the whole building an material totally makes sense more for your money an life Expectancy😁👍
It’s made of steel not wood. Concrete and steel will last for hundreds of years but your pole barn will stand for (maybe) 100. The uniqueness/look of it. The modularity of the containers themselves. I’ve seen some INSANE container build on AirBnb and they make hundreds of thousands a year renting them out.
I have a house in the country side on a 1 acre land .i want to build a second guest house.i think it is a good idea to use a container as the starting shell.
sad truth is every experience is different I started with a rammed earth design went to the city for approval they were interested but then added in stuff that drastically increased the cost I then went with earth ship type style they were against this in one area for it in another county they guy who turned me on to the idea had built one up north with ease they loved the idea but at best Im getting an ok so depending where you are is really how easy it will be but if your going ahead use a company that has a track record on doing it and let them design it you just guide it will be so much easier
Watch Out for by-laws. I just got stopped from storaging a 20 foot container in a parking lot inside a storage facility which is an industrial area. Was told its a violation of city by-laws.
Mr. "Trendy" himself calling container homes "trendy". Lol. Humans been building anything out of anything since our creation. Nothing new. Nothing "trendy" about it. Build as you please :-)
I feel for you. seems like the place you live gave you a hard time. it helps so much to have an absolute arsenal of skills to make a container build work. if you cant build it yourself, you have no business "building one".
Integrity... Don't hurt yourself.
Even if you set your house on fire.. the steel structure would still be standing
Hey Rob I think on an earlier episode you mentioned your spending millions (billions?) of dollars on clothing. My question is, where do you get your pocket Ts? A good pocket T is hard to find.
The cost way cheaper than average 2 bed house where I live. About half so it’s good option.
Was that Franish or Spench? I enjoy seeing what some enterprising folks have done with these containers, but have not personally thought it to be a great idea. Thanks for the insightful videos!
Hey, is there a lifespan using this container? Does the owner will facing any issues such as rusty structures, heat issues? containers should only be low, tiny concept houses and for me it's just temporary, if the construction is a luxury, the cost will still be hefty.
I live in tornado alley and I chose a single shipping container to serve as a guest house/tornado shelter anchored to peers in the backyard. Before i ever purchased my home i searched in rural counties arround me with no building permits required. Im a 11 yr electrician by trade and I work for myself and i know plenty of other contractors to lead me in the right direction... If you're strategic about land and have some know how then you could have yourself a pretty affordable home/whatever your turning it into... Overrated? maybe to some who aren't truly interested or expected a "cheap home". But for me, our little hang out spot could save my families life one day.
If you’re going to hire contractors to build your container house then it better you build conventional but most people will like to put at least a 75% of their work in there so that being said it cheaper to build yourself
SIPS and ICF construction costs the same, allows for a more flexible floorplan and footprint, and you can buy scores of ready-made plans online. I went down this rabbit hole in pursuit of a hurricane-proof structure, and discovered all the facts covered here.
16x40 is enough for 2 people
One thing a lot of people over look is that containers are designed to be stacked on top of each other, so the corners of the containers are really the only strong parts before any doors or windows are even cut out. So if anyone is thinking they can burry one, you can’t without putting in a bunch of supports.
Containers aren't $30-$40K. I just looked up reefers and found most for around $6K. I'm live on an island and there are at least 20 container homes within 5 miles from me. That said, I was told to only use reefers. My neighbor had a double container home built with full finishes and plumbing for $25K. Plus, because containers are considered "trailers," they don't require any building permits where I live. Long story short, I think it is doable. Right now I'm trying to make a decision between concrete, container, or Lok-N-Blok.
What if you go to a tiny home community does all this apply?
The thing I’m most curious about is what’s the matter with your hair.
In Arkansas, building in the county, you can literally build your home from a storage shed! Container homes are easy here and Im looking forward to mine .. Want a 2 container large room..
Container homes are not for everyone. The fact that I am an engineer and contractor and my son is a former ship builder means we find the endeavor to be right up our alley. Others should take the video's warnings to heart. Permitting is the single biggest problem legal builds have to deal with. Familiarity with container homes is not widespread and cities and counties vary widely in ease of permitting.
Some good points in your video but I think you need more video footage of the things you talked about, maybe your expert showing what he went through. Building stick frame homes onsite makes no sense for so many reasons. Pre fab or factory build will become the norm, I hope. Maybe not from containers but maybe so.
Codes need to change, people have to lower their expectations and the whole process sped up if we want affordable housing. I live in Ontario Canada and a custom home is coming in at around $400/ square foot and takes on average 14 months to build. A 40 foot one trip container is currenty $5400 CA (just over 4 grand US) plus delivery. Cheaper than a decent garden shed at Home Depot.
All the best, Jim
have you built your own container home?
Rob, What is the lowest price and best unit to start with? Yurt, Belle tent, A frame, Tree house, etc..? Thank you, love your channel. Rob C.
I love this channel! I'll watch more videos before asking questions.
I actually do know an architect I could connect you with that loves doing these types of homes! I met with him, but wasn't really sure what to do with the homes.
I need a Tn licensed Engineer to draw up mine. You don’t happen to know someone licensed in Tennessee that can do you??
@@heartproductionstudios522 let me know as well
If it is getting condensation, why not cover the outside instead of the inside…?
So everything was really informative and well put. What I noticed though is in fact everyone is basically scared to work on container homes because it’s a new concept to them, an those that have it’s still a learning curve. The other thing is it “could” be a really cheaper build than a home most of the time and I know a lot of variables come to play just like anything else. So i feel if you know what your doing an you understand what your getting into….it could be cheap, and if you know what you want but don’t really understand what your getting into than it definitely will be pricey. People should understand that there is two sides to this, it could be a really cheap build and it could be a really expensive build. If you look at the bigger picture, is that if no one was scared to work on container homes, permits and regulations were easier an more inclined to specifically container homes than they definitely would be cheap. Now if that were to happen everyone would just go that route but guess what now the price would skyrocket an it be a whole collateral mess. So in a way it works out that only a few people know what there really doing an could do the builds for really cheap.
Just my thoughts make of it as you wish. Respects to anyone’s opinions and thoughts.
Yes!
Hey rob, i had a question if would like to answer it, you said you make 1 million per year on Airbnb is that after all expenses (profit)? With over 18 srt. I’ve heard people doing Airbnb rental arbitrage and they have make 30% of what they made
Airbnb is just part of my income. I don’t make $1M from only that. That makes up about 25-30% of my income.
@@Robuilt is Airbnb the biggest source of your income?
Informative video. It’s good to lay out all the obstacles. Container homes are a good option for people with knowledge and connections. A well-rounded handyman might make headway in this project, but knowing an engineer, contractor, electrician, welder, plumber, and so on will ensure the most successful outcome. The average person with no connections and limited income seeking affordable housing will not be successful in this endeavor. The labor costs, alone, is unattainable for most people. This was true in 2021. It’s doubly true in 2022.
If you’re in desperate need of affordable housing, look into used campers. Seriously. If you’re about to be homeless or are homeless and have a wee bit of money saved and looking for a last resort, used campers are your best option.
The last paragraph may seem a bit out of place for this video, but homelessness is growing rapidly in the US. People are desperately looking for housing options.
Im thinking about going this route.
I work with a construction management company and have access to all the heavy machinery and tools for every part of the process.
I see many people claiming that building a traditional house ends up costing roughly the same amount, I cant wrap my head around that.
Considering still having all the connections, stick framing something still seems to be considerably more work, and you will run into more situations where you need more than person to get something completed. If you have the tools and the know-how you can turn a metal box into a livable space by yourself, in a few weeks total -cash permitting. If you plan correctly it could also be basically modular, add additions when you have the extra money or time.
20-25 grand and you could have something, albeit bare-bones, ready to be hooked up to electric and water that actually resembles a house on the inside. For that cost youve probably barely got a foundation for your traditional house. Cost of entry seems way lower
You’ve only touched on the most obvious of problems with a SC home. There are problems with moisture buildup inside the container from body heat that then causes rust. There is heat transfer issues from the sun heating up the metal on the outside and making the home uber hot inside. There are permitting issues, footing or pad issues, and much more.
You’re better of purchasing a prefab or trailer home and being done with it. And the trailer home will cost you CONSIDERABLY less.
THIS. When I was looking to buy/build a home, the total cost of a shipping container home with drawings, permits etc in OR (not including land) would have been $150K. I could have gotten a pre fab home with everything, same sq ft, at the time for $100K.
Nothing wrong with building a container, but do your research and hire people on a budget (I don't mean cheap and unqualified, I mean people charging a fair price for their work), you were quoted 150 USD per hour (Which is nuts, my sollicitor costs the same price), I get 8h worth of work for 180 USD here in Europe for a qualified builder.
Blasphemy! ;) Great video, Robert. Totally agree with your points. Shipping containers are not for the faint of heart. Lots of things to consider. P.s. I still have pipe furniture too...lol.
The cost savings in container homes is in the foundation and in the savings of doing it yourself. If your using contractors in the West, you've lost your advantage. I don't know why anyone would build one using contractors
Thanks. Many times I’ve been tempted. But you are not the only one pointing out these realities. Oh, and delivery to the mountains should be cheap, right?
Which mountains Appalachia?
I think all these problems are based on where you live
I would much rather live in a container home than in a tiny room, paying $800 in Toronto
Stick build a rectangle home then skin it with reclaimed shipping container material as exterior cladding?
Holy cow you saved me from myself. Thank you.
Are you a comedian AND time waster? Just asking...
Nothing more irritating than waiting for you to get to the point and you're apparently more interested in acting than providing proper info, concisely and informed. 1/5
Luxury and high end dont belong with container homes.
This is great thank you! Also love the delivery lol
I'm a welder-fabricator. Put me up, buy me a machine, and I'll weld everything for you in your tiny house village.
You work for tools and beer? I got you
Totaly agree with your points and I don't think you'r going to get that much hate. Belinda Carr pave the way for you last year when she made a similar video, she's curently up in 35K dislikes...
I like to look on the bright side... There are problems with every type of accommodation not just containers or tiny homes. The bigger the build the bigger the problems... I speak from experience.
Some solid points but also some over exaggerated points. Trendy is relative if left as a barebone container on exterior or interior yes. Most are finished with touches of design elements that can be changed like any other home remodel.
On a tiny home side it is a tiny home unless you build it larger. Treat it like a regular home build on the commercial side.
Well said at the end do your due diligence.
As someone who's currently building a container home, if anything, I think he under exaggerated.
If I had done it in wood, I would have been done a year ago, I'm 3 years in and still having issues.
@@PhiTonics time and money most commonly underestimated across the board. Best of luck with finishing your build. Our Expedition camper build started at 30k and 3 weeks, we have doubled the budget and the time before we have ever lifted a wrench. It will be a challenge but we still expect to finish way under the cost and build time of a comparable sized motor home. Hint we still are planning for more cost increases.
Just listened to the podcast you did with Think!! Good stuff. I appreciate the wisdom you share!
Heck yeah man. Build it! I’d love to see you do it.
Hey Rob you know what else is trendy, is click bait text that says, “I’m quitting…..”. C’mon man
love the personality in this
Well I got that husband that can draw up the plans he builds homes and considering most friends built a home it cost them triple the price more hassle and the ones that have a shipping container homes love it
What's with the floating piece of pizza in the background?
Listening this I'm so glad that living in the poor, most corrupt and the Not Give a Fuck state on this planet,... lets build an container house....