Nowadays, tiny house container homes have become a hot topic. These temporary homes can last for years, and many have started using them as permanent residencies. Container homes are far more affordable and eco-friendly than building a traditional house from scratch. These homes are ideal for accommodation at campsites, rural properties, and summer houses. However, many people want to know the cost of a tiny house container. Although different builders will give you different estimates, we here enlighten you about the costs related to shipping containers. Keeping these pointers in mind, one can decide whether container homes are a suitable choice or not.
How much does an average house cost?
The cost of an average traditional house depends on various factors:
- Where are you planning to build the house
- The location and property taxes where you are buying the home
- The kind of tiny house you are buying
- The market rate, inflation, and mortgage rates that help you buy the home
- The year of purchase and the ongoing rates
- Whether the home is a new one or a preowned structure
- Whether it’s a distress sale or a regular sale
Are container homes a cost-effective alternative to traditional housing?
Container homes are definitely much more affordable than traditional housing because:
- The tiny house container has a pre-decided structure and size, which helps you already to get an idea of how much you need to spend on the structure
- Unless you want a larger space and have the budget, you can choose a small container home and reduce the cost considerably
- Container homes are cheaper as the cost of the materials used to build container homes is much lower than those required to build conventional houses.
Factors affecting the cost of container homes
- Size
- Whether it’s used or a new structure
- Whether it’s a single container home or has multiple containers
- The property taxes
How much does a container home cost?
Before you can get an idea about the cost of a container home, it’s important to know the project’s overall cost. As per House Grail, a container home costs around $30,000, which includes all tools and materials. However, the costs vary based on the size of the tiny house container. Again, it’s important to know that a used container will be cheaper than a new one, and again you might need multiple containers to build a large home, which would cost you much more!
Do you need a permit for a tiny house container?
Since container homes are new in the real estate sector, this aspect can be tricky to navigate. You need to do your homework and research the local laws and regulations. The container home must fit on the designated land and follow the existing building codes and zoning restrictions. The good news is that building codes are standard and are put in place to ascertain that the structures are safe and good enough for getting occupancy permits. The zoning regulations, on the other hand, stipulate where you build the home. Some building codes state expressly whether or not container homes are allowed, and others group container homes like domes and tiny houses as non-traditional structures. All said it’s important to keep in mind that container homes will not have any problems in remote locales and places with minimal traffic. Overall, reaching out to the council planner is essential to learn the specifics.
Which states allow container homes?
Before getting excited about container homes, you must know whether your state allows you to have a tiny house container. While some rural and suburban areas are open to these container houses, a few urban states are more friendly to alternative housing as compared to others. States like California, Texas, Oregon, Alaska, Missouri, and Louisiana are a few progressive states that are excited with the container home movement. Currently, Texas has many tiny container houses, and even California, known for its red tape, is increasingly opening up for these hybrid houses. As per zoning regulations, states like Tennessee and Louisiana have the most lenient and progressive laws. The best part is that the container house trend is progressing and sweeping through many countries, which will pave the way to becoming fully recognized and accepted by all states in the USA.
How long does it take to build container houses?
Compared to traditional housing, container homes are faster to build. The small container houses get completed within a couple of days based on what your design entrails. On the other end, the complex homes get built within a couple of months, but if you want to get the container home quicker, then reach out to established builders. Instead of spending hours surfing the net and connecting with one or two container home builders, join TinyHouseMe. We connect you with not one but several tiny home builders under one platform. Our team of experts offers you help in planning and financing container homes.
How long do container homes last?
Usually, container homes are expected to last 25 years, but when you get them built by a certified and trusted builder, the house can last for several more years. But, again, maintenance is a huge factor that can affect the durability of container homes.
Tips for buying quality container homes
- Inspect the container home and avoid buying a faulty structure, as you may have to end up paying extra on repairs at a later stage
- You should be ready for additional costs involved in purchasing the container home, as when you opt for customization, you make modifications on the way
- Lastly, contact the city planning office or the building department. Seek their recommendation and know about the building codes and other regulations.
Ultimately, it’s worth finding trusted tiny house container builders and comparing multiple builders with one another to make a perfect choice. So, sign up and book an appointment with your favorite builder now!
