Wondering how much it will cost to DIY a shipping container house? This is a good question! After all, there’s a lot to think about. Doing it yourself — or DIYing it — will save money on the hiring of professionals. But could that decision cost you in the end?
A pro may be able to get deals on materials. They might not take as long as a DIY job. A professional also understands the permitting process and may be able to slice right through whatever red tape stands between you and your dream container home.
Alas, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s dig into this topic of building a house out of a shipping container starting right at the beginning.
Building A Shipping Container Home
A shipping container that is transformed into a comfortable home is a great sustainable housing option. If you are thinking about adjusting your lifestyle to tiny home living, you may be considering how a shipping container house could work for you and what it will cost.
Even if you are comfortable with building things, taking on a DIY shipping container project can be difficult. You might save a little money by foregoing the professionals, but that decision could cost you in the end.
Here are three reasons why.
1. Local rules
Every county and city has its own set of rules and standards. So, when it comes to investing in your living situation, you will need to know exactly what permits are required.
The designing and building permitting process from county to county or city to city can vary, and it can get confusing for someone who is unfamiliar with the process.
Working with a professional shipping container company means you can have their professional team working on the permits and proper paperwork. You won’t have to lift a finger and you will have confidence knowing that everything is done and properly filed.
That way, when your tiny house (or not so tiny, depending on your tastes, budget, desired living space, etc.) is designed and they’ve started building, you’ll know you’ve adhered to local building codes.
That’s for starters. You’ll also know that when you have additional home designs in mind — adding a laundry room, solar panels, an eco-friendly shower, a concrete foundation, an expanded living area — that they will be designed and built on a solid home construction foundation.
2. Savings on materials
Professional contractors have access to material deals that most other people don’t. A lot of their savings derives from their ability to buy things in bulk. That means that you could end up getting discounts on products that you normally wouldn’t have access to.
When you’re working on a DIY project, you’re likely to only buy materials as-needed. Without being able to buy in bulk, your ability to save will be limited.
3. Quality you can trust
Whether it’s welding, plumbing, adding insulation, or installing windows, quality construction is important to maintaining the structure’s integrity.
If you want your shipping container to last a long time and you want to minimize the risk of damage down the road, working with a trained shipping container contractor is valuable and necessary.
Whether you are looking for a shipping container that will serve as a guest home or you plan on living in the structure full time, construction and quality matter.
Contact Container Stop today for the best and most up-to-date information on getting your shipping container project started.