How to Build a Container Home

Ready to build your container home? Whether you choose to buy a prefabricated container home, build it yourself, or hire a contractor, there are some necessary steps to take throughout the construction process.

Choosing a Location

The first step in building a container home is choosing a location! Almost every state allows (or is considering allowing) container homes, but it's best to check your city and state regulations before you begin construction. Wherever you decide to build, you'll need to purchase a plot of land. The size of the land needed depends on the size of the container home you plan to build. Once you've determined the location of your home, you can begin the subsequent construction work.

Each state has different regulations regarding container homes, so be sure to obtain the necessary permits before you begin building your tiny home! You'll need to review building codes, zoning regulations, and restrictions to avoid any problems in the future.

Planning Your Container Home

One of the most exciting parts of building a home is perhaps designing the floor plan of your container home! You'll need to decide how many containers you need to achieve your design. The number of containers depends on the number of bedrooms you want or the size of the living space you require.

Deciding Between DIY and Hiring a Contractor

Are you planning to renovate a large container home yourself, or will you hire a contractor? Depending on your skill level and the facilities required, you can find many DIY tutorials online. But if you need help building your home, you can also find contractors experienced in container home construction and design. If you choose this option, be sure to include the contractor's fees in your budget.

Preparing the Land for Your Home

Before pouring the foundation and installing your container home, be sure to prepare the land! This includes leveling the soil and installing the various utilities needed for your home, such as water, gas, or electricity.

Choosing a Foundation for Your Container Home

You'll need to choose one of four main foundation types for your container home. A pier foundation is a relatively inexpensive (and quick to build) container foundation consisting of concrete blocks (or piers). A pile foundation consists of steel pipes driven into the ground, topped with concrete blocks. Another option is a slab foundation, where a concrete slab is poured under the container, providing a solid base for your home. Strip foundations combine the characteristics of pier foundations and slab foundations, using strip concrete slabs to support the container on all sides. Once the foundation is complete, you can install the container!

Adding a Container Roof

Although container homes come with their own roofs and theoretically don't require an additional roof, most architects recommend adding one. There are four common roof styles. Traditional pitched roofs are usually best suited for areas with variable climates, especially in places with heavy rain and snow. Flat roofs are the simplest and quickest to install, and the least expensive, but they usually have higher maintenance costs. Green roofs, also known as eco-roofs, involve planting vegetation on top of the container home, providing natural cooling and insulation. You can also add a terrace roof, creating a courtyard or platform on top of the container home to increase living space.