Everything you need to know about shipping container ...

Shipping containers fill a crucial niche in the world&#;s economy. They are large and sturdy enough to uniformly transport goods but small enough to fit on trucks and light enough to be moved by cranes and forklifts. However, over the decades a challenge emerged: an excess of used containers.

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Where some saw a problem, innovative architects saw an eco-friendly opportunity. Since the mid-s, designers began repurposing containers into a wide array of buildings. Some structures can be simple&#;a single compact shipping container outfitted for dwelling&#;while others are complex designs that use multiple containers merged with other structural components.

So what exactly goes into building a shipping container home? And are they as economical, sustainable, and livable as claimed? We break down what you need to know below.

What is a shipping container house?

A shipping container house is any dwelling made from a shipping container, but the resulting structures can be quite diverse. Shipping containers usually come in two sizes, either 20 feet by 8 feet or 40 feet by 8 feet. The smaller of the two equals about 160 square feet of living space, while the larger container gets you 320 square feet. There are also two height types, regular (8.5 feet high) or a high cube container that provides about a foot of extra vertical living space. Some shipping container homes stop here, using these compact spaces as standalone tiny homes or offices.

Where do the shipping containers come from and how do you buy one?

If you buy an empty, brand-new shipping container, it will likely come from manufacturers in China; the Chinese company CIMC produces around 82 percent of the world&#;s steel shipping containers. Used shipping containers are a more eco- and budget-friendly option, but you need to carefully inspect their condition. Pay attention to the different certifications. Some are certified for being able to ship goods overseas, and more stringent certifications designate containers that are wind and water tight.

However, a new batch of companies are providing shipping container homes ready for purchase. These tiny homes range in style and price, but they offer a one-stop-shop for anyone who wants a shipping container home but doesn&#;t want to build it themselves.

That&#;s where we come in.

We provide ready made converted sea containers into the living space that meets your needs. We have a number of different models available to enable you to expand your home, office or retail unit.

Do I need to apply for planning permission for one of these containers?

No. Not for up to a size of 25 square meters

You are entitled to construct/install selfcontainer up to a maximum size of 25 square meters (270 Sq ft) provided you leave 25 square meters of free space in your Garden. If you are planning a house extension down the line it is important that you leave the 25 square meters free area after both the selfcontainer and house extension are completed/installed. The 25 sq m free space can be made up of the side and the rear of the property.

The height must not exceed 3 meters.

Our 20ft Selfcontainers are under 15sqm and less than 3 meters high.

Final thoughts

If you are looking for a sustainable, high quality structure to work or live in. The units we offer are perfect for you. You can customise your space to suit you and don&#;t have to worry about red tap involved with building. From when you place the order, your unit will arrive in 12 weeks.

So give us a call and we can get you started on your future.

Ever since renovation, home styling and interior design became popular, through shows like The Block or Grand Designs, shipping container homes have been at the forefront of people's minds. Recognised for their potential low cost, associated environmental benefits and quick build time, the idea of building a shipping container home has appealed to many frugal and savvy individuals. For the few that have tried and succeeded, lessons learnt along their construction journey were not readily available, until now. 

This article will be your guide through some common questions - and answer more specific details about shipping containers homes in Australia. 

There are currently limited 'off-the-plan' options for a container house. There are also no 'ready made' container homes that can be trucked or transported from a depot and dropped into place. Each container is brought to site and carefully placed by a qualified team of builders.

Whilst containers provide a shell, each container needs to be fabricated to fit in with the floorplan and designed to meet the Building Code of Australia (BCA) requirements. This can be done at a container depot, or onsite depending on the project. This is covered further into the guide. 

Think of it like a game of Tetris, where each piece is pre-configured off-site, then carefully moved into place before being fixed to a set of footings or foundations designed by your engineer.

Do shipping container homes need planning permission?

If you are planning on building a container home in Australia, you will need to check the planning requirements of your local council. Now that the disclaimer is out the way, let&#;s dive into planning permissions in general. 

Most Australian councils treat containers like any other permanent building on your property. Whether it is being used as a permanent backyard shed, or an architecturally designed container home, you will need engineering, plans, inspections and all other associated approvals in place before you start building your home with containers. 

This can become more complicated if you intend to modify or fabricate the containers on site to fit your design. The structural integrity of a container is what makes them so popular for shipping and transport. As soon as any modification is made, the structural integrity can be compromised. This can be overcome by having a structurally certified welder complete the work. 

What are the container home regulations in Australia?

Container homes in Australia are treated like any other home. They are a standalone structure and must comply with the same regulations that govern a traditionally built home. These can differ based on location, so you should speak with your architect or local council before you begin your container home journey.

How to convert a shipping container into a home?

No matter what design you settle on, you will need to convert shipping containers to suit your home design. Whilst they come with walls and end doors (or side doors if you choose), they do not come with windows or internal doors. Your plans will need to clearly detail these conversions.

You will also need to consider footing and foundations, ventilation, insulation, plaster, plumbing, electrical and flooring, as these additions are not included in the container cost and cannot be excluded. 

Shipping containers do a fantastic job of keeping goods protected from wind and water. They can also heat up very quickly, if there is nothing to allow the warm air inside to escape. This change in temperature can cause condensation.

Once you settle on plans from an architect and engineer, you will need to have them approved by your local council or shire.

The good thing about containers is that you have a lot of freedom with modifications. This includes sliding doors, windows, insulation and, internal and external doors.

How much does a shipping container home cost to build?

A range of considerations will determine the final cost of your container home. 

The pricing below takes into account the cost of containers only. It does not include the associated costs of any of the following, each of which will also need to be considered when building:

For more information, please visit Zhongxinjian.

• Building plans
• Approvals
• Footings or foundations
• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Flooring
• Insulation
• Modifications to connect containers - doors, windows, wall removals to increase spaces
• Painting - interior and possibly exterior
• Roofing and gutters
• Transport to site

All prices below incl. GST. They are accurate as of . If you are after a current indicative price of containers, call our Customer Service Team on 131 132.

How many containers does your design include?

The quantity of containers you need will depend on the size of your home. Like any structure, as the size increases so does the cost.

Each container will also need to be modified to fit into a house too. Consider internal doors, windows, the removal of walls to create larger spaces, etc. They will also need to be modified properly, so that the structural integrity is not compromised.

How big is the average Australian house?

According to a report by Commsec Home Size Trends Report released in , the average size of new build homes in Australia is 235.8m2. This is important to provide context when calculating the cost of a container home.

What size containers do you need?

Depending on your design, you may need a range of container sizes. 

According to the Australian Building Code, the minimum internal ceiling height is 2.4m for a habitable room. This rules out general purpose containers, with an internal ceiling height of only 2.39m.

In contrast, the internal height of high cube shipping containers is 2.7m. This provides ample space for insulation, electrical, lighting and plaster.

Another consideration when determining your container size is the design that you choose. In terms of cost, 40ft high cube containers represent better value for money per m2 than 20ft high cube containers. Take a look at our Shipping Containers for Sale and Hire Price List guide that highlights the breakdown in cost of shipping containers. Much of the cost can be attributed to the corner castings and corner posts, which provide the structural integrity for each container.

Custom container home sizing - tiny or huge

Thinking of building a tiny home, or something smaller? Using the above pricing, you can calculate the cost of containers only for your own build.

• The cost of a 20ft high cube container can vary from $3,520 to $8,030.

• The cost of a 40ft high cube container can vary from $3,630 to $12,100. 

What drives shipping container pricing?

There are numerous factors that contribute to the price of a shipping container. If you want to learn more about container pricing, take a look at our guide, Shipping Containers for Sale & Hire - Price List.

What is the condition of these containers?

New, used or heavily used? Whilst newer containers are cleaner, show less signs of wear and tear and have often carried or stored less stock, they also cost considerably more. 

Used containers are much cheaper, but they may have minor internal or external marks. Or they could have been used to store or transport things that you would not want in your home, such as automotive parts, paints, or junk. Your container supplier should be able to provide an indication of containers that are suitable to use for a house build. 

Unfortunately, unless you purchase new containers, there is no way to guarantee what each container has been used for. 

Stick to your guns (or floor plans)

Once your containers have been fabricated and you are ready to piece together your dream home, make sure you stick to those original plans. Any updates or changes will incur significant expense, especially if the container requires further modification. This might mean more cutting, welding, or even starting again with another container. Remember, it is much harder to retrofit one or more containers into a build part way through.

Although the interest in container homes is growing, there are currently no off the plan build services available in Australia. Each and every home needs to be designed from the ground up, whether through an architect, builder or hobbyist home owner. 

A custom home design can be one of the primary reasons why people decide to build a home like this. 

Suitable containers for a home build come in either a long or a very long rectangle. The possibilities with the way they are configured together to form a home are endless. They can be single or double story, include architectural highlights like cantilevered rooms and industrial interior walls, and either blend in with or contrast against their surroundings. 

In short, container homes often make a statement. 

Built with corten steel, containers are designed to last in the harshest conditions. Think of the exposure to salt on the open ocean, to the heat and UV rays of the Australian sun during summer, and extended rains during winter. Each one of these contribute to corrosion and rust. 

The common lifespan of a container used for freight, on rail or road, is 10 or more years. 

However, containers for static storage can last much longer because they are lifted and moved much less often. This is when much of the structural damage can occur, from scratches and scrapes that accelerate rusting, to denting and warping that can occur from constant loading and unloading. 

When used for onsite storage, containers can last up to 25 years with limited maintenance. Depending on how exposed it is, the locking rods and door seals may deteriorate before this estimate.

Containers used for homes can often last much longer for multiple reasons. 

Solid footings keep dampness away from the base, which is usually one of the first parts to show signs of damage if left on soil or dirt. 

This extends their life by sealing the unit from water, salt and dirt. The addition of roofing over the structure, which accounts for water runoff, means that water will not pool on top of the container either. This significantly reduces the chances of rust.

Each container that is chosen is often in decent condition. Newer builds, or containers used in protected areas for static storage are the most suitable for home builds because they show less signs of wear and tear, have fewer rust spots and are more structurally sound. 

Containers that have done a decade or more on the road or rail are less likely to be suited to container homes. Exposure to the elements, along with the constant loading and unloading into and out of depots means there is often more damage and corrosion. In some instances, there can also be minor warping which won&#;t affect them in transit, but will cause significant headaches when building a home. 

Ongoing maintenance, such as cleaning and painting every 5-7 years, means your container home could last for well over 50 years.

Is a shipping container home something that would suit you?

Are shipping containers the best material to build your next house with?

They could be, if you want a house that makes a statement, whilst also reducing the environmental impact of building a new home, then containers could be for you. Your container home will be unique. It will stand up to Australia&#;s harsh conditions, from scorching hot summers, to cold and wet winters too. Depending on how you fit out the interior, it could also have an industrial edge that will be unmatched with a standard home.

However, if your intention is to build the cheapest house by using recycled shipping containers, then you might be in for a rude shock. Pricing has changed significantly since container homes burst onto the scene around . There will also be a large amount of fabrication work if you intend to build an average sized Australian home. A traditional home built off the plan will likely represent a much more affordable project, with more traditional living space and less headaches throughout construction.

Reach out to SCF today

Once you have spoken to an architect or builder and know what you need, contact SCF to discuss your container requirements. SCF currently supplies containers to a range of builders for residential and commercial projects.

If you require many containers, suggest to your architect or builder to contact us early in the process, as it might take a while to secure the number of containers that are best suited to your home build. Our team will be more than happy to help you secure 20ft and 40ft containers for your home. 

If you want to learn more, please visit our website container house for sale.