D
Dennis24-127 Jan 2012 23:53Hello everyone,
I have a somewhat unusual question. I’m 24 years old and about to finish my training. At the moment, I still live with my parents, but that will soon change. Usually, people start by moving into a small apartment, but I would prefer to have a plot of land with a small house or bungalow. Financially, this is pretty much impossible for me right now.
However, a friend suggested the following combination: cheap plot of land + residential container home. I’ve done some research, but I’m not totally convinced by the residential containers. I just can’t imagine that those thin metal walls provide good insulation. Also, it seems difficult or even impossible to modify the containers yourself (like adding windows or doors). Another issue would be connecting multiple containers (wouldn’t that cause heat loss?) and the topic of rust. Does anyone have experience with this? At first, I thought it was a crazy idea, until my father mentioned that 90% of the garden sheds in our area are exactly these containers with cladding. So apparently, it can work somehow. I’ve also heard that kindergartens and hospitals have been built this way.
Used residential containers can be found for under 1000€ (about $1100). Ready-modified ones (with windows, hallway, and door) cost around 5000-6000€ (about $5500-$6600). Delivery is approximately 2€ per kilometer (about $2 per mile). So it’s relatively cheap.
Now some info about craftsmanship skills and finances. First: we have scaffolding builders, gardeners, master painters, and generally skilled craftsmen in the family, so we can do a lot of work ourselves. My savings are quite low. Currently, I have saved 13,000€ (about $14,500). I don’t want to borrow more than another 20,000–30,000€ (about $22,000–33,000). In our area, there are always inexpensive building plots or garden plots with building permits / planning permission. For example, an 800m² (8600 sq ft) plot with water, sewage, and electricity connection available for a purchase price of 12,000€ (about $13,000).
I would really appreciate any tips, advice, or answers about residential containers and, of course, general feedback on this idea. Thanks in advance.
I have a somewhat unusual question. I’m 24 years old and about to finish my training. At the moment, I still live with my parents, but that will soon change. Usually, people start by moving into a small apartment, but I would prefer to have a plot of land with a small house or bungalow. Financially, this is pretty much impossible for me right now.
However, a friend suggested the following combination: cheap plot of land + residential container home. I’ve done some research, but I’m not totally convinced by the residential containers. I just can’t imagine that those thin metal walls provide good insulation. Also, it seems difficult or even impossible to modify the containers yourself (like adding windows or doors). Another issue would be connecting multiple containers (wouldn’t that cause heat loss?) and the topic of rust. Does anyone have experience with this? At first, I thought it was a crazy idea, until my father mentioned that 90% of the garden sheds in our area are exactly these containers with cladding. So apparently, it can work somehow. I’ve also heard that kindergartens and hospitals have been built this way.
Used residential containers can be found for under 1000€ (about $1100). Ready-modified ones (with windows, hallway, and door) cost around 5000-6000€ (about $5500-$6600). Delivery is approximately 2€ per kilometer (about $2 per mile). So it’s relatively cheap.
Now some info about craftsmanship skills and finances. First: we have scaffolding builders, gardeners, master painters, and generally skilled craftsmen in the family, so we can do a lot of work ourselves. My savings are quite low. Currently, I have saved 13,000€ (about $14,500). I don’t want to borrow more than another 20,000–30,000€ (about $22,000–33,000). In our area, there are always inexpensive building plots or garden plots with building permits / planning permission. For example, an 800m² (8600 sq ft) plot with water, sewage, and electricity connection available for a purchase price of 12,000€ (about $13,000).
I would really appreciate any tips, advice, or answers about residential containers and, of course, general feedback on this idea. Thanks in advance.
M
MODERATOR29 Jan 2012 18:08Hello Dennis,
Using residential containers as temporary buildings is already quite common, for example as garden sheds. However, using a residential container as an apartment or house is a different matter.
The 40mm (1.6 inches) thick sandwich panels used as exterior walls obviously do not meet building code requirements for Minergie / energy-saving regulations. Improvements are necessary for all enclosing surfaces: exterior walls, floor, roof, windows, and exterior door.
Technically it is possible, but the question is how extensive the technical effort would be to upgrade a site office container to meet energy performance standards.
For finished container homes that comply with the energy standards of a conventional house, I have seen offers around €1,500.00 per m² plus €3,000.00 for the energy certificate and about €9,000.00 for transport costs (loading and unloading, the transport itself, and police escort).
You can calculate what a container house would cost; for example, take 50 m² (540 sq ft), which would correspond to a studio apartment:
50 x €1,500 = €75,000
+ energy demand calculation / energy certificate €3,000
+ transport costs €9,000
That would be a total of €87,000.
For that amount, you can also get a comparable condominium, of course without the special living character and without the “all mine” feeling.
If you buy used office containers and combine them (2 to 3 containers of 20 m² / 215 sq ft each), which are also available with bathroom and kitchenette, and then adapt them constructionally to comply with the relevant regulations, this would probably be a more affordable project. However, I cannot give a general statement about the technical effort involved or what is technically feasible. Especially, one must assume that used containers already have damage (rust in the floor area, corner posts, and roof) and would need refurbishing first.
I like the idea itself; it might be worth considering whether a creative architect could also design a prefabricated house using container construction at a reasonable cost.
Using residential containers as temporary buildings is already quite common, for example as garden sheds. However, using a residential container as an apartment or house is a different matter.
The 40mm (1.6 inches) thick sandwich panels used as exterior walls obviously do not meet building code requirements for Minergie / energy-saving regulations. Improvements are necessary for all enclosing surfaces: exterior walls, floor, roof, windows, and exterior door.
Technically it is possible, but the question is how extensive the technical effort would be to upgrade a site office container to meet energy performance standards.
For finished container homes that comply with the energy standards of a conventional house, I have seen offers around €1,500.00 per m² plus €3,000.00 for the energy certificate and about €9,000.00 for transport costs (loading and unloading, the transport itself, and police escort).
You can calculate what a container house would cost; for example, take 50 m² (540 sq ft), which would correspond to a studio apartment:
50 x €1,500 = €75,000
+ energy demand calculation / energy certificate €3,000
+ transport costs €9,000
That would be a total of €87,000.
For that amount, you can also get a comparable condominium, of course without the special living character and without the “all mine” feeling.
If you buy used office containers and combine them (2 to 3 containers of 20 m² / 215 sq ft each), which are also available with bathroom and kitchenette, and then adapt them constructionally to comply with the relevant regulations, this would probably be a more affordable project. However, I cannot give a general statement about the technical effort involved or what is technically feasible. Especially, one must assume that used containers already have damage (rust in the floor area, corner posts, and roof) and would need refurbishing first.
I like the idea itself; it might be worth considering whether a creative architect could also design a prefabricated house using container construction at a reasonable cost.
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