Container Home Building

There are two standard sizes for shipping containers: 20 x 8 x 8 ft.  covering a surface of 160 sq. ft. and 40 x 8 x 8 with a surface of 320  sq. ft. A used 20-footer costs anywhere between $1,500 and $3,000,  whereas a 40-footer costs $3,500 – $4,500.

You will also have to pay for professional labor (about $75-$150 per  hour) and for the modifications needed to make the container livable.  Expect to pay at least $15,000 for labor, more likely $25,000 per  container.

There are some prefabricated shipping container houses sold for as  little as $15,000. A larger and more luxurious house made of shipping  containers can cost significantly more than $250,000, but it’s still only half the price for a high-end home of a similar size.