Shipping container homes are durable, cost-effective, and customizable:

They can be more cost-effective than traditional housing. They are typically more cost-effective than conventional housing because they require fewer building materials and labor to construct.
They’re quick to construct. Some contractors can build a shipping container home in under a month. However, hiring a professional to build your container dream home can be pricey. To avoid hefty construction costs altogether, you can purchase a prefabricated container home from a growing list of companies specializing in building prefab homes off-site.

They’re modular homes. Shipping container homes are easy to modify. You can build a home with a mix of 20- and 40-foot containers. You can also combine multiple containers to create a larger home with a living room, dining room, extra bedrooms, a second floor, or even a container guesthouse.
They’re durable. Manufacturers typically use corten steel to build shipping containers. This self-healing steel protects cargo during transport across bodies of water. Shipping container homes made from weathering steel can likely withstand inclement weather conditions better than traditional housing.
They can be mobile. You can use a dedicated shipping transportation service to pick up and relocate an off-the-grid single-container house anywhere in the world.

What Are the Disadvantages of Shipping Container Homes?

Obtaining building permits can be difficult. As a relatively new phenomenon, it can be difficult to obtain the necessary permits to build your shipping container house in some regions. Ask your local city planning office for more information about building codes, zoning restrictions, and permitting requirements for container housing.
Shipping containers are not always eco-friendly. Many proponents tout container living as a great way to recycle old containers, but some home buyers prefer to convert new containers into housing. Used shipping containers are more eco-friendly, depending on the history of use. Used containers can incur damage while transporting goods, or have a history of transporting dangerous chemicals. These factors make repurposed shipping containers a less ideal option for some potential container home buyers.

They often need reinforcements. While storage containers are built out of durable steel, you can compromise their structural integrity with certain modifications—for instance, cutting holes for a door or large windows. While shipping containers can withstand certain weather conditions, the weight from heavy snow can cause the roof to bow if the corner castings aren’t strong enough. You will need to hire a contractor to reinforce load-bearing walls or install a sloped rooftop.

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