4 Bedroom Container Home

The average size of a traditional 4 bedroom house is 2500 square feet. A typical family of 3 children with parents fits nicely into this picture.

To build a 4 bedroom container home of 2500 square foot, we would need 16 twenty foot containers or 8 forty foot containers.

That sounds like a lot of containers. Each one needing modifications. Somewhat daunting when you think about it. All those containers.

Now is the Time to Design

A 4 bedroom house will vary in dimension house to house and location.

Now our 16 twenty foot containers can be looked at in a number of ways. We could have a pattern of 4×4 ground level or (2×2)x4 Up. And variations there of.

The average cost of the twenty foot container is $3500. We want 16 of them. Then we need them modified to meet our requirements.

Twenty Foot

I prefer the twenty foot containers. They are small enough to be big enough as large single rooms or joined together to make spacious areas.

A twenty foot can be partitioned easily with a single wall.  Structure is every twenty feet compared to a forty foot container which has no central support.

There is nothing wrong with using forty foot containers. Infact the 40ft is cheaper than 2x20ft containers.

Average Size US Homes

• Traditional Two Bedroom
  • from 800+ sq ft
  • Cost $90+k
• Container Two Bedroom Home
  • Containers Required 5x20ft Or 3x40ft
  • Costing allow $7000+/- per container and modifications.

Container 20ft $3500+$3500 Modification.

• Traditional Three bedroom
  • from 1300 sq ft
  • Cost $120+k
• Container Three Bedroom Home
  • Containers Required 8x20ft Or 4x40ft
  • Costing allow $7000+/- per container and modifications.

• Traditional Four bedroom
  • from 2000+ sq ft
  • Cost $200+k
• Container Four Bedroom Home
  • Containers Required 12x20ft Or 6x40ft
  • Costing allow $7000+/- per container and modifications.

• Traditional Five bedroom
  • from2500+ sq ft
  • Cost $300+k
• Container Five Bedroom Home
  • Containers Required 15x20ft Or 8x40ft
  • Costing allow $7000+/- per container and modifications.

• Traditional Six bedroom
  • from 3000+ sq ft
  • Cost $350+k
• Container Six Bedroom Home
  • Containers Required 15x20ft Or 8x40ft
  • Costing allow $7000 includes modifications per container.

• Typical Granny Flat
  • from 300+ – sq ft
  • Cost $90-140k
• Container Granny Flat
  • Containers Required 2x20ft Or 1x40ft
  • Costing allow $7000+/- per container and modifications.

Note:

1. ‘Average’ is a term used lightly. Location and expenditure determine size.

2. Land is not included.

Building Companies

Pricing will vary greatly depending on your requirements. That is why it is best to seek out those companies that will modify your containers.

Some of them will offer architectural advice in their package.

It is good advice to suggest you shop around. Not necessarily to find the cheapest but more to find the company that will deliver.

Architectural vs Self Designer

An Architect probably has designed a number of container homes and has experience to offer you.

If you believe you can do it yourself, go for it. It will be a rewarding experience.

If in doubt consult those companies that design and build container homes. Their advice can provide insight into what you can achieve.

Cost Effectiveness

The average 4 bedroom house is going to start around $250k. Unless you have cash, it will be a lifetime mortgage.

Our container home will start around $112k including modifications. This can be a personal loan or a mortgage if you can find a bank to approve.

You can move into your container home in a few months. Meanwhile the traditional home is still under construction.

Internal Features

A container will require the typical features of any home. From door handles to robe handled, beds, kitchen and bathroom facilities and the like.

A quality door hardware store can provide you with door hardware. Kitchen and bathroom appliances from a suitable retailer. Furnishings from reliable suppliers.

There will be a few things you may need to consider for occupation. Your Architect will highlight these. Basically creating suitable storage space, cupboard space, and functionality.

Extensions

At some point you may want to add an extension. Could be an extra room or study. Perhaps a pool or garage.

With containers it can be as simple as purchasing the required size, have it modified and set in place.

No matter what you build you will need approval from appropriate authorities. Dont ignore them, they have the power.

Landscaping

Every home needs a garden. You may be the self gardener in which case you would have started.

Consulting with a landscape artist or contracting a landscaper may be your thing. Talk to them about your ideas and review their recommendations.

An established garden blends in with neighbourhood trends and themes. Presenting your home and not a stack of containers will comfort neighbours.

Established

After landscaping, you new home is, your home. It’s appearance is as you designed it.

Structurally it is sound and secure. The only unique quality is that it is created from sea containers.

For all accounts it looks and feels like a home should. Even with the peaked roof.

Conclusion

Your budget generally determines your purchase. With a home you can have big for less.

Using sea containers not only provides structural strength but also price advantages.

We’re not trying to cheapen our home, rather improve and enhance with design, and creativity.