A Container House in the Philippines

Living in the Philippines is a different way of life. There is a saying ‘Filipino time’ which translates to don’t rush, take your time, it will get done. Starting things late is how their culture values time. It seems that many either practice it or just accept it, hence the term “Filipino Time”. When in the Philippines…

A container house in the Philippines is a change from the more traditional concrete structure of the twentieth century. Concrete is a fairly modern material being used during the Japanese occupation more so than the Spanish or American occupation. There are still traditional nipa huts and corrugated tin dwellings mixed with concrete block walls in the Provinces. Container living is new.

Perhaps the most significant criteria for a container house in the Philippines is foundation fixtures and roof fixtures. Having a ‘second’ gable style roof with verandah surround is climate wise. The added verandah provides shade when needed and protection from the rain. Foundation fixing is necessary for tropical storms. We will talk about foundations further in. Read on…

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Cost of a Container House

A used 20ft container will cost around PHP 60-80,000 from shipping container dealers. A new 20-ft container may cost around PHP 180,000 to PHP 200,000. If you opt to buy a pre-modified container house, which is ready to be shipped to your lot, it usually costs PHP 350,000 to PHP 900,000 (US$7,000 to US$18,000).

Additional cost factors you need to consider include: land, container modifications, transportation, amenities, materials, workers, and planning permission approvals.

What you need to know is that you will need to add on transport costs which will vary depending on your location. They could be as much as the the initial cost of the container. Then there are the foundation costs on the land and amenities that are needed, if available. In remote locations water and electric may not be available amenities. You will need to buy a generator for power. Dig a well for water. I once contracted a local water guru to find water on my land. He walked up and down and then said dig here! To my amazement, he was spot on. Four days later with manual hand drilling they struck water.

If you have the skills, or know of skilled workers you can achieve the same results at less cost. Filipino workers have a wide skill range of skills and talent and can accomplish much. Local craftsman you will find in your Province that will allow you to DIY your container house on site. I would highly recommend local workers in this situation.

You may like to read our other article Should I buy a Prefabricated or DIY Container Home?

Design Ideas for you Container House

The Philippines container house should be designed to maximize space and natural light while providing a comfortable and secure living space.

The design should begin with the selection of a suitable container. The best option is a 20-foot or 40-foot container made of steel, as they are strong and durable, and can easily be insulated and modified. Will you be doubling up or adding side by side? Single container or multiple?

Importantly, all building requires permits and approvals, as does the land. Not something to ignore. Do the necessary paperwork to avoid serious delays and disasters. One more thing, progress is by Filipino-time.

Basic Simplistic Single Design

The interior of the container should be divided into two sections: a living area and a sleeping area. The living area should include a kitchen, a living room, and a bathroom. The kitchen should include a sink, a refrigerator, and a stove. The living room should include a sofa, a television, and other furniture. The bathroom should include a shower, a toilet, and a sink.

The sleeping area should include a bedroom, a closet, and a storage area. The bedroom should include a bed, a dresser, and a nightstand. The closet should be large enough to store clothing and other items. The storage area should include shelves, cabinets, and other storage units.

The exterior of the container should be insulated and weatherproofed to protect the interior from the elements. Windows and doors should be installed to allow for natural light and ventilation. A patio or balcony should be included to provide an outdoor living space.

Finally, the container should be painted a bright color to make it more attractive and inviting. You can clad your container in bamboo or nipa to look the part. Other cladding options are available like brick or aluminium facades.

A Container House in a Tropical Storm

Tropical storms are a part of the Filipino life style. Big rains, strong winds remove crops and dwellings several times a year. Many dwellings are just thrown together from concrete blocks, tin sheeting and nipa and bamboo. They not storm sturdy, which in some ways is appropriate because when they are blown down, the Filipino just rebuilds.

Crop plantations are literally blown down and destroyed during severe tropical storms. The problem with tropical storms is they appear throughout the year at will. You plant your crop in the hope that you will avoid a tropical storm but sadly not always. Coconut plantations, banana plantations are wiped out along with other crops when a strong tropical storm strikes. It is a part of the Philippines farm life. Just as droughts and tornado’s destroy other farm communities around the world.

No, a container house in the Philippines is not safe from tropical storms, even though it is big and heavy. It is important to take steps to secure the structure against strong winds, heavy rain, and flooding. This may include reinforcing the foundation, installing hurricane shutters, and ensuring the roof is securely attached and waterproof. Additionally, it is important to consider the location of the container house and any potential hazards from flooding or landslides.

Best Foundation

Concrete piers poured on site are the best option for shipping container homes. There are two main methods for pouring the piers. 1) using purpose built wooden forms, or 2) using one of the many pre-made fibreform products.

Fibreforms are the simplest and most appropriate choice. They have the benefit of coming in a range of diameters, perfect for situations where you’re joining two or more containers at one point.

A great way to fix the container to your piers is to set a steel plate into the pier and weld the container directly to the plate. This will help to prevent uplift and create a clean and durable connection. Your engineer will specify the amount of reinforcement required in the piers and detail the connections.

You may like to read our other article Can I Live in a Shipping Container Home in the Philippines?

Conclusion

A container house in the Philippines is an ideal option that is sustainable and practical in many ways. The structure of a shipping container is sturdy and built for ocean voyages. So a little tropical storm is nothing to be concerned about if your container is fastened securely to its foundations. Tropical winds are that strong that they could move your container if it is not fastened down.

Whilst a concrete home is wonderful, it can also be more expensive than a container house. Small concrete homes are not expensive and a reasonable concrete home can be built for around US10k. However if you want the full trimmings on a concrete home, interior walls painted, metal roofing, your costs are increasing. A container house can be finished for less. It is a choice and a location factor.

Having a container delivered to site is faster than building with concrete. Being able to live in your container house within days or a few weeks is more attractive than months later. These are all factors you need to explore. However, a container house in the Philippines can be your tropical comfortable home if you choose. Both container and traditional house construction cost depends on the house finish, size and other custom features that you want. Don’t forget the cost of the land!