Do you want to own a house that’s the talk of the town? Want to invest in your own little cosy home that fits well within your budget? Get yourself a container home!
Container homes are grabbing more headlines than luxurious bungalows and sophisticated villas. When these steel structures take on new avatars, they are completely transformed from bulky boxes to visually appealing homes. In fact, the transformation is almost magical.
Shipping Container Homes: The Latest Trend
Hundreds of shipping containers are converted into homes each year by shipping container manufacturers like Supertech Industries, UAE. People everywhere have realised their dream of having a home because of the humble container. However, shipping container conversion is a new arena. People often make mistakes and regret their decision to invest in container homes.
Here’s a list of mistakes you should avoid making when building a container home.
What You Shouldn’t Do When Investing In Container Homes
In the shipping container industry, there are as many “Don’t’s” as there are “Do’s”. Follow them diligently so that you never regret the decision of buying a shipping container home.
1. Don’t buy the wrong container
What would you do if you were buying land to build a house? Would you make the mistake of choosing the wrong plot of land? Probably not. The same rule applies when you purchase your container.
Many people fail to do an in depth investigation into the types and sizes of containers available, so they end up purchasing the wrong container. This is a major slip-up, and if you want to avoid it, you must:
- Have a specific plan and look for a container that aligns with it.
- Avoid buying small containers and choose anything within 20 to 45 feet.
- Consider the open-top variants when buying a container.
Most shipping container experts suggest choosing high cube containers because of the extra height it will give you even after insulating the ceiling. Of course, high cube containers are slightly more pricey than regular containers. But think about the extra 8-foot ceiling height it will give you after the insulation.
2. Don’t neglect the insulation
Since insulation is already under discussion, let’s explore it further. Spray foam is the most commonly used material for insulation. Most people use it throughout the container without considering condensation, dampness, or rain. If you live in an area that sees a lot of rain, you need to create a seamless barrier for vapour. Instead of using spray foam, you can opt for blankets, insulation panels, and recycled newspapers.
3. Don’t ignore planning regulations
Every country has its own rules and regulations for building and owning shipping containers. Therefore, your foremost duty is to be aware of the land’s environmental, structural, and local laws before embarking on this venture. Never make the folly of overriding even the smallest rule in the book. It could end up being a costly mistake.
If the rule requires you to paint the shipping container like a residential property, do it. Sometimes, there may be a limit to the number of shipping containers you can own. In that case, ensure you buy large-sized containers instead of small or medium ones.
4. Don’t avoid direct container inspections
Again, ask yourself if you would purchase a house or land online without ever seeing it in person. The same goes for purchasing your container. An online sale will never expose the dents and damages in the container. The picture you see online could be that of a brand new container for all you know. But you may end up with an old, damaged one after the transaction is over.
There is only one way to avoid this: Check out each container in person. It is also wise to hire an expert to assess your containers before taking the plunge.
5. Don’t be attracted by low prices
Old containers cost far less than new ones. This is a fact that everyone in the shipping container industry is well aware of. Often, people are enticed by the low price point and buy old containers that are corroded and damaged beyond repair.
You need a container that will not burn a hole in your pocket with restoration and maintenance charges, whether old or new. Therefore, you may require an expert’s guidance to assess the container’s age and condition.
6. Don’t avoid high cube containers
Here’s an important tip: Always opt for high cube containers instead of regular ones. High cubes containers are hard to come by. So, grab them if they are available. High cubes have an external height of 9 feet 6 inches instead of the standard height of 8 feet 6 inches.
This additional space is a big bonus that adds extra headroom to your projects. You can use it to conceal wiring, plumbing pipes, AC ducts and water supply lines. The additional space also means more breathing and living space. So, why say no to high cubes even if they cost a little more?
7. Don’t go for too many modifications
A concrete home is built ground-up from scratch. But a container home is built from an already-existing structure that has four or six steel walls (if you include the doors). These walls keep the container structurally sound and stable. Therefore, it is best to avoid extreme modifications. Cutting away steel to make way for too many doors and windows will destabilise the structure and render it useless.
Go For Expert Advice From SuperTech Industries
Building a shipping container home is an excellent idea. But it can easily become a nightmarish process if you are unsure about what you are doing. It is best to seek expert advice rather than take it as a DIY project. You can bank on our experts at SuperTech Industries, UAE, to guide you with your container home projects. All you have to do is give us a call!
