9 cheap and efficient container houses you can buy on Amazon

Jun 04, 2023

There is a growing trend of people looking to bypass the "traditional" route for climbing the housing ladder. One such option is to live in a converted or 'purpose-built' shipping container.

This lifestyle has unique problems and benefits but is undoubtedly viable if it's 'up your alley.' But before diving in, it is worth listening to those with experience in the field before committing yourself to this kind of project.

The following nine are great examples of ready-made or DIY options when owning your own shipping container houses.

The following list is far from exhaustive and is in no particular order.

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MODS/Amazon

Our first entry on our list of options to buy a house on Amazon is pretty nice by any standards. These shipping containers are tiny prefab houses with windows and other features. This "pre-fabricated tiny home" can be yours for the low price of $36,000. Developed by the Wisconsin-based shipping container company MODS International, it comes "fully furnished" and can be moved immediately.

Although it looks like a shipping container with windows and doors, it has a bedroom, shower, toilet, working sink, kitchenette, lounge, and full double glazing and patio doors. For added security when you're away from home, you can lock the secure shipping container doors with specialized locks. The shipping container also has base plumbing, side electrical, and water supply connections.

It weighs 7,500 pounds (3402 kg) is 320 feet (just under 30 m2), is fully insulated and heated, and also has air conditioning.MODS markets the product as a temporary emergency housing unit, but there is no reason you can't use it as a regular home as long as you can get planning permission.

They also produce a temporary office version. This container house is available here.

Weizhengheng/Amazon

The Weizhengheng Easy Install Prefabricated Container House is easily assembled and, like other shipping container homes, is an excellent example of recycling. Like other products from this company, you can customize the final product to your specifications.

Every home comes wholly equipped with power and lighting. Your purchase is not the end of your communication with the company. Their standard shipping container tiny house measures 19.5 feet (5.95 m) long, 15.6 feet (4.76 meters) wide, and 8.3 feet (2.52 meters) tall, but you can customize it to your liking. Being derived from a shipping container, its external aesthetics are, as you would expect, true to its origins, but on the inside, it is a very different story.

You will be given pre-construction advice, consulting services, and after-sales tracking services to ensure it meets or exceeds your expectations. This shipping container home manufacturer primarily focuses on integrating housing solutions for construction companies, developers, and construction material traders so you can trust their experience and service quality.

According to their sales material, they "apply industry-leading environmentally friendly green materials" to provide the world's leading structural design[s]". Most of their products meet the strict requirements for CE, CNAS, BV, and ISO 9001 (and other relevant industry certifications). This container house is available here.

XIANGXING/

These modular container houses could be yours for the low, low price of just under $15,000. Designed and built by Xiangwing, each module is 5900 by 2435 by 2690 mm.

While they might not look like the most aesthetically pleasing homes, for such a low price, you can't go wrong. Why not check out the other design options they have to offer?

This container house is available here.

Weizhengheng/Amazon

Do you want to buy a prefab module container home that comes with its power source? Then this container house is the perfect choice for you. You can specify it to be designed for other uses, so your options are not limited.

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This one is a bit of a cheat, as you'd need to take a second look not to think it was a converted shipping container. This unit has its own PV panel array and features a small wind power generator system on the roof. You can expand and collapse the entire structure via remote control on delivery and after.

This feature uses a specially designed hydraulic system with the interior fully furnished to your specifications. The interior fixtures and fittings are supplied to a high standard with a fully equipped luxury shower and toilet, kitchen, bedroom, dining table, energy-saving air conditioner, and many other features.

This container house is available here. Supplied and installed electrical equipment like lighting, a television, and a refrigerator have a total power consumption of 250w. According to the manufacturer, these can be used continuously for up to 32 hours straight. The final product is nicely designed, and its main building elements are made from composite fiberglass.

Duramax

This tiny home (technically a refuge shelter) is fire-resistant but has no plumbing. Built and supplied by DuraMAX, this miniature house wouldn't be practical long-term. It is fire-resistant, made from galvanized steel, and has a versatile metal foundation, but it is designed and built as a temporary emergency or on-site shelter.

It comes with a pre-fabricated metal foundation specially designed to assemble the unit on a flat surface. Fire resistance is provided by the unit's fire-retardant CFC-free B2 polyurethane insulation that has the added benefit of offering excellent thermal and acoustic insulation.

This shipping container house offers a snow load of 30 pounds per square foot (146.473 kg/m2) and is "one of the strongest do-it-yourself buildings" around. It is also very secure, supplied with a deadbolt lock that can be used on any side of the panel wall. An extension kit is available in 40" increments and mountable on either side.

It is advertised as a temporary living or emergency shelter as it is tiny, with a floor space of 12 m2. As such, it is more of a cellular office or single bedroom than a proper home. This container house is available here.

Port Shipping Containers/Youtube

Built and supplied by Weizhengheng, their shipping containers can be converted for use as homes or as a base for your very own pop-up cafe, bar, or office.

They come in various sizes, but you can request a custom one if their standard options don't work. Each shipping container house is easy to assemble, and their Amazon sales special mentions four skilled workers can make one in less than four hours.

They say their option is also environmentally friendly as the containers do not contain toxic paint or other building materials, and their construction saves on waste compared to traditional buildings.

This container house also has an automatic opening and leveling system enabled by a hydraulic system that is controlled with the press of a button. This container house is available here.

MODS/Amazon

If the MODS International shipping container house above is too big for your budget, you could always opt for its smaller 'brother'. The 20-foot (6 meters) option is more compact, as you'd expect, but has all the features you could need as a single person or young couple on a budget.

It has a total floor space of 160 square feet (49 meters squared), but this is more than enough room to pack in a bed (or bunk bed), a little kitchenette, and an 'ensuite bathroom'. The shipping containers' main secure doors include double patio versions behind them, and it comes complete with total plumbing connections to an infrastructure underneath.

It is also supplied with side electrical and water connections. The finished product is also fully furnished with white goods, decorative flooring, lighting, and conditioning plants. Like its big brother, it is intended for emergencies but is high spec. The finish makes it ideal for anyone who wishes to own an eco-friendly, low-cost alternative to traditional housing options.

According to the sales material, this container house should be placed on 12 inches (30 cm) concrete footings or a solid concrete slab for optimum foundations. This container house is available here.

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Instead of spending the time (and money) on an interior designer, workman, and architect, you could live inside a 'vanilla' shipping container. According to Amazon, you can pick up a decent one for about 5.5K.

Of course, your new 'home' will lack any form of fitted heating and cooling, electricity, plumbing, insulation, or windows. This isn't an issue if you're an experienced 'outdoorsy' type; tents lack these features.

They come with robust doors to one end, but these tend to only be lockable from the outside so internal side security might need some work. However, this option is only open if you are a 'shipping container home purist.

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You could always get a dog or build your form of robotic or a DIY security device for peace of mind while asleep or away from home. This container house is available here.

Gregory Moto/Amazon

And finally, instead of just buying a prefabricated shipping container home, you might consider designing and building your own. Of course, to do this, you might need some info.

The title of the book pretty much tells you what to expect from its contents, which makes a nice change. It is written to teach you everything you need to know, or at least consider, should you wish to design your own shipping container home.

It will take through common issues to consider, costs to consider, and potential pitfalls to take into account on your journey towards your dream 'low cost' former freight container house. Of course, a book can only prepare you for the reality of the task, so expect the unexpected. Like any investment, analyze and research appropriately before spending any hard cash.

Reviews vary on Amazon, but the majority, about 66% at the time of writing, are generally very positive regarding these proper shipping containers. As always, it's probably a good idea to supplement the literature by contacting others with experience in the area. And that's your lot for today. Have you seen any other fantastic shipping container houses? This container house is available here.

And that is your lot for today.

Container houses offer a viable and sustainable option for those seeking an affordable and innovative housing solution. From their modular design to their versatility, these homes have quickly become a popular choice for many people worldwide. As we continue to explore alternative ways of living, container houses provide an exciting avenue for creativity, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.

Whether you're looking for a tiny home or a larger living space, container houses offer a unique and practical option for anyone seeking a more straightforward, sustainable way of life.