31/01/2024 - Shipping Containers
By Jessica Richards
When it comes to building a new house, the project can cost you a fortune. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 44.9% of residential dwellings cost more to build than they were actually approved for. The reason could be anything from skyrocketing construction costs to high labour expenses. So, what’s the alternative?
Inspired by the need for more affordable and sustainable housing options, Aussies are getting more creative with their home builds. Whether it’s a warehouse apartment or an off-the-grid house on wheels, people are experimenting with different home spaces.
Once destined for the transportation of goods through seas, budget self-pack containers are getting a new lease on life. They are being repurposed into some of the most exciting home designs, making them a major housing trend in the Australian market.
If you are planning to build or buy a new home in 2024, here are good reasons why building a shipping container home could be a better choice than a conventional build.
As mentioned above, building a container home is quite cheap. You can easily find different types of shipping containers for sale in Melbourne, ranging from 20ft. to 40ft. in size. Getting a container and converting it into a house requires far less labour, equipment and material than a conventional home.
There is less hassle when it comes to site preparation for shipping containers, which can also impact the overall construction cost. Furthermore, you can lower the cost of container housing by using your DIY skills to build your own dwelling.
Contrary to what it may look like, executing a shipping container home design is super easy. All this requires is a company that you can buy or hire shipping containers from. Once, you have your metal box in place, you can start adding doors, windows, stairs and more.
In addition to that, a shipping container home is also quick to construct. In fact, some contractors can construct it in under a month.
These steel structures are built to last, as they are made of high-grade steel (corten) to withstand harsh weather conditions during transportation. They are super strong metal structures with high bearing capacity and strong walls and roofs.
This simply means that these budget self-pack containers can extend decades to the lifespan of your home. You can also add external cladding to your container home that can extend its life up to 50 years.
If making an eco-conscious investment would cheer you up, you should look for shipping containers. These are old containers that can be repurposed as high-quality building materials. This actually makes them a great way to save the environment.
Additionally, many container homes are also built off the grid. Therefore, you can choose to install solar panels on their roof or in a nearby field.
Yes, shipping container homes can be mobile! If you ever decide to move, you can install a dedicated shipping transportation service or wheels to relocate your off-the-grid container house anywhere in Australia.
These metal structures can easily fit on the back of a moving truck. This is because they are designed to cover long distances while withstanding external elements like rain and hailstorm.
Homes these days often have similar styles, colours and landscaping. This is mainly due to cookie-cutter designs. On the other hand, shipping container home builds give you an opportunity to design a bespoke home without any architectural price tag.
Whether it is the configuration or how you place the containers on a block of land, you can get creative and design a container home that suits your unique personality and tastes. The best part? Nothing will be a cookie-cutter design.
Our team has extensive experience in supplying and delivering all kinds of shipping containers in Melbourne. You can use them to build bespoke homes with a wide variety of finishes. If you are ready to build your own container home this year, get in touch with our experts to discuss your project requirements.
