We sell the steel shells; we don't build the conversions. But the right starting container makes every modification easier — and the wrong one makes it 3x more expensive. Here's how to plan five common builds.
Lots of "container home builders" want to sell you the complete conversion. We don't. We're container suppliers — we'll match you with the right starting unit, point you at honest information about the work involved, and ship a quality shell with the doors that latch and the floor that doesn't leak.
The conversion side — the cuts, the insulation, the electrical, the inspection — that's your project (or your contractor's). These guides are here so you can plan it properly. Pick the wrong container at the start and the project gets harder. Pick the right one and the rest follows.
The shell decision matters more than the paint color. One-Trip or Cargo-Worthy. Standard or High-Cube. 20ft or 40ft. Get those right and the rest is honest carpentry.
Container homes cost $30K-$150K finished. Here's how to plan the build — and what container to start with so the rest goes smoothly.
Closed-cell foam is the gold standard. Open-cell, batts, and rigid foam all have specific tradeoffs. Here's the practical climate-by-climate breakdown.
Subpanel sizing, conduit choice, code requirements. Basic 110V or full 200A residential — same rules as any small structure, plus the steel-wall specifics.
Use DTM or industrial enamel — not house latex. Prep matters more than the paint. Two thin coats, never one thick. $200-$900 in materials by size.
20ft High-Cube is the workshop sweet spot. Add insulation + electrical + bench in 2-4 weekends. No building permit usually needed. Real working space.
Office-grade conversion for under $60K. Year-round comfort, code-compliant electrical, no full-structure permit. Solo or small-team workspace.
Container restaurants run $40K-$120K finished. Permit + health dept research is critical. Plumbing, exhaust hood, electrical, equipment, inspection.
Home + commercial container gyms. $20K-$60K. The key: oversize the AC, get the flooring right, plan for mirrors and ventilation.
Festival booths, branded pop-ups, mobile retail. Double-Door or Open-Sided units. Permit research per venue is the make-or-break factor.
Container studios rival built spaces costing 3-5x more. Soundproofing strategy depends on use: recording vs. photo vs. video.
Tell us what you're building — home, workshop, office, ADU. We'll spec the size, condition, and modifications-friendly options that make the build easier. We don't do the conversion, but we set you up to succeed.
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