Shipping containers can be repurposed to suit a wide range of uses; however, tiny houses are by far one of the best options for those who want to have a home but cannot afford a conventional one. Shipping containers are basically a large metal box that is like a blank canvas. All one needs is their imagination and some basic supplies to convert the shipping container into a home. There are several factors that a person should consider before getting started.
Image from https://www.tigercontainers.com/
Build Budget
The starting point is to have a plan and a cost estimate for your build. Deciding on the size of your home will determine how many shipping containers you will require to complete your build. The cost of the containers will be part of your build budget and will obviously be much lower than the cost of traditional building materials. A comprehensive plan should include the cost for materials from start to completion. Shipping containers ensure that the budget of your home build remains extremely low when compared to building a full-sized traditional home.
Local Bylaws
Check in with your local governing body to see if there are any special bylaws or rules that would preclude you from using shipping containers to create your new tiny home. You want to be certain that your home will be legal because if it isn’t local authorities can force you to remove it from your property. Make certain that the building lot that you use is zoned for residential use because most governing bodies will not allow commercial and residential mixed use for buildings. Many local governments are happy when people will be able to reuse materials such as shipping containers and repurpose them for a functional use such as building a tiny home.
Availability of Shipping Containers
You will want to find a reliable source from which you can obtain your shipping to use for your build. Ensure that you secure the number of containers that you require to complete your project. It would be nothing short of frustrating to get to a certain point in your build only to discover that you need more containers and you cannot locate any quickly and easily. There are many reliable companies that can provide you with the containers you need quickly and at a reasonable cost.
Shipping Containers are not Waterproof
Once you commence building your tiny home, you will need to cover the area with a temporary roof or add a roof onto your containers. If the containers are exposed to rain they will leak, and this can cause damage to the inside of your container and all its contents. This could cause a lot of cost overruns and insurance may not cover the cost because this should be a fact that anyone is aware of when they get started with converting shipping containers into a tiny home.
Container Size and Shape Makes Layout Simple
The size and shape of shipping containers provides plenty of space so that you have room for all the elements that you want to include in your home. The layout allows for plenty of windows and so many options for entrance doors. You can start at one end and install your bedroom or bathroom, place your kitchen in the middle and end off the space with a living area with windows all around. If you opt for two containers stacked atop one another, the upper container can make a wonderful master bedroom.
Doing Your Part to Recycle
Once a shipping container reaches its destination, the cost of having it shipped back to where it originated from can be prohibitive. This is where you come in and obtain the shipping container as a base for your tiny home. At the same you are making use of a container that would otherwise become scrap metal. Containers are useful when they are obtained as soon after they are done with their previous use. As containers sit for a long period of time they can rust and deteriorate, making them less ideal for use. Of course, if a container is not in good shape because of rust, they are still useful depending on where the rust spots are, which can be cut out to insert windows and vents.
Progress Sooner Rather than Later
As soon as you get a shipping container you can begin work on your tiny home. You don’t have to wait for walls to be built before you can get started on the interior. The shipping container can be placed in the location that you desire. The interior work can begin immediately, and the build will be completed much more quickly than a traditional bricks and mortar style home. Once things start to come together it isn’t just a dream to own your own home anymore, the tiny home makes home ownership a reality.
In today’s world, tiny homes are a way for anyone to be able to afford their own home. With the cost of everything rising so quickly, home ownership is out of reach for most, but the tiny home option is one that benefits everyone. It saves materials, speeds up progress, and provides a home for people who want other options than living in an apartment or a rental for the rest of their lives. It utilizes a shipping container and transforms it from a plain box into a home to be cherished and treasured and is a source of pride for the owner who partook in the build.
If you have been longing for a home of your own and cannot afford to build a traditional house, consider the option of shipping containers as building blocks for your own customizable tiny home. Many people have found that they can become extremely creative when faced with the many options possible for a build. Contact a company that deals with shipping containers to see what prices they can offer and then order as many as you will need to complete your build. Plans involving shipping container tiny homes are versatile, affordable and satisfying once completed.
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