Solving America's housing crisis through modern and affordable shipping container homes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
HOW IS THE CONTAINER CITY DIFFERENT FROM ITS COMPETITORS?
Answer: The Container City is different from its competitors because we use high-quality materials while maintaining affordable prices. You won't find a better value for your money anywhere else.
All of our containers are made out of steel, which is much stronger and more resilient than wood or aluminum. We also have a wide variety of sizes and styles to choose from, so the sky's the limit when customizing. And unlike other companies, delivery is already included in the price if you're in the state of Texas.
Contact us today to learn more about The Container City and how we can help you build your dream home while saving time and money.
WILL YOUR CITY ALLOW YOU TO LIVE IN A CONTAINER HOME?
Answer: Each state is different. In most cases, as long as the construction falls within the building codes and zoning requirements, one can legally modify shipping containers into residential units.
Some states that allow shipping container homes include: Texas, California, Alaska, Tennessee, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oregon. The International Code Council (ICC) will guide you further on acceptable codes and standards for states that permit container homes.
PRICE POINTS?
Prices vary due to many changing factors like the size of the project, materials used, install location, etc. However, we have an average cost of about $50k per customized 40ft container (320sqft) with delivery included inside of Texas. The smaller 20ft container, (160sqft) has a cost of $30k with delivery to Texas included.
CONSTRUCTION TIMES & CAPACITY?
We have an average turnaround time of approx. 1 month per 40ft container home, for single-family projects, with the capacity to produce up to 10 customized 40ft containers in a month's timeframe for commercial projects.
IS THERE A DEPOSIT?
Yes, we require 50% of the total project cost upfront. You must then make partial payments as the project progresses until it is complete.
FORMS OF PAYMENT
Currently, we take payments in cash, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. At the moment we do not offer in-house financing but are working to provide a solution for this soon. We encourage customers to consider getting a personal loan for this matter.
WHAT ABOUT BUILDING CODES AND PERMITS?
The most common regulations when building with shipping containers are building codes and permits. Building codes stipulate the standards of construction that will be applied, meaning how homes are to be built.
Building permits are what you typically apply for to prove your compliance with applicable building codes and gain approval to continue construction activities.
In the US and several other developed countries, most codes are based on the International Code Counsel’s International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC). These codes are updated every year or two, with the version denoted by the year it was published.
The IBC and IRC incorporate related codes by reference such as the International Plumbing Code, the International Mechanical Code, the National Electric Code, and the National Fire Protection Association standards. In turn, most cities incorporate the IBC and IRC into their own codes with occasional amendments.
Some US states have their own codes as well, such as the Massachusetts State Building Code. A great place to see which codes are used in which state (and city) is the ConstructConnect Building Code Tool.
In order to get approved permits for shipping container homes, you need to prove, via your permit application, that you’ve complied with the applicable building codes and possibly other regulations.
As you’re probably starting to understand, these rules vary quite widely from place to place.
A faster option is to hire a "Permit Expeditor". Depending on the time you have to spare, your construction and expeditor’s location would do you right. This professional would help you save time when engaging local authorities. They will also handle the paperwork and ensure easy compliance.
HOW DO I KNOW THE ZONING OF MY PROPERTY?
With rare exceptions, most cities and towns in the United States have zoning restrictions, which is why certain businesses are kept out of residential areas and why you tend to see separate areas for homes and for businesses. City governments usually set building standards that apply to every structure in the area, and these apply to all areas of any structures on the property, including plumbing, landscaping, and separate rules for mobile homes and standard homes. Property zoning restrictions vary from one municipality to another, so it’s important to check the regulations that apply to your area.
Your local zoning laws will determine the zoning district of your property. Fortunately, zoning ordinances and maps are public records — freely available to every potential homebuyer. You can visit, call, or email your local zoning office, city hall, or your local planning board, and get a copy of the ordinance. Sometimes, zoning maps and local ordinances are also available online on your city’s website and in local libraries.
A legal description of your property — owner’s name, address, tax map, and parcel number — will get you all the zoning information you need. As you can see, accessing zoning information does not require significant research. Having said that, if you face any difficulty, you can always get help from your local officials or an attorney. Especially, if your intended property use is not included or permitted in the ordinance. An attorney will help you find ways to expand the lawful use of your property by getting the required permission from the local zoning board.
Please watch the following video to learn more about the zoning of your property: https://youtu.be/N4jJW8iQep4
TIPS TO GET YOUR CONTAINER HOME PERMIT
We understand that getting the permits for your construction is never an easy process. So, we have created some tips to make the process a stress-free one. Here are some tips to get your container home permit faster:
A great place to see which codes are used in which state (and city) is the ConstructConnect Building Code Tool. Some US states have their own codes, such as the Massachusetts State Building Code.
In order to get approved permits for shipping container homes, you need to prove, via your permit application, that you’ve complied with the applicable building codes and possibly other regulations.
High Traffic Areas Attract Stricter Rules. If you are looking to have your shipping containers in high traffic areas, you may face more permit rules. This is because such sites are not synonymous with such constructions. On the other hand, rural areas don’t attract such strictness.
A faster option is to hire a "Permit Expeditor". Depending on the time you have to spare, your construction and expeditor’s location would do you right. This professional would help you save time when engaging local authorities. They will also handle the paperwork and ensure easy compliance.