How to convert your sea container into a tiny house

Costs and prices for a shipping container house

Container upcycling for residential purposes is particularly useful for people on a budget. If you put your hand in converting your sea container into a tiny house and are satisfied with minimalist equipment, you can build your shipping container house for 10,000 euros. Fully equipped sea container houses are available from 15,000 euros.

You have to pay around 2,000 to 4,000 euros for a used sea container. Prices fluctuate strongly, depending on the situation in world trade.

If you are not living near the port and are not the owner of a truck, you must include the transport of the container to the desired location in your budget. The cost of delivering the container is around 1.50 euros per kilometer, and you also need a mobile crane to unload on-site, which costs 80 to 120 euros per hour.

Build a shipping container house yourself

If you want to convert a sea container into a tiny house yourself, you need a sea container first. There are hardly any brand new containers, as 90 percent of them are made in China and usually do not travel empty.

Buying sea containers: Tips for used sea containers as living space

There are four classifications for the classification of used sea containers: Containers with A are still of excellent quality; those with D are inferior. For residential purposes, you should choose a new freight container or a used container with the classification A or B if possible.

If possible, take a look at the substructure of the container. This is where rust tends to settle, which is not recognizable at first glance and could cause trouble later.

Also, try to find out what has been transported in the shipping container. Containers with fresh goods such as fruit, vegetables, or flowers are often treated with pesticides and other toxins so that the goods arrive at their destination port without pests and animals. Many containers are therefore contaminated with chemicals that can also be harmful to people.

Do I need a building permit for a shipping container house?

Like all buildings, they are subject to construction law. So you need a building permit, and you have to follow the development plan or – if available – the local laws applicable in your location.

Therefore, before you start building or buying a shipping container house, clarify with the building authority, whether it can be approved.