Using shipping containers as a home

cjw2014 · 23-02-2014 5:13pm #1

Hey guys I am new to this forum so go gentle with me and I am not sure if this is the right part of boards to post in but here goes. Does anyone know of any examples of shipping containers being converted into a home in Ireland??? Looking to speak see if anyone has done it and see if they encountered any problems with planning or meeting the building regulations.

Cheers:)

dinnyirwin · 23-02-2014 9:41pm

Ive never seen them in Ireland but have seen them in the UK.
They are a noce idea but they are pretty **** to be fair.
You can look them up and get tours of them.

quietsailor · 23-02-2014 11:15pm

condensation will be a big problem in our climate, have you any friends who are builders who have built steel sheds - they'll have seen condensation problems and fixes before.

how they'll meet the bilding regs will be an interesting question allright, there is a construction & planning forum under the rec main forum, you could ask there

vcshqkf9rpzgoe · 23-02-2014 11:20pm

Why would you want to live in a shipping container?

Pro Hoc Vice · 23-02-2014 11:24pm

Macy Embarrassed Level wrote: »

Why would you want to live in a shipping container?

http://www.mnn.com/your-home/remodeling-design/photos/8-eye-catching-shipping-container-homes/a-new-kind-of-living

dubbie82 · 23-02-2014 11:43pm

I've seen a report on the telly recently. They do that in germany in some of the larger towns and cities especially the ones with universities as a lot of the students had trouble finding affordable housing.
I believe it was a company that stacked them and converted them into living quarters. Bizzare but seems to work.

They measure about 25square meter and cost about 390 euro per month.

http://www.bz-berlin.de/bezirk/treptow/leben-im-container-erste-kisten-bereit-article1803255.html they have some info, sorry it's in german.

Muff Richardson · 23-02-2014 11:45pm

Macy Embarrassed Level wrote: »

Why would you want to live in a shipping container?

I was going to say its fairly obvious and must be cash related but I'm guessing to purchase and make a shipping container into something where you can actually live in would cost a fair bit, as in probably more than a decent caravan or mobile home...so I'd echo that question of why? with the added question of why not a mobile home or caravan?

djimi · 23-02-2014 11:49pm

Muff Richardson wrote: »

I was going to say its fairly obvious and must be cash related but I'm guessing to purchase and make a shipping container into something where you can actually live in would cost a fair bit, as in probably more than a decent caravan or mobile home...so I'd echo that question of why? with the added question of why not a mobile home or caravan?

I suppose in theory you could do a lot more to insulate a container, and you also have more scope to build a bigger property as they are usually made up of several containers.

Not my cup of tea, but I have seen some of the things that people have done with containers, and if you have the time and money to carry out the project then I guess you could build something cool!

Muff Richardson · 24-02-2014 12:09am

infosys wrote: »

http://www.mnn.com/your-home/remodeling-design/photos/8-eye-catching-shipping-container-homes/a-new-kind-of-living

Money would not have to be an issue then for the OP, you could get a house cheaper for those posted, without even factoring in that you would need land to "house" the container on

Pro Hoc Vice · 24-02-2014 12:33am

Muff Richardson wrote: »

Money would not have to be an issue then for the OP, you could get a house cheaper for those posted, without even factoring in that you would need land to "house" the container on

"We have found that the final budget also depends heavily on whether you choose a hybrid or container-only design and is significantly impacted by smaller space design. Using nationally published averages for construction budgets, we have determined that across Numen's different designs, our container modules replace between 26% and 48% of the overall construction budget. The higher percentages are achieved only in our Small Space Designs. In every case, more than half of the overall construction budget is determined by the owners' choices for the items mentioned above."

http://www.numendevelopment.com/faqs

They quote a price range of $100 to $150 a sq foot, depending on finish.

"Our completed projects have ranged from $100/sq.ft. to $150/sq.ft with the upper and lower limits being the exceptions."

Gatling · 24-02-2014 12:38am

I think there a brilliant idea for housing or other accomadation needs ,
Something even hospitals could use in the right set ups

Muff Richardson · 24-02-2014 12:42am

infosys wrote: »

"We have found that the final budget also depends heavily on whether you choose a hybrid or container-only design and is significantly impacted by smaller space design. Using nationally published averages for construction budgets, we have determined that across Numen's different designs, our container modules replace between 26% and 48% of the overall construction budget. The higher percentages are achieved only in our Small Space Designs. In every case, more than half of the overall construction budget is determined by the owners' choices for the items mentioned above."

http://www.numendevelopment.com/faqs

They quote a price range of $100 to $150 a sq foot, depending on finish.

"Our completed projects have ranged from $100/sq.ft. to $150/sq.ft with the upper and lower limits being the exceptions."

Read the comments from the link you provided. 75k it cost to convert them. just a very quick search on my home but I'd rather this
http://www.myhome.ie/2748003
http://www.myhome.ie/2748003

beauf · 24-02-2014 12:49am

Sorry if this was posted before.

http://www.containerteam.co.uk/blog/2012/11/amazing-spaces-with-george-clarke-transform-a-shipping-container/
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/george-clarkes-amazing-spaces/videos/all/s1-ep6-shipping-container
http://www.lioncontainers.co.uk/amazing-spaces-case-study.html
http://scrapbook.channel4.com/programmes/george-clarkes-amazing-spaces

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2450762/Shipping-containers-rented-London-homes.html

thesandeman · 24-02-2014 1:01am

This actually came up *somewhere* on Boards a couple of years and there was a link to a guy who was selling them. I think he may be in Dundalk. I remember looking at the pics and thinking it was a cool idea. Unfortunately I can't remember any more details or what Forum it was in.

Think_then_talk · 24-02-2014 1:11am

Hi cjw2014,
This lady had the same idea the Caty was her name she was on the Mooney Show http://tinyurl.com/omn4wt6 she has a web site .
cathyhogan.ie

cjw2014 · 24-02-2014 1:46am

I seen it done in other countries and containers themselves are adaptable and strong but I want to know who has done it in Ireland to see what lessons they learn thanks guys for the advice. Doesn't kill sometimes to be a little bit different and think out of the box

on_my_oe · 24-02-2014 1:53am

I know it's not Ireland, and they do have a better climate, but here's another example for you.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-living/house-of-the-week/9499795/House-of-the-week-Containers

I've got friends who turned them into baches/cribs (holiday homes) - better than a caravan!

on_my_oe · 24-02-2014 1:54am

PS good luck - I'd love to think out of the box one day and covert an old church into a home (I've seen articles in magazines where it's been done), so I wish you the best of luck

cjw2014 · 24-02-2014 2:04am

Cheers on_my_oe I'm a big fan of design and architecture and think its great when old buildings, structures are reused. Hope you get the chance to make it happen one day.

TheDoc · 24-02-2014 1:29pm

Not sure if anyone has covered this, but shipping containers here are pretty expensive. The metal is worth more then the actual unit itself, so a lot of them are being sold for scrap, and fetching high prices.

I was out with a mate last week who was buying one for his back of the house, using it as like a storage unit. Your talking between 6-10k for a container based on the size, excluding VAT and transport costs.

And you run the high risk, of obviously when your out, it being nicked or broken into. As I said, the value of the metal is massive at present, and I know from a few lads who own yards and trucking depots, there is a real issue with people breaking in and stealing containers, entirely, to sell for scrap. It's obviously extreme, but it's still something to consider.

I know a couple we know have a mobile home they have been using as a permenant residence. They bought it outwright and struck a deal with a site owner( I think I posted about it before). I know we looked into it for our first move out, when you look past the stereotype of "your living in essentially acaravan site" they can be pretty high spec and cheap to run. Couple we know using it while they save for a mortgage. Unfortunately not for me considering I need high speed internet, but if I was thinking of using a shipping container, I'd look into a mobile home.

They cost anywhere between 10-18k, come fully furnished and are surprisingly warm. You can strike a deal pretty easily with a site owner so you can get hooked up to the electricity and be there for the year, site owners aren't going to turn down steady annual income, regardless of the legality, although don't think its actually an issue. (open to correction)

I'd imagine you buying a shipping container and getting it fitted out, would completely nullify the whole point in the first place in terms of cost.

beauf · 24-02-2014 1:33pm

Seems like a lot of work and I've not been impressed by the ones I've seen. Would some sort of Wooden Cabin not be nicer and as cheap?

missmyler · 25-02-2014 2:34pm

TheDoc wrote: »

Not sure if anyone has covered this, but shipping containers here are pretty expensive. The metal is worth more then the actual unit itself, so a lot of them are being sold for scrap, and fetching high prices.
Your talking between 6-10k for a container based on the size, excluding VAT and transport costs.

I have seen used 40ft containers for sale on a certain classifieds site for €1,600. Condition might not be great though.

chopper6 · 25-02-2014 3:20pm

I'd imagine you'd hafta cut windows etc in them but you could probably get one tarted up to a pretty high standard. There's dozens of them on disused industrial estates up my way,i've oftne wondered about making them habitable.

ted1 · 25-02-2014 4:17pm

beauf wrote: »

Seems like a lot of work and I've not been impressed by the ones I've seen. Would some sort of Wooden Cabin not be nicer and as cheap?

It's easier to make a container weatherproof and has far less maintenance.

Third_Echelon · 27-02-2014 4:25pm

This was done recently enough in Stepaside in Dublin. I remember them on Daft.ie

pic from pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/33917803417553980/

WHIP IT! · 27-02-2014 4:44pm

There is a housing estate between the Fonthill Road and Grange Castle Rd (Clondalkin) and I think the houses there may have been partly made using old containers. Brightly coloured estate on your right (if heading from Fonthill to GC Rd).

gaius c · 24-11-2014 12:58pm

Pop up to IMMA to have a look at one.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/see-irelands-first-shipping-container-home-299087.html

Jacovs · 24-11-2014 1:10pm

cjw2014 wrote: »

I seen it done in other countries and containers themselves are adaptable and strong but I want to know who has done it in Ireland to see what lessons they learn thanks guys for the advice. Doesn't kill sometimes to be a little bit different and think out of the box

Grand Designs season 14 episode 4, guy in county Derry building his house from 4 containers. Whole 44 minute video that should give you a good idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2041kuJs1xw

ir555 · 24-11-2014 8:00pm

follow the one in Dublin's progress here - https://www.facebook.com/RIPPLEcontainerhomes?fref=nf

the first to be across the building regs in the country apparently.

they say they are going to share all the build/ technical details soon.

containers are not expensive.. 20ft can be got for €1K and 40ft €2K plus.. condition is adequate for a build as you will be doing a lot of mods on it anyway. we have them in place at the seaside in Galway for 10years plus for a commercial operation. Security is A1 in comparable to any other form of building and thats only in their standard construction - this can be easily ramped up for a home solution with addition of doors, alarm etc..

sure beats a €250K rope from the bank around your neck for 35 years!

D

SuperS54 · 25-11-2014 7:22am

Stayed in a guesthouse/B&B recently in Taiwan which was created from shipping containers for the most part, nice idea, terrible in reality. The first "room" we had had black mold all over the false ceiling and walls, moved. Second room had been recently redecorated however you could see from the silicon around the windows and in the bathroom that there had been a heavy mold issue there to. On these containers one long and one short side had been almost entirely removed and replaced with glass. Ventilation was a big issue, after taking a shower the bathroom door had to be kept firmly closed with the (seemingly adequately sized) fan on full blast. Couldn't use the air-conditioning in the first room as the vibrations from the unit caused the whole container to "thrum". Second night it rained, not extremely heavily, but enough that the noise on the roof was annoying. If in the position where I had to choose between a container and a mobile home/caravan I'd be in the latter like a shot.

the_syco · 25-11-2014 11:57am

Muff Richardson wrote: »

so I'd echo that question of why? with the added question of why not a mobile home or caravan?

Have it built in Germany, and shipped by sip and truck to your destination. But you get what you pay for; go cheap, and you get cheap.

Deagol · 25-11-2014 12:37pm

I do a lot of work in the North Sea on Oil / Gas rigs and a lot of them have auxillary cabins made from 20' / 40' containers.

They are heavily insulated I presume as they are warm and I've not seen evidence of damp in any of them.

I can't think of a more hostile environment than that in these Islands

ir555 · 25-11-2014 2:01pm

obviously bad workmanship in the above example but a bit extreme to write them off completely because of one bad experience in Taiwan... suggest you stay in a mobile home in Dec/ Jan and you wont belong changing mind to a properly insulated container..

perfect example of how they can be used along with good workmanship of on the of the episodes of Grand Designs this season and 100's of other websites with good examples.

D

reprazant · 25-11-2014 2:26pm

In fairness, I've stayed in terrible flats/houses that were covered in mould and had drafts everywhere. I haven't really written off all flats/houses because of it.

the_syco · 25-11-2014 6:59pm

If this goes well, it could open up some harder to reach places, as you could make and furnish the container with all the standard fittings, place it wherever, and then connect up the power and facilities there. Depending on cost of moving, they could be temporary houses for lifeguards (one example of seasonal work) on beaches, that could be removed during the off-season?

gctest50 · 25-11-2014 7:19pm

few bits here :

https://s3.amazonaws.com/ContainerHomeInfo/Shipping-Container-Homes-Book-6.pdf

red_bairn · 25-11-2014 8:04pm

SuperS54 wrote:

Stayed in a guesthouse/B&B recently in Taiwan which was created from shipping containers for the most part, nice idea, terrible in reality. The first "room" we had had black mold all over the false ceiling and walls, moved. Second room had been recently redecorated however you could see from the silicon around the windows and in the bathroom that there had been a heavy mold issue there to. On these containers one long and one short side had been almost entirely removed and replaced with glass. Ventilation was a big issue, after taking a shower the bathroom door had to be kept firmly closed with the (seemingly adequately sized) fan on full blast. Couldn't use the air-conditioning in the first room as the vibrations from the unit caused the whole container to "thrum". Second night it rained, not extremely heavily, but enough that the noise on the roof was annoying. If in the position where I had to choose between a container and a mobile home/caravan I'd be in the latter like a shot.

You wouldn't have aircon in Ireland...so that can be ticked off and you can put cladding on the outside and layer grass/garden on top so you wouldn't hear the rain as bad as your Taiwanese accommodation.

I'm sure you could make plenty of changes just like an normal home. The example you gave above probably doesn't replicate the scenario that would be for somebody willing to throw tens of thousands into creating a decent home from it.

enricoh · 25-11-2014 9:31pm

someone mentioned 6-10 k for a container plus vat - are you for real? i bought a 40' last year for e1500 delivered to my door. in quite good nick. i got a high roof one 10', an 8' would be claustrophobic enough
the guy could get the container spray foam insulated in the roof of inside- no condensation.
i say u could make it homely for under 20k if u were anyway handy.
good luck

Tirnanog79 · 08-02-2015 3:19pm

Has anyone any info on how one would go about planning for a container build.
I half 1/2 an acre of land.
Ive been renting for 8 years with my young family and have had no spare money to save for a brick house.
But i could afford a container house.
3 containers for about €10grand welded and cut to suit.
Windows, doors, insulation for about €20 to €35grand.
The rest DIY. Probably €20 to €30grand.
Total €50 to €75grand.
What realistic barriers will i come apon ?

Markcheese · 08-02-2015 3:27pm

There's stuff on the examiners web site about one made in Ireland - kind of a demo - it was timber clad and had external insulation - very stylish but pricey -

Tirnanog79 · 08-02-2015 3:52pm

Thanks for the reply Markcheese.
I have read a fair bit about them. Im just stumped for info regarding Planning permission.
Has a container house a better chance if its an eco house i wonder ?
There seems to be no info anywhere regarding planning laws and containers that i can find.

Gumbo · 08-02-2015 4:56pm

Tirnanog79 wrote: »

Has anyone any info on how one would go about planning for a container build.
I half 1/2 an acre of land.
Ive been renting for 8 years with my young family and have had no spare money to save for a brick house.
But i could afford a container house.
3 containers for about €10grand welded and cut to suit.
Windows, doors, insulation for about €20 to €35grand.
The rest DIY. Probably €20 to €30grand.
Total €50 to €75grand.
What realistic barriers will i come apon ?

It might be cheaper to build a smaller home. How would you meet Buikding Regulations for a new home? How will you meet minimum room sizes as per the current planning and development regulations.

Pinkycharm · 08-02-2015 6:38pm

It was on Grand Designs Australia a while ago on TV. Take a look, they made a fantastic house using 20 of them I think!

on_my_oe · 08-02-2015 11:07pm

Not much help for planning, but here are some ideas

http://earthcube.co.nz/gallery-plans-of-earthcube/

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/your-property/10645115/Container-homes-no-low-cost-solution

runawaybishop · 09-02-2015 3:17pm

Tirnanog79 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply Markcheese.
I have read a fair bit about them. Im just stumped for info regarding Planning permission.
Has a container house a better chance if its an eco house i wonder ?
There seems to be no info anywhere regarding planning laws and containers that i can find.

Containers have to meet standard planning laws. You will not find anything that relates directly to them.

50-75k will build you a house, any reason you want to re purpose something that needs significant work?

Tirnanog79 · 09-02-2015 8:35pm

runawaybishop wrote: »

50-75k will build you a house, any reason you want to re purpose something that needs significant work?

50-75k will get you a small house.
Im looking for a cheap large eco house.

runawaybishop · 09-02-2015 8:38pm

Tirnanog79 wrote: »

50-75k will get you a small house.
Im looking for a cheap large eco house.

Nothing eco about containers or cheap really. The quality will be far inferior.

Gumbo · 09-02-2015 10:36pm

runawaybishop wrote: »

Containers have to meet standard planning laws. You will not find anything that relates directly to them.

50-75k will build you a house, any reason you want to re purpose something that needs significant work?

75k will build a 50-60 Sq. M house. That's not big enough for a 2 bed apartment anymore, never mind a house with minimum room and storage standards.

Although I do agree that shipping containers will not work either.

runawaybishop · 09-02-2015 10:39pm

kceire wrote: »

75k will build a 50-60 Sq. M house. That's not big enough for a 2 bed apartment anymore, never mind a house with minimum room and storage standards.

Although I do agree that shipping containers will not work either.

75k will get you a lot more than that, but it is dependant on where you build.

Gumbo · 09-02-2015 10:43pm

runawaybishop wrote: »

75k will get you a lot more than that, but it is dependant on where you build.

Current build prices now range from €1000 Sq. M at a very very very basic builder finished to €1500 Sq. M for a half decent finish.

Allowing for planning permissions, the new Building Contral Lawa and appointing an Assigned Certifiers and then the fact that a me house has to achieve an A3 or better BER rating along with renewables. The Part L compliance (insulation, air change rate, air tighness and renewable technologies) portion will run you about 20-30k alone!!!

I'm sorry, but no house 2 bed or more can be built for 75k.

runawaybishop · 09-02-2015 10:49pm

kceire wrote: »

Current build prices now range from €1000 Sq. M at a very very very basic builder finished to €1500 Sq. M for a half decent finish.

Allowing for planning permissions, the new Building Contral Lawa and appointing an Assigned Certifiers and then the fact that a me house has to achieve an A3 or better BER rating along with renewables. The Part L compliance (insulation, air change rate, air tighness and renewable technologies) portion will run you about 20-30k alone!!!

I'm sorry, but no house 2 bed or more can be built for 75k.

We will just have to disagree, my experience is of drastically different prices to yours, though i did a lot of the work myself.

Using shipping containers as a home

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