People look into building homes using shipping container modifications for a lot of reasons. Some would like to go green, while others simply just want to minimize construction cost. After all, repurposing old shipping containers can help reduce waste and is one of the least expensive home building technique. Take a look at how much building using shipping containers would cost you and how much you are willing to fork out so that you can create a realistic budget. Starting Small
The most preferred container size for a modification project is 20 feet. This is considered the “smaller traditional size” and is perfect for those who want to live off the grid while living a sustainable and minimalistic lifestyle. Homeowners can request for various modifications like added insulation, ventilation, electricity, a bathroom, and so much more to allow for a normal life inside a small space. Cost: Expect to spend $32,000 and upwards for a fully functional, 160 square feet modified shipping container. Of course, you can cut the cost by cutting back on the non-essentials. Mid-Ranged Homes Some people, despite having interest in living in a shipping container home, feel uncomfortable in tight spaces. If you are one of those people, don’t worry because there are modifications that can be done to widen the space inside a shipping container home. Mid-ranged homes are made with at least one 40-foot container; this is the larger traditional size on the market. The extra room allows for other more luxurious upgrades such as two sleeping areas, usually a loft to save on floor space, a shower with a standard bathtub, a washer/dryer combo, and full-sized kitchen with a dishwasher. It is amazing how many more modifications can be added to make the cargo box into an actual home. Cost: Prepare to shell out around $50,000 for a 312 square foot home. Again, the less complicated the modifications, the cheaper the cost. Castle-Like Modifications Not everyone who dreams of modifying a shipping container into a home wants to live a minimalistic lifestyle. There are some who actually still want to live in luxury inside their container homes. This is all possible, and it allows a lot of freedom with all types of modification. Usually what experts and designers do is combine a few shipping containers of any size. This can be built up to create 2 or more stories or wide and create more floor space that can fit 3 full sized bedrooms, a kitchen, running bathrooms, and so much more. Cost: Large homes are very costly, there’s no mistake in that. Clients who want to build castle-like homes should be prepared to spend $80,000 and upwards. It isn’t cheap but living in luxury is never cheap. Typical castle-like modified homes are around 362 square feet but can be expanded or lessened depending on the designs and budget. Consult With Experts Today Give experts in Conex box modifications at Equipment Management Services a call. Whatever you can dream of, they can help build it while sticking to your budget. Nothing is impossible when you share your ideas and provide your specific requirements. The company can even help you save money by modifying used containers instead of the new ones. Talk to the staff and kick start your dreams of living inside a modified shipping container today. Sources: 5 Shipping Container Homes You Can Order Right Now, Curbed.com Shipping Container Home Designs, OffGridWorld.com
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If you are looking for ways to lower the cost of building an office, consider using shipping containers as your base material. Not only do these metal boxes cost way lesser than traditional materials, but they are also easy to work with and install. Before you start shopping around for shipping containers, however, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Find a Trusted Supplier
Unless you live near a seaport or want to build your shipping container office close to one, you will find only a handful of shipping container suppliers in your area. Chances are the boxes have to be delivered to you from off the coast, which could be hundreds of miles away. This is why you need to be careful when choosing a supplier. They have to be able to transport the shipping containers safely and on schedule to your chosen location for your office. Luckily for you, though, there are suppliers like Equipment Management Services that have off-dock shipping container storage and maintenance facilities in Houston. This means you don’t have to drive all the way to the coast just to find units that will suit your needs. Choose a Good Spot After finding a property that has access to major roads and establishments, the next step is to find a spot on that property where you can put up your office. As much as possible, choose a spot where the trucks that carry your shipping containers and the crane that will unload them can park with ease. Even though shipping containers are much lighter than concrete, they still need sufficient ground support, so make sure the spot has tough soil. If the ground is soft, you will have to pin piles to hold up the foundation. Leave Original Features Alone You may be thinking of fully polishing and refurbishing the shipping containers from the inside out. While this seems a great idea, it might cost a fortune. Since you’re trying to cut down on building cost, which is why you chose to use shipping containers in the first place, it would be better to just leave the original features, at least the exterior, untouched. After all, your office will look way cooler when it’s concealed in an unsuspecting façade. Cut and Support To build a bigger office, you need a couple or more units. You just have to cut out the sides to create an open floor plan. Keep in mind, though, that the sides you cut originally provides additional support to the columns of the containers, so removing them may jeopardize your office’s structural stability. Add more bracing, beams, and columns depending on how many levels you intend your office building to have. Energy Efficiency Shipping containers are made of steel, which is a very good conductor of heat. They can easily warm up in a sunny day and cool down in winter. So make sure to properly insulate your building from the inside. Using large single pane windows may also help reduce your energy cost as they can provide natural lighting during the day. About Equipment Management Services: EMS is a local container sales company that operates off-dock container storage and maintenance facilities in Houston. Having a combined footprint of over 80 acres proximate to the port locations, we are one of the largest shipping container suppliers in the US Gulf region. Whether you need high-quality units for your shipping business or used ones for your shipping container office construction project, we can deliver. Sources: Building an Office Of Shipping Containers, NPR.org Top 10: Shipping Container Offices, ContainerHomePlans.org Shipping containers both new and used are widely known for their durability and versatility. Limiting their use to simply shipping goods all over the world isn’t very economical and eco-friendly. Luckily, today one simple call to a trusted supplier in Texas allows customers to modify and custom-build their own shipping container office out of new and old metal containers.
Those who are debating whether investing in a custom shipping container is a good idea, here are some options to look into to see if any of these modifications will match your vision for a container office: Customized External Logos It is very common for customers to request a storage container box with a fresh coat of paint. However, there are also container suppliers in Houston that will gladly paint on the logo of a company as part of their customization package. All the customer has to do is to provide the picture and the supplier will do the rest. Unique Interior and Exterior Paint A request for shipping container modification means clients can get as creative as they want. Another common and easy-to-manage request is the color of both the interior and exterior paint. Simple solid colors like white, red, and blue might be too boring for some so they request camouflage prints, darker colors, or the colors of their company. Windows and HVAC Systems Shipping containers today are converted into homes and workspaces by many innovative people. Since the fad is becoming more popular it only makes sense for suppliers to offer to modify containers and add windows for natural sunlight, and an HVAC system for proper air conditioning, ventilation, and heating when they are needed. These will cost a lot more, but those who plan to use their containers for more than just shipping, it can be worth the extra investment. Restrooms and Kitchenettes To make a shipping container more livable and workable, some customers will also request for amenities like adding a functional restroom and a kitchenette, either full or partial. These are more complicated modifications that will take extra time, money, and planning, but when done right the container’s transformation is very impressive. Lights and Electrical Wiring Lights, sockets, and other electrical needs are also commonly requested when a shipping container is being modified by a supplier in Texas. Electricity is obviously important for a mobile office to function. Adding lights and electricity to a Conex box means it can be used as a home, restaurant, workshop, and so much more! There are so many other ways to modify a shipping container. Everything from security locks, shelves, even a roof deck can be added, depending on what your container office needs. Whatever your imagination can come up with, working with the right people will give life to your dreams. It’s all about creating a living and work space that you will want after all. Finding the Best Shipping Container Supplier Whatever your modification requests are, the container modification crew at Equipment Management Services will be able to accommodate your needs. They believe in creating your vision and with over 15 years in the container business, they will deliver. Call up our sales office or visit one of the full-scale depots in Houston for a glimpse of what the company offers. Their experts will gladly assist you with all things related to shipping containers. Sources: 10 Smart Shipping Container Modifications to Help Optimize Business Goals, FalconStructures.com Container Modifications, ContainerTech.com Buying a shipping container for you to convert into an office space is only the first step to making your creative ideas come true. Although shipping containers are versatile and easy to use, it would still require certain shipping container modifications to make them fully functional and safe. Following are the things you should consider and do when converting a shipping container unit into an office space, and preferably with the help of professionals.
Plan Your Layout Be decisive in your design. Having a detailed plan is crucial in ensuring that the modification project will go smoothly. This plan will show you the most efficient course of action. It’s best that you consult with an expert on this matter so you don’t insist on cutting out portions of the structure to accommodate your design preferences. Having a well thought out layout can also simplify the work for your contractors. They can easily plot which part of the structure they should leave space for additions or implements, such as stairways, plumbing, and electricity lines. Consider your shipping containers as a finite resource. You don’t want to mess one up; otherwise, you’ll render the entire thing useless. Prioritize Insulation Insulating the shipping container is important in making it a habitable space. Its metal structure, while thick and sturdy, is not enough to ward off the cold and weather elements. Apart from the fluctuating temperatures, there’s also condensation to worry about. Without proper insulation, the shipping container may be rendered even more vulnerable to daily wear and tear. Mold, mildew, and leaks can then develop, making the interior not just structurally unsound, but also hazardous to the health of your office staff. Even if your business is located in a relatively warm area, you still need to properly insulate your unit, even at the bare minimum, to ensure comfort and safety for both staff and clients. Window Security Because of the modular form of shipping containers, light sources are rather limited, which is why windows are crucial to the modification process. It’s not as simple as adding in a window frame, though. You can’t just randomly cut out holes for windows or doors on any part of the unit. Precise calculations should be made so as to not diminish the unit’s structural integrity. Otherwise, the load of the frame will most likely be drawn into the window cut-out. It’s crucial that you understand the individual components and sections of the unit so that you do not affect or inadvertently weaken its bracing and load-bearing sections. If you want bigger window frames, or even sliding doors, for example, you can compensate for the wide opening by providing additional support with a steel beam or other similar material. Again, it would be a lot better if you work with certified professionals who can guide you accordingly as to these very technical modifications. Suppliers like Equipment Management Services, which operate off-dock container storage and maintenance facilities in Houston, Dallas, and Seattle, also offer modification services, which should make it a lot more convenient for you to complete your new shipping container office set-up. About Equipment Management Services: Equipment Management Services is a proud supplier of quality shipping container units. Our service goes beyond that, too, as we also strive to provide a full value-added service to our clients. This is why we also offer quality shipping container modifications, so your creative visions in converting your container unit may be fulfilled. Sources: 45 Amazing Homes Offices Built from Shopping Containers. Popular Mechanics. 11 Tips You Need to Know Before Building A Shipping Container Home. ArchDaily.com. Are you finally on your way to fulfilling your dream of having your own house? Or perhaps you’d like to make certain upgrades but would rather try something different? If the answer is yes, then you might want to consider shipping containers.
There are plenty of cost-efficient benefits that you can enjoy by opting for shipping containers as a primary material for construction. Here are some other reasons that could further convince you to repurpose shipping containers for your home. Easy to Construct One of the reasons why shipping containers are gaining popularity as a material for constructing homes is that it is naturally modular in form. This makes it perfect for creating and sectioning space according to your own preferences. Sure, there are prefabricated units readily available, too, but a shipping container, which can fulfill the same requirements, just has much better overall appeal. With proper help from reliable engineers and architects, you can look forward to a structurally sound home, be it just one or multi-level. It’s a plus too that shipping containers are very easily stackable, which helps make the construction process a lot easier. Versatility in Design Shipping containers come in a range of types and sizes. You have the standard unit that has a door at the front end, while there are also those that open on both. Some have collapsible sides, which make it perfect for expanding floor space. If you’d like a loft or a secondary level, consider shipping containers with removable tops. This allows you to adjust design easily to accommodate those sections. In other words, it’s wholly versatile, thereby giving you your money’s worth. There are also a lot of opportunities to play around in terms of design. The flat surface of the container can be easily converted into a rooftop garden, making your home much greener. You can also use the container with the side-opening for the second-level, and then attach an exterior staircase, giving you additional and easier access. Singular units are also perfect as extensions to your property without having to dig up for another structure. For example, you can use a 20-foot unit as an extra work or garden shed in your backyard. Or perhaps you can put up a spare poolside guest room, making for a more comfortable hangout area. Environment-Friendly If you pass by docks, you’ll probably notice stacks of shipping containers just lying there under the sun. Unfortunately, these will be left dumped there unless it gets used again for shipping or storage. If you buy shipping container units to turn into homes, therefore, you’re helping the environment by lessening the waste. Of course, it should also follow that the methods you use for constructing your container home is also going to be environment-friendly. This means using materials that are not harmful to the environment, as much as possible. While you’re at it, you can also invest in solar panels to complete your environment-friendly home. Fortunately, there are reputable and trustworthy suppliers of shipping container units that making that make buying quality shipping container units easy. Work with companies such as Equipment Management Services, which operate off-dock container storage and maintenance facilities in Houston, Dallas, and Seattle so you can get started on your dream home. About Equipment Management Services: Equipment Management Services is dedicated to providing quality shipping container units for both commercial and private individual clients. We have been in the business for about 15 years, and can assist you not only in finding the best unit but also in providing maintenance and repair solutions, among others. Sources: 7 Benefits of Shipping Container Home Design. MarineInsight.com. Pros and Cons of Building A Shipping Container Home. ContainerHomePlans.org. |
about usEquipment Management Services is an independent, family-owned business that specializes in supplying shipping containers to businesses and individuals looking to buy or rent them. We offer a range of containers for cargo and storage, and we also operate off-dock container facilities in Houston, Dallas, and Seattle areas with a combined 80-acre footprint. Our business is founded on providing outstanding customer satisfaction with quality products and services, plus fair prices to match. We have a multiple ‘Depot of the Year’ awards under our belt as proof of our stern focus on customer service. You can rely on us for all your new and used storage container needs. Archives
November 2018
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