Shipping Container Homes

Custom-built container homes

Designing a custom-built container home allows you to shape your living space around your needs rather than fitting into a standard layout. You can select the number of containers, internal arrangement, and finishes to suit your lifestyle and budget. 

Our container homes meet high structural and thermal performance standards. You can also add soundproofing, accessibility features, or eco-friendly materials for long-term use.

Your container home arrives ready to connect to utilities, minimising on-site disruption. With flexibility in design and specification, you can create a bespoke space that feels permanent yet remains relocatable if your needs change.

The benefits of a container home

There are numerous benefits to custom container homes, including practical advantages that traditional builds often cannot match:

Durability - Shipping containers are designed to withstand harsh conditions, including saltwater and high winds. This makes them incredibly tough structures that are resistant to mold, weather, and fire.

Cost-effectiveness - Generally, container homes can be 30% to 50% cheaper than conventional housing, allowing more budget for high-quality interior finishes or eco-friendly upgrades.

Fast Construction - Since the primary structure (the container) is already manufactured, the building time is significantly reduced. A traditional home can take months or years to build, whilst a container home can often be lived in within a matter of weeks.

Eco-friendly - Repurposing used shipping containers is a powerful form of upcycling, preventing thousands of kilograms of steel from being melted down or discarded. This adaptive reuse reduces the demand for new construction materials like bricks and timber.

Check out our container house guide for more detailed information about container living.

The cost of a container home conversion

The cost of a container home conversion depends on the size, and design complexity of the containers you choose. 

Generally, we'd suggest that container homes usually cost anywhere from £15,000 and £30,000 for a standard 20 ft unit. Larger or more complex conversions are likely to cost more, often £40,000 and upwards. 

The upside of this is that these prices are still significantly cheaper than traditional houses, removing the need for a mortgage and making it easier to own your home outright.

Are container homes suitable for full time living?

Container homes are suitable for living full time, assuming they are properly constructed and converted by professionals. There are multiple aspects which ensure shipping containers are safe to live in, such as structural integrity, security, fire resistance, and more.

Shipping containers are designed to withstand long haul journeys through tumultuous weather conditions. As a result, you can rest assured that they have the structural integrity required to be converted into homes and other building types.

Container homes are also able to provide the same level of security as standard houses. We achieve this by installing high quality door and window fittings to the same security standards you’d expect in any home.

Bespoke shipping container homes with BCL

You can achieve a permanent, comfortable home with BCL’s bespoke container builds. Each project starts with a thorough design consultation to assess your wants and needs. We’ll conduct a full container design consultation to ensure the layout and finish you desire.

BCL focuses on durability, using weatherproof steel and professional insulation suited to the UK climate. The team also manages all structural reinforcements and ensures your home satisfies Building Control and planning requirements. Chat with our expert team today and let's get started on your dream container home project.

Container home FAQs

How do you turn a shipping container into a home?

To turn a shipping container into a home, you need to start with a structurally sound container, shot blasting away any rust and preparing foundations. Then, cut holes for doors and windows, add framing, insulation, and running utilities. 

At BCL, we reinforce cut walls and treat every container to prevent rust and degradation.  

How to insulate a container home

There are a variety of methods for insulating your container home. These include closed cell spray foam, flash and bat methods, rigid foam boards, and more. We will advise and implement the best method based on your location and specific container home project.

The best insulation methods account for moisture management, as steel containers can create condensation. 

How to heat and cool your container home

The most efficient heating method for container homes is usually heat pumps. This is because of their compact size and excellent efficiency, especially when combined with effective insulation. 

Other options can include wood stove heating, or even underfloor heating on request.