Shipping Container converted to lodge/shop/storage?

CHRIS_WNC

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Hey all,
I’m contemplating buying one of the 40’ high cube containers to put out at our remote property. My idea is to have a storage-type building out there so that I can leave some stuff without it disappearing while we aren't there. Right now I load and haul in everything when we go and bring it all back home and unload when we are done. It’d be awesome to just have supplies there so we could have quicker trips in and out. This would be a somewhat temporary hing until we have a proper shop built in the next year or so. My son will get it for his club house when I’m done with it.

I’m looking for feedback from anyone who has experience (have one, friend has one, club or employer has one) with these containers. Specifically ones that have been converted for use as a building of sorts.

How was the foundation set?
Did you get permitted for power? Run a solar system?
How were inspections if you had them done?
Were the doors DIY done or factory installed?
Anyone have one plumbed in for water/sewage?

CHRIS
 
Skys the limit looks like, this video might give you some ideas. I haven’t any experiece other than just storing items in one as is but a co worker used two and built an Aframe roof between two like in the videos and likes it and has since enclosed both ends. He said his biggest challege was getting them level as his pad was not perfectly level under the shipping containers when he started.

 
We have a 40’ high cube here. Just has the regular doors in it. I ran a wire from the building beside it for some lights and receptacles. Built shelves in one end for storage that are free standing so we didn’t have to do any fastening. It turned out good. It gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Keep that in mind. Next spring i plan on putting a solar powered roof vent on it and putting cool seal or something of the sort in the roof to help cool it down. I’d like to install a walk in door also but that’s a later project. It’s a helluva lot of room for the price vs buying one or even building one yourself .
 
I've been wondering how hard it would be to put two side by side and cut one end into a big room by removing the walls and joining the two edges. I love the idea but I'd like something a little less narrow which is why I've been looking at wood buildings. Easier to insulate too.
 
I've been wondering how hard it would be to put two side by side and cut one end into a big room by removing the walls and joining the two edges. I love the idea but I'd like something a little less narrow which is why I've been looking at wood buildings. Easier to insulate too.
You need a building like @BatteryOaksBilly ’s bunk house as it’s called. I’ll take pics this weekend
 
You need a building like @BatteryOaksBilly ’s bunk house as it’s called. I’ll take pics this weekend

Groovy!

Right now I'm eyeballing a 14x26 (I think) building to convert into a mancave in a year or so. We ran out of storage and got a 10x12 from the same company and it's actually really nice, solid as a rock, delivery guy was great and accommodating and they're local.

I figure a bit of insulation, some wallboard and shelves, furniture, window AC and a wood stove and I'll hardly have to come into the house!
 
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The two least expensive options for a habitable structure are 1) used modular buildings like construction offices, and 2) shipping containers.

It's probably less expensive to upfit a used modular building.
 
The two least expensive options for a habitable structure are 1) used modular buildings like construction offices, and 2) shipping containers.

It's probably less expensive to upfit a used modular building.

That's likely now I think about it, but probably requires all sorts of government bushwah.
 
The two least expensive options for a habitable structure are 1) used modular buildings like construction offices, and 2) shipping containers.

It's probably less expensive to upfit a used modular building.

School "huts" can be had dirt cheap, electrical already there and plumbing as well sometimes. I've often thought about buying one to use as a woodshop.
 
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A shipping container has me thinking of a stationary "toy hauler".
Rear third of it with the wide doors would be a small garage type area to park our ATVs or maybe a tractor overnight.
Then a divider wall with an internal door.
Front two thirds set up as a bunk house/storage type thing. It'd have a people door or two for access. Some place to keep some chairs and grilling stuff. Maybe have a bunk in there for camping with my son.

From looking at the FB marketplace, it looks like I could get a 40 footer with a couple of doors installed and delivered for under $5k. It's a real tempting project. lol.

CHRIS
 
How you going,g to keep two legged critters out of your box being that it's remote?
 
I’m not planning on having windows in it at first. Hopefully solid locked doors and padlocks will keep them out. I live about 10 minutes away and have cellular game cams set up now. I’d move one over to the container when it’s in. That’s the plan in my head now anyway. :)

CHRIS
 
$5800 buys alot of lumber. That's th4 going price for a new high cube 40ft.

And about what I am thinking of paying for a 14x30 building that's got real doors and windows and stuff and has a whole floored roof space at each end I can use for storage.
 
About the only good thing about shipping containers now is the lack of windows and doors that are reasonably secure. They're certainly not a bargain anymore. And the used ones I've seen are ROUGH for $3K
 
About the only good thing about shipping containers now is the lack of windows and doors that are reasonably secure. They're certainly not a bargain anymore. And the used ones I've seen are ROUGH for $3K

Yep. Damn tiny house hipsters drove the prices up.
 
About the only good thing about shipping containers now is the lack of windows and doors that are reasonably secure. They're certainly not a bargain anymore. And the used ones I've seen are ROUGH for $3K

As for the lack of windows things, the guys we got our shed from told us they can have exactly what we want made up pretty quick. I was looking at one sort of cabin style but wanted less windows and 10' more length. Price goes up for length and down for less windows.
 
Those little rollback portable sheds are going $7k+ around here for 12x28...and I lose ATV or tractor parking. LOL.
Mine would be a specific use. Short term secure storage and a temp lounge/office area until we get to the point of building a true shop and barn on site.
After that we'd move it off to the edge of the woods and give it to my son for his club house.
I don't think a stick built shed is going to work for me.

CHRIS
 
FWIW, I am building a shed shop. I am nailing together pallets for a 15x40 shed, assembling the walls with the cladding being the struts in the pallets. I plan to put metal roof on, and use some craigslist doors and windows. The end result is looking like it is going to be around $1500, including some basic venting for heating. This is a LABOR INTENSIVE process, though. You have to cut the pallets with a sawzall and gun together about 3 times the "normal" amount of lumber. The good part though is that the lumber is all free.
 
@GridlockH8 did you ever get one for your place you mentioned?
 
The place in Greensboro on Merrit charges $2800 and then charges for delivery.
I feel lucky to have the high cube we got for 2450 delivered.
 
Looks good but it doesn't look like much of a foundation unless there is something that I'm not seeing. Lot of weight sitting on those blocks.
 
https://www.carolinafirearmsforum.com/index.php?threads/new-neighbors.40836/
Here is a thread from last year that I started about a dwelling near my home built out of three containers. WRAL tv did a feature a few months ago about this one that may have answered some of your questions if you can find it. The feature was on their website a few months ago. What I remember of it was that it belongs to a woman who lives next door in a conventional looking home which is a shrine to the Beatles inside. You might be able to learn from the Alamance County inspections department some of the details.
 
I've owned several shipping containers for almost 20 years. Some comments...

First, if you can obtain an insulated container, you are way ahead. They are made from stainless steel and aluminum, and pretty much last forever. The insulation is very effective. These are called "reefers" in the industry.

If not, you will want to plan on insulating at least part of your container. Closed cell spray foam is a good option.

Second - uninsulated they will condense a lot of moisture inside during the humid summers. Will also get very hot in summer and very cold in winter.

Third - High cube containers are typically 9'6" tall, compared with 8' for standard containers. The extra foot and a half is nice for storage, etc. If you're planning to have a bunkroom in one, then the extra space provides room for ductwork.

Fourth, re building permits, as long as they are not permanently anchored they are considered to be portable and exempt from permits. Technically you will need an electrical permit if you run any wiring. There is no need to pour a concrete foundation. Simply build a base of gravel (for drainage) and set the container on top of it.

They are extremely secure do to the solid steel construction. Doors and windows can be easily added but cutting the walls with a metal cutoff wheel. However you lose security with adding doors and windows compared with the base container.
 
About the only good thing about shipping containers now is the lack of windows and doors that are reasonably secure. They're certainly not a bargain anymore. And the used ones I've seen are ROUGH for $3K

Leaks are a real problem with used containers. If someone got one the roof should be coated with the thick RV roof paint to seal pinholes and reflect heat. When a container is closed up it becomes oven-like in the summer. Anything that is heat sensitive will suffer in a closed container.
 
In Djibouti, we lived in containers, 4 people, 2 to each side. pretty sure it was a 40' container. it had a regular house door on it as well as the container doors, power, A/C. at the time, no permanent structures were allowed
 
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Leaks are a real problem with used containers. If someone got one the roof should be coated with the thick RV roof paint to seal pinholes and reflect heat. When a container is closed up it becomes oven-like in the summer. Anything that is heat sensitive will suffer in a closed container.

Or just build a pole barn roof over the thing and make it look and work 100% better than just a metal box sitting out in the sun. You'll also gain an attic. See Also: Redneck Taj Mahal when done to a singlewide.
 
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