There was a time when owning your house was very expensive. You would need to take out a loan from the bank or sell some property to be able to build or buy a new house. With the introduction of container houses, the scenario has changed. Although these container houses are different, they are a great alternative to the traditional homes at half the cost.
You can now buy tailor-made container houses that fit your list of requirements from trusted container house manufacturers. Here are a few things you should consider before buying your very own container house.
Examine The Container
The first thing you want to do before buying a container home is to completely examine the shipping container and make sure it fits your needs. Check the container’s interior and exterior for any signs of corrosion or rust. Make sure the container’s structural integrity is not compromised due to excessive modification.
There are several types of containers used for building container homes. A container home built using the high-cube shipping container will provide you with more living space. There are other purpose-built containers as well which can provide more width, some provide more height and some bring both options. Choosing the best one depends on your needs.
Foundations
A mightly important thing not just for container houses but for all homes is the foundations. You may be thinking why does a steel cube need foundations? The ground is a very unpredictable thing. It can rise, sink, slide, and shake that is why foundations are imminent for protection of the container home.
There are different types of foundations that can be used during the building of a container house and while you are buying your container house make sure that the house is well settled on some strong foundations.
Know Your Budget
Another thing to be on the look-out for while buying a container house is, how much will it cost? Usually, a container home is half the cost of building or buying a brick and mortar home. So, when looking for your dream container house you need to keep your budget in mind.
You can very easily end up spending more money on container homes than the traditional houses because of the various options for various needs. One of the primary features of container homes is cost-effectiveness so while buying them know your budget.
Know Your Needs
Different people expect different things from houses. Some just want basic homes that are cheap and don’t cost a fortune to maintain. Others live a luxurious lifestyle and want homes designed like penthouses. There is not much difference in container homes and traditional homes in this aspect. You can buy every kind of container home ranging from a single guest house to a multi-story home. It all depends on your needs and how you want to live in your house.
Insulation
After you find the container home that is within your budget and suit your needs, there are few features you need to make sure the container home possesses. The most important of these is insulation. Insulation plays a very important part in transforming a shipping container into a liveable house. The containers are all-metal. If not insulated you will be baking hot in summer and ice cold during winter days. So, make sure your container home is insulated.
Electricity and Plumbing
Pay attention to the electric wiring and water plumbing. Make sure that high-quality electric wires have been used to avoid any short circuits. Also, check for the sufficiency of the electric wiring and outlets because it can be very difficult to redo these things. In addition to lights for illumination, you might also want to consider some decorative LEDs, to create a more beautiful home. Water plumbing of the kitchen and the bathroom should be well done and properly fitted inside the container floor. You don’t want the pipes clogging and ruining the whole interior.
Expert’s Consultation
Nowadays no one really likes to get an expert’s opinion on any matter. Everyone is an expert thanks to the internet and google. But, there are still some fields where it is better to get an expert’s opinion as compared to relying on internet information. You can get loads of information but the level of expertise that comes with working in the field cannot be achieved with a google search.
So, it is best to hire an expert or a consultant before buying the container homes just to be on the safe side and to make sure you don’t get duped of money. You may have to pay a little extra to the expert but it is worth it because then you know you will get the best advice and in effect buy the best container home.
Conclusion:
Shipping container homes are such a unique and exciting idea. They have revolutionized the housing industry and changed people’s perception of a house. These are in no sense perfect, but still great alternative due to their cost-effectiveness, ease of build, ease of maintenance, eco-friendliness, and sustainability. This guide aims to let you know some basic things you should check in every potential purchase of a container home. If you carefully consider all these factors you will surely end up with the house of your dreams.