5 Most Common Mistakes When Building with Shipping Containers (and How to Avoid Them!)

As the eco-friendly building movement continues to grow, so does using shipping containers as a building material.  There are a lot of amazing shipping container homes and other structures out there that were built quickly and on a low budget.  However, we have heard of many DYI container projects gone wrong, as well as failed container projects created by inexperienced companies.

Here are five mistakes that are commonly made when building with shipping containers.

1. Not Researching Local Zoning Regulations

It’s really important to talk to your local planning and zoning department before you begin the building process.  You can usually find out some basic guidelines for your residential or commercial structure, but you will typically need to be able to provide information on the land plot as well as your floor plan and foundation plans. We are always willing to get in touch with your local building inspector to push the process along and answer any questions they may have about shipping container structures.

2. Purchasing a bad or incorrectly sized container

Easily the most common mistake is made when choosing the actual containers.  Many people aren’t aware of the various sizes of containers and more importantly, the two variations in height. Depending on what type of structure you are building, choosing high cube container vs a regular container can be a big deal.

Height Comparison: High Cube vs Regular Container

The quality of a container is extremely important.  Always do a proper inspection of the container before purchasing. You may be able to get a great deal on an old, corroded container, but it’s completely worth it to pay the extra money for a newer, undamaged container.

3. Not Choosing the Right Type of Insulation

In many cases, people think that one type of insulation is better than another.  The two most common choices for containers are spray foam and fiberglass. Choosing between these two really depends on the type of climate you live in and your budget. Spray foam is typically more costly, but better if you live in an area with high amounts of rain.  There is also other lesser used options for insulating as well.

4. Over Modifying the Containers

Shipping containers are a great building material due to their durability and strength. When you begin cutting the steel out of the container, the structural integrity is reduced. This requires added costs to reinforce the area that has been cut away, such as adding steel beams. Adding windows and doors doesn’t have too much of an impact, but it’s important to be aware of how much of the container you are modifying.

5. Using an Inexperienced Builder

DIY container projects are becoming more common, but if you lack the time and engineering knowledge it’s best to find an experienced builder to construct your structure. If you choose a builder who doesn’t have a vast amount of experience using shipping containers, it’s quite possible you will end up with a low quality structure.

These common mistakes can be easily avoided as long as you have done a good amount of research and planning. For more information about container building, read our FAQ section and this post about the most common questions we receive.  When you are ready to get to work on your project, contact us to get started.

How Much Does a Shipping Container Project Cost?

We receive multiple inquiries every day about various container project ideas.  The most common question we get is “How much will my shipping container project cost me?”  From the few pieces of basic information we are provided about the project plan it’s almost impossible for us to price out on the spot.  The cost varies for each project we create due to the customization that goes into it.  Here are the three most important factors that go into the pricing.

Design – We do charge for creating your customized floor plans and 3d renders.  Once we continue on to the building stage of your project this fee is included in the end price.  If you decide not to go through with the project, whatever designs we have created are obviously yours to keep and use in the future when you are ready to build your project with MODS or another company.

Time – Shipping container structures are built much quicker than traditional stick built structures, but not all projects take the same amount of time to complete. It depends on the size of the project, the materials you have chosen to use, the amount of fabrication, and if we are completely furnishing it or not.

Shipping & Delivery – The price of shipping depends not only on the distance of the trip, but also the number of containers we are shipping.  Another factor that is considered is the on-site set up.  How much works needs to be done on-site?  How many laborers will the work take to complete?

There can be other factors that affect the price of your project.  This is why when you request a free quote, we usually reply with a number of questions for you.  We want to be able to provide the most accurate, best price possible as well as delivering the best product. Contact us to get started on your project today!

How to Make Your Brand Stand Out at Trade Shows

A lot of work goes in to preparing a company display for an event.  Months are spent on budgeting, pricing, planning, and then there’s the actual event itself!  So, how do you make sure you are getting the most bang for your buck and maximizing your efforts?

MODS workers creating a custom trade show display

The most important part of the planning process is to define the purpose of your display.  What do you want the visitors to take away from the experience? How do you want them to think of your brand? These are very important things for us to know before we begin designing your custom trade show display.  A great example of this is our Nxt Pizza display. They wanted people to think of them as innovative and fresh. They also wanted people  to hang around and try their product. We created the display around the experience Nxt Pizza wanted their visitors to have. We used their color scheme and branding to create a cool, open concept design, complete with a sitting area on top of the container. Show attendees couldn’t help but be drawn to the display wanting to learn more.

You want to not only draw attention to your display, but leave a lasting impact on visitors. This can easily be accomplished by using MODS to build your display. A one of a kind shipping container display is sure to be a hit at any event. It also simplifies the set-up and take down process leaving you with more time to interact with potential customers. If you are planning an event in the near future or just want more information, contact us. We’ll work with you to assure your next event is as successful as possible!

There are many common questions that people ask us as they begin to research the use of shipping containers. As with any new concept, there are also many misconceptions about shipping container conversion projects. Here are five that we hear most often:

1. It’s cheap and easy to build with containers.

Probably the most common misconception about construction using containers is that it’s extremely inexpensive and can easily be done by anyone. Unfortunately, this is not true. You cannot build a home for $2,000, but it is less expensive. The national average for home construction is currently $125 per square foot, while our typical cost for a finished unit ranges from $90-$110 per square foot. The actual construction is not a simple process either. The containers weren’t originally intended to be placed on their ends or to have the sides cut out of them. This takes a very high level of structural engineering and precision on our part. It’s not something someone should try on their own without guidance.

2. All containers are the same.

There are different sizes and heights of containers, but the majority of them are the standard length of either 20 or 40 feet. There are also less common lengths ranging from 8’ to 53’. The most common height is 8’6”, but 9’6” high cube containers are also readily available.

There are a lot of shipping containers available for purchase, but they are not all of the same quality. At MODS, we use only the highest quality containers with minimal usage for our structures. We buy from a reputable dealer and inspect the containers before purchasing. If you are considering purchasing one yourself for a project, make sure to take the time to inspect for damages and find out how many times the container was used for transport. Doing this will prevent potential structural issues down the road.

3. A shipping container home will turn into a hot metal oven in the sun.

When a container is fabricated and properly insulated, it is actually more energy efficient than a traditional structure. We hear quite often when people our touring our standard units that they are amazed how cool it is inside even in the summer heat.

4. The structure won’t pass a building inspection.

Ours MODS comply with the international building code. In addition, if your local municipal code requires a building inspection of wiring and plumbing inside of walls, we can assemble the structure on your site for full inspection during assembly.

5. The containers will start rusting over time.

Shipping containers are made from a non-corrosive steel called Corten steel. They are specifically designed to be able to withstand all natural elements they may face during their trip across the ocean. This makes them highly resilient to any damage from wind, humidity, and water.

If you have any questions that weren’t covered here or on our FAQ page, please contact us. We’re always willing to share our expertise and get you prepared to begin your project.

Nxt Pizza Trade Show Display

We recently finished a trade show exhibit for A1 Concepts. A1 Concepts, located in Drunen, Netherlands, wanted to introduce their innovative Nxt Pizza machine to the United States. They have created an automated 24/7 pizza kiosk that allows people to order an authentic pizza, made with fresh ingredients, that is ready to eat within three minutes. For their display at the 2015 NAMA OneShow in Las Vegas, they needed a fresh and innovative looking exhibit to match their invention’s theme.

To create an attention grabbing display, we used a 20 foot container and incorporated Nxt Pizza’s branding, color scheme, signage, and a deck. The results were an exhibit that couldn’t be ignored by trade show attendees.

  

We had an amazing time at the show in Las Vegas and are very thankful for the opportunity to be involved in Nxt Pizza’s US debut.

If you are ready to get the word out about your product or brand, contact us today.