Not many people understand how shipping container homes can modernize homeownership without having you spend a fortune. Because they combine minimalism, affordability, functionality, and a high degree of customizability, they’re the ultimate 21st-century investment.
This is why you might be looking for shipping container homes for sale in North Dakota that suit this state’s cold, stormy, and tornado-prone climate.
Below, you’ll find reviews of the top container house builders in North Dakota and homes you can personalize and construct in your chosen location.
Let the ride begin!
How much do container homes in North Dakota cost?
Having an idea about the price range of shipping container homes in North Dakota is the first step toward a well-placed investment.
Averagely speaking, prefab container homes usually start at $30,000 to $100,000 in North Dakota. Once you compare these prices to a roaring starting point of $240,000 for a timber home, it’s easy to understand why modern families take the route of shipping container living!
Of course, the cost of constructing container homes varies depending on the location within the state and any modifications you make to the house. But, most importantly, the price will differ if you DIY the house or hire a company to build it for you.
For example, dedicating yourself to constructing a shipping container home will likely have you spend $130–$175 for each square foot.
In the scenario where you use the services of a builder to do the job from start to finish, you can expect to pay $250–$300 per square foot.
4 Best container home builders in North Dakota
With a clear idea of the average cost of a container home, it’s time for you to browse the top shipping container home builders in North Dakota.
After knowing their principles, achievements, and how far they’ve come in the design and construction industry, choosing the right one to hire should be easy!
1. Custom Container Living
Located in Missouri, Custom Container Living is your go-to option if you want an affordable house with plenty of customization opportunities.
The company’s owner, Robert Wagoner, uses his years of experience in building high-end traditional homes to come up with prefab solutions tailored to each client’s lifestyle.
The result is both aesthetically satisfying and highly practical, a combination that’s often hard to find with affordable living. To work with every budget and family size, the company’s website is rich in floor plan variety, ranging from tiny studios to full-fledged family homes.
You get to customize everything in your future home, such as the doors and windows, exterior siding, choice of appliances, roof style, wall finishes, and more.
Plus, if you’re concerned about quality, you can put your worries to rest because the company’s Core-level packages already have premium features without upgrades. For example, these packages involve top-quality doors and windows, ductless mini AC/heating units, etc.
Pros
- Multiple container home models to pick from according to your individual needs
- High customizability options that give you maximum control over your house’s features
- Suitable for people seeking simple and basic plans
Cons
- Only been manufacturing container homes since 2015
- Luxury lovers have one example on the site to refer to
2. Backcountry Containers
The second builder that’s ready to construct your shipping container home in North Dakota is Backcountry Containers. It does one thing best: combining tiny living with beautiful designs for an inviting atmosphere no matter how small the container home is!
It all started when the founder, Jon Meier, used his background as an aeronautical engineer to create a uniquely practical container home from one 20 ft shipping container. Soon enough, his work achieved more popularity until it was featured in the TV show Tiny House, Big Living.
Now, Backcountry Containers has five standard models that were formulated after years of experience in the container-building industry. Even better, you could choose to go all-custom, having the team inspect your property to model a container house to its natural features.
This builder is prepared to work on anything, from custom-made furniture to structures made for off-grid locations.
Pros
- Gives you the choice to either purchase a pre-designed model or start a 100% personalized project from scratch
- Pays equal attention to the house’s functionality and interior and exterior aesthetic appearances
- Gallery has a wealth of home design ideas, each with a one-of-a-kind taste and features that can help you plan your house
Cons
- Standard models don’t have spacious rooms
- Standard container examples are pretty basic and don’t have distinctive design aspects
3. Cargotecture
It’s hard not to drop your jaw in awe when you look at the projects that Cargotecture has worked on throughout the last 14 years. Each house or commercial building it constructed looks like the high-end side of shipping container manufacturing!
This remarkable touch is born from the company’s vision, which focuses on a deep understanding of how built structures affect the human senses. Joel Egan, the founder, also focuses on sustainability and residential buildings that handle extreme weather conditions.
Doesn’t that sound heavenly for the coldest and warmest months in North Dakota?
Once you get in touch with Cargotecture, you can benefit from multiple services. These range from project management and design development to schematic design.
Plus, the company tackles site-built and factory-made houses, using high-quality steel shipping containers in the process.
Pros
- Ready to take up a wide range of projects, from making modifications to a pre-existing house to building a new one from scratch
- You can easily get an idea about your project’s cost estimates, timeline, and more with a phone call
- Pricing section has a decent breakdown of each model and its specifications—great to give prospective buyers a general overview of container home features
Cons
- The standard models on the website have super-tiny rooms, which may not work for bigger families.
4. Snake River Tiny Homes
A family-owned company that specializes in tiny living, Snake River Tiny Homes made it its mission to provide solutions to the nation’s housing crisis. Not only does it create shipping container homes, but also small traditional residences and RVs.
People who dealt with this company liked countless things about it, the most important aspect is its high-quality interior and exterior finishes. Depending on your budget, you may request anything from simple, rustic designs to glamorous elements.
Snake River Tiny Homes also excels at financing your container home’s entire building process. It works with you to make sure that every dollar you spend gives you maximum value!
Pros
- A great option for people who either want a luxurious tiny home or a minimalist living space
- Known for its amazing customer service
- Works according to the International Residential Code (IRC)
Cons
- Not much experience; it’s been around since 2022
- Only four shipping container house models are available on the websites, which means limited variety.
North Dakota container homes for sale you can buy right now
Now, here are the top container home options you may pick from for construction in North Dakota.
1. The Professional
- Price: Core package starts at $64,800
- Number of containers used: 1
- Container sizes: 20 ft
- Size of the container home: 160 square feet
- Number of bedrooms: 1 loft-style bedroom
- Number of bathrooms: 1
- Standout feature: Minimalist layout perfect for solo homeowners
- Manufacturer: Custom Container Living
One of Custom Container Living’s coolest creations is The Professional, which took The Bachelor house’s floor plan and added a loft to it. Just by looking at the simple plan, you’ll get the idea that The Professional is all about practicality and affordability.
Yet, just because it has somewhat limited square footage doesn’t mean you won’t find everything you’ll need in such a tiny home. The single-container home features a living area that fits a loveseat or a comfy armchair, a loft to put your bed, and a bathroom with a toilet, shower, and sink.
There’s also a kitchenette with room for multiple appliances and enough cabinets to suit the use of a bachelor. With a Formica countertop and backsplash that you can customize to your taste, it looks like a high-end kitchen in a mini size!
You have control over the exterior color, too, whether it’s the walls or the sloped roof.
2. The Augustine
- Price: Starts at $66,000
- Number of containers used: 1
- Container sizes: 40 ft
- Size of the container home: N/A
- Number of bedrooms: 1
- Number of bathrooms: 1
- Standout feature: A hunting cabin that’s ready for construction on rough terrains
- Manufacturer: Backcountry Containers
Do you need a small container cabin that you can go back to after a long day of hunting or hiking? This adventurer-friendly mini-home has all the basic needs if you want to live in the off-grid parts of North Dakota.
There are two layouts to choose from, the main difference is the purpose of the room to the left, which you can either request be a garage or an enclosed bedroom. If you have an ATV that you use to move around in your property, the first model can provide a home for it just fine!
The builder offers many customization options, too, like built-in beds, a freshwater system, a rooftop deck to enjoy the breeze in the humidity of the summer, and more!
3. c640 Lookout
- Price: $119,500
- Number of containers used: 2
- Container sizes: 40 ft
- Size of the container home: 640 square feet
- Number of bedrooms: 1.5
- Number of bathrooms: 1
- Standout feature: All set with insulation to battle tough weather
- Manufacturer: Cargotecture
If you need a cabin-style family home or an affordable housing option for a young couple, the c640 Lookout is at your service. It’s made by placing a pair of 40-foot containers side-by-side to give you everything you’d require in a home.
Boost your comfort and convenience with a full kitchen that features a lovely accent wall, a washer/dryer, gas vs. electric heating, and light and plumbing fixtures. The walls have insulation to stand in the way of North Dakota’s harsh winters!
The structure is also outfitted with storage units you’ll find scattered everywhere you need them to make the best use of the available space.
4. The Combined Model
- Price: Varies depending on the chosen combination
- Number of containers used: 2
- Container sizes: 1 x 20 ft, 1 x 40 ft
- Size of the container home: 480 square feet
- Number of bedrooms: 3
- Number of bathrooms: 1
- Standout feature: A combination model that uses a Sample Ark Hudson container with a 20 ft shell
- Manufacturer: Snake River Tiny Homes
If you want extra space in a tiny home but are careful not to go over your budget, the combined model from Snake River Tiny Homes may be the perfect fit. It consists of a main unit and an attached shell model, allowing you to choose from different combinations based on your needs.
You’ll mostly end up with a three-bedroom floor plan suitable for a small family along with a larger living area to enjoy family nights. You also get the chance to customize everything in this container house, from solid-surface countertops to cabinets.
Better yet, the kitchen comes fully outfitted with a gas stove and oven. Plus, the shell model is ready with insulated walls, electrical outlets, and high-quality finishes.
Are container homes legal in North Dakota?
Yes. North Dakota state law doesn’t have any rules that prohibit the construction of shipping container homes.
However, you should still ensure that the house follows the state’s regulations. Take a look at North Dakota’s building codes, zoning requirements, property lines, and any building permits that you’ll need.
Thankfully, it’s easy to figure out where your house model stands by visiting North Dakota’s government website. Better yet, many of the previously mentioned builders already automatically conform to your state’s building requirements, taking the pressure off your shoulders!
Conclusion
Now that you’ve read our in-depth review of the top shipping container homes in North Dakota, finding a budget-friendly house to buy is a few clicks away.
You can pick from Custom Container Living, Backcountry Containers, Snake River Tiny Homes, or Cargotecture. No matter which company you contact, you’ll be confident that you’ll get top-quality materials, sturdy container structures, and a decent level of customization.
This way, not only will your future home have all the features of a comfortable lifestyle, but it’ll also be eco-friendly, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing!
Feature image: https://snakerivertinyhomes.com/container-homes/
