Washington’s real estate? It’s not for the faint of heart. Picture this: a single-family home that can set you back a cool $785,000. Yikes, right?
But here’s the silver lining for those of us who aren’t swimming in gold coins: there’s a game-changing alternative on the horizon.
Enter modular homes. They’re not just a trend; they’re a revolution for the budget-conscious. Curious about diving into the world of shipping container homes in Seattle, Washington? You’re in the right place.
In this deep dive, we’ll unpack the ins and outs of these innovative dwellings in the Evergreen State. Plus, a bonus: a curated list of the crème de la crème of container home builders in Washington. Let’s get started!
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How much do container homes in Seattle, Washington cost?
Shipping container homes can be significantly cheaper than traditional homes in Seattle, especially if you’re considering the lower end of the cost spectrum. It’s easy to see why. The average home value in Seattle is currently around $836,889!
However, the price difference narrows as you move towards high-end, luxury container homes.
In essence, while shipping container homes can offer a more affordable alternative, the final decision should be based on individual preferences, budget, and long-term goals.
To help you get a better idea of if a container home is right for you, let’s take a look at the cost of container homes; both DIY and ready-made properties.
DIY shipping container homes
If you’re trying to reduce costs, then a DIY shipping container house is the way to go. Without having to pay for labor, delivery, and installation, you can save quite a bit.
Instead, you’ll do it on your own. On average, it’ll cost about $130 to $175 per square foot. So, depending on the size of the home, it can run you anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000.
As you can tell, this is much more affordable than buying a traditional house.
Although you’ll save on expenses, building a shipping container home is no walk in the park. You’ll need quite a few skills and quite a bit of time to get it done.
Plus, you may have to invest in tools and other equipment if you’re not well-equipped from the start.
Prefab shipping container homes
If building a container home yourself isn’t your cup of tea, prefab (short for “prefabricated”) shipping container homes are a popular choice for many reasons:
- Quick Setup: Since they’re already made in factories, these homes can be set up faster than homes built from scratch.
- Cost-Effective: While not as cost-effective as DIY, they often cost less than traditional homes because they use repurposed shipping containers and are made in bulk in factories.
- Customizable: Even though they start as standard boxes, these homes can be customized in many ways to fit what you want.
- Space-Saving: Builders know how to utilize space effectively, taking advantage of every inch, even when there isn’t a lot of space.
- Portable: If you ever need to move, you can take your container home with you!
- Modern Design: Builders offer a variety of container homes with unique and modern designs.
In short, prefab shipping container homes are fast to set up, strong, and can be made just the way you want them. They’re a smart choice for many people!
Typically, a home built by a container home builder will cost anywhere from $40,000 to $200,000. That’s because the price per square foot is around $250 to $300.
5 best shipping container home builders in Washington
Finding an amazing container home builder isn’t an easy feat. There are many details to consider before you make a decision.
So, to make your life easier, we’ve compiled a list of the top builders in the area. In this section, we’ll go over what makes these businesses special. We’ll also cover what they have to offer.
1. Cargotecture
Cargotecture has been a staple in the container home industry for over 23 years. It was one of the first companies to offer these modular houses to clients.
Cargotecture isn’t just another property developer; they’re in a league of their own. Whether it’s a commercial skyscraper or a cozy residential nook, they’ve got it covered.
Each year, they craft everything from intimate cabins to towering edifices. But here’s the kicker: they’re masters at creating homes that laugh in the face of Mother Nature.
Ever wondered about a house that can shrug off the Sahara’s heat or the chill of the Arctic? Cargotecture’s got you. Their secret sauce? Next-level insulation and foundations that are as solid as they come.
And the diamond-shaped design? It’s not just for aesthetics. Think of it as a shield against floods, gales, and even earthquakes.
But wait, there’s more. Dive into the Cargotecture experience, and they’ll guide you every step of the way. From dreamy designs to navigating the maze of permits, they’ve got your back.
And the cherry on top? Most of their homes are ready to move in. Imagine walking into a fully-equipped kitchen, ambient lighting, and a warm, welcoming space. That’s Cargotecture for you.
Pros
- The foundation provides protection from floods, strong winds, and frost
- Superior insulation can work in both hot and cold climates
- Your home will arrive turnkey ready, with furniture and fixtures to boot
Cons
- You won’t be able to fully customize your home
- Cargotecture offers few size options when it comes to storage container homes
2. Hybrid Arc
Hybrid Arc has been around since 2003. It started out as a collaborative project between a group of Seattle’s top professionals.
They were experts in art, landscaping, architecture, and urban ecology. So, the company is able to create buildings out of steel with cutting-edge technology.
To bring you the latest in container home construction, Hybrid Arc uses four studios. These are:
- Design
- Build
- Develop
- Space
The Design Studio focuses on refining the blueprint of your home. You’ll get to chime in with your ideas to help perfect the layout of the dwelling.
Then, the blueprints go up to the Building Studio. There, Hybrid Arc pre-fabricates the home so that it’s ready for installation.
Moving on, the Development Studio is where most of the magic happens. The architectural team will spend their time trying to come up with creative ideas.
They’ll work on maximizing utility and improving functionality.
Finally, the Space Studio is a public venue for discussions. It holds 12 events a year, and it sponsors many artists in the field of modular homes.
During the meetings, people will discuss possible solutions to common problems. For instance, they’ll talk about the latest technology in sustainable energy.
Pros
- You can help choose the layout of your home in the Design Studio
- It provides clients with innovative solutions for common issues
- All the homes have a modern look that’s perfect for any location
Cons
- There are no options for single-person dwellings
- The properties can be on the pricier side
3. Relevant Buildings
Relevant Buildings’ motto is to minimize costs while maximizing utility. That’s why it started making buildings out of steel intermodal shipping containers.
It makes stylish homes that mix elements of steel and wood together seamlessly. This creates a rustic feel around the property that’s inviting and friendly.
If you’re on a budget, then you can opt for one of Relevant Buildings’ pre-existing designs. The business aims to provide clients with functional layouts at affordable prices.
You can make minor changes to the design for a small fee.
Moving on, the company also offers a customization option. That means you’ll be able to tailor the abode to your preferences.
Although, these custom homes come with a much higher price tag.
Other than that, Relevant Buildings’ houses are all pre-permitted. Because of that, you won’t have to go through the hassle of clearing the building with the state.
Finally, the company ensures that all projects are turnkey-ready within three months. This may seem like a long period, but it takes that long to process the permits.
Pros
- Pre-existing designs are affordable, which makes them perfect for people on a budget
- The homes blend wooden and steel elements seamlessly to create a rustic look
- The homes come with permits and arrive turnkey ready within three months
Cons
- Customizing the home can get pricey
- The largest size Relevant Buildings offers is 1,443 square feet
4. Steel Blox
The founders of Steel Blox have over 50 years of experience in construction and design. Because of that, they can provide you with a high-quality home in no time.
The process starts with financing pre-approval. An investment expert will sit with you and discuss payment for the container house.
They’ll walk you through all the paperwork and help you apply for loans.
Once that’s done, it’s time for site inspection. The company will send out an inspector to check the land and see if building on it is feasible.
They’ll also use this information to help them figure out the final blueprints of the home.
After that, you can move on to schematic and detailed design. That’s where you decide on a layout and the interior of the house.
The duration of this process can change based on how many alterations to the initial design you make.
With that out of the way, Steel Blox can set off to acquire the necessary permits. It’ll use these to construct the home.
Finally, all that’s left is installation. Once the home is in place, you’ll get to walk through to ensure that everything is up to par.
Pros
- An expert will walk you through every step of the process
- You can make as many changes to the designs as you like
- Since the homes are pre-fabricated, installation is a breeze
Cons
- There are only a few options for the exterior finish
- It can take a long while before your home arrives on site
5. Alternative Living Spaces
Alternative Living Spaces (ALS) offers a few different services to its clients. For starters, there are eco-friendly homes.
These structures come with ceramic insulated paint on all the interior walls. Because of that, the buildings have a good R-Value.
That means you’ll be able to heat the home for a fraction of the cost.
Plus, the paint allows you to skip adding further insulation. This, in turn, will maximize the internal space of the home.
Moving on, ALS also provides luxury storage container homes to clients. These houses are sleek, durable, and, of course, incredibly stylish.
You’ll have a lot of control over the interior and exterior of the dwelling. Although this comes at an additional cost.
Other than that, if you’re on a budget, you may want to opt for an ALS DIY container home. The company will ship all the materials you need for the build.
Then, you get to put your home together on your own. This gives you total freedom of what the house will look like at the end.
Yet, you have to remember, a DIY home will take much longer to complete.
Finally, the company has been featured in many publications.
Pros
- Eco-homes have a good R-Value, so you can save money on electricity
- Luxury homes are stylish and exceptionally durable
- DIY homes are excellent for first-time homeowners on a budget
Cons
- It can take up to four months to receive your home
- ALS can’t help with the plumbing and electrical foundation work
Washington container homes for sale you buy right now
Now that you know what the businesses offer, we can take a look at some of their homes.
1. De Lux River 40’
- Price: $398,000
- # of containers: 2
- Container sizes: two 40 ft containers
- Size of the container home in square feet: 1,024 sq ft.
- # of bedrooms: 2
- # of bathrooms: 2
- Standout feature: modern open-concept living room
- Manufacturer: Relevant Buildings
2. Model 2
- Price: $224,000
- # of containers: 1
- Container sizes: 20 ft container
- Size of the container home in square feet: 500 sq ft.
- # of bedrooms: 1
- # of bathrooms: 1
- Standout feature: colored wall panels and hardwood flooring
- Manufacturer: Steel Blox
3. Lux Alt 20’ Tiny Home
- Price: $48,000
- # of containers: 1
- Container sizes: 20 ft container
- Size of the container home in square feet: N/A
- # of bedrooms: 1
- # of bathrooms: 1
- Standout feature: full bathroom and kitchen areas
- Manufacturer: Alternative Living Spaces
Are container homes legal in Washington?
Storage container homes are legal in Washington. They fall under the same regulations as a stick-built house.
So, you’ll need to meet the current Residential and Washington State Energy Codes. For that reason, before you purchase a house, ensure that it meets the specifications.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to build a shipping container home Seattle or other parts of Washington, you’re in luck. There are quite a few businesses that can help you find your ideal house.
Some of the best companies include Cargotecture, Hybrid Arc, and Relevant Buildings. Other than that, you can also contact Steel Blox and Alternative Living Spaces.
All of these firms should be able to help you with acquiring a modular home in no time.
