Frequently Asked Questions
Over time, we have learned that some customers would like to design and build their own container homes. In response to these customers, we have created a new offering that makes it easy to get started. Contact us for our selection of a la cart materials, container with openings, windows, and doors, kitchens, and flooring…we have what you’ll need to build in sustainable style.
- Simple plans for our homes: Our plans give you and your city a clear understanding of the design details to review for code requirements in your area. Once you get approval, you have the option to build our home using local construction help, or with our team. If you need them stamped by our structural engineer, we also have a permitted set of plans (for an additional fee) using different container shapes structurally designed to travel, stack, and build. Our designs are built BRAND NEW.
- Structurally engineered containers
- Custom windows and doors to fit perfectly in the openings
- Build Kits for our Accessory Dwelling Unit (list of goods supplied inside) (GE contact)
- Finished Accessory Dwelling unit for Humboldt County (link to Humboldt Homes)
- Custom Design
Our homes are built with custom steel fabricated modules, using low VOC paints and sustainable materials. They are not cheaper to build than other homes, but in the long run, you will not need to spend money repainting your home or replacing the roof or windows. All the materials have been carefully chosen to last.
We have plans and kits available of our homes. You can first buy our simple plans to get the permitting done, then purchase your kit. It will arrive in four to six months.
Design is of paramount importance to us. The space we occupy every day must be compatible with who we are and how we like to live. We design our spaces to be functional, beautiful, efficient, comfortable, and sustainable. We look for the finest materials and manufacturers and offer our products at a fair price. We also know that it is important to customize for your own taste and we will happily work with you to make it special for you!
We sell easy-to-use plans that can be taken to your local jurisdiction and reviewed for permitting. Many cities and states have not yet permitted container homes, so having a full set of plans for their review is the first step to building your home. Each state has different requirements, so after your initial review, you may need some additional work from our team, or parts for your build. For additional fees, we can help with most of your needs!
Our Single Home—HomeFree—is a great addition to any backyard with room to spare. It can be used for a member of the family who wants to be on their own, like a college student, caretaker, or grandparents. It can also be rented out to earn extra income.
If you are building a new home and want to live on the property while the main house is being built, our HomeFREE unit could be installed first and then become a great additional space for your newly built home—A guest room? Art studio? Private office? Our homes can work for all, customized for your needs.
Home Contained partners with BNIM Architects to work on a variety of designs that use ten or more containers. Design fees are typically $85 an hour and we can prepare the documentation needed for the permit process in your area. Home Contained makes the containers, windows, kitchens, and bathrooms parts for your projects. We can connect you with a local general contractor or you can build it yourself.
Our goal is, always, to bring in the best design and quality, at a fair price. Our experience sourcing and manufacturing internationally is extensive and most of our overseas partners are smaller cottage industry operations, owned and operated by families. Additionally, we work with some of the largest, most respected companies that have worked in the industry for decades. Innovation in design and manufacturing are essential to our projects. Our goal is to work with as many local manufacturers as possible, bringing manufacturing jobs back to the USA.
Our Kit Home comes with the following components:
- Double-glazed aluminum windows and doors
- Bathroom with toilet and Solid Surface washbasin and shower tray
- Interior and exterior LED lighting
- Tile floors in bathrooms, assorted several styles
- Bamboo flooring, 3 styles
- Kitchen-3 finishes
- Energy-Efficient Appliances options
Additional fee-based options can include:
- Outdoor Decking
- Delivery of the modules
- Permit Drawings
- Indoor Sprinkler system
- Solar system
- Crane rental
- Contractors to Build from Kit on site (It’s the buyer’s responsibility to take care of all site work, including plumbing, sewer, electricity and clearing)
We offer our kits for DIYer’s and Builders that want to save on the build cost and do customizations. Having the option to buy the pieces and parts to our units give you or your team the flexibility to be creative and use materials you prefer.
Our team has great manufacturing partners that can supply special order items in quantity. Let us know what you need?
My container homes are built with custom built steel fabricated modules, using low VOC paints and sustainable materials. They are not cheaper to build than other homes, but in the long run you will not need to spend money repainting your home, or replacing the roof, or replacing windows. All the materials have been carefully chosen to last.
We have kits available of our homes. You can buy our simple plans to get the permitting done, then purchase your kit. It will arrive in three to four months.
Home Contained partners with BNIM Architects to work on a variety of designs that use ten or more containers. Design fees are typically $85 an hour and we will prepare the documentation needed for permitting. Home Contained makes the containers, windows, kitchens, and bathrooms for your projects. We can handle the whole project, or you can build it yourself.
Design is of paramount importance to us. The space we occupy every day must be compatible with who we are and how we like to live. We design our spaces to be functional, beautiful, efficient, comfortable, and sustainable. We look for the finest materials and manufacturers and offer our products at a fair price. We also know that it is important to customize for your own taste and we will happily work together to make it special for you!
Our Single Home—HomeFREE—is a great addition to any backyard with room to spare. It can be used for a member of the family who wants to be on their own, like a college student, caretaker, or grandparents. It can also be rented out to earn extra income.
If you are building a new home and want to live on the property while the main house is being built, our HomeFREE unit could be installed first and then become a great additional space for your newly built home—A guest room? Art studio? Private office? Our homes can work for all, customized for your needs.
We sell easy-to-use plans that can be taken to your local jurisdiction and reviewed for permitting. Many cities and states have not yet permitted container homes, so having a full set of plans for their review is the first step to building your home. Each state has different requirements, so after your initial review you may need some additional work from our team, or parts for your build. For additional fees, we can help with most of your needs!
Our goal is, always, to bring in the best design and quality at a fair price. Our experience sourcing and manufacturing internationally is extensive and most of our overseas partners are smaller cottage industry operations, owned and operated by families. Additionally, we work with some of the largest, most respected companies that have worked in the industry for decades. Innovation in design and manufacturing are essential to our projects. Our goal is to work with as many local manufacturers as possible, bringing manufacturing jobs back to the USA.
Over time we have learned that many customers would really like to design and build their own container homes. Responding to these customers we have created a new offering that makes it easy to get started. Check our selection of ready-to-build DIY plans, a la cart materials, container with openings, windows, and doors, kitchens, and flooring…we have what you’ll need to build in sustainable style.
Made just for us: Home Contained sources the most beautiful, sustainable materials and products for our designs. We also offer these sourcing services to other developers and container home builders.
Home Contained works with BNIM Architects to offer developers full design and development services. Our goal is to provide small footprint living spaces with high quality design and materials, spaces that are efficient and easy to care for. In addition, we have on-staff architects working directly with clients to provide custom design.
If you need ten or more new containers, or need any interior products to build them out, we are here to source for you.
Home Contained makes custom steel fabricated modules, they’ve never traveled the ocean with others’ goods inside. The steel has been upcycled, painted with LOW VOC paints, built new for our buyers. Additionally, we make containers that can be up to twelve feet high. This gives our spaces an expansive feel with an abundance of natural light and brings the outside in, so that Nature is part of the interior design.