Best Prefab Shipping Container Home Builders - List of the Best Prefab Container Homes and Builders — Prefab Review (2024)

Whether you call it upcycling, repurposing, or simply smart, there has been an increasingly popular trend of turning shipping containers into homes. Prefab shipping container homes make use of the containers’ durability to create a structurally sound prefab container home, often in a modern industrial style. Additionally, because the shipping containers are so widely used, it is often easy to buy cheap, used shipping containers. This allows companies to design and build prefabricated shipping container homes at an affordable price.

Shipping container homes can either be made up of single 20’ or 40’ containers or have multiple containers welded together to create a larger home. Due to the containers’ durability, they can often be combined in unique layouts or even have rooftop gardens or decks. Similarly, the durability and modular nature of these homes allows for them to be easily transported once they are disconnected from utilities.

Our list of the best shipping container home builders features companies that create both standard and custom prebuilt container homes. These companies specialize in prefabricated container building rather than some firms that have simply designed or built one or two pre built container homes. The companies on our list offer some of the best prefab shipping container homes for sale in the United States. That includes single container tiny homes or large, multi-container houses.

Honomobo

Honomobo offers 8 models of eco friendly homes including both single and multi-container layouts. Most of their designs feature floor-to-ceiling windows and can easily include alternative livings spaces such as decks or garages. All of their prefabricated container homes can easily integrate with PV solar units for added sustainability.

Their pre fabricated homes are available for delivery throughout the Northwestern US. We estimate that a turn-key container home from Honomobo costs between $400 - $600 per square foot, with customized homes costing slightly more.

Example of work: HO5+

Backcountry Containers

Backcountry Containers creates custom-built shipping container homes. Their prefab container homes can either use single 20’ or 40’ containers or feature a combination of containers. It is worth noting, however, that they are only responsible for manufacturing the shell of the home (including built-in utilities e.g. electrical and plumbing).

In order to finish your custom shipping container home, individuals must work with a local contractor. It is also worth noting that Backcountry Containers only accepts projects within Texas. We estimate that a finished prefab container house from Backcountry Containers costs around $400 per square foot.

Example of work: Custom Projects

Custom Container Living

Custom Container Living offers more than 15 models of predesigned shipping container homes. Their prefabricated container houses can be as small as 160 square feet which can be used as a studio, tiny home, or ADU. Their larger models can be as big as 960 square feet and feature modern designs.

Their homes can be delivered throughout the continental U.S. and shipping within 200 miles of their Archie, MO factory is free.

Their single 20’ container homes start at $25,000, not including site work and shipping. Their larger homes, like the 960 square foot, “Luxury 4 All” starts at $179,000 before upgrades and site work.

Example of work: Dwell Well

Cargotecture

Cargotecture manufactures 6 models of container homes. Their prefab shipping container houses range in size from 160 sq ft to 720 sq ft. Their homes are delivered fully furnished and move-in ready. Once they are delivered to the build site, they only need to be secured to the foundation and hooked up to the utilities.

In regards to customizations, buyers have the ability to add certain features such as a green roof or rainwater collection and storage. Another benefit of working with Cargotecture is that their homes can be shipped worldwide. We estimate that a finished prefab container home from Cargotecture costs between $250 - $400 per sqft.

Example of work: c680

Steelblox

Steelblox designs and manufactures modern modular homes using recycled shipping containers. They have a range of prefab container homes for sale including: ADUs, single family homes, office units, and custom shipping container homes. They also offer several quick-ship container homes which can be built and shipped in as little as 90 days of purchasing.

Their homes feature modern, aesthetically pleasing architecture. It is also worth noting that their prefabricated shipping container homes can ship up to 95% complete. This means very limited on-site work is necessary to make your home move-in ready. We estimate a turn-key container house from Steelblox to cost between $350 - $500 per square foot.

Example of work: Model 6