Prefab Container House Construction: From Planning to Moving in

What is a prefab container home?

A prefabricated container home is essentially a "world-traveled steel and aluminum box" transformed into a small, habitable, and livable space. Don't underestimate it; it's no ordinary steel and aluminum box; it's a carefully designed, pre-manufactured modular home. What are the benefits? It's quick to pack up and pack down, making moving like a magic trick. One day you can be enjoying the seaside breeze, and the next day you can be in the mountains, stargazing. It's eco-friendly, flexible, and has a cool industrial vibe. Living in one makes you feel like an adventurer, carrying your home with you wherever you go.

Do prefabricated container homes require planning permission?

If you plan to build a container home locally, it's important to understand that planning permission isn't optional, and you should carefully review your local council's planning requirements. Most countries and regions (such as the US and Australia) consider containers to be other permanent structures on a property. Whether it's a permanent backyard shed or a meticulously designed container home, engineering design, planning, inspections, and all other necessary approvals are essential before construction begins.

If you plan to modify or fabricate a container on-site to meet your design requirements, the situation becomes even more complicated. The key to a container's popularity in transportation lies in its structural integrity, and any modifications could compromise this. However, this issue can be addressed by hiring a structurally certified welder to ensure that the modified container maintains good structural stability.

How much does it cost to build a prefabricated container home?

During actual construction, there are many other related expenses to consider:

Architectural planning fees, which ensure the design complies with regulations.

Various approval fees, which are necessary for legal construction.

Foundation or infrastructure costs, which provide a stable support for the home.

Electrical and plumbing installation costs, which ensure basic living functions.

Flooring and insulation costs, which enhance living comfort.

Roof and gutter installation costs, which address natural factors like rain.

Transporting the container to the site also contributes to the cost.

UVO products can provide significant assistance in these areas. For example, when preparing electrical and plumbing installations, UVO's related supporting products are reliable and can ensure construction quality to a certain extent, reducing the additional costs associated with subsequent equipment problems.

What size prefab home do you need?

Depending on your design requirements, you may need to design a container of various sizes. Building codes in countries like Australia and some European countries specify a minimum internal ceiling height of 2.4 meters for habitable rooms. Our UVO expandable container homes are 2.48 meters high.

Design considerations are also an important factor in determining the size of a container home. In terms of cost, larger container homes offer better value. Much of the cost can be attributed to the corner castings and columns that provide structural integrity to each container.

When designing the layout, UVO can help you meet many of your needs, from planning the size of the home to selecting solar panels, bathroom fixtures, and water connections and filtration.

How to build your own prefab container home?

Before you begin

What do you really want from your new home? What kind of lifestyle do you envision—whether it's for living or traveling? While only you can determine your specific needs, it's worth considering the following questions:

Renting: Do you want guests to arrange their own cleaning services, or can you manage the entire process and host guests yourself?
Empty-Nester: Do you plan to age in place, or is this a way to be more active and travel?
Off-Grid Living: Is this your permanent home, a nomadic base, or a vacation property?

Consider the Location

Once you've decided on a location, it's time to design your dream layout. You can choose the right size, consider installing solar panels, select the right bathroom fixtures, and plan water hookups and filtration—all of which UVO can help you achieve. Also, ensure your design complies with local building regulations.

Purchasing Your Prefab Container Home

Depending on your design and needs, you can choose a 20-foot or 40-foot expansion unit, or a modular prefab home. During the purchasing process, pay attention to the quality and relevant specifications of the container to ensure it meets the requirements for subsequent construction and living.

Preparing Your Land

Clarify land use rights to ensure legal use for construction. Also, prepare the foundation to lay a solid foundation for the container home's installation.

Foundation Options 

Concrete Block Foundation:

This is a relatively low-cost foundation solution. Concrete blocks are strategically placed under the corners and other load-bearing areas of the container during construction to provide stable support. Its simple and convenient construction makes it ideal for cost-effective modular construction methods, ensuring the foundational support required is met while keeping costs under control.

Concrete Slab Foundation:

This foundation provides a stable, level surface, making it ideal for building on flat, solid ground. It is durable, has a strong load-bearing capacity, and effectively distributes the weight of the container home. If you are planning a more permanent container home, a concrete slab foundation is a good choice.

Crawl Space Foundation:

This creates a small gap between the container home and the ground. This gap not only facilitates air circulation and ventilation, preventing moisture from accumulating underneath the home, but also allows for easy inspection and maintenance of plumbing and equipment underneath, increasing the home's practicality.

Gravel Pad:

For temporary or mobile container homes, a gravel pad is a simple and cost-effective solution. Gravel itself has excellent drainage properties, allowing rainwater to drain quickly and reducing the impact of surface water on the home. However, it's important to note that over time, gravel pads may not be as stable as concrete foundations due to settling and other issues. Therefore, gravel pads are more suitable for short-term or mobile applications.

Pier foundations:

Made of concrete or steel, pier foundations are installed below or above the ground and primarily support the corners of shipping containers. This type of foundation is ideal for uneven or sloping terrain. By adjusting the height of each pier, the container home can be easily leveled. It also helps to elevate the container off the ground, reducing the impact of ground moisture on the home and providing a degree of moisture protection.

Post-Transportation Installation

Foundation Inspection and Adjustment:

Before transporting the prefab container home to site, the prepared foundation or substructure must be thoroughly inspected to ensure its flatness, strength, and dimensions meet design requirements. If unevenness is present, adjustments must be made using a level or other tool to ensure the foundation surface tolerances are within acceptable limits, providing a stable support surface for the home.

Prefab Home Positioning and Securing:

A large crane or forklift is used to slowly lift the prefabricated home onto the foundation and precisely adjust its position to align with the design layout. Once positioned, the prefabricated home must be securely fastened to the foundation using welding or specialized fasteners to prevent movement or shaking during use. For multi-unit prefabricated homes, ensure that each container home is securely connected and aligned.

Prefab Container Home Connection and Renovation:

Renovations to the prefabricated home are performed according to the design plan, including removing walls to create additional space and installing doors and windows. When demolishing walls, professional structural engineers must provide on-site guidance, complying with UVO's construction drawings, and employing certified welders to ensure the structural integrity of the building is not compromised by improper demolition. Doors and windows must be installed to ensure they are airtight and secure, and after installation, they must be tested for leaks and drafts.

Plumbing and Electrical Pipeline Laying and Installation:

Electrical and plumbing lines will be laid within the building according to UVO's design drawings. Electrical lines must use pipes and wires that meet safety standards and be properly insulated. Pipelines must be constructed from corrosion-resistant, airtight materials. UVO's plumbing and electrical accessories are particularly effective in this area, ensuring safe and reliable electrical components and tight sealing of plumbing fittings, effectively reducing the risk of future failures. After the plumbing is laid, plumbing equipment such as switches, sockets, faucets, and toilets will be installed.

Interior Finishing:

Edge sealing is performed on all internal panel joints, corners, and pipeline crossings. Dust and debris must be removed from the joints and corners to ensure a clean and smooth surface. For panel joints, special edge banding can be used. Ensure a tight fit between the edge banding and the panels, eliminating bubbles and warping. Corners can be smoothed with an angle grinder before applying a special sealant. Apply the sealant evenly to ensure a tight seal. Sealing pipeline crossings is particularly important. Fire-resistant sealant should be used to seal and seal them to prevent heat loss, rainwater infiltration, and pest intrusion, while also enhancing the safety and airtightness of the building.

Roof and Gutter Installation:

Install the roof and guttering according to design requirements. Ensure smooth drainage and no water accumulation. Ensure the guttering is aligned accurately with the roof drain outlet to ensure timely drainage of rainwater and prevent it from seeping into the container.

Equipment Installation and Commissioning:

Install solar panels, HVAC equipment, and other equipment. UVO has extensive experience in the installation and commissioning of solar panels and related energy management systems, ensuring efficient operation. After all equipment is installed, a comprehensive commissioning process is performed, including power-on testing of the electrical system, water flow testing of the piping system, and equipment operation testing to ensure proper function.​

Adding Furniture

Once the main structure and amenities are installed, you can add furniture such as sofas, beds, wardrobes, and televisions to gradually make the house habitable.

Move-in Completing

Once all preliminary work is complete and you've ensured the house is functioning properly and comfortable, you can officially move into your prefab container home and begin a new chapter in your life.

Construction Precautions

Structural Safety:

Structural safety must always be prioritized throughout the installation and construction process. Any modifications to the container structure must be reviewed by a professional structural engineer and performed by qualified personnel. Welding operations must comply with regulations to ensure the strength and tightness of welds.

Construction Safety:

Safety warning signs must be clearly displayed at the construction site, and construction workers must wear protective equipment such as hard hats and safety belts. When using large equipment such as cranes and forklifts, professional operators must strictly adhere to equipment operating procedures to avoid safety accidents.

Environmental Protection and Health:

When selecting finishing materials, paints, and insulation materials, prioritize environmentally friendly and pollution-free products to reduce indoor pollution and protect the health of residents. During construction, waste must be properly sorted and disposed of, and the construction site must be kept clean and tidy.

Compliance Inspections:

During construction, self-inspections must be conducted against local building regulations and design requirements to ensure that every construction step complies with regulations. After key construction milestones are completed, inspections and acceptance inspections must be promptly conducted by the relevant authorities. Only after satisfactory acceptance inspections can the next step of construction proceed.

Weather Considerations:

Before construction, pay attention to weather forecasts and avoid outdoor construction during extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain, strong winds, and high temperatures. If unexpected severe weather conditions occur, take timely protective measures to protect existing structures and materials from damage.

Equipment and Material Protection:

Equipment and materials transported to the site must be properly stored and protected. Electrical equipment, piping, and fittings must be protected from moisture and damage. Paint and insulation materials must be stored in a well-ventilated, dry area away from sources of ignition.

How to Maintain Your Container Home

Maintaining your container home is relatively simple, especially when you choose a durable UVO prefab home and utilize our professional maintenance program to further extend its lifespan.

Regular Inspection and Maintenance

UVO recommends regular thorough inspections of your container home, paying particular attention to seams, joints, and areas around UVO plumbing and electrical connections for signs of rust. While we offer a protective coating and UVO plumbing and electrical accessories are made of corrosion-resistant materials, regular inspections are essential. UVO offers professional inspection services, using specialized inspection tools to identify potential issues and address minor problems promptly, ensuring your home is always in top condition.

Cleaning and Surface Protection

Regularly clean the exterior to prevent debris accumulation and potential rust spots. We recommend using UVO's recommended gentle cleaning kit, which contains a specialized cleaning agent and soft tools to effectively remove stains while avoiding abrasive materials that could damage the surface coating and UVO external devices (such as the solar panel housing). UVO solar panels require regular dust removal to ensure efficient power generation. The included cleaning guide makes maintenance easy.

Weatherproofing and Sealing Reinforcement

UVO prioritizes the weatherproofing of its homes. Regular inspections of the roof, foundation, and UVO door and window seals are recommended to ensure there are no water intrusion risks. UVO features advanced weatherproofing technology, and UVO doors and windows utilize a multi-layered sealing design. However, if gaps develop after extended use, they can be resealed using UVO's proprietary sealant. This sealant is resistant to high and low temperatures and ageing, making it suitable for the operating environment of container homes and effectively preventing rainwater intrusion.

Do prefab container homes retain their value?

A well-maintained container home can maintain its resale value just like a traditional home. It's relatively easy to resell, and a major advantage is that it can be loaded onto a truck and shipped almost anywhere. However, before purchasing, you should inquire whether the container home is suitable for the local climate. If not, inquire about any modifications that may be required to adapt it to the intended location. UVO's related products have excellent adaptability and can provide corresponding solutions according to different climatic conditions, helping container houses to better adapt to the environment, thereby ensuring their value preservation to a certain extent.

Congratulations on moving in!

Congratulations on officially moving into your meticulously crafted prefabricated container home! From the repeated planning approvals and meticulous selection of the foundation, from the remodeling and splicing of the containers to the meticulous attention to detail regarding plumbing, insulation, and edge sealing, every step reflects your anticipation and dedication. Now, this unique and practical space will become a new starting point for your life—whether it's a cozy haven for daily rest or a base for exploring new possibilities in life, we hope it will hold all your beautiful moments and accompany you on a comfortable and convenient journey to a new life!