All Forum Posts by: Account Closed

Sea container homes sound like a great idea .  But in my travels on the east coast I have NEVER seen any , or heard of any .  

Same with tiny homes  built on trailers . 

So ask yourself  If they are so great , why arent they all over the place ? 

A single wide mobile home has more room than a 40 ft container . 

Sea container homes sound like a great idea .  But in my travels on the east coast I have NEVER seen any , or heard of any .  

Same with tiny homes  built on trailers . 

So ask yourself  If they are so great , why arent they all over the place ? 

A single wide mobile home has more room than a 40 ft container . 

@Account Closed are you planning on doing this in Marion County? My first thought is 250k for that size of a unit + the brain damage just doesn't make sense. I'm not one to throw negatives at an idea...but a larger more widely accepted stick built apartment is 250K/unit for hard costs. Site development is most likely easier and permitting significantly easier. That being said, definitely not as cool as what you want to do. 

@Jay Hinrichs what's your friend's name who did the shipping container project in Oregon City? Did he ever get that thing permitted and built?

@Henry Clark that's some solid stuff man, thanks!

We do self storage units and also 20 foot cargo containers.  

Process for permitting will be very similar. 
1.  Get your cargo container company builder to provide engineering stamp drawings.   If they won’t give you engineering stamped drawings don’t do the project.  To include footings.  Find out if they will insulate the floor from underneath or inside.  This will dictate your footings.  Frost free or not.  Our zoning requires all human occupied buildings to be frost free footings.  Costs a lot more.  

2.  Get your local engineering firm to provide engineering stamped layout drawings with utilities.

3.  Run these thru the permitting board. 

4.  Design.  As mentioned above firewalls, addl fire exit say 2x2 window.      

5.  Insulation outside or inside.  Preferably outside. More space inside and less heat or cold transfer through the metal.    

6.  Even if you’re using 1 trip units recommend you put a slanted roof.  

7.  Your $250,000 probably does not include utilities and hookups.  Or footings, sidewalks and parking, excavation, permits.

8.  Parking.  Most parking is 9 foot versus 8 foot cargo container.  Check with permitting.  Also check to what degree you have to hit ADA door widths and parking spots.   

  9.  Fascia.  Can’t tell from drawings.  Zoning and permitting will require fascia.  Your cargo unit engineers should include in their stamped plans.  
  
10.  You might also check with any section 8 housing requirements.   

For one of our storage office sites we were able to build a 30x40 structure for $60,000 out of metal.  This included spray foam, concrete floor and metal sheet walls inside.  No other costs.  Just as another option.  

Keep us updated.  Sounds like all projects. Cost versus revenue.