If you have ever considered building your own home, you know how the dream of it can sweep you away. With all of the things you can do when building your own home, there is almost no end to the possibilities when it comes to the design, setup, and layout. This makes building a house an exciting prospect for people who have vision and determination. However, if you have ever seriously looked into what it takes to build your own home, you have probably been put off by the astronomical cost and the amount of work it takes. Because of that, it just isn’t something that is going to be accessible to everyone.
That’s why building a container home in Hawaii is such a great idea. Hawaii is an incredibly desirable place to live in the first place and when you combine the idea of building your own home in this amazing place, it can be incredibly exciting. Plus, with so many banks and builders finally understanding what’s happening in the alternative housing market, there has never been a better time to get a project like this underway.
In this guide, we have put together everything you need to know about building a container home in Hawaii. By having this information at hand, you can be prepared for the whole process and make sure that you know what you are doing as you get your container home in Hawaii built.
What Is a Container Home and What Are Some of the Advantages?
A shipping container home is a house that is built using the shell of a large, rectangular shipping container. Shipping containers are steel boxes that are usually used to move goods around the world on trains and boats. However, because of their durability and design, they can be a great material to use for a unique and spectacular home. There are a number of advantages to using shipping containers for your home and understanding what they are can help you make the right decision for your build.
One of the biggest advantages of building a container home in Hawaii is the fact that it is so inexpensive. Shipping container homes don’t need a stick frame like traditional houses do and this removes much of the labor and materials you might otherwise need. Plus, it cuts down the amount of time it takes to get a project like this underway, which can save you even more money.
One of the other benefits of building a container home in Hawaii is their interesting design. Due to the boxy, rectangular shape of the containers, you can end up with a very unique home that you wouldn’t see anywhere else. If you are into the mid century modern design aesthetic, there are a lot of great options with a container home in Hawaii and you could end up building the home of your dreams.
Cost of Building a Container Home in Hawaii
When building a home, you will first want to decide on your budget. With a big project like this, it is best to know what the cost is by the square foot. This way, you can know how big your piece of property needs to be as well as how many containers you will need to get your project finished. You can also understand how much house you can afford and how many bedrooms and bathrooms you can put inside your container home in Hawaii.
The cost of building a traditional home in Hawaii is around $180 per square foot. However, with this price, you don’t get any of the finishing work that you would need in order to make a home livable. If you want furnishings like cabinetry or custom countertops, you will need to add extra money to your budget. This can increase your total price very quickly and put you over budget.
The cost of building a container home in Hawaii, however, is quite a bit less. You can usually get a container home built for around $105 per square foot. With the extra money in your budget, you can afford to create something that is entirely customized to your specific taste and needs and get all the things that make building a custom home worth all the work.
Container Home Builders in Hawaii
Once you have decided on a budget for your container home in Hawaii, you will then want to figure out who you are going to hire to do the actual building. While there are certainly some things you can do on your own, it’s important that you have a professional work with you to make sure your home is in compliance with all the local building codes and zoning laws. The construction business is difficult to navigate, but if you know what to look for, you can find the right builder for your project.
One of the most important things to look for in a builder for your container home in Hawaii is experience. Because container homes are very different from traditional homes, you will want to make sure that whoever you hire has the expertise in that particular type of project. Some builders specialize in container homes and finding one of them can be a big help when the time comes to start your actual project.
You should also look for a builder who has a good reputation when it comes to customer service. Look for reviews online of any builder you are thinking of hiring and look at what their previous clients have to say about them. They should not only be able to deliver an amazing final product, but they should also deliver a great customer service experience.
Affordable Portable Housing Hawaii
Affordable Portable Housing Hawaii has all kinds of designs available for a container home in Hawaii. If you want to have a builder who can offer you many different options when it comes to the types of buildings they offer, they could be a great choice for you.
LiveWell Hawaii Container Homes
LiveWell Hawaii Container Homes Builds custom container homes in Hawaii and can help you build something that is incredibly unique. They know what needs to be done when it comes to designing and building one of these homes in the area and can work with you to make sure you are getting everything you want from yours.
JPW Shipping Container Homes
JPW Shipping Container Homes specializes in shipping container homes in Hawaii and they operate all over the United States as well. They are one of the largest container home builders in the nation and they have a wealth of experience when it comes to building the perfect home for your vision.
Shipping Container Homes for Sale in Hawaii
Shipped.com Shipping Container Marketplace
Shipped.com helps buyers learn what shipping container is suitable for them and help them. With over 60 depots and thousands of containers on hand, they offer great prices for shipping containers. They have online direct checkout and a digital cart to help you find what you are looking for!
Makai Container and Equipment Solutions
Makai Containers is located in Honolulu but delivers containers to all the major big islands. They offer flexible financing and have new and used 20 and 40-foot shipping containers for you to choose from.
Containers Hawaii
Containers Hawaii offers refurbished or custom shipping containers for as low as $3900. They deliver and offer a variety of different sizes for you to choose from.
Container Home Financing in Hawaii
American AgCredit and Farm Credit Services of Hawaii
American AgCredit and Farm Credit Services of Hawaii understands the specific needs of the people of Hawaii and the specific challenges that construction in this region can present. Because of this, they can help you navigate the whole process and get you the financing you need.
FarmCredit Hawaii
FarmCredit Hawaii is one of the largest agricultural banks in the United States. They have a nationwide network of lenders who can work with you and make sure you get the terms and conditions you need to make your loan work in the long term.
Container Home Taxes in Hawaii
You will need to pay taxes on your container home in Hawaii just like you would with any other kind of home. However, because of the unique setup of your container home, there may be some different conditions and you may need to pay a different rate. A local tax assessor can come look at your container home in Hawaii and let you know what you need to be paying every year and whether or not there are any different rates or taxes you need to be aware of.
Where to Find Container Home Insurance in Hawaii
You can usually find insurance for your container home in Hawaii anywhere you can get homeowner’s insurance. However, some insurance companies might not know how to value your home and you might need to have the documentation of everything you spent in order to get your home built. Working with an insurance agent can be a great way to make sure your container home is covered and that you are getting the policy you need.
Container Home Floor Plans in Hawaii
The floor plan for your container home in Hawaii is one of the most important things you will put together. This will determine the layout of the inside as well as how the shipping containers themselves will need to be arranged. To get this portion of the design started, write down everything you hope to get out of your container home in Hawaii. Then, bring this to a professional draftsman who will turn it into a floor plan for you and your builder to use during construction.
Conclusion
By reading this guide, you should have a good idea of what it takes to build a container home in Hawaii. Having this information at hand will allow you to anticipate what’s coming up every step of the way and give you the upper hand throughout the process.
If you would like even more in-depth information and guides like this one, be sure to check out the rest of Container Home Hub. There, you will find more helpful tips and tricks from the pros as well as some featured container homes to get you inspired and ready for your own build.