Shipping Container Homes for Sale in Austin, TX + Top Builders (2024)

Though there’s a general housing problem in the USA, not many cities are suffering as badly as Austin, Texas. Over there, it looks as if there’s an ongoing housing crisis that doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon.

Sadly, this is primarily due to a growing population, major projects and developers showing up, and, most importantly, outdated zoning codes.

The codes and zoning laws that regulate most of the city haven’t been updated since 1984 when the city was about half its size in density!

As a result, many people started looking for alternative options, such as shipping container homes for sale in Austin, TX. And it makes sense! Container homes are affordable, unique, eco-friendly, and highly customizable.

That’s precisely why, today, we’ll look at shipping container homes in Austin, the best builders there, and what you should know before you start building. Let’s begin!

How much do container homes in Austin, TX cost?

Besides location, size, material, and similar elements, two main factors could affect the cost of building a container home in Austin, Texas. These two factors are whether you’re buying a pre-built container or if you’re taking it as a DIY project.

Building a container should be relatively affordable if you’re a DIY person, as it’ll only cost around $130 to $175 per square foot. However, while this is a very economically friendly option, it’ll cost you when it comes to time and effort.

Generally, it takes people at least 3–4 months to finish their container home—and that’s with consistent work! It can also require a lot longer, depending on the design’s complexity and your skill level.

On the other hand, if you’re buying a pre-built container, you’ll pay somewhere between $250 to $300 per square foot. It may seem like a large number at first, but if you look at it from a different perspective, you’ll find yourself getting a lot of value for your money.

Not having to build the container from scratch by yourself means you get to focus on the bigger picture and let the experts handle the tiny details. Also, you’ll cut the construction time significantly, saving yourself a lot of effort and time.

See also:

• Shipping Container Homes in Dallas, Texas
• Shipping Container Homes in Houston, TX
• Buy affordable shipping containers in Houston

The 5 best container home builders in Austin, TX

To get the best container home out there, you need a trustworthy builder who knows how to work with the right tools and materials to deliver high-quality products.

So, we’ve compiled a list of the best container builders in Austin to help you find the one you need!

1. Bob’s Containers

In 2019, the duo Robert and Will combined their peculiar expertise to create a shipping container building company that specialized in building high-quality, custom modular constructions.

Their goal is to turn the containers from being discarded metal boxes into an affordable, stylish, and eco-friendly homes! What makes Bob’s Containers different from all other companies is how fast they can accomplish their tasks.

They do this by following the “concurrent project management” approach, which allows them to finish the job quickly by managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Another thing that makes Bob’s Containers stand out is the thorough project process they’ve developed. It’s a detailed 11-phase outline that’s readily available for their clients on the website.

Finally, because of the company’s unique work and high-quality homes, they got featured in the hit television series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy on Netflix.

The company specializes in various types of containers, from residential to dorms, offices, restrooms, and vendors.

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2. Container Places

If you’re looking for a place with a deep-rooted history in real estate and building homes, then Container Places is the place to go!

Container Places started around 25+ years ago and thrived because of its employee’s diverse expertise and strong passion for building and designing.

The company relies on comprehensively detailed plans, starting with the conception where their crew listens carefully to what you want. After that, there’s the project proposal, solving land issues, financing, and more than ten steps!

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3. Kountry Containers

The best thing about Kountry Containers is they aim to ensure their customers live a luxurious lifestyle without sacrificing their budget or damaging the environment. They don’t compromise on style and often opt for sleek, modern designs that fit seamlessly with any decor.

Moreover, because they build the containers in their facilities, they ensure that the homes are built to withstand harsh weather and can handle the stress of moving around.

Like the two previous companies, Kountry Containers follows a detailed process to ensure their customers receive a quality product. However, what sets them apart is their free one-hour consultation call.

This call helps answer any queries, provide the necessary information and allows you to feel comfortable with your decision.

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4. Logical Homes

By purchasing a container home, you’re already doing your part in helping the planet by recycling an old container and turning it into a gorgeous home. However, Logical Homes takes being eco-friendly a step further by using unorthodox building materials.

Put simply, Logical Homes uses recycled or repurposed industrial materials to create unique, sustainable homes at a reasonable price. Moreover, this company is a DeMaria Design Associates subsidiary and brand.

DeMaria Design is an innovative firm that offers clients planning, branding, and architecture services.

They won several awards, such as the 2011 American Insitute of Architecture for Excellence in Design and the 2010 SEED Award for Innovation Recognition. The brand also appeared in several news outlets, such as LA Times.

Having Logical Homes under the Demaria Designs umbrella guarantees that you’ll receive top-notch services.

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5. Stack House Container Homes

We know they’re the last on our list, but that doesn’t make them any less impressive. Stack House Container Homes are among Cedar Park and Austin’s top shipping container home builders.

It all started with builder and contractor Zach Hargraves, an Austin native with 20 years of experience in the home-building industry.

He developed his company to meet affordable housing demands and is now working on container homes, workspaces, and even mobile venues!

The company offers its clients a “no limit” approach to their projects, ensuring they can handle it no matter the scope!

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Austin, TX Container homes for sale you can buy right now

After learning all about the best builders in Austin, it only makes sense to check out what they can offer you!

Below, you’ll find some of the best shipping home containers readily available for your purchase and customization:

1. The Olive

If you’re looking for something cozy, simple, and perfect for a small family or a couple, the Olive model might be exactly what you need! This little container home was originally built with the idea of a duplex.

Essentially, it’s two 40ft containers fused together and designed to mirror each other. The house includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, two kitchens, and two living areas. Of course, it doesn’t have to stay as two identical apartments!

You can customize it how you like, whether that means turning it into a single home or keeping the extra unit as a separate guest apartment.

What makes this unit extra special is the beautiful small deck patio that you can use to unwind after a long day at work.

2. The 40X8 Container Home

We understand large spaces and big houses aren’t always a good fit for everybody. And for that reason, we had to include this beautiful 40ft container on our list! It boasts a comfy 320 sq ft of living space with a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and living room.

Inside the home, you’ll find all sorts of amenities, such as an electric tankless water heater, a wall surround shower, LED lighting, and butcher block countertops.

While the container may feel small, the layout and design of the home give it a spacious feeling without compromising any of the essential features.

3. Kara 1512

Unlike the previous model, the Kara 1512 is much larger, with an open layout that can easily accommodate a large family.

Kara 1512 is built with two containers that are connected together to create a two-story home of about 1512 sq ft.

You’ll find two bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a living room, a dining room, a balcony, a master closet, and even more inside.

Finally, this home stands out because of the floor-to-ceiling windows and the Plexiglass-wrapped staircase. It’s designed to bring in as much natural light as possible and create a unique, modern look full of sunlight.

This model also has a patio deck where you can place a small table and chairs for outdoor dining.

4. Coho 800

So you’ve seen the large, the small, the simple, and the complex. Now it’s to look at the area between all of those. The Coho 800 is a simple one-container abode for a couple or a single person.

It stands at about 800 sq ft and has one bedroom, one bathroom, a kitchen, a small dining area, and a living room. This can be the perfect getaway for the summer holidays or just a starter home.

The Coho 800 also includes a semi-covered patio deck that lets you step outside and enjoy the fresh air without feeling too exposed.

Are container homes legal in Austin, TX?

Sadly, this question is a bit tough to answer. You see, Texas doesn’t have any laws prohibiting individuals from building tiny homes or shipping container houses.

Nonetheless, as we mentioned earlier, Austin is facing a housing crisis due to its outdated laws. So while there might not be a clear “no, you can’t build this here,” you might encounter some pushback from the city if you try to build one.

The best thing you can do is visit your local municipality to ask about your area’s rules and zoning laws. This way, you can build and customize your container home in a way that’ll guarantee approval from the city!

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many benefits to building a shipping container home in Texas, including Austin. You’ll have an easily customizable and affordable home, reduce waste, and own a unique house!

To get these benefits, all you have to do is take a look at the available shipping container homes in Austin, TX.

You’ll find various excellent builders like Container Places, Kountry Containers, Logical Homes, and Stack House Container Homes, all ready to help you build your dream home.

If you don’t feel like hiring a builder, companies like Bob’s Containers and Stack House Container Homes offer help for do-it-yourselfers!

Featured image: https://logicalhomes.com/