For many, buying their own home is a dream they know they won’t achieve. Wages haven’t kept up with the cost of living. This leaves the price tag of many homes beyond the reach of would-be buyers.
Like many US States, Texas is facing a housing shortage. The state needs more than half a million houses than it currently has. Building more affordable housing could be a potential solution to this problem. However, building new homes takes a lot of time and capital.
Contractors and home builders are wondering if converting shipping containers is the answer. If you are a home builder or an investor looking to customize shipping containers into dwelling units, then read on to learn more.
Affordable to Build
One of the main reasons to use containers is to build affordable housing .
They’re pre-made, so builders need fewer materials to convert containers into homes. This also uses less labor, cutting the building costs even further. These savings can then be passed on to the home-buyer.
Once buyers own the container home, they become much more affordable to maintain because of their smaller footprint. Also, containers are made from very durable materials to withstand harsh enviroments, like the rough seas. As a result, the cost associated with weather proofing the homes are also reduced.
Fast and Flexible to Construct
Contractors can build homes from shipping containers, sometimes in a matter of weeks, or even a few months, instead of years.
The modular nature of shipping containers makes them easy to stack. So, you can stack several containers together to construct a larger footprint home very easily. The standardized modular sizing makes home construction much more efficient.
Lastly, containers are easier to transport since they’re already designed to be mobile. That means once they’re sourced, they’re easy to bring to their intended destination.
Compatible With Other Sustainable Measures
‘Affordable’ doesn’t only refer to the cost of rent or purchase. Even reasonably-priced properties can end up unaffordable if they have high utility bills. Shipping container homes can be a great eco-friendly solution. They work well with sustainable solutions like solar panels. That means you can generate your own power and save on utility bills. Lastly, upcycling old shipping containers helps minimize green-house gases by reducing the need to mine for raw materials.
Zoning Laws Already in Place
Texas already has regulations in place for shipping container housing and is considered a pioneer in affordable homes. That means searchers can find affordable shipping container dwelling units in Houston, Dallas, or even Austin. For instance, the Lomax Container Housing Project provides affordable container housing in Dallas.
Having container friendly zoning laws makes it easier for home builders to consider shipping containers as a valid option for affordable housing in the state. Helping to ease the housing shortage without the high cost to buyers.
The Future of Affordable Housing?
In conclusion, there is already a precedent for shipping container housing in Texas. Given the current housing shortage, using containers could provide much-needed affordable housing relief.
If you are a builder or an investor and you want to get in on this wonderful housing trend, we suggest that you contact Equipment Management Services today. Find out how to get started making income with your own shipping container housing development project.
