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How much does it cost to build a container house? - La Nacion Propiedades
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¿Cuánto cuesta construir una casa contenedor?
Un modelo de casa que está ganando popularidad, es transportable y recicla materiales impensados
www.lanacion.com.ar
June 17, 2025
How much does it cost to build a container house?BNB Breeze
In a world seeking to become increasingly environmentally friendly , innovative proposals are emerging that combine recycling with housing solutions. This is the case with "container houses," homes built with a structure based on recycled shipping containers or shipping containers . These homes produce eco-friendly housing units, which are even available on Mercado Libre.
Yes, these houses repurpose containers that travel on ships transporting merchandise, giving them a new purpose: to be the home of a person or a family. And one of the most striking factors is that they can be purchased through the platform created by Argentine entrepreneur Marcos Galperín; although it's worth clarifying that Mercado Libre isn't the only one selling them , as Amazon also offers prefabricated homes of this type.
Among the advantages of this type of property are the short delivery times , as they can be ready in six months or even less. Also noteworthy is the fact that they are recycled structures , which reduce environmental pollution, as they give a second use to an existing structure that would otherwise be discarded. Furthermore, their durability, as they are made of steel , designed to withstand inclement weather during sea voyages, and their transportability are notable . No less notable is the fact that other modules can be added to the original, making it possible to expand the home when needed; and that they weigh less than a normal concrete or steel house.
“Container houses” are homes made with a structure based on shipping containers or recycled containers.Shutterstock
However, industry experts warn that the container was designed to transport products on a ship, not to live in. "It's a metal shell that reflects the sun, allows water to enter, and accumulates heat. It's not structurally approved or verified by calculation standards, so using it as a home is not a good option ," warns Lucas Salvatore, president of Idero.
However, other industry specialists, such as Dice Containers, an Argentine container home construction company , explain that many do not comply with urban planning codes, but there are some players in the sector that do. "If the container is used as thin and long as it comes from the port, the minimum interior dimensions are not met. In our case, we comply with all Argentine municipal regulations , therefore, Dice homes are suitable for municipal development," explains engineer José A. Vives, owner of the factory.
How much does it cost to build a container house?
Currently, listings on Mercado Libre range from $12,000,000 to $23,000,000, and listings in dollars range from US$2,400 (for 30 m²) to US$130,000 (for 70 m² and three rooms).There are other options as well: a standard 90 m² home with five rooms and two bathrooms sells for US$65,381. The home comes with glass wool interior insulation, built-in electrical wiring, plumbing, and more.
There are also more affordable options: a slightly smaller 60 m² container home with three bedrooms and one bathroom sells for US$44,465. Another 30 m² model with one bedroom and one bathroom sells for US$26,740. Finally, another standard model, 15 m² like an studio apartment, is offered for US$18,369.
The container houses are movable. Dice Containers
It's worth noting that these homes can be purchased with financing, suitable for a mortgage loan from Banco Hipotecario. Not to be overlooked, the manufacturers offer the service of transporting and installing the container on the land where the house will be located.
A distant cousin: modular homes
Other properties that are built in modules, although specifically designed for housing and offering some major advantages, are modular homes. In a context where the possibility of owning a home is once again on the agenda for Argentines, given the resurgence of mortgage lending, many are wondering what type of home is worth purchasing. Furthermore, at a time when construction costs have increased by 126% since October 2023 , concerns arise about what can be purchased or built at affordable prices while maintaining quality.In this scenario, modular homes (but not those based on a shipping container) are once again gaining prominence . These homes are built through mass production, similar to the automotive industry. In other words, instead of going to the site and gradually building the house, almost everything is built in a factory, with different processes ranging from the creation and assembly of the structure to the final finishes. Once finished, it is transported in parts, by trucks and carts, to the site where it will be located .
Modular homes are built in a factory in a shorter time than a home made with traditional construction.
According to specialists consulted by LA NACION , the costs of building a house using modular technology are on par with traditional construction. However, given the volume they can acquire when mass-produced, in some cases their cost is 20% to 25% lower than a traditional, budget-friendly house , while offering all the advantages of this technology.
Although there is a wide variety of options, models, and prices within the modular home universe, many of their advantages are shared: they offer more controlled quality , since they are manufactured in-house, allowing for a precision of 2 mm; they are faster to build (in some cases, they are erected in two months) ; they use a more sustainable process with a lower environmental impact ; and they can be made with almost entirely recyclable materials . In this case, unlike container homes, they have walls designed to achieve good thermal insulation and are sized to be inhabited.
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