Everything you need to know about buying, financing, shipping, and installing your Turnkey container home.
Most jurisdictions require permits for any permanent structure. Requirements vary widely by location — most rural areas have fewer restrictions, while urban areas may require ADU permits. We recommend checking with your local building department before ordering. Many areas classify container homes as ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units), which often have streamlined permitting. We can provide a zoning guide to help you check your county's requirements.
Zoning varies by county and state. Generally, rural and unincorporated areas have the fewest restrictions. Many suburban areas now allow ADUs under recent zoning reforms — California alone processed 20x more ADU permits in 2024 vs 2016. We provide a guide to help you verify your county's requirements before purchase.
Many customers use our container homes as short-term rentals. Check your local STR regulations first. Our homes are designed with rental durability in mind and include all amenities guests expect. At an example rent of $1,800/month (est.), gross rent covers the $47,900 purchase price in about 27 months (est.). HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a studio in Miami-Dade is $1,828/month (Miami-Dade HCD memo of HUD's FY2026 FMR: https://www.miamidade.gov/resources/housing/documents/affordable-housing-resources/fair-market-rents.pdf; HUD FMR dataset: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr.html).
Container homes can be placed on concrete piers, a concrete slab, or a gravel pad with concrete footings. The best option depends on your soil type, local codes, and whether you want permanent or semi-permanent installation. We can recommend foundation contractors in your area.
You'll need electrical service (200 amp panel recommended), water supply line, and sewer/septic connection within reach of the container. These are the same as any traditional home. The container arrives with stub-outs for all utilities, making final hookup straightforward for a licensed contractor.
You'll need a clear path at least 12 feet wide and 14 feet of vertical clearance for the delivery truck. The container is 40 feet long, so you'll need adequate turning radius. A crane may be needed if truck access to the final placement spot is limited.
Once delivered and placed on your foundation, basic setup takes 1-3 days. This includes leveling, anchoring, and connecting utilities. If you've prepped utilities in advance, you could be move-in ready within a week of delivery.
We deliver to your property edge. Final placement typically requires a local crane operator and utility contractors. We can recommend service providers in most areas and provide detailed installation guides.
Production takes 6–8 weeks from your 30% deposit. Shipping time depends on your location — typically 1–2 weeks for delivery. Total timeline: 6–8 weeks from deposit to your property.
Every home includes: Senville SENA-18HF/D Dual Zone Mini Split (18,000 BTU, Alexa-compatible) for heating and cooling, a Summit All-in-One Kitchenette with washer/dryer, refrigerator, 2-burner cooktop, and sink, plus an Eccotemp i12-NG Tankless Water Heater for unlimited hot water. All appliances are brand new and come with manufacturer warranties.
R-30 fiberglass insulation in the walls and ceilings, behind finished interior walls.
We provide a 1-year manufacturer warranty on our workmanship. Appliances carry their own manufacturer warranties (typically 1-2 years). The container structure itself is designed to last 50+ years with minimal maintenance.
The bathroom features an Allen + Roth Crest Hill vanity with engineered Carrara marble top, a Delta EverEdge 3-piece alcove shower surround with dual-head and hand shower in brushed nickel, a Mansfield shower pan, and a Hanikes dual-flush round toilet (water-efficient).
While we don't finance directly, we recommend several lenders who specialize in alternative housing: LightStream offers unsecured personal loans up to $100k with rates from 7.99% APR and same-day approval. Hearth specializes in home improvement financing. Local credit unions are also often more flexible than banks for alternative housing. A $47,900 loan at 9% over 7 years = $771/month.
Financing the full $47,900 at 9% over 7 years costs about $771/month (est.). At an example rent of $1,800/month (est.), that's about $1,029/month (est.) in positive cash flow in this example. HUD's FY2026 Miami-Dade studio Fair Market Rent is $1,828/month (Miami-Dade HCD memo of HUD's FY2026 FMR: https://www.miamidade.gov/resources/housing/documents/affordable-housing-resources/fair-market-rents.pdf; HUD FMR dataset: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr.html). On payback, be clear about which number you're using: gross rent covers the $47,900 purchase price in about 27 months (est.), while net cash flow of $1,029/month (est.) takes about 47 months to recoup the full price. If you finance with 10% down, you're only out $4,790 up front, and that down payment is covered by the 10%-down cash flow in about 5 months. Compare any of those to a $400,000+ median US home on a 30-year mortgage.
We require a 30% deposit ($14,370) to begin construction, with the balance due before shipping. We accept bank transfers, certified checks, and can work with your lender for financed purchases. Deposits are non-refundable once materials are purchased (typically 2 weeks into build).
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