Shipping Container Field Shelters: What Are The Factors That Affect Their Cost & Value?

Shipping containers are versatile, sturdy, and heavy-duty, making them the perfect candidate for the building foundation of field shelters. They can be rented for temporary purposes, or they can be purchased and shipped by companies looking for a reliable sheltering solution.

Buyers often get concerned about how much shipping containers are valued and their construction costs. Let's address all the factors that influence the total cost of rebuilding shipping containers for field shelters.

How Much Is A Shipping Container?

A shipping container is not just an ordinary piece of storage; it's designed to last for an extended time. It can withstand extreme weather conditions, extreme temperatures, humidity, and rust. They're primarily built for transporting goods across countries and continents. Shipping containers transport many types of equipment like machinery, automobiles, aircraft, and boats. There are also cargo ships that carry containers containing hazardous materials. Moreover, some shipping containers are used for storing valuable items.

So, how much is the market worth of a shipping container?

Shipping containers are divided into three categories. You might be surprised, but they can actually be brought as brand-new; however, they are considerably more pricey, which is why most buyers who plan to remodel them opt for used containers. The third category is the "one-trip" containers that were only used for literally one service trip.

Here's a quick rundown on the average prices of used, one-trip, and brand-new shipping containers:

Used shipping containers:

• 20 Foot- around $2,000

• 40 Foot- around $2,500

One-trip shipping containers:

• 20 Foot- around $3,000 

• 40 Foot Standard- around $4,500 

• 40 Foot Standard High Cube- around $5,000 

Brand-new shipping containers:

• 20 Foot- around $3,000

• 40 Foot- around $4,500

If you purchase a container from a reputable company, you can get a fair price for it. Legit companies provide warranties and a guarantee against damage of any kind. It would be best if you chose an item with the most excellent condition and properly maintained.

The Cost Factors of Building Field Shelters Using Shipping Containers

Many factors can determine how much it costs to build field shelters with shipping containers. But it all revolves around the materials needed to achieve shelter functions and applications. Let's dissect each factor to take a closer look.

Size

Shipping containers have various sizes with corresponding prices, as stated in the above section. So, the larger the field shelter's purpose, the more expensive the shipping container should be.

However, their prices do not rely mainly on size, but on their current state as well. Even regular shipping container sizes can be as costly as the largest item when it's at its peak condition.

Shipping Fee

When you purchase the shipping container from a different country or region, you'll need to pay for the shipping expenses to deliver it to the field where it's going to be built.

In cases when you purchase from a company that custom-build field shelters that are made of shipping containers, their total cost may already involve the initial shipping from when they sourced the item. And when it's time for them to deliver the finished product to the field, you might also have to arrange with them regarding the shipping fee for the final dispatch.

If the custom-builders don't have shipping services for the finished shelter, you can hire movers or freight forwarder to haul it to the location. There are freight companies that specialize in transportation shipping container shelters so that you don't have to worry about the shelter's security while on the road. They will have the necessary equipment for the transfer process.

Design

More intricate designs on the field shelter should involve costly expenses. In most circumstances, field shelters do not necessarily require aesthetic designs. It's more of functional equipment that serves a specific objective. Although, let's not forget the fact that field shelters have numerous applications to explore. The point, in fact, is that building costs are also affected by the design intended for the shelter.

Features and Applications

What is going to be the purpose of why you're building shipping container shelters? Suppose you will be supplying for disaster relief where they need temporary living spaces, mobile hospitals, etc. You'll have to focus on special features and applications that can do the job. There should be specifically designed and unique mechanisms that will make it entirely useful. As it is temporary equipment or facility, it shall require innovative engineering, which might affect the labor costs of professionals who can create ideas and apply it to the shipping container field shelter.  

Materials

With all things considered, we shall move on to the last factor that contributes to the costs of building field shelters out of shipping containers, which are the materials.

The materials needed to accomplish the project greatly depend on the design, features, and applications of the shelter. This factor involves the quality of the structure, to let it withstand various weather conditions and remain durable for years.

Do Shipping Container Shelters Increase In Value?

There are a lot of raised interests when it comes to shipping containers nowadays. Still, it does not remove the buyers' concern about its viability, given that they are generally second-hand, and some of them have been exposed to harsh conditions throughout their years of service.

Shipping containers are extremely economical when it comes to construction costs. Plus, it's recycling at its finest. With that said, just because they're relatively cheaper doesn't mean that they quickly decrease in value. However, their length of usefulness depends on how they're rebuilt and continuously maintained.

When you decide to rebuild shipping container shelters, you have to secure certified safety inspections to remove accidental risks. Of course, you can hire professionals to ensure this during the construction.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to building field shelters out of shipping containers, there are several different prospects to choose from. The most efficient would be to hire a professional company to help you achieve the desired outcome. And in this setup, how much the cost reaches relatively depends on your goals for the field shelter.

You also need to consider the budget for the materials required to meet the demands of the shelter size, design, features, and applications. In this regard, we highly recommend taking note of all the factors listed above as a guideline for your budget options.

Do you have more questions about custom-made shipping container field shelters? Contact us to know more!

5 Innovative Ways to Re-Use Shipping Containers

Shipping containers are manufactured for overseas transportation of different kinds of products and goods. They are famous for their durability, high-quality construction, and ability to withstand the harshest weather. Contractors transport shipping containers all over the world to perform extended purposes due to their commendable construction and applications. 

Can you use Shipping Containers as Sheds?

Yes, of course! But that's not all to it.

There are ample ways to re-use and transform shipping containers into efficient sheds, shelters, and more. If you have a container and is looking for some good ways to re-use it, you may want to consider some of these:

Garden Shed

The most common way to re-use old shipping containers is as a garden shed. These are excellent for those looking to have something to get busy with right in their backyards. This type of shed has fantastic benefits with generous space. You can pop it up with glass windows and show off your beautiful garden.

Storage or Garage Shed

Shipping containers can also be converted as storage sheds. An advantage of the amazing space it provides is that you can combine it as a car garage and storage area. And another great thing about this is that the storage can be designed to look pretty and not only sturdy. You can choose one of many different finishes, such as wood or concrete. Many professional converters decide to go with these wooden finishes because they are much more durable and easy to clean up after. If you are interested in doing this, just keep in mind that they are meant for outdoor use, so you will need to make sure that you properly care for them.

Is it possible to convert Shipping Containers For Housing & Business?

That's about right! The numerous applications of shipping containers are becoming the "go-to" features that are approved by professional contractors.

Food Business

One way to re-use shipping containers in business industries is to use them is for food establishments. Entrepreneurs can source used containers and transform them with architectural and functional design.

Tiny House

Another trend that many people are following right now is converting shipping containers to tiny houses. Homeowners who decide to switch to "tiny," sometimes even mobile homes, use shipping containers because of the stability, strength, and endurance of the material, which are very typical qualities.

Disaster Relief Shelters

These good old shipping containers can even extend their services for those in need during trying times. They are also often used for relief shelters to attend to the housing and medical needs of disaster victims. 

In Summary

These are just a few of the ways that you can use shipping containers to your advantage. Many creative innovators continue to explore the different ways to transform them into more efficient equipment designs. 

By finding a way to re-use shipping containers, you can find a way to take the old materials that are available and turn them into something better, which is always a much greater deal for your budget and the environment.

Discover how you can utilize the applications of shipping containers when converted to efficient shelter systems. Contact us for inquiries today!