Modular Container House Construction Costs

Cost data need to be adjusted in conjunction with the project's geographic location, policy requirements (such as seismic standards) and supply chain fluctuations:

i. Base Cost Components

Container Purchase Cost

The price of a standard size container (20 feet) is about RMB 22,000-26,000, and the price of a 40-foot container is RMB 55,000-60,000.

The price range of standardized finished products (for construction sites) is RMB 7,800-9,000 per unit (three meters wide and six meters long).

The price of non-standard customized container (including design) is 900-2,200 RMB/㎡, which is affected by the complexity of configuration.

Remodeling and processing costs

The cost of basic remodeling (cutting doors and windows, reinforcing structure) of a single container is about 15,000-45,000 yuan.

Professional labor costs (welding, assembly) need to be at least 15,000 yuan / project, the complex design of another.

ii. Material and Construction Costs

Main material cost

The cost of basic materials such as steel structure and heat-insulating materials is about 430-450 RMB/㎡ (including the main structure above the ground beam).

Environmentally friendly or high-end materials (e.g. solid wood flooring, composite insulation) can increase the cost by 30%-50%.

Labor and Construction Costs

The average labor cost is 220-260 RMB/㎡, and the outsourcing full-contract price is about 850 RMB/㎡ (including material loss and management fee).

Multi-storey buildings need to pay extra fire protection and seismic evaluation fees (accounting for about 5%-10% of the total cost).

iii. Additional Cost Influencing Factors

1. Design cost

Personalized appearance/layout design costs about 5%-15% of total cost.

Design fees for complex multi-story structures can be $30,000-100,000/project.

2. Infrastructure

Installation cost of water, electricity and sewage system about 100-300 RMB/m2 (depending on differences in regional municipal conditions).

Increased cost of energy-saving facilities such as solar panels and rainwater recycling 500-1000 RMB/㎡.

3. Main material cost

The quality and thickness of basic materials such as steel and plates directly affect the price, for example, high-quality galvanized steel can improve corrosion resistance but at a higher cost.

The selection of additional materials such as heat insulation and fire prevention (e.g. rock wool, polyurethane) will increase the cost additionally.

4. Process complexity

The precision of welding, grinding and other processes affects structural safety and durability, the higher the process requirements, the higher the labor costs.

Special functional requirements (e.g. photovoltaic equipment integration, detachable design) require customized production, resulting in higher costs.

5. Space Layout and Function

The larger the area (e.g., 40-foot container) and number of floors (≥2 floors), the higher the construction cost.

Complex spatial designs (e.g., high ceilings, multi-module splicing) require additional structural reinforcement and design costs.

6. Interior Decoration Configuration

The cost difference between basic decoration (plumbing, electrical wiring, doors and windows) and high-end configuration (solid wood flooring, smart home) can be 30%-50%.

Soft furnishings and furniture configurations need to be budgeted separately, with a mid-range standard of about 5,000-10,000 RMB/project.

7. Logistics costs

The farther the transportation distance, the higher the logistics cost, and remote areas need to pay extra for lifting and labor.

Extra-wide and extra-heavy modules may require special transportation permits, increasing the overall cost.

8. Site construction cost

The cost of foundation treatment (e.g. concrete foundation) varies depending on the complexity of the terrain and accounts for about 5%-15% of the total project cost.

Multi-story buildings require specialized teams to assemble, and labor costs are higher than single-story structures

iv. Total Cost Range

Basic single-storey Modular Container House 650-850 yuan/㎡ 20-foot single-container renovation Including simple decoration and water and electricity infrastructure support

Customized residential container 1500-2200 yuan / ㎡ Double-storey villa case (200,000 yuan) Including high-end materials and design

Multi-storey commercial/public building 2000-5000 RMB/㎡ Three-storey creative park project Containing fire and structural safety certification

v. Cost Comparison with Traditional Residence

Initial investment savings of 20%-30% (due to the omission of foundation treatment and part of the main structure costs).

Maintenance cost reduction 15%-25% (high durability and popularization of energy-saving facilities)