The Complete Guide To Shipping Container Granny Flats

When your life, lifestyle, family, and financial needs seem to be getting harder to accommodate, it's time to focus on the 'little' things and look for the simple solution.

Shipping container granny flats have been an inspiring part of the 'tiny-house' revolution in recent years. The chance to downsize, declutter and simplify, yet still own your home that is both economical and eco-friendly? Micro-houses certainly have a lot to offer, and granny flats have long been an iconic Australian example.

Converting shipping containers into creative and custom-designed granny flats has become a popular and practical modern choice when joining the tiny-house movement, and the endless potential of these bespoke-built container flats is enticing.

What is a Container Flat?

Container Flats are modular living spaces constructed from shipping containers. These rectangular metal units were originally designed to ship goods safely and easily by truck, train or cargo ship, but soon became an innovative base-structure for contemporary architecture.

Strong, weatherproof, cost-effective, and yet highly versatile, the humble shipping container has since been reimagined and repurposed into industrial storage units, garden sheds, portable offices, commercial display rooms, pop-up shops, food trucks, on-site break or changerooms - and of course, residential container flats or mini-homes.

Custom container granny flat entrance. Source: AirBnB, Queensland, Australia

Smaller doesn't have to mean boring, with industrial finishes. Source: AirBnB, Victoria, Australia

How to Convert a Shipping Container into a Container Flat?

Turning a shipping container into a permanent, habitable dwelling begins with researching the possibilities. It is recommended to work with an experienced and accredited design team to guarantee your accommodation needs and creative vision will be met safely and functionally, fulfill local regulations, acquire planning approval, and meet building code.

Repurposed containers need expert inspections and professional repairs before building begins to ensure ongoing structural integrity. Key structural features such as doors, windows and dividing walls can then be installed, followed by ventilation and insulation, fixtures and appliances, plumbing and electricity, and interior and exterior decorating.

Add a skylight to let in natural light in the centre of the container flat. Source: AirBnB, Queensland, Australia.

Have an outdoor space to showcase? Include a window in the kitchen during the design process. Source: AirBnB, Victoria, Australia.

How Much Does a Container Granny Flat Cost to Build?

With property and building site surveyed and approved, building a container granny flat can be cheaper than other housing options, but costs vary significantly depending on your needs and design.

Our shipping container price guide indicates a 20ft secondhand container can start at ~$4,700 inc. GST, but size, type, grade and quality will impact this. Buying your shipping container from a reputable manufacturer to ensure a quality product and competitive price (and no problems later on during the build) is essential.

Then your individual repair, modification and custom-design requirements are important to consider - the number of structural elements, rooms and fixtures need to be factored into the cost, as well as decorative features and additional preferences like air-conditioning and appliances.

For the most time-effective, quality-assured and professional result, finding builders that specialise in shipping container conversion, design and modifications will keep your container granny flat project on track and budget-friendly.

Our list of the best container flats for inspiration

A unique experience for guests on your property. Source: AirBnB, Tasmania, Australia.

Add personal touches such as sliding windows. Source: AirBnB, Tasmania, Australia.

Double stack shipping containers to create a multi-story granny flat. Source: AirBnB, New South Wales, Australia.

Shipping Containers placed on footings and welded together. Source: AirBnB, New South Wales, Australia.

A granny flat container utilises all spaces. Source: AirBnB: Queensland, Australia.

Neat kitchen space with all the necessities. Source: AirBnB: Queensland, Australia.

Top 5 Benefits of Investing in a Shipping Container Granny Flat

1. Versatile

Families come in all shapes and sizes and are constantly changing and growing, so finding suitable housing accommodation is never easy. As an affordable and innovative option, container flats can provide all the additional living space you need.

Whether it's a AirBnB holiday cabin or rental unit, teen retreat or in-law apartment, home office or studio, extra guest accommodation or fulfilling your own yearning to destress, downsize and live with less - a shipping container granny flat is an ideal solution.

Add windows, doors or fixtures to complement your outdoor space. Source: AirBnB, Victoria, Australia.

Container flats can create a 'home away from home' on your property. Source: AirBnB, Victoria, Australia.

2. Economical

We've already considered the cost-benefits of choosing a container flat, but the long-term investment is also a significant economic factor. With their modern aesthetic qualities, portable but permanent possibilities, and relative speciousness and longevity, shipping container flats can enjoy high re-saleability in the future compared to caravans, for example.

Moreover, an approved, self-container and well designed second residence on your property is a significant financial investment in increasing the value of your home and land.

3. Time-Saving

How long does it take to build a shipping container granny flat? When compared to other housing types, the construction process can be impressively speedy. Acquiring the actual container means you already have the core structure established and in place, so building container flats is about modifying and customising rather than creating from scratch.

Plus, when you have a professional creative team working for you, the process can be even faster. Elegant but practical design with an emphasis on simplicity can mean the project is streamlined from the start, while much of the actual construction can take place off-site, and then your mostly complete shipping container granny flat can be shipped to you. Simple, easy and quick.

Add custom touches to make the space feel like home. Source: AirBnB, Tasmania, Australia.

Include raised decking to the entry to maximise living space. Source: AirBnB, New South Wales, Australia.

4. Environmental

In a world where we all want to be reusing and upcycling, shipping container homes are a sustainable and eco-friendly choice. From repurposing secondhand containers, and downsizing into smaller homes with less environmental impact and resource-use, to joining the tiny house revolution and choosing energy-efficient compact dwellings that are easier to cool, heat and light, while prompting decluttering and clean living - container granny flats are a satisfying eco-conscious housing solution.

5. Design

Forget anchored caravans, corrugated sheds or ready-made portables becoming permanent eyesores on your property. One of the key reasons container flats continue to increase in popularity and appeal is their chic modern aesthetic - each one is sleek and streamlined, neat and compact, and yet appealingly unique.

Shipping containers are beautiful building blocks for imaginative, customised design - from elegant minimalist industrial creations, to charming and cosy garden cottages. Thinking outside the box has never been easier or more inspiring.

Modify a shipping container to include a raised roof and large windows. Source: AirBnB, New South Wales, Australia.

Are There Any Disadvantages to Container Granny Flats?

Container homes offer multiple benefits as housing solutions, but it's important to weigh up possible disadvantages too.

If you are going the DIY route for example, the planning and approval process can be complicated and time-consuming. You need to put in significant work to ensure your build will be safe, compliant, and up-to-code. Plus, you need to make sure you purchase a quality shipping container of grade and size that meets regulations and your needs, and is structurally sound and fit for purpose.

When it comes to designing your own unit, ventilation and insulation are vital in the building process. Large steel boxes absorb and transmit heat easily, and inexperienced choices at this point could create unlivable conditions in your new dwelling later on.

Whilst containers can be relocated, they are not as easily transported as a caravan. If your intention is to setup a base and keep it there, then a container is a great idea. However, those looking for endless road trips around Australia will not benefit from the limitations offered in portability from a container. 

Finally, constructing container flats is complex work. Every modification made directly affects the structural integrity of the shipping container, so professional assistance guarantees a focus on safety in building secure and comfortable housing - and ensures your new granny flat will be a viable and successful long-term investment.

Is a Shipping Container Flat for You?

Building any kind of home is a serious consideration. You need to take into account budget, space, timeline, your family's need and lifestyle, and your own well-being. A tiny house can be a big and challenging project to undertake, so finding the right people to plan, design, support, problem-solve and construct with you is essential.

The shipping container granny flat blending in with the Mandurang Valley landscape. Source: AirBnB, Victoria, Australia.

Create a indoor outdoor living space with large sliding doors. Source: AirBnB, Victoria, Australia.

Our Container Modification Team Can assist You With Building a New Granny Flat

Once you have found a designer or architect who specialises in tiny home design, SCF can take their final plans and provide a quote to build your dream granny flat.  Our container-modification team has a wide range of experience modifying bespoke shipping containers. 

Reach out to SCF today

At SCF, we can assist you with finding the solutions that you have been looking for. Get in touch with an email or a call to organise a visit to one of our locations. We are looking forward to helping you with all your accommodation needs, in no time flat.