Even when purchased brand new they are seldom more than US $6000. Construction involves very little labor and used shipping containers requiring only simple modification can be purchased from major transport companies for as little as US $1,200 each. Expense: Many used containers are available at an amount that is low compared to a finished structure built by other labor-intensive means- such as bricks and mortar- which also require larger more expensive foundations.Availability: Used shipping containers are available across the globe.Transport: Pre-fabricated modules can also be easily transported by ship, truck or rail, because they already conform to standard shipping sizes.Unlike wood frame construction, attachments must be welded or drilled to the outer skin, which is more time consuming and requires different job site equipment. Labor: The welding and cutting of steel is considered to be specialized labor and can increase construction expenses, yet overall it is still lower than conventional construction.They can be stacked up to 12 high when empty. Due to the containers' modular design, additional construction is as easy as stacking more containers. As they are already designed to interlock for ease of mobility during transportation, structural construction is completed by simply emplacing them. This simplifies design, planning and transport. Modular: All shipping containers are made to standard measurements, and as such they provide modular elements that can be combined into larger structures.Due to their high strength, containers are useful for secure storage. They are also designed to resist harsh environments, such as on ocean-going vessels or sprayed with road salt while transported on roads. They are designed to carry heavy loads and to be stacked in high columns. Strength and durability: Shipping containers are in many ways an ideal building material.See the list of advantages and disadvantages: Advantages

The containers are not insulated and do not provide protection against heat and cold on the inside.

They can be shipped by rail, container ship, or semi-trailer truck. These containers are ideal for construction because they can be transported to a site in so many different ways (and can carry some of the other construction materials!). They are typically made of corrugated weathering (commonly known as the trademarked COR-TEN) steel, and have simple ‘twistlock’ corners for easy stacking, locking, and craning. These intermodal freight containers have a standard size of 40 by 8 feet each, and are commonly 8 feet 6 inches or 9 feet 6 inches tall.

The challenge is to design a livable home out of standard industrial shipping containers.

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