FAQ
Below are some of the most frequent questions we receive and our answers. We hope these help our prospective clients understand the container build process, if you have any additional questions please feel to reach out!
Are Container Buildings Allowed in my Township?
The short answer is yes. Container buildings are permitted in most municipalities when they are applied for with a proper building permit. Container buildings meet and surpass structural requirements and are ideal for rough terrains and extreme climates. Any proposed container home must meet the requirements of any permit application, including setbacks & lot coverage rules. To help with this process we offer a Permit Review Service for as little as $500, all that is required is an up to date site survey. If you are interested in a permit review please contact us for more details.
What are the costs of a Container Home?
There is a misconception that container homes are “cheap” to build. The reality is you are trading in traditional wooden framing for a much stronger and durable corten steel frame, the rest of the home is finished using the same trades and finishes as a traditional wood or brick framed home. However, build savings are found in prefab modular construction as our container buildings are fabricated in under 1/2 the time of traditional builds, which saves our clients on finance costs. Also the exterior of containers don’t need cladding - our starting from packages include a painted exterior finish in your chose of colour.
Our homes start around $350/sqf on larger homes and around $400 on our smaller ADU models + delivery - including standard finishes, many upgrades are available based on budget and tastes. Standard finishes include:
- painted exposed external corrugate – painted any colour of your choice (standard paints), any siding can be added / partial or full coverages (upgrade)
- flat capped roof w/ torched sealed membrane - optional upgrades for peaked or slanted roof lines
- black vinyl window & door packages - standard 80”H doors (can be upgraded to 98”H)
- spray foam insulation - under floor boards, interior walls and ceiling to meet local building code requirements
- drywall & painted interior (standard paints) - can be upgraded to pine or other cladding
- vinyl click flooring – stock colours and patterns, or upgrade to engineered or hardwood flooring
- IKEA kitchens & bathrooms – standard items or upgrade to custom designed / built, does not include appliances
Costing does not include:
- permit - we have a team that can help with permit review & application
- site prep - remove of any existing building, pier or pad foundations, bringing in of services (electrical, water & sanitation)
- delivery - to be quoted based on location, to be confirmed with a site inspection
- custom furniture - we have a line of custom kitchens, office desks, shelving etc.
- decking - we have some modular at grade solutions available
How did container homes start?
All containers originate in China, they are then shipped all over the world and at the end of their lives were ending up in scrap yards near port towns. People started to pull these used containers out and building simple / cost effective housing from them. Now container homes are desired around the globe as a forward thinking, sustainable, modular build method.
Do you build from used containers?
The container home movement did start this way and there is a perception that all container homes are built from used containers, but this is not always the case. While we can build from recycled containers most clients opt for what is called a 1 Trip Container. This is a container that has only carried cargo overseas once, minimizing damage to the container. We hand pick only the cleanest containers with minimal dents and ensuring the water tight seal from the factory is still intact. We also typically build from 9’6” high cube containers (HC) which are a foot taller than normal containers.
How are Container Homes Built?
We think of container like adult sized lego. We build using 9’6” high cube (HC) 20’ (160sf) and 40’ (320sf) containers, which allow for very spacious 100”+ ceilings. Our building can range in size from a single container or multiple containers can be sealed together to create larger buildings. Our container buildings are permanent structures that are designed & built to local municipal building codes. All of our container buildings comply with all permit requirements including a sealed stamp from a registered structural engineer. Container homes are prefabricated to municipal building codes using the same finishes as traditional homes - including spray foam insulation, electrical / plumbing / HVAC, windows & doors, drywall and exterior cladding.
How are Container Homes Insulated?
Our homes & buildings are spray foam insulated, with closed cell spray foam. The R-value is dependent on local building codes based on the permanent location of the home.
How long does it take to build a container home?
Our bunkies are typically produced in 4-8 weeks, based on the level of finishes requested. The prefab production of our larger homes are typically 3-4 months but can be quicker based on our production schedule. Onsite installation is typically 1-3 days and onsite finishing trades typically range from 1-3 weeks depending on finishes requested.
How does the financing work?
Our container buildings are typically financed with construction loans from banking institutions or private lenders - we offer financing options through a lending partner. Banks will finance the container home for a traditional mortgage once the home is landed on its permanent foundation.
Phone: +1 (416) 848-0755
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @ballancecontainers
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