All You Need to Know About Building With Shipping Containers in Kenya
Containerised structures, particularly homes, in Kenya are becoming more and more popular today. This is largely driven by the need for faster setups and convenience, especially due to their portability. While they may not appear cheap on paper, they become affordable when evaluated against time savings and location constraints.
Using shipping containers, you can build the following:
- Homes – Up to 4 storeys. A 20ft container can be converted into a studio, while a 40ft container can accommodate a spacious one-bedroom unit.
- Commercials – Retail stores, offices, restaurants, pop-up event spaces, display booths, art studios, storage units and even staycations.
- Institutions – Training hubs, workshops, classrooms and clinics.
- Special Purpose – Emergency shelters, restrooms and extensions to existing structures.
What Are Some of the Benefits?
- Faster delivery time – Construction can take between 14 to 90 days depending on the scope, assuming finances are readily available.
- Portability – Units can easily be transported from one location to another. The additional cost mainly involves transport and setting up new foundations.
- Repurposing – Containers can be converted from one function to another depending on their condition. For instance, an office can later be transformed into a home and vice versa.
There is no major downside except for space constraints. The rest of the challenges often arise when unqualified fabricators are engaged. Poor welding and cutting can lead to leakage, while inadequate insulation can result in excessive internal heat, among other issues.
If choosing a container as a home, it is important to understand that containers are built to fixed standards. The steel sheets are approximately 2 mm thick. In terms of height, there are low cube containers (2.6 metres high) and high cube containers (2.9 metres high). The standard width is 2.4 metres. Lengths vary, with a 20ft container measuring 6.1 metres and a 40ft container measuring 12.2 metres.
This makes them more suitable for minimalist living. If additional space is required, multiple containers can be combined, guided by proper design.
Cost Considerations
Cost is neither a fixed advantage nor disadvantage, as it depends on the scope and what you are comparing against, especially considering project constraints.
- A 20ft container starts from approximately Ksh 190,000
- A 40ft container starts from approximately Ksh 370,000
These prices typically represent about one-third of the total fabrication and fit-out cost for homes, and about half for other uses. i.e a 20ft studio averages around Ksh 540,000 while the same container used as an office, averages around Ksh 360,000.
Key Considerations When Buying a Container
Repurposing a container is a quite a process, but acquiring a genuine container is the most critical step. Just like vehicles, containers have documentation known as a container interchange (similar to a logbook).
The biggest mistake is buying below market price, which can lead to several risks, including:
- The container lacking proper documentation or a referenced chassis plate (usually a metallic plate on the left door).
- The container is not fit for human use, possibly having been used to transport toxic substances.
- The container is too old or in poor condition. Market-standard containers are typically from 2010–2015, with newer ones being way more expensive.
In conclusion, this is a good option to look into especially for offgriders who value its flexibility and convenience. We fully design and build the same.
Cost is neither a fixed advantage nor disadvantage, as it depends on the scope and what you are comparing against, especially considering project constraints.
For more information, reach out to us via info@rickfes.co.ke
At Rickfes Construction Ltd, we help clients/developers design and develop off-grid homes using shipping containers and other innovative building technologies. Whether it’s a private retreat, farm accommodation or rental property, we provide planning, construction, and technical expertise to implement your vision.
