shipping container as outbuilding?

blueorchid_2

just fishing for experiences of converting an old shipping container to use as a shed or an outbuilding (within permitted development regs)?

Seen some necessarily fancy outbuildings for a lot of money. Wondering what's possible for less dosh. Although I'd have to use a builder as I'm disabled and non-handy.

I want to build an art studio in my garden. I have the space and prepared level ground. I have elec supply from prior commercial building on the site. Wondered about cutting containers to get optimal space,and use of site. Also for access.

Portakabin said it'd cost £5k to block the road and for big lifting crane.

thanks

thanks

Hoploz

For the cost of the container plus shipping, then adding the cost not to mention hassle of insulating and cutting it about to make windows etc, it's really not cost effective. Get a log cabin instead.

Owain_Moneysaver

As soon as you start cutting containers you lose the structural integrity and most of the advantage of using a container.

Grotty static caravans are pretty cheap (and you can clad the outside with wood to make them look nice).

The 'site office' style cabin is probably better for your purpose than a container, as it would need next to no interior fitout, and you can get cabins (and storage containers) in flat-pack form for where access is difficult; the smaller ones are man-portable.

http://www.cabinsandcontainers.co.uk/cabins/expandacom/

http://www.shippingcontainersuk.com/brands/self_assembly_site_offices.php

mark55man

i was looking for a craft studio for OH, and did find that some sites will sell display cabins for quite a lot less. These are usually in very good nick, and with most options. Still going to cost 12-15K, but thats not a lot of lot of money

We went to http://www.homesteadtimberbuildings.co.uk/ - they had a nice Oxford for £12K last year

Runningfast

The other thing to remember about shipping containers is that they are metal and will suffer from thermal expansion and contraction if not insulated properly. The noises they make, popping and creaking can be very loud and very often. If you have neighbours close by they may not like the noise especially during the night etc.

For inspiration watch Amazing spaces on channel 4. Channel 4's on demand Tv service has them on daily I have seen some amazing builds being completed for very little money. One couple built a summer house out of pallets, another used an old train carriage etc etc.

POPPYOSCAR

Runningfast wrote: »

The other thing to remember about shipping containers is that they are metal and will suffer from thermal expansion and contraction if not insulated properly. The noises they make, popping and creaking can be very loud and very often. If you have neighbours close by they may not like the noise especially during the night etc.

For inspiration watch Amazing spaces on channel 4. Channel 4's on demand Tv service has them on daily I have seen some amazing builds being completed for very little money. One couple built a summer house out of pallets, another used an old train carriage etc etc.

Oh I loved the train carriage one.

But how would you go about getting one?

FreeBear

Hoploz wrote: »

For the cost of the container plus shipping, then adding the cost not to mention hassle of insulating and cutting it about to make windows etc, it's really not cost effective. Get a log cabin instead.

Some containers are already insulated - Look for a refrigerated unit, but be warned, they may smell. That said, I agree that they aren't a cost effective solution unless you are right next door to a dock.

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

Oh I loved the train carriage one.

But how would you go about getting one?

http://www.wnxx.com/forsale/index.htm

http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/parts-sales/sale-items.cfm?cat=RollingStock&title=Rolling%20Stock

shaun_from_Africa

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

As soon as you start cutting containers you lose the structural integrity and most of the advantage of using a container.

Shipping containers are extremely strong as they are built to take massive abuse and loading during their transport and storage and provided that the cutouts for the doors and windows don't take out too many of the upright strengthening ribs then there is no problem with modifying them.

In many of the places I've worked for the past 30 odd years, our offices and workshops have been located in modified 20 foot containers and these were more often than not modified by me and a few other engineers using heavy duty angle grinders and fitting the doors and windows ourselves.
We have never once had a problem with any of the containers losing their structural strength and even after this we have shipped these modified containers to other countries and never once had a container damaged by the moving process (apart from broken glass in the windows).

JP1978

FYI, you can get cranes for a day for less than £1200

Gloomendoom

If you have the space, you can unload them empty from the lorry with a Manitou or a large forklift.

BTW If you are putting electricity in it, make sure the shell is earthed properly.

blueorchid_2

thank you all - that's given me a lot to consider !
especially about noise of thermal expansion and contraction.
All really useful, will have a re-think, considering pros and cons of my site. Cheers muchly.:beer: