Have you been considering building a shipping container home in your backyard for a family member or to create a work-from-home office? Sustainable, affordable, and innovative, relocatable shipping container homes give Australians a more flexible way to live and work.

Whether you’re seeking an off-grid place to live or a teenage retreat for the kids, it is important to think about the size of the container and what will work for you.

This blog will delve into container dimensions, space planning, cost factors, and building compliance, and help make the building process a lot less stressful.

An Overview of Container Sizes

Shipping container homes are built to standard sizes for easy stacking, transport, and modifications. What are the commonly used sizes in Australia for housing projects?

Standard Shipping Container Sizes

Shipping Containers come in all shapes and sizes, and each has its own specific purpose. The most recognisable type is ‘Dry Container’, which–as the name suggests–is used for transporting dry cargoes. Dry containers are commonly seen in two different lengths: 20ft and 40ft; and two different heights: 8 ft 6 (8’6”) and 9 ft 6 (9 ft 6” High-Cube).

When shipping containers are repurposed for building homes, they need to comply with the Building Code of Australia, which requires all habitable spaces to have a minimum ceiling height of 2.4m. This can be achieved by using High-Cube containers.

This blog will only focus on High-Cube (HC) containers for the purposes of building compliant Class 1a structures: a home.

The measurements for High-Cube containers are as follows:

20ft  HC Container:

• External dimensions: 6,058(L) x 2,438(W) x 2,896(H)
• Finished dimensions: 5,800(L) x 2,190(W) x 2,550(H)
• Ideal for studios, home offices, and more.
  

40ft  HC Container:

• External dimensions: 12,192(L) x 2,438(W) x 2,896(H)
• Finished dimensions: 11,930(L) x 2,190(W) x 2,550(H)
• Ideal for a self-sustained home with 1 bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom.
  

Custom Size:

• Multiple containers joined together: side-by-side, stacked on top, U-shape, T-shape, etc.
• Ideal for larger homes or ones that gain great views with a double-storey.

So, how do you pick a shipping container size?

It depends on your circumstances. Think about:

• How many people are living in space? A 20ft is only suitable for a single person, while a 40ft is suitable for a couple or a young family for short-term use.
• What layout and design are you envisioning? Single container layouts are compact, side-by-side layouts create wider spaces, and stacked layouts have two or more containers for vertical expansion.
• What are your budget and logistics goals? More containers will be at a higher cost, for example, and you want to ensure your plot of land can accommodate the size and configuration.
• Double-check your local building codes and zoning regulations. You need the right permits and approvals before construction.

In any case, there are many custom designs you can work with.

Space and Design Considerations

• Will it have a kitchen?
• Do you want a study nook?
• How many bedrooms do you need?
• Do you want it to be double-storey?
• Do you need a bathroom with a shower, bath, or both?
• Are you working from home?
• Do you need guest or children’s rooms?
• Is the space for a business?
• Do you want to build with more than one container?

For example, a single person occupying a container home would be content space-wise with a 20ft, a couple would suit a 40ft or two conjoining 20ft containers, two 40ft (joined) containers for a small family, or up to four containers in a modular layout for a larger family.

Side-opening containers with full-length openings are perfect for art studios, pop-up shops, mobile clinics, or tiny homes with indoor/outdoor layouts. You might want to install wall-length windows or fold-out decks.

Have a design in mind and have already drawn up some floor plan sketches?

Design-first planning helps determine whether a container size suits your needs. Take a look at Sonic Steel’s previous projects for inspiration, and when you’re ready, reach out to start custom designing your dream shipping container home.  To learn more, read one of our informative blogs: Shipping Container Modifications: DIY vs Professional – Which Is Right for You?

Sonic Steel can make the process a whole lot easier if you’re a DIY enthusiast or looking to build your own shipping container space. We build a lock-up stage so you can rest assured the hardest (and most important) parts are taken care of, such as welding in door frames, insulating or installing the VenSulation system.

Ventilation needs special consideration during the design and construction phases, and with Aussie summers and winters, an airtight space is important for comfortable living, as well as energy efficiency. The good thing is, Sonic Steel’s system balances airtightness and adequate fresh air exchange.

Heat Recovery Ventilator (or HRV) is used for controlled mechanical ventilation and can retain up to 85% thermal energy while bringing in fresh filtered air in exchange with stagnant air. On a cold winter night, you can be warm with all the windows shut while enjoying fresh, ventilated air from just 8W of energy.

The indoor temperature is regulated with Daikin’s split system A/C to provide efficient, reliable climate control. This split system circulates internal air continuously to maintain your desired indoor temperature. Daikin also uses inverter technology to adjust the compressor speed based on cooling demand.

Naber THERMOBOX prevents backdraught through the kitchen exhaust, which enhances airtightness and energy efficiency even more. The good thing is, it works without electricity and uses air as an insulating medium.

Shipping container costs and modifications

 - Replace with another home photo

New containers cost more but offer a longer lifespan, no rust, and pristine interiors.

How much will one cost you? Our previous projects with Premium options were around $130k for a 40ft single container home and $90k for a 20ft. The multi-container homes would be quoted based on the specific brief, as it involves large opening cut-outs, structural support, etc. As a general guideline, we would recommend allowing $100k for each 40ft module and $70k for each 20ft when joining containers together. Custom shipping container DIY options will vary in price.

What if you choose to modify it? Cutting out doors/windows, plumbing and electrical systems, painting or cladding to create your dream shipping container office, fabrication, bar or cafe. Covering everything from the design to the final completion, Sonic Steel delivers first-class structures that stand the test of time. Here are some ways you can recreate your tiny home in detail:

• Portable offices and remote working arrangements, such as for recording spaces or corporate work. These are purposely designed to address the important aspects of insulation, ventilation and condensation, which can be overlooked by companies who only focus on construction.
• Spaces for personal use, such as roof vents or shelves for roof storage.
• Commercial applications such as small cafes and bars. Although small in space, shipping containers can fit a servicing area, a small kitchen, and a stock room. After all, more business owners are making the switch to mobile spaces.
  

The Mark Twins is an office building that was designed and assembled within a period of 5 months. It is a classic case of modular construction.

With 2 x 40ft containers, it was designed to accommodate staff who operate at the Billabong Parkland in Campbelltown, including a lunch room, communal office space (and a dedicated office), as well as a toilet and several storage compartments.

 If you would like to customise your relocatable shipping container home, here are some of the quality features you  will have:

• Top-of-the-range Altair Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system
• Double-glazed, Low-E windows and doors with thermally broken frames
• Built-in service compartment
• Daikin 3.5kW split system
• Custom-built cabinetry
• Ready-to-connect electrical and plumbing
• CleanTouch laminate finish on cabinetry,
• Karndean luxury vinyl flooring
• Panfan Odourless Toilet
• Rinnai Electric Hot Water Unit
• Polyester Underfloor Insulation

Shipping Container Compliance and Permits

What are the local council regulations for a shipping container home? In Victoria (Horsham Rural City Council), for example:

• For short-term use or placement (such as up to 3 months), planning or building permits are not required. This includes the storage of material and equipment during construction and the loading of goods for shipping purposes.
• For long-term use or placement, both planning and building permits are required for storage or conversions to a tiny home, small office, cafe, etc.

Whether a shipping container needs a planning permit depends on the zoning and overlays that apply to the land (as per Planning Victoria), the use, the existing use of land, and the length of time.

A planning permit is generally required on residential land if it is a self-contained dwelling, if it is a shed on vacant land, if an overlay applies that needs plan approval, or if it is used for commercial purposes.

A building permit for domestic properties is needed if you’re using it as a dwelling, a habitable or non-habitable outbuilding, or using it as a shed, storage or similar.

A building permit generally covers structural modifications, footings and tie-downs, plumbing and electrical compliance, or fire safety requirements like a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessment.

Sonic Steel’s Designs

With all layouts and inclusions being fully customisable, let’s look at some of Sonic Steel’s previous shipping container home projects

Mark IV

Includes a full kitchen, lounge, and double bedroom to call home. It is packed with double-glazed windows and doors, a Velux skylight, and Sonic Steel’s VenSulation system and underfloor insulation. Features include:

• Formflow’s unique bends corrugated cladding
• Double-bed
• Lounge
• Top-of-the-range Zehnder Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system
• Standard windows and sliding doors (double glazed)
• Work bench
• Full-size kitchen
• Walk-through bathroom
• Ready-to-connect electrical and plumbing
• Appliances: Haier oven, ceramic cooktop and rangehood
• Daikin 2.5kW split system
• Double undermount sink
• Stone benchtop
• CleanTouch laminate finish on cabinetry
• Vinyl flooring

Mark V

Able to accommodate a young family with two small children, the Mark V has a functional kitchen and comfortable living space! It is bright and welcoming with double Velux skylights and large awning windows.

Clean air is well-circulated and ventilated with the Daikin split system and Zehnder HRV, with a touch of fresh air by the Pan Fan toilet’s odour filter system. What are some of the features in detail?

• Double bedroom and double bunks
• Compact lounge
• Top-of-the-range Zehnder Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system
• Large windows and sliding doors (double glazed)
• Full-size kitchen
• Walk-through bathroom
• Ready-to-connect electrical and plumbing
• Appliances: Haier oven, ceramic cooktop, rangehood, Fisher & Paykel single drawer dishwasher
• Daikin 2.5kW split system
• Double undermount sink
• Stone benchtop
• High-quality laminate finish on cabinetry
• Heartridge luxury vinyl flooring

Mark VII

A self-sufficient living space for short-term accommodation for a B&B or farm stay. Compact and with a built-in deck, it is good for remote getaways.

Cook comfortably with a bar fridge, dishwasher, and sleep well with a custom-made queen-sized bed with the attached breakfast bar and built-in robe. Premium features extend to the bathroom with a full-size porcelain splash-back lit up by a Velux skylight. What are the premium features?

• Sonic Steel’s unique insulation system
• Top-of-the-range Zehnder Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) system
• Double-glazed windows and sliding doors
• Built-in service compartment
• Built-in deck area with outdoor lighting
• Feature interior wall claddings
• Velux skylights
• Daikin 2.5kW split system
• Undermount sink (pyragranite)
• Stone benchtops
• Custom-built Queen-size bed with built–in breakfast bar
• Custom-built cabinetry (built-in robe)
• Polymarble shower base
• Luxury full-size porcelain for shower and kitchen splashbacks
• Ecoflo composting toilet
• Appliances: Westinghouse ceramic cooktop and rangehood
• CleanTouch laminate finish on cabinetry
• Heartridge luxury vinyl flooring
• Ready-to-connect electrical and plumbing

So, how do you pick a shipping container size?

It depends on your circumstances. Think about:

• How many people are living in space? A 20ft is only suitable for a single person, while a 40ft is suitable for a couple or a young family for short-term use.
• What layout and design are you envisioning? Single container layouts are compact, side-by-side layouts create wider spaces, and stacked layouts have two or more containers for vertical expansion.
• What are your budget and logistics goals? More containers will be at a higher cost for example, and you want to ensure your plot of land can accommodate the size and configuration.
• Double-check your local building codes and zoning regulations. You need the right permits and approvals before construction.

In any case, there are many custom designs you can work with.

If you want to bring your own ideas to the table, reach out to Sonic Steel. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, so if you would like a bespoke build, we would be ready for one!

From joining multiple containers side by side or building a double-storey, we’ll work with your ideas to achieve a design you will love.

Shipping Container Homes Australia: Call Sonic Steel

A specialist in the shipping container homes industry since 2014, Sonic Steel evolved from servicing and repairing to modifying and building containers into beautiful, liveable homes (or businesses).

Whether you're going solo in a minimalist 20-footer or designing a multi-module family home, we can transform your container home ideas into a reality. Focusing on your experience from the beginning, we deliver a design that is personal to you.

If you have a question, a request or a concern, contact us by calling 03 9364 8797, emailing enquiry@sonicsteel.com.au or visiting us in Brooklyn, VIC by appointment. Feel free to view our brochure for more information on building a shipping container home in VIC, NSW, SA, or anywhere across Australia.

With Tiny Home Expos in VIC, NSW and WA in the coming months, we are offering DISCOUNTED  DELIVERY (*up to $5000) to each state the Expo is in exchange for using your project as a display at the show. Offer expires 12 weeks before each expo and is limited to one project per expo. Reach out to us now to secure your spot!