Container houses

I've not seen any container houses.  May have to do with containers being brutally hot and not able to withstand a tropical storm or hurricane? I am guessing here!

Are we talking about a shipping container, the ones they put on cargo ships with all the goods we buy from China or other places?    If yes, a ship container is going to withstand brutal storms as they come across the seas.   

Its very heavy duty steel and designed to be leak proof if maintained.  Roof will rust if water is standing on it for extended time.  They are usually 8 feet wide, 8.5 feet high and come in various lengths of 10, 20, 40 feet.   Other than shipping of commercial goods, they are often repurposed for housing, office, storage and there are companies that modify them to your needs.

    Are we talking about a shipping container, the ones they put on cargo ships with all the goods we buy from China or other places?    If yes, a ship container is going to withstand brutal storms as they come across the seas.   
Its very heavy duty steel and designed to be leak proof if maintained.  Roof will rust if water is standing on it for extended time.  They are usually 8 feet wide, 8.5 feet high and come in various lengths of 10, 20, 40 feet.   Other than shipping of commercial goods, they are often repurposed for housing, office, storage and there are companies that modify them to your needs.
   

    -@Karin1

Yes, they withstand brutal storms but that is because (at least in part) they are lashed firmly to the deck. That means securing the foundation will be a critical step to keeping it in place. They are designed to be leak proof but I'm not sure that I would want to use one without ample ventilation which means cutting holes. It is an interesting premise, though.

Yes shipping containers.  They could be inexpensive housing yet you don't see them in use. Why is that is the question?

Heat would be a big problem. By the time you have covered the metal, cut out holes for windows and plumbing etc it might be more work and more expensive than a more traditional approach..

Hi all,

Thanks for the swift reply.

I work at see and am familiar with containers and the maintenance needed, also with todays materials the thermal insulation shouldn't be a problem.

My dilemma is more on the paperwork side with permits and getting all the amenities on the plot of land where I plan to put one.

How is bureaucracy in DR, are the processes lengthily and where to start a project like this?

Also what part of DR would be best if I would choose to rent it out for turists when I am not there?

Govt BS is rampant.  Go to the same office, ask 4 people a question, get 4 different answers. 

My guess is you can start with an architect who will know their way around the approval process, if it exists for this!

There is a place in Punta Cana that has shipping containers.  While its a good idea to check before you go ahead, I doubt very much you need any permits because there are a lot less rules here and not many to enforce them.  If you were going to do this on an industrial scale, then that might be an issue, but sounds like you want one or two to put on a private lot.  Engineer sounds like a good idea.

I think a bigger problem for you would be to "secure" your investment and like any condo or house, you dont want to leave it without having someone that watches over it while you are not there (or you are renting to others). 

Good Morning fellow expats! I like this subject as I am exploring ways to build housing on  land and I like the idea of using modern building ideas to do so. Some of the container homes in the USA are quite clever and ascetically pleasing to the eye. If anyone wants to compare notes, please pm me, lets discuss. thanks!

I absolutely disagree Karen. As expats we face heavier scrutiny. You bet there will be rules and expats are held to them!

@planner totally agree

I also have a hard time thinking tourists would rent a container house, when there are so many condos and villas available.  Even if you made a villa with 4 or 5 containers, I seriously doubt renting would be profitable.  The idea of going to a tropical island is openess and sunshine, with great views of the garden, pool, perhaps an ocean or mountain view.  Containers would be the opposite of all that, being short, narrow and dark.  You could maybe accomplish something close, with heavy modifications to the container(s), but why bother when cement blocks are easier to work with?  And how do the containers do with blocking noise?  That would be a huge problem, as well.

@UncleBuck

duly noted sir. Your input is important to me. thank you!

I think with calculated risk comes rewards, knowing the risks before you begin and that is what we are discussing.   There are some people that have taken risks to build their dream homes here (or people like myself who chose to rent) and there are advantages with both.     This is yet another option with less cost and less risk from my view. 

I like the idea of a container house on a nice plot of land with a fence around it.  Here is a very nice example, from a 40' long one.  Beautiful.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPsi0hQlAq4

@Karin1

However, a "sound judgement" or "caculated risk" should "always be within the laws,  requirements/ regulations of the land of any country , Full-stop!

@CHRISTOPHER DAVID56

For sure.  I am not telling anyone to break the law, I am saying, dont shut down your dreams or give up just because someone says so, esp when the someones dont know the laws themselves. 

Thanks everyone for the comments.

Ill just have to go down and have a feel before I start, its just an idea for now, lets see.