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Rusted 40-foot shipping container sitting on bare dirt, faded shipping logos visible on corroded steel walls
Raw Container — As Purchased

Container Home Specialists

From Scrap Yard
to Keys in Hand.

Industrial bones made warm. Sub-$80K homes, ADUs, and rental units — permitted and placed in under 90 days.

47

Containers Placed

22%

Avg ROI

87 days

Permit-to-Keys

Build Estimator — Adjust to Your Specs

40ft
Turnkey Studio
Flat Pad

Estimated Project Cost

$68,500

Est. Timeline

80 days

Container + delivery
$46,500
Renovation & finish
$22,000
Site prep
$4,000

or Download Our Container Buying Checklist

Project Portfolio

Steel in. Homes out.

Drag the slider to see what we start with — and what we deliver. Every project below is a real Reforge build.

Project 01

Desert Studio — Phoenix, AZ

Single 20ft container · 1 bed / 1 bath

ROI28%
Before renovation: raw shipping container with rust streaks and dents for Desert Studio — Phoenix, AZ
Before — Raw
After renovation: finished interior of Desert Studio — Phoenix, AZ with modern fixtures and warm lighting
After — Finished
← Drag to reveal →

Container Buy

$8,400

Reno Cost

$41,200

Rental Income

$1,850/mo rental

Annual ROI

28%

47

containers placed

across 9 states since 2021

Project 02

Hillside ADU — Austin, TX

40ft container · 2 bed / 1 bath turnkey

ROI24%
Before renovation: raw shipping container with rust streaks and dents for Hillside ADU — Austin, TX
Before — Raw
After renovation: finished interior of Hillside ADU — Austin, TX with modern fixtures and warm lighting
After — Finished
← Drag to reveal →

Container Buy

$14,600

Reno Cost

$58,900

Rental Income

$2,400/mo rental

Annual ROI

24%

22%

average annual ROI

across all completed rental units

Project 03

Stacked Compound — Tucson, AZ

Dual-stacked 40ft × 2 · 4 bed / 3 bath

ROI31%
Before renovation: raw shipping container with rust streaks and dents for Stacked Compound — Tucson, AZ
Before — Raw
After renovation: finished interior of Stacked Compound — Tucson, AZ with modern fixtures and warm lighting
After — Finished
← Drag to reveal →

Container Buy

$31,000

Reno Cost

$74,500

Rental Income

$4,200/mo rental

Annual ROI

31%

87 days

avg permit-to-occupancy

including site prep and utility hookup

How It Works

Three steps from
raw steel
to rental income.

01

Source & Assess

02

Design & Permit

03

Build & Deliver

Week 1–2
01

Source & Assess

We locate and inspect containers at regional depots — checking for structural integrity, weld quality, and floor condition. You receive a graded report with photos before a single dollar moves.

Week 2–5
02

Design & Permit

Our in-house architects produce stamped drawings tailored to your county. We handle the permit application, utility coordination, and zoning variance if needed — average approval in 22 days.

Week 5–12
03

Build & Deliver

Steel cutting, framing, insulation, and finish work happen in our shop — minimizing on-site disruption. We crane the finished unit onto your pad, connect utilities, and hand you the keys.

Common Questions

Everything you need to know
before breaking ground.

How much does a complete container home cost?
Our builds range from $28,500 for a shell-ready 20ft unit to $110,000+ for a dual-stacked full residential. The estimator at the top of this page gives you a real-time breakdown based on your specs.
Can I use a container home as an ADU on my existing property?
Yes — ADUs are our fastest-growing project type. We handle zoning review, permit drawings, and utility coordination. Most California, Texas, and Arizona jurisdictions approve container ADUs under standard residential code.
Do containers require special foundations?
A compacted gravel pad works for most single-unit builds. For dual-stacked or permanent installations, we pour a standard stem-wall or pier foundation. We include foundation design in every project quote.
What is your typical permit-to-occupancy timeline?
Our average across 47 completed builds is 87 days. Simple studio ADUs on pre-approved pads have been placed in 52 days. Complex multi-container compounds with utility hookups average 110–120 days.
Do you work with real estate investors buying at scale?
We offer volume pricing for investors placing 3+ units annually. Our micro-community program includes site planning, shared utility infrastructure, and property management referrals. Book a call to discuss your lot inventory.
Are container homes financeable?
Yes. Container homes on permanent foundations qualify for conventional mortgages and FHA loans in most states. We provide full appraisal-ready documentation and can connect you with lenders who specialize in alternative construction.
Download Our Container Buying Checklist →