Cost of Mobile Container Houses

The cost of mobile container houses varies depending on the purchase or rental method and configuration. Details are as follows:

I. Purchase Cost

1. Brand-new standard containers: Taking a 20-foot container (about 6 meters long) as an example, the market reference price in 2026 is approximately 23,800 yuan, meeting basic requirements such as fire resistance, water resistance, and moisture resistance. Larger 40-foot and 60-foot containers are mostly assembled types, with prices increasing as the size grows.
2. Second-hand containers: The unit price is usually 30%-50% of that of a brand-new container. However, retired shipping containers may have issues such as structural fatigue and rust, and subsequent modification, repair, and transportation costs may offset the initial price advantage.
3. Cost per square meter:
   • Economy basic models: Using conventional materials and simple configurations, the unit price ranges from 2,000 to 4,000 yuan/㎡.
   • Mid-to-high-end customized models: Equipped with upgraded configurations such as energy-saving systems, smart controls, and high-quality interiors, the unit price ranges from 5,000 to 8,000 yuan/㎡, with costs further increasing for more high-end requirements.
   • Packing-box units (including basic decoration): 350-550 yuan/㎡; High-end customized modular houses: 600-900 yuan/㎡.

II. Rental Cost

1. Common specifications and rents:
   • 3x3x2.8 meters (9㎡): The daily rent starts at about 3 yuan, the monthly rent is about 90 yuan, and the deposit is about 3,000 yuan.
   • 3x6x2.8 meters (18㎡, standard 6 meters long): The daily rent starts at about 6 yuan, the monthly rent is about 180 yuan, and the deposit is about 5,000 yuan.
   • 3x7x2.8 meters (21㎡): The daily rent starts at about 7 yuan, the monthly rent is about 210 yuan, and the deposit is about 6,000 yuan.
2. Containers for construction sites: The daily rent for a 6-meter-long container starts at 6 yuan, usually requiring long-term rental (e.g., several months); some projects charge rent based on area, with a base price as low as 39.6 yuan/㎡·month, and the rent may be agreed to increase slightly each year during the rental period (e.g., by 5%).

III. Other Costs

Whether purchasing or renting, additional costs for transportation, hoisting, and foundation construction are required. In addition, material costs (such as insulation layers, doors and windows, floors, and interior decoration materials) and construction and installation costs also affect the total cost. For example, details such as the choice of insulation layer materials and the type of doors and windows (ordinary or soundproof and heat-insulating) can all lead to price fluctuations.