Second-hand Container House
When purchasing a second-hand container house, attention should be paid to the price, supply channels, inspection indicators, purchasing points, and regional special requirements.
Price: The prices of second-hand container houses vary greatly depending on their types and conditions. The price of a basic refurbished residential model (rust removal and painting, old floor, simple water and electricity repairs) is within 10,000 yuan; for a high-end refurbished residential model (new rock wool, Class A fire resistance, new electrical circuits, PVC flooring, hollow windows), face-to-face negotiation is required; the wholesale price for bulk purchases (≥10 units) depends on the manufacturer's situation; special-priced processing units at construction sites are within 3,000 yuan, but their conditions vary and the buyer needs to pay for freight and hoisting themselves, so it is generally not recommended to purchase them.
Supply Channels: You can inquire through B2B wholesale platforms or manufacturers, such as 1688 and Alibaba; you can also contact local integrated housing companies. There are yards in Beijing, Tianjin, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, Chongqing, and other places; although there are opportunities by waiting around construction sites, it is rather troublesome to directly find the project manager or logistics staff 1-2 weeks before the completion of the construction project, so it is generally not recommended.
Inspection Indicators: In terms of structure, the four corner columns and bottom crossbeams should have no bending or rust penetration, the welds should have no cracks, and there should be no water accumulation or rust at the bottom; for the roof/walls, the corrugated sheets should have no rust holes. Check for water leakage during rainy days for inspection. Minor surface rust can be repaired, but do not buy units with large areas of bulging rust; the floor should not feel soft when stepped on and should have no mildew spots or holes; for insulation, check the rock wool at the corners. If it is damp, caked, and blackened, the insulation is ineffective and prone to mildew. Do not buy such units for residential use in the north; the electrical wires should have no exposed aging and should be equipped with leakage protection; the door and window seals should have no aging of the rubber strips to avoid air and rain leakage.
Purchasing Points: Confirm the condition and structure of the container, pay attention to whether it leaks and the degree of rust, and it is best to request an inspection report (such as IICL standards, ISO quality certification); clarify the size and configuration. The external dimensions of a 6-meter standard container are approximately 6×2.4×2.6 meters, and the internal dimensions are approximately 5.8×2.35×2.4 meters. Confirm whether additional doors, windows, insulation layers, electrical circuits, etc., are required; pay attention to transaction security. Give priority to companies with qualification verification and a long establishment time, sign a contract, and clarify after-sales responsibilities.
Regional Special Requirements: Taking Beijing as an example, residential use in urban/township planning areas is considered a temporary building, and a temporary construction project planning permit is generally required, with a period of mostly 2 years. It is prohibited to be used as a permanent residence; the wall insulation must be Class A fire-resistant. The inner walls of second-hand shipping original containers have anti-corrosion coatings, and it is not recommended to live in them directly. Give priority to finished refurbished integrated containers; before placing the container, ask whether the site (construction site/rural courtyard/park) allows it to be placed to avoid buying it and then having it removed as an illegal structure.
