Tired of paying rent and thinking the only way you’ll ever afford a new house is to get your “hold a million peso contest” idea off the ground? You might have a solution right under your nose. . .

Container homes! Container homes are changing the housing market in some ways because they are so versatile, strong, and very cost effective. There’s no place where that is more important than in the Philippines were construction costs are going through the roof.

You can build a container house in the Philippines starting from about PHP 60,000 ($1,080), and you can spend as much as you want on it. The cost of the actual shipping container, site preparation, delivery, insulation, and your finishes will have the biggest impact on what you’ll spend.

Have you ever wanted to compare the cost and value of building a container house to other traditional homes? Today, we’re going to break down the details for you.

What are the Main Factors Affecting the Cost of Building a Container Home in the Philippines?

1. The Container : Obviously, your initial cost will be determined by the size and condition of the container you chose. In the Philippines, you can get a 20ft container house for PHP 60,000 to PHP 85,000 ($1,080-1,680) . This is your base​.
2. Transportation and Delivery: The next significant cost involves transporting the container to the location for construction. How far away are you and how accessible is your building site? You should expect to spend anywhere from PHP 10,000 to PHP 50,000 on doing this.
3. Site Preparation: Whether you're building on a flat lot or sloped land, preparing the ground can add significant costs. Site preparation in the Philippines may range from PHP 20,000 to PHP 100,000 based on complexity.
4. Interior Finishes: Flooring, walls, and ceiling installations can add PHP 50,000 to PHP 200,000. The choice of materials—such as bamboo boards, PVC panels, or rock wool—will determine the final price​.
5. Utilities Installation: Plumbing, electricity, and HVAC installations are essential for a comfortable home. These services can cost an additional PHP 50,000 to PHP 150,000 depending on the complexity of the systems and local labor charges.
6. Permits and Legal Fees: Before any construction, permits are required from local government units. Obtaining these permits typically costs between PHP 10,000 and PHP 50,000, depending on regulations and the location.
7. Professional Services: Hiring architects, engineers, and contractors will also add to the total expenses. Depending on their level of expertise, you can expect to pay anywhere from PHP 50,000 to PHP 200,000​.

How Does the Cost of a Container Home Compare to Traditional Housing in the Philippines?

Container homes are substantially cheaper than traditional houses. A traditional concrete house in the Philippines, with its high quality finishes, could cost anywhere from PHP 20,000 to PHP 30,000 per square meter. To give you an idea, if you have a 50 square meter home, you could be looking at spending PHP 1,000,000 to PHP 1,500,000.

Conversely, you could probably build a bare bones container house with the necessities for PHP 500,000 to PHP 700,000—so you might be able to build a good one for 60% to 50% less. However, you can spend much more if you start adding things and customization.

Are There Any Government Incentives for Building Container Homes in the Philippines?

The Philippine government has been promoting eco-friendly and cost-effective housing solutions to combat the country’s ongoing housing crisis. While there are no specific nationwide incentives yet for container homes, local governments have sometimes offered tax rebates or faster processing of permits for green building projects. It’s advisable to check with the local housing authority for possible incentives.

What are the Legal Requirements for Building a Container Home in the Philippines?

Container homes need to adhere to local building codes, much like any other residential construction. This means that you'll require permits for land use, zoning, and construction. Local regulations may vary, so consultation with an expert or local government office is recommended to ensure compliance.

Key requirements include:

• Building Permit: To ensure structural integrity and safety.
• Electrical and Plumbing Permits: Required to connect the home to local utilities.
• Occupancy Permit: Once construction is complete, this certifies that the dwelling is safe for occupancy.

How Long Does it Typically Take to Build a Container Home in the Philippines?

I can only give you estimates, but if you’re going to build a basic house with one or two 20-foot containers, you could be finished in two or three months. That includes getting your containers, fixing the site, and putting the inside of the house in. The bigger and more custom you get—the longer you’re going to spend. If you have a bigger house or a lot of stuff to add, you might be looking at six months or so. Also, if you have a tricky site or have to do a lot of site improvements, you might spend a bit longer.

One of the big deals with containers is they go up pretty quickly. If you’re going to build a normal house in the Philippines, you’re looking at something that might take you 12 months to 18 months.

I hope this breakdown has helped you.

Let me know if you’re looking to build a container home. I’d like to see what you’re doing and how I can help.

If you’re looking for something cheap and cool to live in, a container house might be right up your alley. You can spend as much or more than you would on a traditional house, but let’s be honest: you wouldn’t be living in a container if you didn’t want to try to save a little money.

The great thing about living in a container is you can control things and it goes up really fast. You can customize it to make it cool and fit what you want to do. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a small shed to live in or a mansion made from multiple containers, you can probably do it.