Building a Shipping Container Home | EP05 Connecting to Electricity and Water

[@TheModernHomeProject]

LINKS: Shop the Container Home: www.homedepot.com/c/openhouse Explore the Container Home: www.uncontained.house/ Link to the drawings for the container house: www.themodernhomeproject.com/#/floorplans/ I used the Home Services team from Home Depot to design and install Mitsubishi mini split ductless heat pumps. Here is a link to their site but I recommend calling 1-800 HOME DEPOT to get a free in home consultation. www.homedepot.com/services/ I used a battery backup system from Goal Zero. They are not a sponsor, but I love how easy and versatile their products are. www.goalzero.com/ Link to the company i bought my shipping containers from: www.containerdiscounts.com/buy-shipping-containers-and-build-a-container-home Link to my electric motorcycle / motorbike www.onyxmotorbikes.com/

[@ditzydoo4378]

Hi, I live in out the country of San Luis Obispo County north of you. I have had to deal with California's hard water problems my whole life. I learned of a way to soften my hardwater without using a salt-system. I DIY installed a NuvoH2O water filtration system which uses a cartridge you replace (in under 5-minutes) every six months. It uses a Citrus based membrane to break the molecular bonding of the scale and prevents it from forming. 10 years ago I installed this system (bought directly from NuvoH2O) when I replumbed my grandfathers home I now live in with PEX-A water lines 3/4 and 1/2 inch and Shark-Bit fittings. My water heater and plumbing fitting and faucets have never looked, or worked better, and there's no slimy feeling like traditional salt based water softeners.

[@gorgegarcia4471]

I love your project it is amazing what can you do with shipping container just a question when we are going to see the finish product I would to see the tour-video of the house

[@gorgegarcia4471]

thank you

[@lolazal1]

Hello Where can I buy the tutorial/plans for the foundation, structural re-inforcement, insulation, plumbing and electrical wiring of your build pkease? Thank you

[@chrismorris9396]

An alternative to water heating is solar heated water with a heating element and a smaller tank that way you have the sun heat the water most of the time and the small tank is enough to supply for a shower or 2 and day to day tasks and will keep the water warm all day. Then the heating element can be used if the weather isn't favourable and because the tank is small it can fill back up and heat up quickly

[@ianrickey208]

Ben - please don't apologize. Your generous and altruistic sharing of your talent, designs and detailed information are gifts to us all. We are very grateful!

[@CraigsOverijse]

would have defintely added a solar hot water system if building in this area although the tank would need to sit in a shed outside Imexpect as they are large, we have one in Belgium the panel is embedded in the roof for ambient heat transfer for about six months we get almost free water hearing to high temperature and it seldom runs out. We have a diffent heating system for the winter and for back up.

[@jvera828]

Thanks for showing us this part. Every video of container houses I come across just shows how important getting a clawfoot tub or a vegetable garden is.

[@kenmaira]

YES, THE NEXT CHAPTER I WAS WAITING FOR!

[@TheModernHomeProject]

thank you for waiting! i have had a rough few months and have been swamped with other projects. the house is done it just takes a lot of time to put these episodes together.

[@kenmaira]

@@TheModernHomeProject I completely understand, I've been following the podcast so I know how real life works

[@chowman007]

@@TheModernHomeProject , no need to excuse yourself. I totally understand. And better late than never. It would be great to have around table with people within this field and hear them out tdd on defining affordability. That's the real question to answer under the sun. Will b following for future projects.

[@AlexdaCunha]

Keeping everything grey outside and white inside makes it look very sophisticated! well done

[@spoogle621]

was about to go to bed then this suddenly popped up. man, i've been waiting for an update for this project, this is still awesome as hell.

[@TheModernHomeProject]

thank you!

[@thinkoutsidethecontainer]

Thank God you're back! I'm about to start building my own container home, in about a month!

[@TheModernHomeProject]

awesomeness!!!!

[@nsns4009]

Ure brave enough to built a container house with this name

[@thehungerguy5044]

Hopefully you built it a lot better then this guy did

[@armandoramos1949]

I binge watch all 5 episodes of these build. It's amazing how you put together this project. I wouldn't mind having a place like this. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

[@russellbrower7018]

Home sweet home. Thanks for all of the advice on grid vs off grid, parts, and beautiful landscape I've missed since graduating high school in Yucca Valley. Loved it all!

[@meredithfranklin6567]

I'm very interested in designing and owning my own shipping container home in the near future and out of all the videos I've watched, this one is my favorite and very easy to understand. I will definitely follow all of your upcoming videos. Thank you so much!

[@wwt17]

Yea, it's back again!!!!! Can't wait to watch the rest of the series, especially insulation and supporting structures after you cut away the corrugated sections.

[@geovannyacosta5992]

All the comments gonna be about how long we've waited

[@jamespatterson6972]

Ditto that, Ditto that. This channel has got us hooked.

[@JG-pw5cr]

I thought this dude had died or something. Tons of content and then ghostville, lol.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

😂😂😂

[@chowman007]

@@JG-pw5cr , he was raptured.

[@MrSatyre1]

Like yours?

[@Felix-ve9hs]

Now the only thing missing is a fiber internet Connection :)

[@TheModernHomeProject]

yes! wish that was available out here!

[@autonomous_collective]

@@TheModernHomeProject - What about Dish internet? Is it available?

[@xBris]

@@autonomous_collective Dish internet is available everywhere. That's kind of the point, isn't it? ;)

[@jeffmcdonald101]

Elons got you covered in a few years :-)

[@chowman007]

@@TheModernHomeProject , what about a wifi system?

[@ralphvanthoff]

Don't apologise for the technical details, give us more! I value those highly. Great channel, preparing for my own container build.

[@njemdeen6118]

Thank you for your wonderful video and charing tips and lessons for the all of us. Very attractive and useful staff. Wishing you a very successful life and happiness. From 🇬🇧 UK with love 😍.

[@luvit579]

I really like this series. this episode answered a lot of questions I have about buying property that doesn't have any utilities.

[@TheMagazinedude]

My answer as a Real Estate Agent is I will research that question and get back to you with the Proper answer! Never EVER answer questions unless you are 100% positive! Not all Real Estate Agents have the same "Code of Ethics" BTW Great Videos

[@martinfoster5163]

I love your video. We're doing a build now on virgin land in Mongolia. I'm British and lived in the USA for years. I'm documenting our journey but the internet is too slow to upload large videos. So that'll have to wait until I solve that problem - maybe a 4g booster OR a Starlink eventually. Our land (2 acres) cost about $11k - it's in the mountains about 32km from the capital, UIaanbaatar. The electric grid connection cost $8000 because it required a much longer hook-up - about 600 metres away. I'm doing the onsite electrical work. We have a small battery backup for the fairly frequent power outages. We considered solar but the extreme cold is a problem and electrical rates are very, very low in Mongolia so I doubt I'd recoup my costs. The backup just handles the fridge, wifi, lights and devices. We're going to need a well and the quote is about $5k but then it's free. There's no utility for that. My containers (2 x 20 foot, front to back arrangement) are for garages and storage, not for living. They cost about $5k total, installed. I'm adding electrical but might insulate them in time for winter. Our main living is going to be 2 modern yurts ('gers' in Mongolian) with a hallway connector. It gives us about 100 m/2 (1100 sq ft). We'll also have a standard guest 'ger' which is what we're living in now. I'm going to build the foundations and since they 'gers' aren't heavy, I'll be doing gravel, XPS (10cm) and plywood. We don't need A/C because it's never hot enough. Main heating will be provided by underfloor electrical heating, supplemented by high-efficiency wood stoves in each 'ger'. Costs are a lot lower here and planning, permits don't really exist. We'll have a dog for security :)

[@g.d.7525]

Great series! I'm in phelan ca and want to build a container home. You have opened my eyes immensely! Thank you for doing this and documenting so well

[@mikeestarke]

Thanks Ben! Definitely an episode that I will watch more than once to help process everything. Very informative, thank you!

[@l3ender15]

Thanks for being so transparent about the process and costs. Very informative!

[@mctrevors7852]

I love the realistic approach to the electric utilities issue. Kudos!

[@namelastname2127]

Wow, brother you are brilliantly amazing, it's great watching you and all the details that goes into this container house, unbelievable how much put into it, lots of love from Toronto Canada 🇨🇦 l 💘

[@TimothyArcher]

It's great to see a new episode in your series. It has been well worth the wait! I've been watching since you posted Episode 1, and have enjoyed each module. Your series is very professional, logically structured, and easy to follow. I've been dreaming of building with containers for about 12 years. Back then, I had never heard of anyone building with containers. My parents had rented a single 40' high cube to use as auxiliary storage, and right away, I saw that they had great potential for construction use. I came to live in the Philippines four years ago, and was really surprised to see so little container construction going on here. Since then, the concept has begun to catch on, locally. Early in 2019, a large scale container complex was built not far from where my wife and I live. It turned out to be a hotel complex, with two stories of hotel suites above the street level, where the hotel's office, restaurant, and laundry are located. The rest of the spaces at street level are to be leased out as retail space. It looks like they must have used at least 24, 20" high cubes to build the structure, and a whole lot of heavy steel "I" beams to fabricate the framework. On the average, construction quality here is very poor, but the architects and contractors who designed and built this hotel, did an outstanding job, and turned out an excellent end product. I hope that the trend continues to grow in popularity, here.

[@biancajingles2690]

Great video! Please make one with a financial breakdown. I’d love to know how you bought the land (loan or cash) and how you paid for the entire thing as well! I’ve been researching shipping container homes for awhile now!

[@michaelbmw1931]

Bianca Jingles insta? 🌸🌸

[@cjyt6491]

Jesus! Are you his ex wife 🤣🤣🤣

[@terrancedixon5725]

I liked how you explained it very professional

[@D3athW1ng]

Great advice here on getting water / electrical needs. 👍🏾

[@johndessire399]

When I see all the work this guy does, it starts to makes me motivated to finish off some projects too.

[@Will_Grow_Plants]

I literally just looked up your channel yesterday wondering if I missed a video. This morning here it is!! Nice timing.

[@TheModernHomeProject]

better late than never :)

[@tsnorquist]

Been waiting on this for what feels like a year. Well worth the wait!

[@TimothyArcher]

I wish I could "like" your videos a thousand times! Have been following this series since the first episode, with great interest. I've been excited about engaging in building construction with containers for quite a few years. I love to see it done at this level, to this degree of perfection. I especially like the way that you've engineered your site with the above ground septic system. That system is so brilliant. Above ground, it should be so much easier to maintain, and it's actually a beautiful element to the property. I'd love to know whether it's working out as well as you had hoped, before committing to building it? If it works well, it seems to me like it should turn out to be a popular trend in waste management, even for sites where city sewer systems are readily available.

[@yasminghani2073]

Really enjoy watching your videos

[@KinuGrove]

Love all the technical details was well worth the wait. Keep it detailed. Questions is the detailed cost breakdown.

[@esthergerlitz2359]

I don't understand a lot about architecture but I love learning about it!!!! Loves your videos. Amazing editing 👌

[@Houseds]

The container house is very beautiful and comfortable

[@seriousyak4734]

Thank you for making this. I'm looking into making one myself. I know it'll be an expensive journey, but I really do like this.

[@iadtag1853]

Finally an update, well, a house cannot be rushed nor it's video presentation.

[@enby-girl5020]

Forgot about this series but was super excited to see the next episode in my inbox. Cheers!

[@befree4052]

Wasnt a boring video at all I learned alot thank you

[@bryansoto6355]

That was an absolutely fantastic video. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheExcellentLaborer]

That is very cool. Who would’ve thought of building a house out of shipping containers. I build stick build houses and couldnt imagine. Thanks for sharing

[@fatdadskinnydad3856]

These videos are better detailed for this genre than I have seen. It would be cool if you could do a tutorial on welding!

[@essenceofcha4765]

This was great, especially as a new Realtor. I have more people asking me about land to build tiny/container home options. Much Gratitude 🤗🙏🏾

[@lukenatewilson989]

This split A/C system is really cool!

[@briannelson4122]

Super informative and great presentation all the way through! I subscribed really because it's so well produced and explained in depth! Great job! Look forward to more projects

[@aquarionh2o132]

I love the shipping container idea for turning into housing. That said, I’d love to see someone do this with multiple shipping containers that are welded together in a land based water tight union or even a “floating home”! (Where I live there a numerous little village which consist entirely of floating homes of various shapes and sizes. Building one using shipping containers would be very cool.)

[@iankreeger3716]

Should be doing this in Belize next year. Stay tunned

[@mayseeyang5953]

Wow.. I learned so much watching these episodes. Now I'm realizing maybe my dreams are too far to reach because there are fo much that goes into it. The biggest obstacle would be money and that is the main reason why people want to live in these tiny homes.

[@Janzer_]

hooray for crushing dreams! 🤣

[@farginargle]

One of the best series on 'how to'. Clear and concise and easy to listen to, love the step by step, you made it look easy! Also helps me understand the process more than I previously had. So far though I still wonder why people use shipping containers as a basis for a house that is ultimately a glass house, do you know anything about that? Thanks!

[@rodolfoplasencia4953]

Great video!!! There's a con on having an air handler on top of anything, imagine a bed, unexpected drain leaks, leaking, or coil drain pan overflowed. I do a/c. I will never do that. And, efficiently talking, whoever sleeps there will have to wait on the return of the air cooling the whole space, to feel it's benefits, is like, while if the bed were in the opposite end, or the ah (air handler) were on the opposite end, the person sleeping there will feel the ac, sooner, which is what I always, try to do to maximize its efficiency, and your savings. Great modulation and great design. I really love your house! Take care! I'm a subscriber, of all your videos!

[@Kanal103]

Can you aim air flow from that A/C? Not directly on the bed of course.

[@bmlennox]

Hi Ben-one of the design challenges you mentioned is sizing your battery bank for occasional large demands as well as extended cloudy periods (low solar charging) To meet all of these criteria you may end up with an enormous battery bank. One option that may reduce this enormous battery bank size is adding a small propane powered generator. This adds another level of redundancy as well as eliminating the super big, super expensive battery banks. Propane gensets are low mtce and don't have carburetor problems-if natural gas is available that is the best. The genset has a lower mtce cost compared to replacing those expensive lithium batteries. A propane genset can easily last 30+ years with very low mtce costs. all If you want to eliminate the cost of a switchover panel you can just have the genset charge the battery bank directly.

[@RobGordon35]

Thank you for posting this. Love your videos!

[@holisticlifestyler3894]

such a generous well detailed share of inspiration. Thank you

[@Maker_Jake]

What's a CONDESNER? - 12:50 - 13:10 Seriously though, this information is amazingly valuable to me as I look at building a little on/off-grid cabin in the next few years. Thank you Ben!

[@abbasalquraishi7142]

That is containers it’s beautiful houses to build you guys are So smart

[@CrafterMaker]

I really like how you break this down. I know it was a lot of work but you make it almost simple lol.

[@TheModernHomeProject]

thank you! its hard to figure out how much detail to go into while still keeping nice pace

[@CreativeCatCreations]

Was waiting for this since soooooo long.

[@kevinmacrae2374]

Never have i seen such an easy and practical way of explaining something, i really want to give this a go now cause of you 👍

[@scomi]

The engineer that designed my geothermal system for Upstate New York saved me a ton on my system by not sizing it for the 15 to 30 extremely cold days we have every year. It's sized for the other normal weather days we have. Then on those really cold days, I have an accessory heating element that kicks in for a few hours a day to supplement. I'm running a system that's about 30% to 40% smaller than I would need for those days where it gets really cold. The same idea could be used to size a solar system in order to be off-grid and save some money. Size it for 80% or 90% of the time and use an automatic backup generator for the high demand times. Plus you have the security of having the backup generator.

[@leighharron]

Great information and advice. Thanks for posting, looking forward to more

[@ARepublicIfYouCanKeepIt]

Ben, I've tracked with you for a very long time and really like and appreciate your content. While access to water can be fraught with all kinds of issues from obstructions, to dry holes, to significant cost overruns due to unanticipated drill depths, etc., I would've definitely opted for an off-grid electrical implementation. Solar, of course, but also wind if the property is in an area with good production prospects, and _geothermal._ Air-source heat pumps are great. However, ground source units are even better for both dumping heat from cooling, and preheating for heating and hot water. It's all about the "Delta T" (temperature differential), and it's far more efficient to use the consistent temperature of the earth found just a few feet below the surface. The use of geothermal would greatly reduce the electrical loads for air conditioning (both cooling and heating) and hot water production. Speaking of hot water, this location is prime for solar hot water production, and I would've definitely made the very modest investment in this passive, yet highly efficient, energy-saving solution. Lastly, I would've used the cost savings from grid connection avoidance to install a larger solar panel array and a battery with sufficient capacity to power essential loads in a worst case no-sun/low-sun scenario. A larger solar panel array would shade the container roofs, further reducing interior temperatures, and a very cost-effective portable generator could charge the batteries in the most rare situations. Rural electrification was once necessary for development. However, with today's affordable renewable energy production and storage solutions, connection to the grid is less important than in the past. I'd rather invest in energy production and storage, and be self-sufficient, than continue paying ever increasing rates for electricity; a utility that, in certain areas of the country, is becoming less reliable due to prophylactic outages for risk reduction.

[@elesjuan]

Real talk here.. where are you going to find solar and win generation, along with realistic capacity for several days of electrical usage for the $4000 it cost to connect to Edison? A friend just spent $40,000 on enough solar panels to supplement the daily energy consumption of his 1200 square foot house in Kansas, and the electric company credits him like, $10/month (of his nearly $200 monthly bill) for his solar generation. It's great in theory, but in reality, it'd take you decades to break even on cost of going off grid..

[@chowman007]

@@elesjuan , I guess the key here is SIZE! The size of your dwelling determines the system needed. And when you consider thermo heating/cooling system in conjunction with solar, then I think you have a winning combination altogether.

[@slightlycrookedworkshop]

Easier said than done. Even if you do manage to overcome all the challenges (not to mention them being 3x-5x the cost of connecting to the grid) with installing these systems, you also need to be willing to maintain them all.

[@beaufranks9163]

What was your total cost for the whole project including land ?

[@Mikka18]

Great video! i have bought 2 containers at wuwi shipping container and they gave me a great deal and offered COD as payment method.

[@philipbarrett3151]

Well presented, pragmatic and sensible - thanks!

[@GalaxiiBunnii]

I'm literally nowhere near being able to do something like this but I discovered your channel earlier in the year and I've been fascinated since. Can't wait for the next parts and thanks for providing such a detailed and interesting sort 'how to' on this project. If I'm ever in a financial position to be able to do something like this here in the UK, I'm sure plenty of your tips and advice would help me out :) I hope you're enjoying your new home!

[@bluesharp59]

You do great work and a Thumbs Up again.

[@abzainazraai]

Finally! It feels ages & decades for a new episode. 😅

[@sal.mallen]

Thank you so much Ben, amazingly well-explained videos 💪🏼

[@michaelc2644]

You could easily create a solar system with adequate LIFPoE batteries that would pay for itself in a few short years given your upfront costs to be grid tied. Perhaps more investigation into this subject would have helped. Also, prices on solar and batteries have been declining since your build. I mention this primarily for those that come to your videos seeking information and muse for possible projects.

[@578018]

Informative and to the point, Good Job Guys!!

[@Rayzzia]

highly recommend this purchase!

[@lantourismo7352]

Yay. I look forward to hearing about this project Ben.

[@lolazal1]

This channel is fabulous! Thank you so much.

[@j.chappel1160]

I'm glad you're back!

[@calebcollinshomes]

Fantastic video series! Thank you!

[@KevinSkydives]

This is a awesome project. I'd love to do something like this with 2 storys.

[@tommyface5756]

Great channel. very informative and professional.

[@michaelesquivel5292]

About time. Been waiting for the next episode. I love it 👍

[@NizioCole]

I've been waiting for this forever

[@TheModernHomeProject]

thank you for waiting. we didnt have a dedicated video crew and it takes a while to go through the footage and editing. this was a side project and i still had to honor commitments for HomeMade Modern

[@UltramanRomeo]

cool stuff.. I have learned a lot from all the episodes. I am planning to have a container house as well in maybe in 3months, in the Philippines. I need to learn the technicalities first so if I will find someone who can do this there I have the ideas on how they will do it. Planning to build it in the top of the hills, sea view.

[@BlobFGC]

Finally, the fifth episode!

[@legoboyM]

cant wait too see the finished product

[@turansevincer2252]

Finally you are back! Waiting for a new one in a year may be😀

[@Brian-cj4bj]

Fantastic, as usual!

[@TheModernHomeProject]

thank you i appreciate it!

[@DanielinLaTuna]

Thanks for sharing, Ben. I’m not sure I’d worry about connecting WiFi to your battery backup. If your utility goes down (not as likely in SCE desert as it would be in SDG&E or PG&E) the cable company and/or cell provider is probably out too. I do like the idea of emergency battery vs small generator, though; I’m gonna steal it from you! Cheers

[@ccjohncc1]

Great videos and information! Thanks!!

[@REALBanannaman]

Had to comment: Have a small diesel generator for when you get "extreme weather" or have guests over.

[@____________________________.x]

Yep, I'm totally baffled too. Maybe he wants to rent them out or something; either way, dig a hole 200m away and stick an on demand generator in there. Not using solar power in a freaking desert? - I'm pretty sure California has a law against that by now.

[@randrewsb2300]

Yeah not cost effective to go with solar on the million dollar container home 😂

[@Amariellah]

I’m confused why not just go off grid

[@AlbertoFigueroaArquitectura]

I am loving your videos. Good job man

[@EH-ym6ep]

Great video! Been waiting a long time, and excited to see them back again.

[@TheModernHomeProject]

thank you for waiting!

[@acamilop]

Great series. The goal zero is such a good option.

[@TheModernHomeProject]

so good! i love how easy it is!

[@champagnej5998]

Seriously, I needed this 😭

[@solomonk2161]

Would you recommend insulating from outside or inside as on your project for a container build in a tropical country? I guess the focus will be keeping the build kool.

[@timlinerud7721]

Will you provide a total cost spreadsheet detailing the entire build? I've really enjoyed watching these instructional videos. Great job.

[@richycline]

(Edit) there's a coming soon link on their website. Original comment: I'm interested in this as well.

[@cyco1978]

Good information for the heating & cooling!!

[@hershchat]

Been waiting a long while. Thank you. 👍🏼

[@Mikidy303]

My dyslexia kicked in during the mini-split part....I read it as Condesner. Great video. Thank for sharing this.

[@GERARDOGRACIDA]

Excelente trabajo muchas gracias por compartir

[@zzzacksnacxx1407]

I like this project please note if you. Live in areas with easier regulations a this project gets wayyyyyyy cheaper. Planing on building a container house 5 year from now

[@anyany19]

And finally!!!! The day has come!

[@TheModernHomeProject]

yeah sorry about that. i have been busy with other projects and editing these videos takes a minute

[@ronfoster6963]

hes back boys

[@abel5925]

HEY THATS THE GUY THAT INSTALLED MY MINI SPLIT LOL ALSO HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT THE NEW 3D PRINTED CONCRETE HOMES OUT IN TEXAS??! It’s insane!!! Sorry for all caps modern homes get me HYPED

[@TheModernHomeProject]

they were great! i havent yet but i will look!

[@robj2704]

Most mini-split systems are a nightmare. Too often, they just simply fail. And, they are expensive to work on.

[@abel5925]

David Lewis it’s real man! They’re already building a whole 15 home community down there! Between that and reusing containers this has to be the future