How to Install a Shipping Container Pool | Ask This Old House

[@platipuss777]

I'm going to assume that the cost of the crane negated any cost savings of installing a prefab pool unit.

[@jm-lc3jp]

Cane rental is only about 1-2k for the half-to-full day job

[@owall83]

@@jm-lc3jp No way, not for a crane that size. Hahaha. That crane comes with an operator, an oiler (second operator), and a rigging crew. The route the crane needs to take needs to be planned in advance permitted with local ordinances. it costs about 8-10k dollars a day for a crane this size on a construction site. They would be getting a steal if it was 5 grand.

[@jm-lc3jp]

@@owall83 northtexas: 120T w/ oper & oiler: $3040 for 8 hours (110 for road permit) bigge: 100T (w/oper) linkbelt HTC86100 - $2920 for 8 hours... ICS: 100T (w/oper): $2360 for 8 hours (also $65/hr for riger ONCE ON SITE) The OP is about 'the cost of the crane negating installing a prefab pool unit' it's nothing to do with a crane that size. What you see in the video is an full-display for free advertising, and complete overkill. (So real answer is TOH team member with TOH in partnership with allcrane probably paid zero or got a nice deal for this peice) But lets run with it. The crane in that video is a Link-Belt HTC3140LB 140USt rented from allcrane. We can find similar rental costs across the web for similar sized cranes (again, was overkill) are all above.

[@djanderson8953]

Most likely, I mean you would need a crane for a prefab too…. But yeah I hear yah

[@hammerdick82]

I think the cost of the welding deleted the savings. And 5k on a truck crane with 200’+ of stick is being super conservative

[@kristophergarcia5330]

Good thing I needed to know how to install one of these

[@elieziete]

The unit heats up fast and is super quiet. It looks fancy kzbin.infoUgkxl8Od2BvnGbn1ffwqsuFXW0QnmcZgMiVY and can be kept in the living room. It gets hot within a split second of turning on the unit. The build quality is exceptionally good and is safe to be around kids and pets. This one is super quiet and can be kept on while in office meetings, my wife loved it. It shows the temperature right on the unit which is very useful and adding a rotating feature helps to heat up the surrounding, so other people will not fight with you for heat. It is right as described in the description..!! Definitely recommend!!

[@jptrainor]

What makes a shipping container cheaper than just building it from raw materials?

[@thebabno]

I'd like to know as well. They got a bunch of machinery and workers out to the site. It makes me think that adds quite a bit to the cost of the pool.

[@thebabno]

Not to mention it seems tiny compared to a regular inground pool

[@michaelsummer7082]

Looks to me like on site install is significantly faster. It’s a lot more self-contained and you don’t have to run pipes all the way out to a pool house. That being said I wouldn’t expect it to be “cheap” haha.

[@_P0tat07_]

There are millions of shipping containers around the world. There actually very cheap. And I believe some companies will only use them once and then sell them. Depending on the cargo being transported. I’m not entirely sure if that’s correct but I believe I’ve heard that before. Shipping containers are actually quite cheap. It’s just a corrugated steel box.

[@RCinginSC]

With all the necessary decking, grading, foundation piers, electrical and gas hook ups, not to mention the cost of a heavy lift crane for a day, you're easily into it for $50k -$75k .

[@effervescence5664]

This was probably a great idea before Covid-19 as the average cost of a container was only $2,000. Now two years later the average cost of a container is $12,000 it's not nearly as competitive compared to building a traditional pool.

[@noahchaplin3835]

They tried starting the company two years ago, but struggled to take off. It takes a couple of years for news businesses to make any progress

[@GeeTheBuilder]

@@noahchaplin3835 and as the comment above states, it’s now an unviable business.

[@AlottaBoulchit]

People went nuts with the "Container Tiny House" nonsense a few years ago and shot the prices up. lmao

[@TulsaPoolBoys]

What a great walkthroug of the whole process. Pretty cool!

[@BamBamBigelow..]

The universal 20 foot equivalent container, but it has to be concrete lined. Is this cheaper than a normal pool? I'm sure the huge crane didn't cost a fortune 🙄

[@danfuller9196]

I counted at least 8 yellow jackets. Those yellow jackets aren't cheap lol

[@jimcarfagno0702]

Smallest heater on the market? Took me 2 minutes to find a 250k BTU pool heater... How does this work with the decking? Was there a ballpark price total price range mentioned? I'm a big fan of This Old House. There's so much potential in these online segments. This is an awesome project idea. Would have stuck around another 5 mins for it have gone more in-depth / practical.

[@jej3451]

By "smallest" he means physical dimensions

[@thebabno]

They say smallest footprint heater, meaning physical size

[@mgillard96]

Thoroughly confused. What was the window for if you buried it?

[@jtstacey83]

it's not buried. the backyard is hilly and they cut into the hillside and poured footings for it to sit level on and appear inground when looking out of the house. it's basically a heavy-duty above-ground pool/ spa/ hot tub all in one.

[@mage189]

I believe that was just their shop display/test model so they could show off the water jets working.

[@georgebush6002]

@@mage189 I think you're right, I didn't see a window in the crane footage.

[@noahchaplin3835]

@@mage189 You CAN purchase a pool with the window installed! They are not just to display the jets and leds.

[@charlesgilreath]

Pimp factor

[@SalvadorSTMZ]

Would like to know the pros and cons of this vs a traditional plastic or concrete pool

[@jej3451]

The main "pro" is that she got a free pool, at the expense of her employer and the vendor.

[@geongsi6991]

@@jej3451 I cant say for sure about this episode, but most ppl that appear on these shows, pay their own labor and/or parts. I remember an episode that the family ended up not doing a repair, because it was too expensive and they couldn't afford it. I was very confused by the end and had had to look it up.

[@noahchaplin3835]

The customer service the durability and extra features and the ease of use when it comes to servicing the pool. Just read the description of the video!

[@cutl00senc]

I’d say the “cons” are lack of space. 8x20 sounds big, but hardly large enough to swim in. It’s really more like a large jacuzzi, and less like a “pool”.

[@jatdb51t]

Con: you spent $40,000+ and it looks like a dip tank you would find in an industrial setting.

[@jatdb51t]

Did you look up the price on these? If I'm spending $40k+ on a swimming pool, it's not going to be made out of an old shipping container.

[@GeeTheBuilder]

That crane was awesome 😎

[@MagnumGreenPanther]

Why would you do this? Is someone getting a government subsidy by using a hideous rustprone container pod?

[@chrisnash2154]

Please have a follow up video to discuss the cost benefits.

[@SeanBaker]

For future reference, you cannot have two people with the same name on this show. I spent half the time watching this thinking you replaced the other Jenn with this one expecting people to not notice. 🤣🤣 I was like, "That is not the landscaper lady!!".

[@MannyFontes1968]

Yeah, I thought the exact same thing...lol

[@SeanBaker]

@@MannyFontes1968 Exactly!

[@zachary_attackery]

This seems like it would cost 20 times more than just having a regular pool put in

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

$40,000-$60,000 for an in-ground is typical.

[@lovedfriend2020]

I would think the old way of doing it would cost more. Also you are saving a Container.

[@mysticwine]

It still looks like a shipping container inside.

[@edrcozonoking]

Do you know the cost of a regular pool?

[@sparksmcgee6641]

​@@lovedfriend2020there are no lost containers. We've been short containers for decades. As soon as China started buying grain on a large scale in the early 2000s we've been short.

[@LennyMarkh]

Kevin's voiceover at the start sounded just like Ron Howard narrating Arrested Development. Weird but very funny vibes from that.

[@adel19997]

I like the concept. Those containers can be used for housing

[@henrikcsuri]

Legally, they can't. It's impossible to trace it back what was shipped in those containers and therefore legally they can't be used for housing humans

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

@@henrikcsuri Clean them, duh. Plenty of folks make homes out of them as well. See Andrew Camarata's channel for one.

[@UTeewb]

There's a popular video on youtube where a guy built a container house in California. He essentially had to frame a normal normal house inside the container since adding windows and doors removes the support provided by the container. Basically a container house is really a normal house with a more expensive container siding/roof.

[@Guillotines_For_Globalists]

@@UTeewb Progress!!

[@mrphilbert1]

We're going to need a bigger gas line!

[@rupe53]

bigger from the street and a bigger meter. Most likely 2 - 3 times more than they have already.

[@cranelord]

This and container houses are why it's impossible to buy one for storage anymore. It's way too expensive now. I've seen 20' go for 4k or more. I'm pretty sure you used to be able to to get 40' for less than that.

[@jerry4012]

A lot of things used to be.

[@jtstacey83]

you use to be able pre-pandemic to get both of them for less than $1,000. now with the shipping issues, they are having trouble getting these containers. Amazon currently makes its own because of the issues of obtaining them.

[@sculder85]

Now we know where all of the missing shipping containers are. 🤭

[@noracharles80]

All I ever wanted in life was a crew and a staff… what I could accomplish!

[@Bremend]

How does water circulate from the non-stairs side of the pool?

[@DavidWMiller]

Much larger pools often only have single skimmer, it'll create a current and circulate just fine.

[@fiamond]

That crane is amazing

[@xoxo2008oxox]

Right? I wonder what that cost per hour. And to have to go over the house? Some oh oh oh...phew moments there.

[@fm1sabre]

Interested to know how long these lasts. As any small deep scratch to the bare metal can provide an entry way to rust? Or is the material rust proof the container is made out of?

[@casid9929]

Containers are notorious for rusting. I had same concern.

[@rupe53]

plastic coating inside and Rustoleum on the outside tells me they expect 20 years from a fairly fresh container. I have no idea what they warranty might be.

[@patrickavondale8653]

*beyond burgers sizzling on grill, Subaru keys on end table* "Yeah, believe it or not that used to be a shipping container --- It's pretty sustainable"

[@realgaparking]

I'm on a plane with Joel right now. How cool is that?

[@AJMIckna2010]

"How to Install a Shipping Container Pool" Hire a crew with a huge crane and 50 guys, 20 minutes later, all done...

[@UTeewb]

TOH does this all the time, but this may be the most egregious I've seen. They just need to remove the word "how to" and people will stop making fun of them.

[@vladtepes97]

@@UTeewb change the title to "how it's done"

[@ALAPINO]

Hmmm, a highly for corroding material to hold a corrosive liquid, add highly corrosive sanitizers.

[@CS-qc7np]

1:11

[@jtblatt1988]

That’s a beautiful dumpster in your backyard

[@ROGER2095]

Worms and snakes are going to enjoy looking through that window.

[@nicksalazar5873]

How much is all this?

[@corycc83]

Great job, Cuz!

[@zerocool1344]

These pools are already not cheap so do they install and setup with total price?

[@christianvillegas3952]

So jealous this looked incredible.

[@johnroberts9560]

HI TOH , I think that's a really cool pool made out of a shipping container ! 👍😊

[@I-Teee]

That’s a LOT of work for what is, at the end of the day, 2/3 of a shipping container with some paint.

[@noahchaplin3835]

It’s a bit more than that. Did you not see all the guts of that thing. It’s also super durable and looks fantastic in any modern setting. They also donate to charity

[@bonita1228]

I think the fun part of these container pools is the window. But this is sunk and I think the uniqueness of the window is lost. I wonder why a regular in ground pool was not put in. But I like the way the pool equipment is so compact at one end. There is no underground pipe so no leaks. Small enough so I don’t think it will be too expensive to heat in the winter. Looks like a swim spa where you can swim in place against the jets.

[@noahchaplin3835]

The window is not always installed especially if it’s underground. The window is just to look cool and if that side of the pool is visible. It is also inset in a hill and the window side visible

[@henrythompson7595]

@@noahchaplin3835 Wow, on the side of a hill? Window breaks, water and any humans go over the cliff????

[@chipsammich2078]

Someone get those guys a plasma cutter

[@caddyguy5369]

Pretty sure they could afford one. One would think they would be smart enough to buy one, but then again, they are converting shipping containers to pools, so.... :-)

[@jank330]

can't believe the crap comments do some research people before commenting my nephew had one installed its awesome 2 tiered with a deep end and a built in jet pool at the other its beautiful and 4 years on no issues.

[@elizabethwomack4829]

Is it a reused/recycled container? Can you get it in deeper than 5 ft? Like, keep it the original depth? Or have a deep end and shallow end?

[@keithf5236]

what's the point of a window and opening doors if your just going to bury it and excavate the area for the doors to open?

[@ronevans852]

Who would of thought to make a pool out of those containers. Very nice.

[@thuy-locvu4539]

Will you ship it over sea?

[@louismelledy8144]

Why did they use a crane? Couldn't they drive the pool around to where they wanted it?

[@shannonlantrip643]

Would it have been cheaper to bring the pool in by drone vs. craine?

[@magnumss]

Once you're done with this project you can run to home Depot purchase the trash can and turn that into a Jacuzzi 😂😂

[@CANDIKONETT]

I want to make a pond like this for freshwater fish.

[@shizzydeep6867]

i wish they would talk about the cost of things on TOH.

[@ChronicBongitis420]

I hope that the flexible tubing is PVC and not pex

[@JEK]

Aren't shipping containers hard to come by now? Not sure how this would be economical rather than having custom shaped pool with traditional materials.

[@garretthaney9134]

Not if they're used. Even if that was a water tight single trip container (and most of the containers they're using certainly aren't) that container is going go be cheaper then a comperable liner. Way stronger and self supporting too. Add that all of the guts are manufactured in a factory and the labor for this will be significantly less expensive..... Also - the contractor was just a landscaping company and not a pool company - relatively unskilled and cheap labor compared to the specialized experience needed for a traditional pool.

[@noahchaplin3835]

It’s far sturdier and looks better than a traditional pool! Plus the guys who build these things put their heart and soul into it. They also have great customer service!

[@casid9929]

@@garretthaney9134 I saw that they arent strong to side pressure. When they were used in the ground, the sides buckled in.

[@DrLoveQc]

Dont understand why they didnt use an heat pump instead of gas.Cost way less to run, plus the pool is tiny so it doesnt need a big one. Would save money to just bring electricity to the pool mechanical area. I think the container pool and wood deck wasnt the best option. They got tons of space in the backyard, no need for a pool so small in width there. Would be better for a small house or small land, semi detached house, city house.

[@clumpkin1012]

Can these be salt water? Can these have a shallow end or all same depth?

[@tommcclellan5539]

What’s the r value on this pool? I would rather do icf for long term performance.

[@poppajretired410]

Why are we guessing the price? TOH should include all this in the video.

[@ROGER2095]

It's in the description.

[@poppajretired410]

@@ROGER2095 Between $16,000 and $40,000 doesn’t tell us what this install cost.

[@josephmauldin3]

Were you reading my mind? I was just thinking about doing a container pool. That is too funny!

[@LaMaiStyle]

Awesome 😎

[@seanh3563]

Nothing better than building a pool that requires access to the bottom for maintenance. Let's create a giant drainage basin in the backyard with a retaining wall built around it.

[@henrikcsuri]

What's the benefits/advantages of a container pool compared to the traditional one?

[@user-os2uz2dy3b]

⤴⤴▪▪🔝 leave a msg

[@noahchaplin3835]

The durability, how easy it is to service/ clean, it looks a lot nicer. Plus the company has great customer service compared to other shipping container company’s based outside the US

[@susansparke3462]

I think sometimes these container pools are good options for people who cannot get the necessary equipment to their backyards to pour concrete for a traditional pool, for people who live in VERY rural areas where the cost of hiring a traditional pool company to come out to where they are located is just not practical and for people who for whatever reason can't have a lengthy (and noisy) on-site installation dragging on and on. I would also imagine that there would be less long-term maintenance as these would not crack the way that some concrete pools can, especially if you get unlucky and hire an inferior pool company for the installation. I've been curious about shipping container pools, secure storage spaces, housing and so on as I am in a somewhat rural location and they sound like an economical option for all sorts of purposes, even small mobile offices, studios, backyard bars and cabanas or guest houses, provided that you have the necessary electrical and plumbing/sewage hookups. Pinterest has tons of ideas on the subject and it's amazing what people can do with these discarded containers.

[@henrikcsuri]

@@susansparke3462 you still need to dig, pour foundation and run pipes/electrical. I can see it being less likely to crack, but you'll have to repaint them otherwise could start rusting. As far as for using discarded containers for housing, that's only a social media dream. To make them livable, it costs a lot of money. Ie. For insulation, plumbing and wiring you'll have to install walls. Also in many places they are illegal to live in used containers, because you have no idea what they were shipped in them and they may pose health hazard.

[@susansparke3462]

@@henrikcsuri I understand that these containers are not free from maintenance. Nothing is ever completely maintenance free. It is also my understanding based on the research that I have done that only new or "one-trip" containers are used for housing. Any home would require a solid foundation, water/sewage systems, the installation of electricity, plumbing, and other essential constructions to make them liveable, so that is the same regardless of the chosen material, be it a common timber framing, steel frame or adobe home. I worked with logistics at one time and regularly ordered containers for our overseas shipments of almonds, so I am familiar with them, plus we had several on-site that we used for miscellaneous storage. At a later job, we used them to store files and personal property belonging to decedents and I spent quite a lot of time in those miserable containers, so I do know what they are like on 115°F + days. Everything has it's advantages and disadvantages, so it is a personal choice for everyone and their unique set of circumstances in their location. At a basic function, they do make fantastic secure storage units and I would opt for a shipping container over a mini storage unit any day.

[@xgum]

i should get into the crane industry

[@fishpony1211]

This is really cool way to use a container but what was the window cut out for??

[@noahchaplin3835]

Just to look cool! It’s sick seeing everything underwater from inside the pools. They are made custom so not all of them have windows and not all of them are set underground!

[@AlottaBoulchit]

That's the Foot Window so you can see all those yummy soggy toes from the outside. 😋

[@michaelhyland8402]

I'm not seeing anywhere what product the blue spray is. Would anyone like to help me with this.

[@scallywag1716]

This seems like added cost for no real benefit. I thought containers were in short supply? I know metal is $$$$$ right now. With all their options it’s like $50 grand plus install which is probably another $10 or $20 grand. Seems like a similar cost to a custom pool that size and location.

[@keytothegate68]

To my understanding it costs 25K , your shipping and install. 80K if they do it. Contractors buy it for 25K when they build new homes and resell to home owners . Notice thin walls and small size.

[@planelander]

How much?

[@brianwaskow5910]

When money is no object.

[@rupe53]

I can see where some installations could come in on the low end and you could have a nicely finished pool for say $25k... and done in a few weeks of on-site work, allowing for concrete to set up. The flip side is what's shown which could be well above $40k and quickly approaching the cost of a custom in-ground pool. (taxes on an in-ground might be more in some areas) Guessing a full blow in-ground pool will take closer to 90 days from start to finish.

[@MrLocke-bk3om]

Fiberglass in ground pools in my area cost between $120-$150K. This is a great alternative

[@rupe53]

@@MrLocke-bk3om ... hint... it's not the pool that costs the big money. Usually, it's the site work and what goes around the pool. Was at a job last week and the owner dropped almost $40k for a custom concrete deck / patio with an anti-skid surface, then finished the yard with sod plus plantings. The one piece fiberglass pool was in the $20k range, with plumbing. I believe it was roughly 12 x 28 with a 5 ft deep end, set in compacted pebble with dead sand side fill.

[@RionE23]

I wish AskThisOldHouse would tell us how much these projects cost.

[@Allen-by6ci]

you know what they say.. if you gotta ask.. you cant afford it..

[@michaelsteinbach]

$17k - $40k is what it says in the description.

[@johnmolnar2957]

TOT is stretching for content . an 8'x 20 ' x4' pool is very small. whats the cost comparison vs an equivalent in-ground pool that was made with concrete ,galvanized steel and replaceable vinyl liner. also what is the life expectancy of this until the steel needs a re coat and /or rots thru ?

[@oldtwinsna8347]

agreed, this is just a landscaping pool to look at and dip your feet in, at best. not a real pool to swim in.

[@4HBirtcher]

The forklift trick reminds me of a "world's dumbest" episode where in Minn. a contractor did this and damaged a house!

[@kevinclark6289]

After watching the segment I think that I will just go eat a sweet roll and have a glass of milk.

[@BalwinderSinghcheemaonelife]

Those sharp corners waiting for accident to happen

[@lovedfriend2020]

Cool idea for a old Container.

[@discgolftrainnut]

There's a KZbin guy called Maker 238 who made a pool out of a giant trash compactor.

[@tomeller22]

Weird I guess it's all a big commercial now instead of real homeowner experiences. Not a fan

[@vampiregoat69]

Awesome

[@SimonTekConley]

I was hoping it was a secret tunnel to get to the pool. It is, but only for electrical wires. Lol

[@howlround]

this comes off more as an infomercial than anything.

[@noahchaplin3835]

Pretty Much Yeah!

[@jslade60]

Since you went ahead and dug a hole and put it in the ground you should have just got a fiberglass insert and had a regular pool you would have saved yourself tens of thousands of dollars😮

[@jordanweber7398]

After taking the time to dig the hole, pour the proper foundation and shore up the wall…. They should’ve just had an inground pool. It would’ve been cheaper at that point than buying the container pool. Plus then it could’ve been any size.

[@seabass3104]

Made of steel? Filled with water? Is this for real?

[@Reefdevil]

Fyi- that crane alone would cost at least $5k to rent/operate for an hour or two. Total waste of $$$.

[@noahchaplin3835]

That is not typical for the company. It was This Old House that bought the crane

[@Joehizzle]

So we basically just watched an ad for a pool container

[@nicolreescano7810]

I feel like after all of that, why not opt for a regular swimming pool.🤦🏽‍♀️ Dang

[@theedrstrangelove]

I think I'll keep my cement pond.

[@chrissullivan331]

Why is the video under this old house? Its cool and all but did the main theme of TOH just not bring in views?

[@jlawlar]

that looks crazy expensive for above ground pool

[@parsias5381]

This is a commercial

[@Double_Vision]

Step 1: Don't.

[@eden20111]

Why?

[@elultimo102]

@@eden20111 ---In CA, I was warned about the operating cost of the pool heater & filtration----not to mention the Million Dollar liability policy, in case the neighbor kid sneaks in and drowns. Pools are referred to as an "attractive nuisance."

[@dawnkline1406]

As a “real” pool owner which cost 25K to install, with a diving board etc, I don’t see how this narrow thingie costs less than that to install?

[@RealTylerBell]

that crane probably cost more then the pool

[@AEeminc]

How much is the pool

[@user-os2uz2dy3b]

🔝⤴🔝 leave a msg

[@noahchaplin3835]

Roughly the cost of a traditional in-ground pool. Unless you get it custom made, with a pool cover and other accessories!

[@Archangel3083]

This completely removes the cost effectiveness of a container pool. After all that crap and the instal it would be way more than a larger in ground pool.

[@MatHelm]

The word we're all looking for here is Moronic...

[@cattigereyes1]

Metal rusts paint fails, not a long term solution!

[@USAsuperstore]

Did "This Old House" just change name to "This fancy house"?

[@elultimo102]

Years ago, a critic of TOH said that he liked to see the show, just to watch them waste money.

[@spookerr]

Couple trips to the Caribbean every year would be cheaper.

[@jonathandevries2828]

looks pretty good!

[@ericcartmansh]

Imagine if that crane snapped or the container fell down from the top of the crane!

[@teeing9355]

I said to myself at the start of this video "Bet they hook it a smart phone". Making crap out of Shipping Containers is such a fad. People will look back say "What were they thinking?"