Container Homes

Are you dreaming of owning a home but worried about high construction costs and long waiting times? Container homes in Kenya offer a smart, fast, and affordable way to build your dream house. These homes are made from strong steel shipping containers that are changed (customized) into comfortable, safe, and stylish living spaces.

At Frontier Containers EA Limited, we are experts in building container homes. We understand that building a house can be stressful and expensive. That’s why we specialize in designing and making container homes that fit exactly what you need and your budget. Whether you want a simple one-room home or a bigger house with many bedrooms, we can build it for you.

Why Choose a Container Home in Kenya?

Thinking about building a home? Here’s why a container home could be the perfect choice for you:

Portable: Need to move your home? No problem! Container homes are built to be moved. They can be lifted by a crane truck and taken to a new plot. This is great if you rent land, work in different places, or want a home in upcountry that you can move later.
Easy to Set Up: Unlike normal houses that take months or years to build, container homes are built (fabricated) in our workshop first. This means all the work like painting, wiring, and installing doors/windows is done off-site. Then, the finished home is delivered to your plot, ready for you to move in. This causes very little disturbance to your land and needs almost no digging.
Modular: Your family might grow, and you might need a bigger home later. With containers, you can start with a small home and add more containers later as your needs or money grows. This makes planning and spending easier.
Fast Delivery Time: Because most of the work is done before delivery, setting up a container home is much faster than building a traditional house. You can be living in your new container home in weeks, not months. This means less stress and more time in your new place.
Cost Friendly: Building a normal brick house is very expensive. On average, building a container home costs about 30% less than building a traditional house with the same features. Plus, you save a lot of time, which also saves money. This makes container homes a great way to own a home without spending too much.

Secure: Container homes are made from thick, strong steel. This makes them very hard to break into, keeping your family and your things safe, even in faraway farms or sites.

What Makes Our Container Homes Special?

We don’t just sell empty containers. We turn them into real, comfortable homes. Here’s what we include and can add to make your container home perfect:

Doors & Windows: We cut and install doors and windows exactly where you need them. You can choose different styles and materials like steel, aluminum, or wood.
Insulation: Kenya can get very hot! We can add insulation to keep your home cool and comfortable.
Interior Lining: The inside walls can be lined with materials like wood, MDF, or plasterboard to make it look nice and feel more like a traditional home.

Electrical Wiring & Fittings: We install all the electrical wiring you need, including lights, power outlets, and switches. We make sure it’s done safely and to code.
Flooring Options: You choose how your home’s floor looks and feels. We offer different options like:
- Ceramic Tiles: Easy to clean and looks neat.
- Epoxy Flooring: Strong and smooth, great for a modern look.
- Laminate: Looks like wood, is comfortable and affordable.
- Rubber Tiles: Good for areas where comfort or noise reduction is important.
Extra Features: Need more than just a basic home? We can add:
- Washrooms (Toilets & Sinks)
- Kitchenette (Sink, counter, space for a cooker/fridge)
- Built-in Wardrobes & Storage
- Partition Walls: To create separate bedrooms or living spaces.
- Painting: We paint the inside and outside in the colors you choose.

Our Container Home Design Options

We offer many different designs to suit your family’s size and needs. Here are the most popular options:

1. 20ft Studio (Bedsitter)

Container Base: Standard 20ft Dry Shipping Container (approx. 6m x 2.4m)
Layout: A single, open room that serves as the living room, bedroom, and kitchen area. Usually includes a separate small toilet room.
Ideal For: Single people, students, small families starting out, or a simple weekend home.
Estimated Fabrication Price: Kshs. 650,000 – 750,000 (Plus the cost of the empty container: Kshs. 160,000 – 250,000)

2. 40ft 1-Bedroom Container House

Container Base: Standard 40ft High Cube Container (approx. 12m x 2.4m x 2.9m)
Layout: A separate bedroom and a bigger combined living/kitchen area. Includes a washroom.
Ideal For: Small families or couples wanting more space than a studio.
Estimated Fabrication Price: Kshs. 1,000,000 – 1,450,000 (Plus the cost of the empty container: Kshs. 350,000 – 420,000)

3. 40ft 2-Bedroom Container House

Container Base: Standard 40ft High Cube Container (approx. 12m x 2.4m x 2.9m)
Layout: Two separate bedrooms, a living area, kitchen, and washroom. A smart use of space in one container.
Ideal For: Small families needing two bedrooms in one unit.
Estimated Fabrication Price: Kshs. 1,200,000 – 1,500,000 (Plus the cost of the empty container: Kshs. 350,000 – 420,000)

4. 20ft + 40ft Containers Combined (2 Bedrooms)

Container Base: One 20ft and one 40ft High Cube Container joined together.
Layout: More flexibility in design. For example, one container could be the bedrooms and the other the living/kitchen/washroom.
Ideal For: Families wanting a clear separation of spaces or a more customized layout.
Estimated Fabrication Price: Kshs. 1,600,000 – 2,000,000 (Plus the cost of two containers: Kshs. 510,000 – 670,000)

5. Two or More 40ft Containers Combined (Bigger Houses)

Container Base: Two or more 40ft High Cube Containers joined together.
Layout: Much bigger homes. For example, two 40ft containers can make a spacious 2-bedroom home. Three or more can create 3, 4, or even 5-bedroom homes.
Ideal For: Larger families or those wanting a more spacious home.

Estimated Fabrication Price (Two 40ft combined): Kshs. 2,250,000 – 2,800,000 (Plus the cost of two containers: Kshs. 700,000 – 840,000)
Estimated Fabrication Price (Three 40ft combined): Kshs. 3,500,000 – 4,500,000 (Plus the cost of three containers: Kshs. 1,050,000 – 1,260,000)

6. Stacked Container Homes (Multi-Story)

Container Base: Two containers stacked on top of each other.
Layout: Creates a two-story home. For example, the bottom container could be the living area and kitchen, and the top one the bedrooms.
Ideal For: Small plots where you want to build upwards.

Extra Cost for Stacking: Kshs. 300,000 – 400,000 (for stairs and balcony) (Plus the cost of two containers and their fabrication)

Contact Frontier Containers EA Limited Today!

Ready to build your affordable, quick, and secure container home in Kenya? Contact Frontier Containers EA Ltd for expert design, quality construction, and fair prices.

Email: info@frontiercontainers.co.ke
Eng. Stephen Karume: Mobile: 0720099714 | Email: steve@frontiercontainers.co.ke
Ann Nyakio: Mobile: 0726668272 | Email: ann@frontiercontainers.co.ke
Website: https://frontiercontainerskenya.com
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/@FrontierContainersEA

0726668272/0720099714

info@frontiercontainers.co.ke

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What is a container home, and why are they becoming popular in Kenya?

A container home is a house built using one or more shipping containers as the main structure. These steel boxes are modified by cutting openings for doors and windows, adding insulation, electrical wiring, plumbing, and interior finishes to make them comfortable and livable. They are becoming very popular in Kenya because they offer a fast, affordable, and flexible way to own a home.

Compared to traditional brick-and-mortar construction, container homes can be built in a fraction of the time (often weeks instead of months or years) and cost significantly less (often 30% cheaper). They are also very strong, secure, and can be designed to look modern and attractive, making them a smart choice for many Kenyans.

How much does it cost to build a container home in Kenya?

The cost of a container home depends on its size, design complexity, and the features you choose. The total cost includes three main parts:

Cost of the Empty Container(s): For example, a 20ft container costs Kshs. 160,000 – 250,000, and a 40ft High Cube costs Kshs. 350,000 – 420,000.

Fabrication/Modification Cost: This is the cost to turn the container into a home. A simple 20ft studio might cost Kshs. 650,000 – 750,000 to fabricate. A larger 40ft one-bedroom could cost Kshs. 1,000,000 – 1,450,000. Larger or more complex designs with multiple containers cost more.
Additional Costs: Remember to budget for transportation and offloading (see our main article for estimated transport costs, e.g., Kshs. 15,000 – 55,000 for a 20ft container within Nairobi), site preparation (clearing, leveling, foundation), and any furnishings (furniture, appliances). For example, a basic 20ft studio home could cost roughly Kshs. 810,000 – 1,000,000 just for the container and fabrication, plus transport, site prep, and furnishing. Always get a detailed quote from a trusted supplier like Frontier Containers EA Ltd for the most accurate picture of your project's total cost.

What sizes and layouts of container homes do you offer?

We offer a wide range of container home designs to suit different needs:

Small & Simple: A 20ft Studio (Bedsitter) is perfect for one person or a small family starting out.
Family Homes (Single Container): A 40ft 1-Bedroom or 40ft 2-Bedroom home gives you more space in one unit.
Larger Homes (Multiple Containers): Combining a 20ft and 40ft container gives you more layout flexibility. Using two 40ft containers can create a spacious 2-bedroom home, and three or more can build homes with 3, 4, or even 5 bedrooms.

Multi-Story (Stacked): If your plot is small, we can stack two containers to build a two-story home, maximizing your living space upwards. We work with you to design the best layout for your family and budget.

What features are included in a standard container home from Frontier Containers?

A standard container home from us is designed to be a comfortable place to live. The basic features usually include:

Doors and Windows: Secure entry/exit points and natural light/ventilation.

Insulation: To help keep the inside cool in hot weather.
Interior Lining: Covering the metal walls for a pleasant look and feel.
Electrical System: Complete wiring for lights, outlets, and switches.
Flooring: You choose the type (tiles, epoxy, laminate).
Essential Rooms: Usually includes at least one bedroom, a combined living/kitchen area, and a washroom. Beyond these basics, you can add many optional features like a full kitchen (with space for a cooker), more bedrooms, extra bathrooms, built-in wardrobes, a separate dining area, or even a small study. We customize each home to your specific needs and preferences.

How long does it take to build and deliver a container home?

One of the biggest advantages of container homes is the speed. The process has two main stages:

Fabrication: This is where your container home is built in our workshop. Depending on the design's complexity and our current workload, this typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.

Delivery & Placement: Once fabrication is complete, we schedule transport to your plot. Delivery time depends on your location. Offloading the home onto your prepared site requires a crane truck. So, from the time you place your order, you can generally expect your container home to be delivered and placed on-site within 3 to 6 weeks. This is incredibly fast compared to traditional house construction, allowing you to move into your new home much sooner.

Are container homes durable and safe to live in?

Yes, container homes are very durable and safe. Shipping containers are originally built to carry heavy cargo across oceans, enduring harsh weather and rough handling. They are made from thick, corrugated steel, making them extremely strong and resistant to damage from wind, rain, and even minor earthquakes. This means your container home can last for many decades with minimal maintenance. They are also very secure due to the strong steel walls, making break-ins difficult. To make them safe and comfortable to live in, we ensure proper insulation, electrical work done to code, and use of safe materials, especially by sourcing FOOD GRADE containers whenever possible to avoid any harmful chemical residues.

Can I get a container home with a full kitchen, bathroom, and other amenities?

Absolutely! We can build container homes with all the modern amenities you expect in a traditional home. This includes:

Full Kitchen: With space for a cooker (gas or electric), sink, counter, and storage.
Full Bathroom: With a toilet, shower/bath, and wash basin.
Multiple Bedrooms & Bathrooms: Larger designs can easily include 2, 3, or more bedrooms and bathrooms.
Other Features: You can also have built-in wardrobes, storage areas, a separate dining room, a study, or even a small entertainment area. Just tell us what you want when discussing your design, and we will include it in the plan and quote.

What other costs should I budget for besides the container and its modification?

The price you get for the container and its modification usually only covers the work done at our yard. There are other important costs to plan for:

Transportation & Offloading: Getting the finished home from our yard to your plot and lifting it off the truck using a crane. This cost depends on the distance, container size, and site access. Check our main article for estimated transport costs.
Site Preparation: Your container home needs a level, stable place to sit. This might involve clearing land, leveling the ground, and building a foundation (like concrete pillars or a slab). This cost varies depending on your site's condition.
Utilities Connection: Connecting water, electricity, and possibly sewer or a septic tank to your container home is usually your responsibility, although we can advise on the best way to do it.
Interior Furnishing: Adding furniture, curtains, appliances (fridge, cooker, TV) is not included in the container price. Make sure to budget for these extra costs to get the full picture of your project's total price.

Frontier Containers has been helping Kenyans solve their storage and shipping challenges. With over 13 years of experience, we’ve grown into a trusted name across the country.

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Container Homes in Kenya