1×40 container as an annexe: 29.7 m²
Studio in a 40 ft container. Garden annexe, studio or office. As an independent home it is below the 37 m² the space standard asks for a 1-bedroom, 1-person flat: one container on its own is not enough.
The space standard applies only where your council has adopted it in its Local Plan. Check with the council and an architect before you choose a plan.
How much it costs
Between £42,063 and £56,909, VAT included and a ±15% margin. Balanced finish, one-trip containers, residential plot with water, power and drainage. The land is not included.
Container prices from UK depots (2025–2026) and building work with UK factors on the Contentar engine, checked in November 2026. VAT at 20%. Excludes land, heat pump, solar panels, warranty, CIL and stamp duty.
Baseline: one container, openings only.
Build complexity: simple.
For and against
For
- No large structural cuts: the container stays almost intact (reinforced openings).
- Clear linear layout: sleeping to the west, wet rooms in the middle, living to the east/south.
- The High Cube gives a finished ceiling height of ~2.50 m, above the 2.3 m of the space standard.
Against
- 29.7 m² built: below the 37 m² space-standard minimum for a 1-bedroom home, where the council applies it.
- 0.90 m corridor and a 7.5 m² bedroom 2.20 m wide: it works, but it is tight.
Sun orientation
East–west axis, large openings to the south with an overhang; west end almost blank, east end glazed.
Adjust the finish, used or new container and the land, and see the cost line by line.
Work out my cost UK guide · join the waiting listSee this plan in 3D on Contentar
Other plans
- 1×20 container as an annexe: 14.8 m²Annex in a 20 ft container · £30,698–£41,532
- 1×40 container as an annexe: 29.7 m²Studio in a 40 ft container · £42,063–£56,909
- Container home 2×40: 1 bedroom, 59.4 m²1 bedroom · two 40 ft side by side · £78,046–£105,591
- Container home 3×40: 2 bedrooms, 89.2 m²2 bedrooms · three 40 ft side by side · £110,928–£150,078
- Container home 4×40: 3 bedrooms, 118.9 m²3 bedrooms · four 40 ft side by side · £144,913–£196,060
- Container home 2×40 + 1×20 L-shaped: 2 bedrooms, 74.2 m²L-shaped 2 bedrooms with a patio · £92,681–£125,390
- Container home 4×40 H-shaped: 3 bedrooms, 118.9 m²H-shaped 3 bedrooms with two patios · £147,412–£199,440
- Container home 3×40 duplex: 2 bedrooms, 89.2 m²2-bedroom duplex, one 40 on top · £113,847–£154,027
- 1×40 + 1×20 with decking container as an annexe: 44.5 m²40 + 20 ft with decking · £59,228–£80,131
- 2×20 L-shaped container as an annexe: 29.5 m²Two 20 ft in an L · £50,709–£68,607
- 2×40 cantilevered container as an annexe: 59.4 m²Stacked cantilever with a terrace · £85,014–£115,019