Container home 3×40 duplex: 2 bedrooms, 89.2 m²
2-bedroom duplex, one 40 on top. Narrow plots where a single-storey 2-bedroom house does not fit.
With 76.3 m² usable it meets the space standard for 1 bed, 1 person (shower room) (37 m²), 1 bed, 2 people (50 m²), 2 bed, 3 people (61 m²), 3 bed, 4 people (74 m²). Estimated ceiling height of 2.50 m: it meets the 2.3 m of the standard.
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 £113,847 and £154,027, 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.
It includes 17% more than the same area in simple containers. Shared wall removed, stacked container, floor cut-out and internal stairs: ~+14–20%.
Build complexity: complex.
For and against
For
- Internal stairs: the house is continuous, no going outside to reach the bedroom.
- The top container sits corner on corner on one of the lower ones: a simple structure.
- Takes the footprint of a 1-bedroom house (12 × 4.9 m) and gives 2 bedrooms with an office.
Against
- Opening the floor and roof for the stairs needs reinforcement.
- Bedroom 2 is tight (9.4 m², 2.20 m wide).
Sun orientation
East–west axis; living room to the south with a glazed door; office upstairs with windows to the south and north.
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