Truck access
The home arrives folded on a truck, so the delivery route and the spot where it will stand need to be reachable by the truck and lifting equipment.
GUIDE · TYPES, PRICES & DELIVERY
Container homes
in South Africa.
A practical guide to expandable, shipping-container and modular homes, with real 2026 prices and what your site needs before delivery.
Finished container homes from R380,00020 ft · unfurnished starting price
THE SHORT VERSION
Container homes in South Africa, explained.
“Container home” covers several quite different products. Some are converted shipping containers; others are factory-built homes made to container dimensions so they are easy to transport. Knowing the difference helps you compare prices properly and avoid surprises on site.
This guide explains the main types, what they cost, what your site needs and how long installation takes, with real starting prices from our own range of 20 ft and 40 ft expandable homes.
THREE TYPES
Which kind of container home?
| Expandable (foldable) container home | Converted shipping container | Modular / prefab building | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it’s made | Factory-built to container size; side sections fold out on site | Cargo container cut, insulated and fitted out | Panels or modules assembled on site |
| Living space | About 40 m² (20 ft) or 75 m² (40 ft) unfolded | About 14 m² (20 ft) or 28 m² (40 ft) per container | Any size |
| On arrival | Bathroom, kitchen, windows, wiring and plumbing already fitted | Depends on the converter | Built on site |
| Time on site | About a day (20 ft) | Days to weeks | Weeks to months |
| Can it move later? | Yes, folds back for transport | Yes, with a crane | Usually not |
Container living space figures are approximate internal floor areas of standard 20 ft and 40 ft cargo containers.
WHAT IT COSTS
Container home prices, 2026.
Our prices are published so you can compare like with like. Each price is for a finished home with a bathroom and kitchen, not an empty container.
- 20 ft expandable home
- From R380,000
- 40 ft expandable home
- From R600,000
- 6 m glamping dome
- From R150,000
- Completed dome suite
- From R350,000
Starting prices. Transport, installation and site preparation are quoted for your location; your quotation confirms the specification and VAT treatment. The 20 ft home is supplied unfurnished.
Get a quote for your siteBEFORE YOU BUY
What your site needs.
A level base
The unit sits on supports such as stilts, pallets or bricks on a level, well-drained spot. We can advise on, and quote for, ground preparation.
Service connection points
Wiring and plumbing are pre-installed and are connected to your electricity, water and sewage points. The closer those points are, the simpler the connection.
Local approval
Rules for additional dwellings differ by municipality and zoning. Check with your local municipality whether plans need to be submitted for your site and intended use.
POPULAR USES
What people use them for.
- Granny flats and backyard cottages for family
- Airbnb and guest units for rental income
- Farm cottages and staff housing on agricultural land
- Site accommodation and offices for contractors and mines
- Extra rooms for lodges and guesthouses — see our glamping domes
- A first home on your own plot
DELIVERY
Where we deliver.
Our display units are in Hout Bay, Cape Town, and we deliver and install nationwide: the Western Cape and Garden Route, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Tell us your town and we will quote transport and installation for your site.
FROM ENQUIRY TO HANDOVER
How it works.
Start with a conversation. We help you choose the right model and work out what your site needs.
- 01
Tell us about your plans
Share how you will use the space, the layout you prefer and where the unit will go.
- 02
Check your site
We confirm truck access, the base and the electricity, water and sewage connection points, then quote transport and installation for your location.
- 03
Delivery and set-up
Your quotation confirms the plan, inclusions, VAT treatment, transport, installation and timing before anything is ordered.
A FEW USEFUL ANSWERS
Container home questions.
How much does a container home cost in South Africa?
Prices depend on the type and size. Our 20 ft expandable container home, a finished two-bedroom home of about 40 m², starts at R380,000 unfurnished, and the 40 ft model of about 75 m² starts at R600,000. Transport, installation and site preparation are quoted on top, based on your location and site.
What is the difference between an expandable home and a shipping container home?
A shipping container home is a used or new cargo container that is cut, insulated and fitted out, usually on site. An expandable home is purpose-built in a factory to container dimensions so it can travel on a truck, then unfolds on site to about three times its transport width, arriving with insulation, windows, a bathroom, a kitchen, wiring and plumbing already fitted.
How long does it take to set up a container home?
A 20 ft expandable home is set up in about a day once it arrives on site, because the wiring and plumbing are pre-installed and only need to be connected. Converted containers and modular builds usually take weeks to months.
Do I need building plans for a container home in South Africa?
Requirements differ by municipality, zoning and how the unit will be used. Check with your local municipality before installation whether plans need to be submitted for your site.
Can a container home be used as a granny flat or Airbnb?
Yes. A 20 ft expandable home is a popular granny flat, backyard cottage, Airbnb or guest unit, farm cottage and staff accommodation, because it is quick to install and can be moved later.
Where can I see a container home in Cape Town?
Our expandable homes can be viewed by appointment at our display in Hout Bay, Cape Town. Contact us on WhatsApp to book a viewing.
Do you deliver container homes across South Africa?
Yes. We deliver and install in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Garden Route, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and Northern Cape. Transport is quoted for your location.
KEEP EXPLORING
More from the collection.
REQUEST A QUOTATION
Find the right
container home.
Tell us how you plan to use the space and where it will go. We will recommend a model and quote delivery and installation for your site.