Bucks County Realtor® Adds Shipping Container Addition to House

Derek John, a member of the Bucks County Association of Realtors®, recently added a shipping container addition to his existing home and shares the challenges and benefits of doing so. 

“It’s called a ‘non-hazardous material’ container,” John explains, meaning the container has never been used to store any hazardous material. “It’s an actual shipping container with actual shipping container doors.” 

After construction, the addition weighs about 18,000 pounds and measures 320 square feet (8 feet by 40 feet). He was influenced by his neighbors, who had recently replaced their old pool house with their own shipping container. 

With several children and pets, John and his wife decided they needed more space, especially with his wife working from home full-time. They’ve designated the newly added space as a home office/gym, and the addition includes a small kitchenette as well. 

While the shipping container addition has provided John and his family with some much-needed room, he notes that it may not be the solution for everyone with the same problem. 

“It’s a unique solution, but it is specific to certain needs,” he shares, noting that it is still a small addition with limited space and tight quarters. “You couldn’t just park one of these somewhere and not have storage externally for your things,” he adds, thinking of those who might see this as a replacement for a more traditional home. 

Even more of a challenge? Permitting issues. 

“It’s very specific to your township. You have to get into the nitty-gritty of your township approvals and find out what their standards are. The rules are different everywhere. For Realtors® working with clients considering this kind of addition, it’s about finding out the rules of the township, especially when it comes to public water and public sewage.”  

John and his family are enjoying their shipping container home addition, which works for them, their needs and their township permitting rules.