Everything You Need to Know About an Expandable House

An expandable container house is perfect for creating a cozy outdoor hideaway or an urban home near work. It’s an expandable version of modular buildings and offers tailor-made solutions that fit your needs. In this blog post, we’ll provide a full guide to collapsible container homes. We’ll explore their benefits and what to consider for a successful setup.

An Overview of an Expandable House

An expandable house is a cost-efficient modern innovation that combines flexibility, practicality, and sustainability. Unlike traditional accessory dwelling units, the frames of this type of construction are often prefabricated by the manufacturer. They can be used for different purposes with their expandable designs and customizable options.

You can pick your favorite color, size, room layout, interior style, exterior finish, and other premium upgrades. Once the factory confirms and finishes all features, the expandable house will be sent straight to your approved location for final setup. These unique designs and fast processes make this construction a popular choice for more and more people in recent years.

Benefits of an Expandable Container House

Affordable: An expandable prefab house is usually much cheaper than homes built on-site. This is because it follows a controlled and consistent prefabricated process. You don’t need to spend tons of money on building materials, labor, and even decorations.

Fast Construction: Buyers usually can get their orders within 30–90 days. This is much quicker than a traditional building project schedule.

High Quality: Modern prefab homes are built with the same quality and craftsmanship as traditional buildings. They are usually made of heavy-duty metals and PVC, some types even feature energy-efficient designs to make the house more eco-friendly.

Flexibility: Whether you want a small cafe for your business or a cozy home to live in, expandable homes can meet your needs. You can also customize the style and finish of the house to create a unique touch. 

Check Local Building Regulations Before Ordering

Although expandable houses are often built to meet the general requirements of most areas in the United States, buyers need to check the local building policy and get approvals from the government. There are two mandatory permits you should be aware of:

Building Permit for Your Expendable House

Talk to your local authorities about building codes and requirements. This step is key to making sure your future construction is safe and valid. To obtain a building permit, you can submit your plans and schedules on the official government website. 

In addition, some regions may require more permits for new private buildings. In Los Angeles, you need extra permits for structures, electricity, plumbing, and earthquake resistance.

Zoning Permit for Your Expandable House

The zoning laws are another primary regulation you should check before starting the construction. A zoning permit will determine if the intended use of your building aligns with your surrounding areas and the local community. For instance, land assigned for business purposes can not be used to build a residential home, and vice versa.

(Image: Freepik)

Site Preparation for a Foldable Container House

A strong foundation is essential. It guarantees the stability and safety of an expandable folding house for long-term use. 

Step 1: Site Assessment

A suitable site for the expandable house needs a flat, sturdy base and easy access for utility systems.

Step 2: Clean the land 

Once you get permission for your site construction, it’s time to kick off the preliminary work for the latter foundation! Clear off all the vegetation, debris, and obstacles on the ground, making sure the floor is flat and uniform.

Step 3: Choose the Foundation

The right foundation type is a crucial part of contributing to a stable and comfortable house for years to come. There are 2 types of excellent foundations you can consider:

• Concrete Slab: A full concrete slab is commonly used for house foundations. It not only offers phenomenal load capacity but also provides extra strength with anchors.
• Pier and Beam Foundation: This is another popular and practical option that is specially designed for uneven terrain. It can lift the house and create more space for plumbing beneath the home.

Step 4: Utility Installations

Install all the necessary utility lines along with the foundation work, such as water, electrical, gas, and drainage.

Step 5: Inspection and Maintenance

Once the foundation has been completed, conduct an integral inspection of the site and repair all the flaws. In addition, you should also maintain the foundation regularly to ensure its functionality.

(Image: Freepik)

Transportation Cautions for Your Mobile Expandable Prefab House

Once the expandable folding house is completed, the unit will be directly shipped to your chosen spot by road. To ensure a successful delivery, we need to plan and prepare the transportation process carefully. Most prefab manufacturers and construction companies provide escort services. Here are two key requirements for this transportation.

Dimensions of Your Expandable House

Generally, the width of a 20 ft. or 40 ft. expandable prefab house (in package) is around 8 ft. (96 inches). In comparison, the maximum width of a semi truck in the US is up to 8.5 feet. This means most standard portable homes can be transported by standard semi trucks while not exceeding the legal size.

However, in some areas, the limitations have been narrowed down to only 8 feet in width, which means the transportation may be regarded as an oversized load and requires permission from the authority. Besides, although the length and height normally can easily fit into the common regulations, it’s better to check them as well to avoid potential violations.

(Image: Freepik)

Route Conditions

The transportation route can be long, and road conditions can change. So, it’s vital to ensure that the route of your truck and crane can handle narrow roads and sharp curves, especially for buyers in busy areas.

Final Thoughts

Expandable prefab houses have gained more and more popularity in recent years since they are versatile, flexible, and cost-efficient. We believe they will continue to evolve and be the new trend to transform our lifestyle in the future!