Container Guest Houses
A real guest house, finished to match your home.
Custom-built container guest houses and in-law suites for Florida living. Faster than traditional construction, finished with real siding, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical so it looks like a cottage, not a shipping container.
Licensed and Insured
Every container build is performed by licensed Florida contractors with full insurance coverage.
40+ Years Experience
Four decades of Southwest Florida project work across residential, commercial, and multi-family properties.
Financing Available
Container builds can be financed through Hearth or traditional construction financing. Ask us for options.
See the transformation
Raw container to finished guest house
Drag the slider to see the transformation from a standard shipping container to a finished, sided, roofed guest cottage.
BeforeAfterConfigurations
Choose your build
Every configuration below can be customized. Siding, roofline, interior finish, and appliances are all variables. We scope and price based on your exact spec.
Studio
20 ft container
Approx. 160 sq ft
Standard includes: Kitchenette, full bathroom, sleeping area, mini-split
Starting at $32,000 →
One-Bedroom
40 ft container
Approx. 320 sq ft
Standard includes: Separate bedroom, full bathroom, living area, kitchenette
Starting at $50,000 →
Two-Bedroom
40 ft + 20 ft joined
Approx. 480 sq ft
Standard includes: Two bedrooms, full bathroom, living and dining area, full kitchen
Starting at $78,000 →
Custom Multi-Container
Paired, stacked, or joined
Scoped to your site
Standard includes: Any configuration. Includes structural engineering for joined or stacked builds.
Starting at $90,000 →
The cost story
Faster timeline. More predictable budget.
Traditional additions in Southwest Florida run $250 to $400 per square foot, take 6 to 12 months, and require full permitting with every trade coordinated separately. Container guest houses come in below that range for most configurations and are delivered in 12 to 20 weeks, not 12 to 18 months. We quote a fixed scope so you know the full number before we start. Contact us for current project pricing based on your specific site and finish goals.
Standard build includes
Every guest house comes with
- ✓Cat-5-rated corten steel container shell
- ✓Full insulation, framing, and drywall interior
- ✓Mini-split HVAC (one zone)
- ✓100-amp electrical panel and wiring
- ✓Plumbing rough-in and supply lines
- ✓Standard bathroom (toilet, sink, walk-in shower)
- ✓Standard kitchenette (sink, counter, hookups for appliances)
- ✓Two windows and one entry door
- ✓Exterior primer and base coat
- ✓Delivery, crane placement, and site leveling
Go further
Available upgrades
- +Premium siding: Hardie board, stucco, vinyl, or metal
- +Custom roofline: shed, gable, or mansard profile
- +Additional windows, French doors, or glass sliders
- +Full kitchen with appliances (fridge, range, dishwasher)
- +Multiple HVAC zones for larger configurations
- +Interior finish levels: basic, mid, or luxury
- +Luxury bathroom: soaking tub, tile work, double vanity
- +Porch, deck, or pergola additions
- +RV hookups for off-grid or mobile placement
- +Exterior landscaping coordination
Built to match your home
Finish styles
Every finish below is available on our guest house builds. The goal is always the same: when you are done, it should look like it belongs there.
Permitting and code
We handle the permit process
Container guest houses are habitable structures under Florida Building Code, which means they require a permit in every SW Florida county. We manage the full process, including structural engineering drawings, county submission, inspection scheduling, and final certificate of occupancy. Most counties in our service area (Sarasota, Lee, Manatee, Charlotte, Collier, and Hillsborough) have a well-established path for this type of build. Permit timelines vary; we factor them into your project schedule from day one.
Use cases
Who builds container guest houses
In-law suite
Keep family close without living on top of each other. A finished guest house gives aging parents or adult children their own entrance, kitchen, and bathroom.
Guest cottage for snowbird season
Out-of-state family visits for weeks at a time. A dedicated guest house means everyone is comfortable and no one is sleeping on the pull-out.
Airbnb and short-term rental income
A finished container guest house on your property qualifies as a separate dwelling and can generate rental income on Airbnb or VRBO year-round.
Home office with separation
Work-from-home professionals who need a real boundary between work and home. Walk out your back door into a proper office.
Vacation cabin on a rural lot
Off-grid placement with RV hookups, solar, and a propane system. A full-season cabin at a fraction of traditional build cost.
Property value addition
Adding a habitable structure to your lot adds appraised value. Many clients use the rental income to offset or fully cover the build cost over time.
How it works
From concept to move-in
- 1
Design consultation
We review your site, goals, and budget. You leave with a clear configuration recommendation, a preliminary scope, and a realistic timeline.
- 2
Site prep
Pad or foundation installation, utility connections, and permit submission. We coordinate all trades. You get a single point of contact.
- 3
Container build-out
Containers can be partially built in our facility before delivery, which reduces on-site time and weather exposure. Interior framing, insulation, rough plumbing, and electrical all happen before the crane shows up.
- 4
Delivery and placement
Crane offload and precise positioning on the prepared pad. Most placements take a few hours once the crane is on-site.
- 5
Finish work
Siding, roofing, windows, doors, interior finishes, HVAC hookup, plumbing fixtures, and final electrical. This is where the container stops looking like a container.
- 6
Inspection and move-in
Final county inspection, certificate of occupancy, and your walkthrough. We do not consider a job done until everything is right.
Prebuilt options
Looking for a ready-built mini-home?
We have a finished mobile container mini-home available now. Move-in finished interior, kitchenette, and bathroom on a road-ready trailer. Base price $35,000 with add-ons available.
Common questions
Container Guest Houses FAQ
Related services
What pairs with this
Container Offices & Workshops
Building a guest house? Consider adding a detached office or workshop. Same crew, same build window, one project.
Explore →Roofing
We match your container's roof material and pitch to your existing home. One contractor for both jobs.
Explore →Siding
Hardie board, stucco, or vinyl siding that matches your house down to the paint color. Seamless curb appeal.
Explore →Ready to discuss your container guest houses project?
Request a no-pressure quote from a team that understands Southwest Florida properties.