20 ft Expandable Home — Studio Apartment Unit

Regulations for container and modular homes vary by state, county, and even municipality — they depend on local zoning, building codes, and whether the home is classified as a primary residence, ADU, or accessory structure. We recommend checking with your local building department before ordering, and our team can help point you toward the right questions to ask.

Yes. Layouts, room counts, exterior finishes, interior finishes, and add-ons like off-grid packages or smart-home systems can all be tailored to your project. Browse our Shop for base configurations, then work with your quote specialist to customize from there.

Yes — many customers use our homes as home offices, guest suites, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), rental cabins, or small commercial spaces. Local zoning and permitted use will determine what's allowed on your property, so we recommend confirming with your local planning department first.

Yes, many 20 ft expandable homes and compact cabins are sold specifically as backyard ADUs, offices, or guest suites. Your city still controls setbacks, height, parking, and whether a kitchen is allowed.

Start with your planning department, then send us the model you want. We will match layout and electrical notes to that use.

Some sites and some models need a crane or tilt-bed; others can roll off a suitable truck onto a prepared pad. Access, overhead wires, slope, and unit size decide this — not a single rule for the whole catalog.

Tell us your site photos and gate width on the quote. If a crane is required, it is typically a local rental billed separately.

Most of our homes can be installed on a simple, stable foundation such as concrete piers, a poured slab, or compacted gravel with steel footings, depending on your site conditions, local soil, and building code requirements. Our team will review your site details as part of your quote and recommend the right foundation approach.

We deliver and install across the 48 contiguous United States. Delivery logistics and any additional site-access requirements are confirmed with you directly before shipment. See our Shipping & Delivery page for details.

We don't currently offer in-house or partner financing — this page will be updated as soon as options become available. In the meantime, many customers pay directly or work with their own bank or lender. See our Financing Options page for the latest status.

Expandable container houses generally cost less per square foot, install much faster, and produce less on-site waste than conventional stick-built construction, because most of the work happens under controlled factory conditions. Trade-offs can include size limitations per module and local zoning restrictions, so it's worth confirming your use case (primary residence, guest house, office, etc.) before ordering.

Durability comes down to steel gauge, weld quality, insulation, and how the home is anchored on-site. A well-engineered expandable home can perform reliably across a wide range of weather conditions for decades with normal maintenance — proper anchoring and periodic seal/hinge inspections go a long way toward long-term performance.

Homes come with pre-installed wiring and plumbing rough-ins. On-site, a licensed electrician and plumber connect your home to local utilities (or to an off-grid solar/septic package, if selected). We recommend budgeting for local hookup and permitting costs separately from the home itself.

Timelines vary by model, customization level, and your location, but most standard homes are ready for delivery within about 15 days of order confirmation, with on-site installation typically completed in a matter of days. Custom builds may take longer — your quote will include a specific timeline.

Pricing depends on the size, floor plan, finish level, and any customizations (off-grid packages, smart-home systems, additional modules, etc.). Because every project is different, we provide a personalized quote after a short consultation rather than a single fixed price — you can request one through our Get Free Quote form.

Only if the product spec says Off-Grid Ready: Yes and your quote includes the power package. Many models named “off-grid” in the marketing title still ship as grid-prep units (Off-Grid Ready: No) until you add solar, batteries, or a generator package.

Always read the spec table on the product page. We will not sell an off-grid kit as included unless it is on the quote.

An expandable container house is a factory-built home constructed from a reinforced steel frame that ships in a compact, folded form and expands on-site into a full-size living space. Doors, windows, wiring, and plumbing rough-ins are pre-installed at the factory, which is why setup takes days rather than months compared to traditional site-built construction.

The Shop price is the home as specified on that product page (factory structure, listed finish level, and included prep). It does not automatically include crane, foundation, permit fees, utility laterals, furniture, or off-grid kits unless your quote says so.

Your written quote should show: unit price, estimated freight, optional crane, and notes on owner-supplied work. If a line is missing, ask before you pay the 30% deposit.

Routine maintenance is minimal: periodic inspection of seals, hinges (on expandable joints), and exterior coating, plus standard upkeep of any HVAC, plumbing, or electrical systems you've installed. Your welcome packet will include model-specific maintenance guidance.

Our homes are backed by a structural warranty covering the primary frame and build quality. Warranty terms can vary by model, so your quote specialist will confirm the exact coverage for the specific home you choose.

Yes, when properly insulated. Our homes use insulated wall, roof, and floor panels to help regulate indoor temperature. If you're in an extreme climate zone, let your quote specialist know so we can recommend the right insulation package for your area.