Prefab Review

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Bob's Containers Review

Bob's Containers is a prefab container home builder based in Austin, Texas. They specialize in building residential homes, ADUs, multi-unit buildings, offices, and commercial spaces out of repurposed shipping containers. Bob’s Containers is able to build container homes and ADUs using either 20’ containers, 40’ containers, or a combination of multiple containers to create a home with larger square footage. 

Aesthetically, homes typically feature a container exterior with a corrugated metal facade, though buyers can are able to personalize their homes' exterior appearance. On the inside, homes are framed and finished similar to other prefab or site-built structures. Standard plans from Bob’s Containers include flooring, cabinetry, fixtures, and select appliances.

In terms of Bob’s Containers’ offerings, they have several product categories. Their largest product category is their container homes with 18 pre-designed models which range in size from 160 to 960 square feet. On standard models, buyers can choose between a range of possible upgrades such as rooftop decks, exterior and interior cladding options, and sliding glass doors. They also offer buyers the option to create a custom design or interchange container sizes on their multi-container designs to increase/decrease the desired size of their home. 

In addition to fully-complete container homes, they also offer container home kits for DIY-inclined individuals. Bob’s Containers also sells shipping container offices, retail containers, and commercial containers.

From a logistics perspective, it is worth noting that Bob’s Containers is a “white glove” service provider meaning that they can provide turn-key assistance to buyers and assist in all aspects of a project including design, permitting, manufacturing, installation, and finishing. 

While factors like local permitting will affect the overall timeline of one’s project, the manufacturing phase of a project can be completed in as little as 12 weeks, while multi-unit and custom designs typically take longer (up to 28 weeks). For projects on a tight timeline, Bob’s Containers also has several models of “Ready to Ship” homes which can be ready quicker than a standard model.

Like other shipping container home builders, Bob’s Containers is able to use the modular nature of its product to ship homes to customers worldwide. It is worth noting, however, that for projects outside of Central Texas they are only able to provide project management services. That means that Bob’s Containers can still manage the project but all local work will be handled by a third party. Additionally, for buyers looking to ship a container home, it is worth inquiring about the cost of shipping as long-distance shipping costs (i.e. to the Northeast or Northwestern U.S.) can sometimes be cost prohibitive.

Strengths:

  • Offer turn-key building services for projects in Central Texas

  • Transparent about home base costs and the cost of available upgrades

Reasons they might not be for you:

  • You are looking for a company that specializes in building larger homes (their largest pre-designed model is 960 square feet)

  • You are located far away from their Austin headquarters and shipping costs are prohibitively high

Keep reading to view Bob's Containers reviews and ratings, Bob's Containers pricing and cost info as well as photos, and other company facts.


Company Bob's Containers
Year Founded 2019
Website https://bobscontainers.com/
# of Models 18 ADUs & Homes in addition to container-based offices & commercial spaces
Areas Served United States
Homes Built 600
Headquarters Austin, Texas
Pricing $238 - $640 per sqft
Reviews
Yelp 3.5 Stars
Houzz No Reviews
Creates Custom Plans Yes
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