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Shipping Container Cabins

Create a comfortable retreat with a shipping container cabin designed for relaxed, flexible living. Built to your requirements and delivered ready to install, they offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional portable buildings.

Shipping Container Cabins

Custom container cabins for leisure and residential use

Ideal for holiday lets, private land, getaway spaces, or permanent living our container cabins can be fully fitted and finished to suit how you intend to use the space. Designed for comfort and everyday use, each cabin is built to order and delivered ready to install, offering a flexible solution for leisure or short-stay accommodation.

Cabins can be fitted with a range of features to create a comfortable, self-contained living space, including:

  • Insulation, internal lining, heating and ventilation systems for year-round comfort
  • Internal dividers to create separate living spaces
  • Electrical installations for lighting, power sockets, and everyday amenities
  • Plumbing for kitchens and bathrooms
  • Internal & external finishes including flooring, decking and canopy additions
  • Off-grid setups with solar and rainwater systems
  • Windows, doors, roller shutters, or lockable security shutters
  • Exterior paint or cladding finishes
  • Any other bespoke fabrication you require
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Get a Quote

Our shipping container cabin conversion process in 4 simple steps

Free consultation

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Design & planning

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Full conversion

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Delivery & setup

Benefits of a shipping container cabin

Shipping container cabins offer a practical, cost-effective alternative to traditional cabin builds. They combine durability with a more considered approach to construction, making them a popular choice for modern living spaces because of:

  • Faster build times – Container cabins can be designed, built, and delivered in weeks, allowing you to create usable living space much sooner than with a traditional build.
  • Lower overall costs – Reduced construction time and fewer materials make container cabins a smart, more affordable option compared to traditional cabins.
  • Built to last – Made from strong, weather-resistant corten steel, shipping container cabins are designed to withstand harsh and heavy outdoor conditions.
  • Fully customisable – Each container bar is built around your service setup, with layouts, features, and finishes designed to suit how you operate.
  • Portable and flexible – Container cabins can be moved, repositioned, or reused across different locations, including sites where traditional builds may not be practical.
Get a Quote
Get a Quote

Why choose Universal Containers for your shipping container cabin conversion

With decades of experience in shipping containers and in-house conversion expertise, we know how to turn containers into comfortable, well-built cabins designed for everyday use and long-term reliability.

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Built by container specialists

With over 40 years in the container business, you’re not just working with builders, you’re working with specialists who understand container structures inside and out, and how to convert them into secure, usable living spaces.

Everything handled in-house

No subcontractors. No third-party delays. We manage the entire build under one roof, from design and fabrication through to fit-out and delivery. That means consistent quality, faster turnaround, and no surprises.
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Cost-effective without cutting corners

We focus on smart planning, efficient builds, and durable materials to make the most of your budget. The result is a high-quality container cabin that delivers long-term value without unnecessary extras.
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We build cabins that last

We don’t just make container cabins usable, we build them tough, comfortable and practical to live in. From insulation and layouts to electrics, plumbing, and finishes, everything is installed to a high standard and ready to use.

Looking for a different type of space? Check out our other container conversion options

Frequently Asked Questions

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How long does it take to build a shipping container cabin?

It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the size and complexity of your build. We’ll always give you a clear timeline based on your specific design and keep you updated throughout the process.

How much does a container cabin cost?

Costs vary based on container size, layout, and level of fit-out. We’ll provide a clear, upfront quote based on your requirements, with no hidden extras.

Can I choose the layout and internal features of the cabin?

Yes. Every container cabin is custom-built. You can choose the layout, room divisions, electrics, plumbing, heating, finishes, and any other features you need, and we’ll design the space around how you want to use it.

Can a container cabin be used all year round?

Yes. Container cabins can be fully insulated and fitted with heating and ventilation, making them comfortable and suitable for year-round use.

Do I need planning permission for a shipping container cabin?

In many cases, you may not need planning permission, especially for temporary or mobile use. Planning requirements vary depending on your location and how the container will be used. Read our full guide on container planning permission to get all the information you need.

Are container cabins suitable for off-grid locations?

Yes. Container cabins can be adapted for off-grid use, including options such as solar power, water storage, and waste systems, depending on your setup.

How secure is a shipping container cabin?

Very secure. Container cabins are built from solid steel shipping containers and can be fitted with secure doors, lockable windows, security shutters, and other security features for peace of mind when not in use.

Our containers in action

See some of the ways our amazing customers are using their containers.

Case Study: Garden Room Office Container Case Studies
Case Study: Garden Room Office Container

Despite restricted site access, we delivered a fully insulated, light-filled container office with carefully planned glazing, heating and electrics. The finished space provides a practical, year-round working environment suited for everyday use.

Case Study: Compact Coffee Shop Case Studies
Case Study: Compact Coffee Shop

We built a fully functional compact coffee shop from a shipping container with doors for customer access, a roller shutter for security, a serving hatch, and a small kitchen area complete with water heater and sink. 

Case Study: Shipping Container Museum & Workshop Case Studies
Case Study: Shipping Container Museum & Workshop

In the pursuit of enhancing their museum and workshop facility, the Locomotive Society sought a creative solution to provide a welcoming space for their members, while adhering to the historical aesthetic of their railway centric environment.

Case Study: Garden Center Case Studies
Case Study: Garden Center

Universal Containers embarked on an exciting project to enhance a garden centre’s retail experience by supplying and customising two shipping container cabins. The goal was to seamlessly link these cabins on-site and transform them into a vibrant and functional gift shop.

Case Study: Outdoor Catering Unit Case Studies
Case Study: Outdoor Catering Unit

A restaurant had been operating successfully for several years. However, due to increasing demand and limited space within the restaurant premises, the owners decided to expand their operations by introducing an outdoor catering unit.

Case Study: Shipping Container Ticket Office Case Studies
Case Study: Shipping Container Ticket Office

The local rugby club had been using a small, outdated ticket booth that no longer met their needs. The club’s management sought a more efficient and visually appealing solution that could accommodate their growing fan base.

Case Study: Chemical Store Shipping Container Conversion Case Studies
Case Study: Chemical Store Shipping Container Conversion

The client, an Industrial Chemical Storage Company specialising in chemical production and storage, faced the challenge of storing hazardous chemicals on their premises while adhering to stringent health and safety regulations.

Dropside Shipping Container Conversion Shipping
Dropside Shipping Container Conversion

Universal Containers take pride in continually pushing the boundaries in product development within the shipping container industry.

32ft × 10ft Stacked Cabins
32ft × 10ft Stacked Cabins

These 2 large 32x10ft cabins were built for a British transport company. They requested a large space to act as a welfare facility for drivers and staff in the peak district. Due to the customer’s specific requirements, one unit was not large enough so we suggested 2 units, however floor space was an issue on-siteContinue reading “32ft × 10ft Stacked Cabins”

32×10 Green Office Offices
32×10 Green Office

This particular office unit was completed for a North-West-based container hire company.

20×10 Gas Bottle Store
20×10 Gas Bottle Store

Custom Built Atex Coshh store for storing gas bottles. This unit was custom built with corrugated steel panels 20ft long x 10ft wide. It had a fully ventilated floor from galvanised steel mesh, as well as 4 aluminium louver vents in the walls. We also fitted galvanised box section racks with chains on to holdContinue reading “20×10 Gas Bottle Store”

Corrugated 32×10 Office / Store room
Corrugated 32×10 Office / Store room

Corrugated steel cabin 32ft x 10ft with adjustable jacklegs anti vandal steel personnel door and anti-vandal aluminium sliding windows in steel shutters. Painted externally in non-corrosive container paint in a vibrant red. Internally with walls where lined in a cost-effective melamine faced chipboard and fully insulated throughout in Rockwool. The floor had hard wearing vinylContinue reading “Corrugated 32×10 Office / Store room”

20ft Multi-Bay Unit
20ft Multi-Bay Unit

Standard shipping container transformed into a bespoke storage unit. With multiple purposes across many industries. For example, self-storage companies or engineering companies for members of staff to lock tools away when not in use. The unit was split evenly into 8 small rooms approximately 5ftx4ft each by steel partition walls for security. Each room withContinue reading “20ft Multi-Bay Unit”

10ft Generator Housing Container
10ft Generator Housing Container

10ft container conversion for an off-grid company custom built to house a very large generator. The customer wanted a unit with multiple apertures and louver vents to allow for ventilation, they wanted all openings to have cover hoods to help stop water coming in. The Universal CAD team had a meeting with the client toContinue reading “10ft Generator Housing Container”

40ft × 12ft Truck Stop Shower Unit Site Accommodation
40ft × 12ft Truck Stop Shower Unit

This 40ft x 12ft custom built flat panel cabin was a container conversion project completed for Eddie Stobart’s site.

Are Shipping Containers the Solution to Homelessness? Site Accommodation
Are Shipping Containers the Solution to Homelessness?

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