Question 1

Do you build the shipping containers?

Accepted Answer

No, we sell the full construction plan documents so you, a general contractor, or person with construction knowledge can build it themselves.

Question 2

Who created these plans?

Accepted Answer

Container Plans™ was started by a licensed architect from Florida who is licensed in multiple US states. He’s been a practicing architect for 15 years. He worked with a design-build shipping container company for 5 years and built a team of architects, structural engineers, MEP engineers, cost estimators, and an industrial design engineer to design and engineer these drawings. Many of these products have been successfully permitted, built, and are in operation all over the US. These plans have been refined to build the best possible product as cost effectively as possible.

Question 3

What do I get when I purchase a plan set?

Accepted Answer

You’ll receive a downloadable PDF drawing set that includes floor plans, elevations, sections, and key construction details tailored to a specific modified shipping container model. Also included are renderings, a product specbook, and general pricing sheet. See each package’s description on the product page here.

Question 4

What is included in the pricing sheet?

Accepted Answer

The pricing sheet is a spreadsheet listing all of the components of each product’s build. Every item is listed, cost per quantity or square foot, quantity of the items, total cost, and grand estimated totals. There are also links included for the recommended products, materials, equipment, and fixtures for ease of budgeting.

Question 5

Can I use these plans to get a permit?

Accepted Answer

Yes however, these plans are provided “as-is” and are not stamped by a licensed architect or engineer. You’ll need to have them reviewed and/or modified by a local professional to meet your site-specific permitting requirements. See our terms & conditions page for more info.

Question 6

Can I build from these plans?

Accepted Answer

Yes, these plan drawings and specbook are a part of a full Construction Document set and include enough information to build from. Please verify if a building permit is required before beginning construction.

Question 7

What is a specbook?

Accepted Answer

Every set of construction drawings from Container Plans includes our detailed Specbook—your go-to resource for executing your project with confidence.This professionally compiled guide includes:Basis of Design Overview
 A breakdown of the key products, materials, and fixtures specified in the plans—complete with suggested alternates in case of availability or budget changes.Cut Sheets & Product Info
 Manufacturer cut sheets and technical data for specified items, helping your build team source and install components correctly.
General Shipping Container Specs
 Reference specs for standard container dimensions, structural elements, and insulation guidance tailored to your plan.Construction Best Practices
 Field-tested advice on container modifications, framing, MEP integration, and more—plus a section on Quality Control & Quality Assurance (QC/QA) to keep your project on track and up to standard.This Specbook acts as your behind-the-scenes project manual, making it easier to coordinate with contractors, source materials, and ensure a smooth build from start to finish.

Question 8

How do I get a permit?

Accepted Answer

We recommend reaching out to your local building department to check the building code requirements. Then discuss with a local General Contractor or Architect on assisting with obtaining the permit for construction. The PDF drawings have enough information to obtain a permit and can be stamped by a GC/Licensed Architect/Engineer as required.

Question 9

Does Container Plans™ stamp their drawings for permit?

Accepted Answer

We do not stamp plans. Plan stamping requires a local licensed professional to stamp that Container Plans™ cannot offer in every jurisdiction in the US or worldwide. We recommend that customers use Container Plans™ documents to find a local architect or engineer with deep familiarity with local conditions and inspection requirements to secure a stamp.

Question 10

Are these plans editable?

Accepted Answer

All the Base Package files are delivered as read-only PDFs and while the drawings are not editable, the building code summary sheet is editable for local code review adjustments. The Pro Package files include the editable Revit & CAD files that you may provide to a local architect, engineer, or contractor who can use them as a design reference or starting point.

Question 11

Do the plans include mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) drawings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All full plans include basic MEP layout drawings to guide coordination and installation, but final specifications should be verified locally.

Question 12

Can you customize a plan for my project?

Accepted Answer

No. Container Plans™ does not offer custom design services. We only sell pre-made, ready-to-download plan sets. We recommend talking to a local GC or architect in your area to assist in any design customizations using our Pro Package editable files.

Question 13

Are the plans to scale?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All drawings are produced to architectural scale and include dimensions for reference. We recommend not printing at scale unless handled by a professional print service.

Question 14

How do I know what I’m getting before I buy?

Accepted Answer

Each product has a full description of the number of drawings, total specbook sections, and description of each product. Note, these drawing sets are considered a full construction-document-level of information to get a building permit and to do construction. Also, we offer a free sample drawing set so you can preview the format, scope, and detail of our products before purchasing. Reach out to us to request that drawing set.

Question 15

Do you offer refunds?

Accepted Answer

Due to the nature of digital products, all sales are final. As a digital download, we don't offer refunds because you would still retain it after the fact. Simply, It can’t be damaged, it lasts forever, and you can’t send it back. Please review the Free Sample Drawing Set to ensure the product meets your expectations before purchasing.

Question 16

Can I reuse the plan drawings to build multiple units?

Accepted Answer

No, each plan purchase includes a single-use license—meaning you're authorized to build one unit per purchase. If you're planning to build multiple units, we’d love to support you with a volume licensing package or custom licensing options. Just reach out! Refer to our End User License Agreement for more info.

Question 17

Can I share my product purchase?

Accepted Answer

No. Your purchase is for your use only. Sharing, distributing, or reselling the drawings or accompanying materials (like the Specbook) is not permitted under the licensing agreement. If you know someone else who could use the plans, send them our way—we offer discounts for professionals and repeat customers! Refer to our End User License Agreement for more info.

Question 18

Where can I see images of built projects?

Accepted Answer

Many of the projects featured have been build from our plans or plans drawn by our team. If there are no images in the product images section, you can see other built projects by non-affiliated companies like Roxbox Containers, Bob's Containers, and BMarko Structures

Frequently asked questions