Of course when you actually start working on your Container Home in the process you will face challenges. But it all boils down to making choices. However good preparation is half the work done already.   

A few things you have to consider before you start designing and planning your Container Home are:

1. If applicable its recommended to check with the Spatial Planning and Building department in your home town for Building codes, Building permit, Demolishing permit and fees. Find out first if its allowed to place a Container Home at your location.
2. Choosing the right container type to suit your home needs, and which will match your location. There are different container types.
3. Choosing the right foundation type. For example are you on flat land or a land slope, or on an existing flat building roof?
4. Do you live off-grid or would you like your Container Home to be tied in the grid when it comes to energy supply?
5. Choosing the wrong contractor! Not everybody knows how to work with shipping containers compared to the conventional building method.
6. How to design your container home:

• Think about weather and nature conditions such as snow blizzards, hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, fire events due to drought, floods etc.
• Don’t weaken the steel structure. For example not cutting to much steel out of your container for too many windows and doors to avoid collapsing.  
• Using the right type of insulation. Especially when you are you living in a warm, humid, dry or cold climate.

The last point really can give you a bad headache and you end up not only wasting your time but also a lot of money.