When life gave them shipping delays and zoning headaches, they built a dream home—and a plan B
In the heart of Texas Hill Country, nestled between scrubland and wild sunsets, Lexi and Diego Newkirk did something bold. The couple turned a pair of steel shipping containers into a fully customised, mortgage-free home—with short-term rental income in mind.
Their plan didn’t start this way. Originally, the Newkirks purchased 12.5 acres of undeveloped land in October 2023 for $180,000, with the vision of building a small community of Airbnb-style shipping container rentals. But, as with most things in property development, there were unexpected bumps.
Legal pushback from a neighbour prompted a pivot in the plan: instead of launching a multi-unit business, they would begin by building one home—for themselves.
And they did just that.
The Build: Budget, Brains, and a Bit of Grit
Construction began in January 2024, and by April 2025, the couple had completed their new home: a 640-square-foot haven made from two single-use shipping containers. Each container cost £4,400 ($5,500), and their entire build came in at around £80,000 ($100,000)—a fraction of what a traditional home would cost.
Thanks to their backgrounds in design and construction, the couple took on most of the work themselves. Plumbing and electrics were handled by licensed professionals, but everything else—flooring, insulation, framing, roofing—was a team effort.
To cut costs further, they lived on-site in an RV throughout the build, a decision that saved on rent and kept them close to the action.
Inside the Container Home
Despite the modest square footage, the interior is surprisingly spacious and stylish. Features include:
- A full-sized, open-concept kitchen with modern appliances
- A luxury bathroom with upscale finishes
- A cleverly insulated roof to regulate temperatures
- Floor-to-ceiling windows offering sweeping views of the Texas landscape
The home is off-grid in terms of water, relying on an external tank, but the couple plans to install solar panels to take electricity off-grid as well. It’s a property designed not only for now, but for the long-term sustainability of both living and renting.
What’s Next?
Although this container home was born of compromise, it’s now the foundation of something bigger. The Newkirks plan to list it on Airbnb, and have already drawn up plans for future additions:
- A barndominium for themselves
- A small livestock area
- A permaculture-inspired garden
- Full solar energy independence
The land is large enough for multiple structures, and with the first home now complete, they’re poised to revisit their original goal of building a unique rental community—just with a smarter, phased approach.
“We thought we were building rentals, but we ended up building the dream,” said Lexi. “And now we have the chance to do both.”
Why This Matters
This story taps into several key trends in 2025 housing:
- The shift toward debt-free, minimalist living
- The use of shipping containers as affordable, eco-conscious building blocks
- The growth of DIY and owner-built homes thanks to platforms like YouTube and TikTok
- The increasing appeal of short-term rental side-hustles as property investment strategies
More than just a quirky home, the Newkirks’ journey is a masterclass in adaptability, resilience, and vision—qualities every modern homeowner or investor could use a bit more of.
“We thought we were building rentals, but we ended up building the dream.” — Lexi Newkirk
More than just a quirky home, the Newkirks’ journey is a masterclass in adaptability, resilience, and vision—qualities every modern homeowner or investor could use a bit more of.
