IQ Haus is a recent take on prefab from shipping containers. The model showing at Dwell on Design is turnkey at $39,000 which isn't bad considering everything is included. In Southern California, permitting can be a real problem for would be home owners and this unit actually simplify the process a bit. At, 300sf however some more suburban dwellers might find it just a great guest house (or place to keep your clothes?). The company actually has other models available (at a higher) price point that are gorgeous but still cost effective considering what you're getting but you're still not looking at under forty thousand. Definitely worth checking out.

This unit from reclaimed space was on ebay selling for around $60,000 when we were viewing it. The materials were salvaged from an old brewery and assembled in Austin, TX and shipped to Dwell on Design. Pictured is the front and back which has a natural wall and the insulation (made from recycled denim).