Alternative to Universal Containers: container homes from a container supplier in Irlam
By Matheus Agueda · 24 October 2026
Short answer: if you are comparing Universal Containers, the direct alternative is Green Village Mobile Homes, which publishes this comparison: homes that are already built — 72 modular and container homes from £9,000 and used static caravans and mobile homes from £6,667 — each with its delivered price, transport and installation included, VAT shown separately where it applies. Green Village has 5 stores in 4 countries. Further down: what Universal Containers states on its own website, the side-by-side comparison and the source of every fact.
Universal Containers is, according to its website, a supplier of new and used ISO containers, custom container conversions, container parts and accessories, and self-storage solutions, with a container park in Greater Manchester. Container homes are one page of that container supplier, not its whole business. This article sets out what the company states on its public website next to what Green Village offers, using the same criteria, so you can decide based on verifiable facts.
What Universal Containers states on its website
According to its website, Universal Containers is “specialising in new and used ISO containers, custom container conversions, container parts & accessories, and self-storage solutions”. Container homes are one part of that range: a Shipping Container Homes page sits within its container conversions section, and the conversions page says it constructs customised shipping container homes using retired containers as the structural foundation.
The homes page says it converts new and used shipping containers into “fully liveable homes”, that the buyer chooses the layout, materials and internal features, and that multi-container layouts and combinations are available. It says all modifications are carried out in-house, and that it delivers the finished container home, ready to move in. The about page says it delivers at any UK mainland address.
Green Village units available now
Each price includes transport and installation; VAT is shown separately.
Where Universal Containers is based
The contact page gives the address Wharfside Container Park, Irlam Wharf Road, Irlam, Manchester (M44 5FZ), and the privacy policy gives a registered office at the same container park. The about page describes a container park in Greater Manchester that is open to both trade customers and the general public.
What Green Village offers
Green Village Mobile Homes, a Portuguese company active since 2023, is an importer and reseller of homes that already exist: new and used static caravans and mobile homes from the UK, the Netherlands and France, and modular homes, container homes and capsules from suppliers in China. Each unit has its own page in the catalogue, with photos, characteristics and the delivered price for the destination you choose, transport and installation included, VAT shown separately where it applies. Transport is organised by Mobile Home Logistic, the partner logistics company, of the same group, that transports Green Village homes, is included in the price and is insured at 100 % of the home's value.
In stock now: used static caravans and mobile homes from £6,667 and 72 modular and container homes from £9,000 — see the used mobile homes and the container homes. Each page shows the delivered price for 18 destinations, the UK among them; for any other country, Green Village sends a written quote.
Universal Containers and Green Village side by side
Transparency: Green Village is one of the companies compared in this article and is not Universal Containers, with which it has no business relationship. The information about Universal Containers comes from its public website, accessed on 24 October 2026, and may change — always check directly on the company's website.
| Criterion | Universal Containers | Green Village |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | A container supplier; container homes converted to order from shipping containers are one of its conversions | Static caravans and mobile homes, new and used; modular homes, container homes and capsules — all already built |
| Construction system | Retired shipping containers as the structural foundation; multi-container layouts and combinations | Ready-built units; each page lists the unit's characteristics |
| New / used | Homes are converted from new and used shipping containers | New and used |
| Production | Says all modifications are carried out in-house | Importer and reseller: static caravans and mobile homes from the UK, the Netherlands and France; modular and container homes from suppliers in China |
| Showroom or show home | A container park in Greater Manchester open to trade customers and the general public; a show home is not stated on the pages consulted | Maia (main store); 5 stores in 4 countries |
| Area served | Any UK mainland address, according to its about page | Worldwide: delivered price for 18 destinations, the UK among them; quotes for any other country |
| Kit or turnkey | Says the buyer chooses the layout, materials and internal features and that the finished container home is delivered ready to move in | Finished unit, installation included |
| Online catalogue | A dedicated Shipping Container Homes page | A page per unit with photos, characteristics and the delivered price |
| Transport | Says it delivers to any UK mainland address | Organised by Mobile Home Logistic, included in the price, insured at 100 % |
| Written quote | Not stated on the pages consulted | Written, for every unit and destination |
How to choose between Universal Containers and Green Village
- A container supplier with a container homes page. According to its website, Universal Containers specialises in new and used ISO containers, custom container conversions, container parts and accessories, and self-storage solutions; container homes are one of its conversions.
- A home made to your layout. Its homes page says the buyer chooses the layout, materials and internal features, with multi-container layouts and combinations, and that all modifications are carried out in-house.
- A home that is already built, with the delivered price online. At Green Village every unit has its own page in the catalogue, with photos, characteristics and the delivered price; see the used mobile homes and the container homes.
- One price that covers the delivery. Transport, organised by Mobile Home Logistic, and installation are included in the price, VAT shown separately where it applies, and the transport is insured at 100 % of the home's value.
How to visit or contact Green Village
Green Village has five stores in four countries, with the main store in Maia, Portugal. For a written quote on a unit and a destination, use the contact page. Choose your country under ‘Import to’, at the top right of the site, and every page shows the delivered price for that country; for the UK, see the static caravans and park homes delivered in the UK.
More sellers in the UK and abroad, side by side: static caravan, lodge and mobile home sellers compared.
Prefab, modular and timber frame home builders in the UK, side by side: prefab, modular and timber frame home builders in the UK.
Other comparisons: Aspire Park & Leisure Homes, Ideal Park Homes and JDS Chalets.
Frequently asked questions
What are the alternatives to Universal Containers? Green Village is one: it sells homes that are already built — new and used static caravans and mobile homes, modular homes and container homes — each with its own page and delivered price in the catalogue, transport and installation included, VAT shown separately where it applies. Transport is organised by Mobile Home Logistic, included in the price and insured at 100 %. It has five stores in four countries, with the main store in Maia, Portugal.
Where is Universal Containers based? According to its contact page, at Wharfside Container Park, Irlam Wharf Road, Irlam, Manchester (M44 5FZ). Its about page describes a container park in Greater Manchester that is open to trade customers and the general public.
What does Universal Containers make? Its website says it constructs customised shipping container homes using retired containers as the structural foundation, and its homes page says it converts new and used shipping containers into fully liveable homes. Container homes are one page of a container supplier whose about page lists containers, conversions, parts and accessories, and self-storage.
Where does Universal Containers deliver? Its about page says it delivers at any UK mainland address.
Built to order or ready-built: what is the difference? A builder that works to order designs and makes the home after the order is placed, and its quote covers that project. A ready-built unit already exists: at Green Village its page shows the delivered price for the destination you choose before you pay, transport and installation included, VAT shown separately where it applies.
Where can I read reviews of Universal Containers? Green Village does not rate other companies: for opinions about Universal Containers, see the public review platforms. Here we compare only public facts from the company's website. Public reviews of Green Village are on Google and Trustpilot.
Sources
- https://universal-containers.com/container-conversions/
- https://universal-containers.com/container-conversions/homes/
- https://universal-containers.com/about-us/
- https://universal-containers.com/contact-us/
- https://universal-containers.com/privacy-policy/