 | Kit: $8,000-$30,000 |
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 | Professional Construction: $8,000-$50,000+ |
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| A metal building can be a garage, workshop, barn, small store or a storage building. Usually made of steel, metal buildings can be erected on a variety of foundations -- concrete slab, curb or piers. Metal buildings come in a range of colors, are relatively quick and easy to assemble, are relatively fireproof and, unlike wood structures, do not warp or attract termites. However, a metal building can also be noisy when it's windy and cold in the winter. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Metal pole barns (which do not require a foundation and can have open sides or totally enclosed walls) cost $5,000 -$30,000 for kits containing all needed construction materials, and $8,000 -$50,000 to have one built, depending on size and the number and type of options such as large sliding doors, windows, insulation, storage loft and other features. For details, see How Much Does a Pole Barn Cost.
- A kit containing the materials for a prefab metal building erected on a foundation (supplied by the buyer) starts between $5,000 and $15,000 for a basic structure depending on size, quality of materials and the number of options included in the package such as garage/barn doors, personnel doors, windows, insulation and other features. Shipping will generally be an additional cost, but can vary significantly depending on distance and kit weight. PriceABuilding.com's "The Answer" series (designed for do-it-yourselfers and ranging in size from 24x30x12-foot to 39x60x14-foot) sells for $3,736 -$9,547, plus shipping. A New York resident bought a 40x50x12-foot pre-fab metal building with three 10x10-foot overhead doors, four windows, one entry door and insulation, for $16,000, including delivery.
- Installing the foundation and hiring a crew to erect the metal building plus other finishing expenses/options such as electricity, plumbing, water, sewage, flooring, etc. (depending on the planned use of the building) can increase total costs to $20 -$50 a square foot, or $20,000 -$50,000 or more for a 20x50-foot structure, depending on what's included. A Texas resident paid about $33,000 ($22 a square foot) to have a 30x50x12-foot building built on a 4-inch slab foundation with two 10x10-foot rollup doors, a personnel door, 2 windows and insulation, plus an attached 20x50-foot lean-to (no slab foundation).
- These prices do not include the cost of the land or any needed site improvements, such as a paved road or driveway.
What should be included: | - Generally a metal building kit will provide the basic materials needed to build the structure, except for the foundation/flooring and the anchor bolts (if used), which must be put in place when the foundation is poured. Construction plans, engineer-certified drawings and anchor bolt patterns (if needed) are generally included with the kit (check to make sure). Usually the buyer will be responsible for unloading the delivery truck, typically by providing a forklift. Metal building kits are generally designed to be easy to assemble, but do require basic construction skills. A small, basic metal building can generally be built in a few days work.
- Erecting a metal building generally requires a building permit. Check with the local planning department for all requirements before buying a building. Most kit companies provide permit drawings.
Shopping for a metal building: | |
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Article updated October 2010 |
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