Average cost per foot for a metal building?

[BuffettFan]

My wife and I are in the beginning stages of looking for our retirement home.
We are focusing on the Kentucky Lake / Lake Barkley areas of Kentucky and Tennessee.
I will need a good sized garage/shop for my hobbies and to make sure we make it another 29 years of marriage.
Assuming the house we end up with has a 2 car garage, uses for the building will most likely be for a wood/metal working shop, separated if space allows, most likely pontoon boat storage and possibly a project car area with a lift.
For the initial build, I will want a turn key building. Concrete, building, all doors, windows and insulation. I will do the electrical, any plumbing and the finishing out as my initial retirement project.
I think my minimum size would probably be 30'X40' with 12' walls and a 10' door.
Now that I've opened this:

View media item 97633
What do those of you in the know think I should budget per square foot?
I've seen prices from $15/SF to $30/SF and up including the concrete. My thought is figure $25/SF. Is this realistic?
I made the mistake a few years ago by asking the price on a supplier's website and was bombarded with phone calls and emails for a couple years, so I don't want to do that again until I'm actually ready to pull the trigger!
I know a lot of folks on here have been through the process already, so hopefully I can get a consensus and come up with a guideline to figure out how much building I can afford.
Thanks in advance!

 

[tez929rr]

We have two, a 40 by 60 built in 2004 and a 30 by 80 built in 2015. Both came in just under 18/sq ft, concrete and exterior structure complete.

The first one is taller and was all steel; the second has stick studs on three sides because we finished out part of the interior.

40 by 60:
View media item 90582View media item 9058930 by 80
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[My Old Tools]

I built two 30x40x12 red iron buildings a few years apart. The first was on a flat lot and cost $30,000. The second had a 5' drop front to back and 5 trees to remove. It cost $65,000. Other than the foundation, there wasn't a lot of difference in the buildings. Neither included any inside plumbing or finishes. I did the electrical on both. From that you can tell that you need real estimates, not internet opinions.

 

[rburke65]

In my opinion this is like asking what’s the average price of a car. Call a general contractor(s) and get an estimate.

 

[readhead]

In my area you would be looking at $53/ft. average but there are a lot of factors. You need to look for metal building contractors in your area to get good numbers.

 

[56Mark]

I don't know anything about this company, but I see their adds here in east TN. They have prices on their website, but does not include site prep or concrete. Should give you a ballpark idea of cost if you see something that is close to what you want.
https://www.americansteelbuildingsllc.com/

 

[Dozerhand]

Head over to Morton and sit down with a salesman. He'll get you in the ballpark.

 

[BuffettFan]

Thanks for the input folks.
I realize that there are too many variables to get an exact number but as I stated originally, just hoping to get a ballpark figure.
We have a maximum dollar amount we are willing to spend on the retirement house, and I want to figure in the rough cost of the building.
Also as stated, I looked into putting one up a few years back and was hounded by salespeople for a couple years.
Don't care to have that happen again so I am hesitant to get actual quotes at this point.

 

[elmech]

I'm working on building a 40x80 now at the permitting stages. I've been researching this for a year so I have way too much info to type out if you message me I'll send you my number.

 

[mark289a]

In central Florida I just put up a 45 x 75 ft commercial grade insulated steel building, including 5 insulated power roll up door, 2 walk thru doors and one window for about 35 ft2, including slab with rebar. Not including electric.

 

[56Safari]

For that area specifically... find someone in advance that can quote you and commit to the job/timeframe..my parents are building a garage attached to their house in the KY lake area (gilbertsville) and contractors are notorious for not showing up at all, being way behind schedule, etc. it took them several months to get someone out there just to do a quote.. they finally broke ground and excavated a couple weeks ago, and already getting subs not showing up / behind schedule

 

[BuffettFan]

56safari, Gilbertsville is the center of our search. We've been going to the Moors since '07.
We have friends that have moved to the area and we have made friends with a few others in the area since.
I know what you mean about the contractors in that area. One friend wanted a whole house generator installed. It took about 6 months. It seems that docks, boathouses and carports go up quickly, but other projects take forever. Too many quick, easy money jobs available maybe?

elmech, I haven't forgot about your generous offer, still trying to get a few ducks in a row.

Again, as originally stated, we aren't sure of the exact area yet and I don't want to be hounded by salespeople so I'm not ready to get an actual quote, just looking for an average ballpark price on what to expect.
From what I've gathered here and other sources, I'm seeing an AVERAGE of $32/ft2 for concrete, building and insulation.
Doors and windows are a wild card, since I don't have a size or layout in mind. A lot of that will depend on what toys I have or have planned as well as the location.
Again, I'm just looking for an average so I have an idea of what to expect so I can figure that into our budget.

Thanks again for the input!

 

[jefeloco]

In central Florida I just put up a 45 x 75 ft commercial grade insulated steel building, including 5 insulated power roll up door, 2 walk thru doors and one window for about 35 ft2, including slab with rebar. Not including electric.

Can you pm me the contractor you used? Tried to send one to you but could not because I hadn’t posted yet.

 

[Marctrees]

I don't know anything about this company, but I see their adds here in east TN. They have prices on their website, but does not include site prep or concrete. Should give you a ballpark idea of cost if you see something that is close to what you want.
https://www.americansteelbuildingsllc.com/

Be aware these look to be "carport" style buildings, NOT same as red iron framed buildings.

Marc

 

[readhead]

Metal buildings come in three different flavors these days. Good- tube steel, better- cold formed steel, best- red iron building. Tube steel is good economy but may have design limitations. Cold formed is kind of red iron light. Less concrete but more main frames and can be more DIY friendly. Red iron does everything well, is more versatile and the most expensive.

 

[aventino68]

I'm around $75K canadian $55K USD for 40 x 80 steel, that's everything (though I'm still looking for the windows cost in the estimate) but excluding the floor.

 

[brownbagg]

in 2010 my 24X30x10 was under $6000 for everything, concrete , elecctical, but i provided the labor. the big deal on metal building is the price of the steel at market, its changes almost daily/ I bougth some seel roofing panel last week and it running $4 a sq ft

in today prices, just your metal panels be $55,000 that no framing no screws, no concrete

 

[TWD puller]

I am In the planning stages of a 60x100 ICF shop. Right now my cost is at 38.00/ft. A/c epoxy flooring,LED lighting 3 garage doors.


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[nadogail]

All I can add from here is "You are going to need a bigger checkbook". The best estimate are ruined by "Oh, Bye the way, can we .....".

 

[dcg9381]

Texas. I have a 2400 sqft (40x60x16 + 2 porches). With concrete, labor, steel building kit - around $24/sqft. Most expensive part was concrete and I've only got 3' of slope to deal with over the 40'. There is a lot of construction pressure here and concrete is pretty expensive. So that's around $60k give or take for an empty shell.

 

[imjustdave]

I am In the planning stages of a 60x100 ICF shop. Right now my cost is at 38.00/ft. A/c epoxy flooring,LED lighting 3 garage doors.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

What level of finish on the outside and inside for siding and walls? Is that hired out or build yourself... that's a bit more than I expected.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

I'm looking to add onto my building. The problem is nobody wants to come out and give a quote. One guy wanted 80k to add on a 30x16-16 section to my existing building, saying it has to be a I beam red iron style building and the windstorm 150mph rating in my area is what adds to the price otherwise it would be more in the $25 square ft rating. It's hard to say if maybe he was actually upfront and honest about it. Athough he never did give me a detailed quote, that was just a rough number. His was $40-45 sq ft. I'd prefer a contractor who was realistic in the beginning vs one that gives a low price then disappears on me.

 

[Highland]

They are doing the dirt work, forming and re-bar on my 30x40x12 red iron building as I type this.

Six inch concrete with 18 inch footer, 3 inch insulation, 10x10 insulated overhead, one man door, no windows.

$23 square foot.

Doesn't include outside concrete work, plumbing or electrical. Lot was flat to start with, they hauled in two semi's of dirt to raise the pad, so not much dirtwork.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

They are doing the dirt work, forming and re-bar on my 30x40x12 red iron building as I type this.

Six inch concrete with 18 inch footer, 3 inch insulation, 10x10 insulated overhead, one man door, no windows.

$23 square foot.

Doesn't include outside concrete work, plumbing or electrical. Lot was flat to start with, they hauled in two semi's of dirt to raise the pad, so not much dirtwork.

That's not bad. My buddy got a quote for a 2400 sq ft building that came up to around $31 square ft vs the $100,000 the one guy wanted that gave me a quote. I guess i'll hold off on a building for a bit since the stock market is kicking ***. Give it 6 more months and maybe i'll get a building for free. lol

 

[brownbagg]

12 years ago my 24x30x10 was under $5000 with concrete, and that was normal price, I would hate to see what it is now

 

[Hobby_Man22]

12 years ago my 24x30x10 was under $5000 with concrete, and that was normal price, I would hate to see what it is now

Yeah well even though the prices are outrageous, atleast you know you'll get your investment back in 10 years.

 

[dcg9381]

Concrete has continued to go up and up... and up... It'll come down, when we have recession in the building market.

 

[bradpac]

I got a quote for a 30x30x10 with a 6:12 pitch and 18" overhangs on all 4 sides and engineered slab for $32,000, so that's $35.50sqft.

Trying to make it look like a stick built garage to match the house. We'll be putting brick on the front for another ~$2000. Same thing stick built I was quoted ~$56,000.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

I got a quote for a 30x30x10 with a 6:12 pitch and 18" overhangs on all 4 sides and engineered slab for $32,000, so that's $35.50sqft.

Trying to make it look like a stick built garage to match the house. We'll be putting brick on the front for another ~$2000. Same thing stick built I was quoted ~$56,000.

Do they not allow metal buildings?

 

[bradpac]

Do they not allow metal buildings?

Deed restrictions are very ambiguous. Says I can have a garage as long as it's not less than 2 cars, but no stated construction requirement. Same restrictions say you can have a storage building as long as it's same quality construction and type as the dwelling. No HOA, only enforcement is if I get sued by a neighbor. The restrictions are probably not even known by 90% of the homeowners as you have to look them up on your own and are not given at closing, neighborhood was started in the late 80s. I'm doing the brick and overhangs to match the house as a way to make it as neighborhood friendly as possible so there are no issues down the line, even though as a 2 car garage it should be unrestricted.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

Same thing here. They're called ordinances though. If you read them all it basically says you're allowed to sit quietly inside your house and twittle your thumbs.

 

[clamhammer]

Just got done building my new shop, i know its a little bigger but surprisingly the numbers are similar. Its 360x110 ft. So if you dont include the land, electrical, hvac, plumbing, fire sprinklers, parking lot, etc. it comes out to 28.73 PSF add the rest in and it was around $85 PSF. Still cheaper than most of the existing buildings are selling for right now in my area.

 

[Hobby_Man22]

Typically the bigger the building the cheaper it is per square foot.