Hoping to get some input from people here. I am looking to build a 30x40 or slightly larger garage/pole barn sometime in the near future. I was looking to get everyone's opinion as far as which style of building (stick frame or pole barn) is the best bang for the buck. Also curious what this will cost. Now I know the cost varies on the type of building, geographic location, etc. I am simply looking for some ballpark numbers based on peoples experiences. Also any advice as far as things people wish they would have done differently would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
30x40 building cost
- Thread starter mcwlms55
- Start date
ford fanatic
Well-known member
My 30X40 (stick built) was about $40K fully finished, I think a pole barn will definitely give you more bang for the buck.
padroo
Well-known member
Are you doing any of the work?
My brother is a contractor and I have some experience framing so if it was a stick frame then yes. My main concern with a stick frame is if I go much bigger than a 30x40 I think it may look a bit odd. Plus I would like to have 12 ft. or taller ceilings and if I do that I will have to use 2x6 studs which add to the costs of a stick frame obviously.
matt_i
Well-known member
I think $30/sf will get you a decent insulated stick frame with concrete floor with you doing a good portion of the work. We don't know your location and if the foundation has to be 2" deep or 60" deep...please update your profile to input your location.
ckyle29
Active member
For a pole barn, I'd say start at around $15K for a basic shell for the lower limit, then whatever desires, your wife and your pocketbook allow for the upper limit.
For me, my 30x60 pole barn here in North Texas started at $21K and I'm all in at about $57M. But I had a long driveway concreted, framed out and plywood installed on all walls, ceilings, all lighting, garage door openers, Mitsubishi mini-splits with ceiling heads for heat & A/C, fully insulated, electric, satellite TV, $4K for a good pool table, full size refrigerator, 4K HD TVs', microwave etc. The HVAC and Electric I had to contract out and that cost nearly as much as the building, the rest I did myself over the course of three years. For me, that was the advantage of going the pole-barn route, I could get the shell up and then work on the framing and interior as time and money allowed so no added debt.
For me, my 30x60 pole barn here in North Texas started at $21K and I'm all in at about $57M. But I had a long driveway concreted, framed out and plywood installed on all walls, ceilings, all lighting, garage door openers, Mitsubishi mini-splits with ceiling heads for heat & A/C, fully insulated, electric, satellite TV, $4K for a good pool table, full size refrigerator, 4K HD TVs', microwave etc. The HVAC and Electric I had to contract out and that cost nearly as much as the building, the rest I did myself over the course of three years. For me, that was the advantage of going the pole-barn route, I could get the shell up and then work on the framing and interior as time and money allowed so no added debt.
Dr Stan
Well-known member
2X4's can easily be used for 12ft walls if, and that's a big if, proper bracing is used.
I have a 24X48 8ft tall shop which I'm raising to 12ft this summer. There will be considerable additional bracing added to the walls for which I'll use the steel bracing typically used in the corners.
Also keep in mind a very high percentage of a structure's strength is in the bracing of the trusses/joists/rafters. I was amazed at the difference before & after the installation of the trusses & the bracing.
I built it with a monolithic concrete floor & a 2ft deep foundation for right around $15K about 8 years ago. The floor/foundation was my most expensive part ($5500) as I contracted it out as it was way too big for me to handle. Framing, truss installation, vinyl siding, electrical, plumbing, insulation were all completed by myself or myself & friends. Around here one must use trusses certified by a PE, so buying them was the best way to go. I bought a lightly used HVAC off Craig's List and had a licensed AC&R tech do the installation and charging.
I have a 24X48 8ft tall shop which I'm raising to 12ft this summer. There will be considerable additional bracing added to the walls for which I'll use the steel bracing typically used in the corners.
Also keep in mind a very high percentage of a structure's strength is in the bracing of the trusses/joists/rafters. I was amazed at the difference before & after the installation of the trusses & the bracing.
I built it with a monolithic concrete floor & a 2ft deep foundation for right around $15K about 8 years ago. The floor/foundation was my most expensive part ($5500) as I contracted it out as it was way too big for me to handle. Framing, truss installation, vinyl siding, electrical, plumbing, insulation were all completed by myself or myself & friends. Around here one must use trusses certified by a PE, so buying them was the best way to go. I bought a lightly used HVAC off Craig's List and had a licensed AC&R tech do the installation and charging.
Dr Stan
Well-known member
Chicago has much nastier winters than say Marion. So I recommend narrowing it down.
ford fanatic
Well-known member
I did 12' ceiling and 2X6 studs, but you can do 2x4 as already said. I did it for insulation purpose.
PhysicsDude
Well-known member
Wow! $21,000 to $57,000,000 is WAY over budget!
Just kidding... we all know what you meant. I'm glad there are so many of you on this forum that are willing to divulge exact costs. Many people are apprehensive about that.
tom-ky
Well-known member
A 30 x 40 with a 12' enclosed lean too that is also concreted ended up around $27,000 for us, not counting any electrical. The 30 x 40 part has 12' ceiling.
barnee
Well-known member
Is there any special requirements for where you live (HOA rules, historical district, bad soils, etc.). That can turn a $25K building into a $50k building in a heartbeat.
Duker
Well-known member
^^^ I think that is a pretty good per square foot number. Morton which is first class but more expensive than other pole barn builders will run you about $29-35 a foot for the basic shell which would be for example a 30' x 42' x 16' walls with 4" 4000psi concrete.
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laser3kw
Well-known member
here, northern Illinois 2012, this is about right
mine $30 ~$32 for - 30 x 40 x 12, stick built
4" concrete with stem wall on one side plus 8" in spots for future lift,
half attic truss (10 ft over shop area, with storage above), half open truss (vaulted) over bay area for lift
one garage door, one walkin door, no windows
insulated, vinyl siding, OSB on interior walls. dry wall on ceilings and all painted inside
3/4 T&G on attic floor and semi finished.
electric run from house, lights
home sweet home
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kmacht
Well-known member
Way too many variables to give you a specific number. A metal sided, non insulated pole barn with few doors or windows is going to be the cheapest option. If you are considering doing it your self you can get some ballpark estimate prices at diypolebarns.com.
We went through this same process over the past year and are now just starting on our 30x36 barn. It really pays to shop around. I was going down the metal pole barn route but needed a 2nd story hay loft which most places didn't offer. Prices without the loft were around 20k and I just didn't like the metal siding look. I then looked ino a few places in the northeast that offered pole barn kits. These were ship lap siding, full loft, 6 windows, two sliders, two hay loft doors, and three dutch doors. They came in around 38k. That was with me doing all the work and did not include having to hire an excavator to prep the site or hiring someone to dig the post holes. They would essentially just drop off a load of pre-cut materials and a set of blueprints. Everything else was on me.
We figured that we would look to see what it would cost to just have someone come in and do it all for us. I don't have a lot of free time in the summer so having someone build the barn was always a thought but we had initially dismissed it thinking it would cost a fortune. We asked other horse people who they recommended and a number of people all came up with the same guy. He works almost strictly off of referrals and it took us some digging to actually find a phone number to call him.
Long story short, he is building our barn for us. The cost for the barn itself was right around 39k. That 's the same price as the "kit" place was charging. To be fair, we did decide on some upgrades that upped the final price. We are doing a full foundation with stem walls, having a gravel road and parking pad put in from the driveway to the barn, and having some additional stumping done. The final price was just under 54k. More than we originally planned to spend but a lot less than I though it would have been to get the same amount of work done. The best part is that all I have to do is write the checks. Shop around and ask who your neighbors and friends have used. Sometimes the best people aren't in the yellow pages or even on-line.
Keith
We went through this same process over the past year and are now just starting on our 30x36 barn. It really pays to shop around. I was going down the metal pole barn route but needed a 2nd story hay loft which most places didn't offer. Prices without the loft were around 20k and I just didn't like the metal siding look. I then looked ino a few places in the northeast that offered pole barn kits. These were ship lap siding, full loft, 6 windows, two sliders, two hay loft doors, and three dutch doors. They came in around 38k. That was with me doing all the work and did not include having to hire an excavator to prep the site or hiring someone to dig the post holes. They would essentially just drop off a load of pre-cut materials and a set of blueprints. Everything else was on me.
We figured that we would look to see what it would cost to just have someone come in and do it all for us. I don't have a lot of free time in the summer so having someone build the barn was always a thought but we had initially dismissed it thinking it would cost a fortune. We asked other horse people who they recommended and a number of people all came up with the same guy. He works almost strictly off of referrals and it took us some digging to actually find a phone number to call him.
Long story short, he is building our barn for us. The cost for the barn itself was right around 39k. That 's the same price as the "kit" place was charging. To be fair, we did decide on some upgrades that upped the final price. We are doing a full foundation with stem walls, having a gravel road and parking pad put in from the driveway to the barn, and having some additional stumping done. The final price was just under 54k. More than we originally planned to spend but a lot less than I though it would have been to get the same amount of work done. The best part is that all I have to do is write the checks. Shop around and ask who your neighbors and friends have used. Sometimes the best people aren't in the yellow pages or even on-line.
Keith
finn
Well-known member
I just got two quotes for a 24'x42'x14' high pole storage barn at about $25k.
That's with a crushed mine rock floor (no concrete) and no electricity, but with trusses for 100 lb/sq ft snow load.
Your trusses in Illinois would be considerably cheaper, but your labor would probably be considerably higher.
You also have to consider site work to prepare for a building.
That's with a crushed mine rock floor (no concrete) and no electricity, but with trusses for 100 lb/sq ft snow load.
Your trusses in Illinois would be considerably cheaper, but your labor would probably be considerably higher.
You also have to consider site work to prepare for a building.
Chris4x4Gill2
Well-known member
32*30*12 with lean-to was $17K in North Alabama. Pole construction, concrete floor, unfinished interior.
wes73
Well-known member
My 30x40 pole building alone was 21K erected with and 1 18x9 and 1 10x8 insulated OHD with openers. I added extra to my build like attic trusses 24" oc, 1 ft overhangs, 3 windows. All that stuff adds up. I subbed out a 50x65ish pad before the build, inside concrete, macadam drive, propane tank, lines and flue/intake for HotDawg. I did all the electrical, plumbing, interior framing, insulation, OSB walls and ceiling over a course of 2 years. With all that I'm into it for around 45K. That includes flat screens, surround sound, kegerator, fridge, hot water heater, and all the other little stuff you don't know you need or want until you get into it. Last thing I have to do is paint the ceiling.
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My Old Tools
Well-known member
30x40x12 with a 6/12 pitch, 20x30 loft, 12x12 insulated door, 4 windows, red iron I-beam construction, insulated, slab, $36,000 was my last quote a few months ago. East Texas area.
zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
First off, welcome to the forum. I see that you are a new member.
As to your garage, congratulations on being able to build one. I agree with others that a pole building will give you more for less $$$ but there are some pros and cons to both.
Just out of curiosity why do you think a 30x40 will look odd being stick built? My last shop was 34'x34' with 14' ceilings and I don't think it looked odd and my current shop under construction is 50x60 with 16' ceilings and I don't think it is odd by any means so I am just curious what will look odd about it compared to a pole style building?
As for costs, I don't even want to scare you with what my 50x60 is running so I will refrain from commenting on costs. I will say that my last shop cost me right @ $20k but that was me doing absolutely everything with the exception of concrete work. From framing to plaster/taping, painting, roofing, insulating and everything else I did it myself but again that was 25+ years ago.
Good luck and again, welcome to the forum.
Mike.
sleek98
Well-known member
Our 40x50x12 in Kansas City being built by our house builder is costing around 32-33 a sq foot. 65ish total cost.
Stucco front, stone lower coating.
200 amp service
2 - 12x10 insulated doors, 1 - 16x10 insulated door. 1 - 36" man door
30 year shingles, 8:12 roof
LP smart siding
36" deep footers
1000 sq foot driveway/parking pad
Coffer trusses to give me 16ft center ceiling height.
Stucco front, stone lower coating.
200 amp service
2 - 12x10 insulated doors, 1 - 16x10 insulated door. 1 - 36" man door
30 year shingles, 8:12 roof
LP smart siding
36" deep footers
1000 sq foot driveway/parking pad
Coffer trusses to give me 16ft center ceiling height.
rattle_snake
Well-known member
My stick 34x40x12 in AZ was $36/sqft for the basic shell with me doing a lot of the work. I'm in it $40sq/ft now. No plumbing, no HVAC.
If I had a GC do it all and add a bathroom and A/C I estimate $65/sqft+
I priced pole and steel and difference between them all was minimal, maybe $3K. I went stick as it matched my home that is 6' away.
There are a lot of fixed costs that don't depend on construction type like permits, dirt work/driveway, doors, lighting, electrical, and of course feature creep.
If I had a GC do it all and add a bathroom and A/C I estimate $65/sqft+
I priced pole and steel and difference between them all was minimal, maybe $3K. I went stick as it matched my home that is 6' away.
There are a lot of fixed costs that don't depend on construction type like permits, dirt work/driveway, doors, lighting, electrical, and of course feature creep.
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zmotorsports
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I guess after seeing what everyone else is in to their shops, I'm not as far off in the ozone as I thought.
Mine was quoted at $36/square foot initially less the concrete driveway. That is just the 3k square foot shop/RV garage with the shop side completely finished with sheetrock and paint, including gas-fired heater and all electrical. The RV storage bay will be OSB and painted white.
With the couple of upgrades that I have included such as LED lighting, extra aggregate at the early stage under the floor, Reznor heater upgrade and adding stucco to my deck I am right @ $39.00/square foot. Again this is not including the concrete driveway from the street back to the shop.
Mike.
Mine was quoted at $36/square foot initially less the concrete driveway. That is just the 3k square foot shop/RV garage with the shop side completely finished with sheetrock and paint, including gas-fired heater and all electrical. The RV storage bay will be OSB and painted white.
With the couple of upgrades that I have included such as LED lighting, extra aggregate at the early stage under the floor, Reznor heater upgrade and adding stucco to my deck I am right @ $39.00/square foot. Again this is not including the concrete driveway from the street back to the shop.
Mike.