Budget induced hesitation

[wayout]

I am hoping to replace an overstuffed garage this year.
At a very basic level, I have an 18x22 1 1/2 story building that needs replaced.
I am able to diy the entire thing if stick built but with the price of wood products as they are, I would like to compare alternatives.
Specifically, how do masonry, ICF, red iron and precast compare to wood construction as a sq ft percentage? Not looking for advantages/disadvantages, just pricing also not looking for hard numbers just rule of thumb.
I will do all the building myself excepting the concrete work.
Building to be about 40' by 50' and 1 1/2 stories, standard residential code requirements, located in northern PA.

 

[CombatNinja]

Material prices are out of control right now. I doubt you could stick build for less than $40/sq ft right now. Not exaggerating. If your current garage is "overstuffed", maybe look at getting rid of some junk as that costs next to nothing and can even net you some cash if you unload things you don't need (provided they have some value). What is wrong with the current garage from a structure standpoint? Why can't you add to what you have instead of starting from scratch?

 

[wayout]

Material prices are out of control right now. I doubt you could stick build for less than $40/sq ft right now. Not exaggerating. If your current garage is "overstuffed", maybe look at getting rid of some junk as that costs next to nothing and can even net you some cash if you unload things you don't need (provided they have some value). What is wrong with the current garage from a structure standpoint? Why can't you add to what you have instead of starting from scratch?

Thanks for your response.
By overstuffed I mean that my tools and machines take up so much room that I have a difficult time accomplishing the work I want to do. I have a lot of interests and am not looking to downsize any time soon.
Original garage was built when funds were limited and too many compromises were made. The building would cost more to redo or add to than to start from scratch.
My budget will allow building this year but I hesitate because the price for wood products seems to make alternatives competitive. Even if they are a more expensive choice I might decide that they are a better value.
Has the cost of masonry and steel buildings risen at the same rate as wood construction?
I have contacted several suppliers and it sounds like they haven't risen at the same rate.
That's why I am asking here. I searched the forum and found lots of comments about prices being high but given that fact I would like to know what will give me the best value.

 

[matt_i]

I believe that if the US-Canada border can be objectively reopened for regular travel (I work close to one at Detroit-Windsor -- right now its emergency only and probably automotive supplier trucks) then I think that will assist wood product prices to normalize.

So, my free opinion is to wait. It might take another year. I don't know if you can wait.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

The big question is when will material costs go down and by how much.

 

[Bretny]

It costs nothing to wait. I suggest waiting.

We would have built a 20x32 cabin this year if plywood prices didnt go 3.5x what they use to be. I alreaty cut all the lumber my self for the rest of the building. I expect it to take at least 2yrs for the prices to come back down to an acceptable level.

 

[wayout]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.
Waiting is an option although it could work to my disadvantage if the prices continue to rise. Building construction in my area doesn't seem to be slowing down at all.
If I were to do the foundation (footer, stem wall and slab), this year, would I be able to decide what type to build over top of it later? I will have a substantial foundation no matter which type of building I choose.
I never heard of this being done intentionally before tho I'm sure it has. I would think it is similar to rebuilding after a fire or tornado.
The price of delivered concrete locally hasn't gone up like lumber has so I am not too concerned about that. Also, our local building authority isn't likely to deny a change in plans on the fly as long as it's built to code.

 

[reader2580]

It costs nothing to wait. I suggest waiting.

Nobody has a crystal ball. Waiting might mean even higher prices.

Six months ago a lot of people thought by early 2021 that sheet goods would be going down by now. Instead, sheet goods prices are higher than ever. Lumber prices peaked at over $1000 per 1000 board feet on Feb 18th, but have come down almost 10% since then.

 

[reader2580]

I had planned to build my foundation one year and then the rest of the structure later. However, I have decided to tear my existing garage so I pretty much have to do the whole thing at once. I considered building the foundation around the existing garage, but then I realized I could not use my rotary laser level.

I had even talked to the city to be sure they were okay with it and they were fine with it.