DIY steel framed 40'x60'?

[Mikefromcny]

Hi all,

Spring 2016 is the year its finally going to happen. If its the only I do this summer I will be satisfied.

I'm still in the research phase of this but I've settled on a 40 x 60 barn. Not set on exact size, but close to this and wood or steel is fine with me. I've been eyeing the Simpson steel buildings seen on Ebay. 40 x 60 x 12 for 10K. Locally, wooden pole barn type 40x60s go for 18K plus around here. I am pretty sure I can upgrade the Simpson building, and pay freight and still come in less then what is for sale locally. Hired out, is over 26K plus tax, provided you have a pad ready to build on.

The plan for the building is to be a repair shop of sorts. I fix up construction equipment and vehicles for fun. I plan on the building having half a concrete slab on the shop side, other half will be gravel for storage. In the future it will have a 2 post lift and running water. The shop side will also be insulated down the road. The building will be on my 3 acre lot in the country, next to my house. Permit should not be a problem.

My skills: (or lack thereof)

Fairly handy around the house. Heavy equipment mechanic by trade. I've built a few storage sheds, and they are still standing My best asset of all is a few knowledgable friends and access to equipment. I have a larger skid steer and backhoe. A farmer friend has an old International 10 wheel dump truck I can use whenever I need it. I will be hauling the gravel for the pad, along with doing all the site work. Lastly I work for a smaller equipment rental company, where I can borrow a 40' boom lift and tele handler for erecting and skinning the building.


Max budget for right now will be around $20K. I will be cash flowing the whole thing as I haven't been in my house long enough for a home equity loan. Biggest priority is getting the building up and standing, power run, and possibly a slab.

Just looking for advice from any DIYers out there. Thoughts on the Simpson steel buildings, site prep, any helpful websites, material calculators, etc.

 

[readhead]

Does Simpson build their own buildings or are they a broker? They probably won't tell you. I can almost always beat Internet prices if given a chance. Give the local guys a chance. A local contractor can look at the site and make recommendations.
If you have interior clearance requirements let them know. Don't go by eave height.
Have you done permit plans yet? Just like a house, you should have plans to bid from.
That's a start and there are a lot more questions before you're done.

 

[Mikefromcny]

Simpson builds them to order in their shop is my understanding. Reviews I was reading on other sites, a guy said Simpson was located in his hometown, and his wife went to school with them type thing.

Going to try to get the permit plans from the town this week, but don't know if anyone is around between christmas and new years.

I found a NY company selling wooden pole barn kits comparable to Simpsons prices. Will look at them also.

 

[JamesW84]

my quote for concrete was $5/sq ft when hiring out. That was rebar and all and I think that was 6" thick, but I could be mistaken. Half of your 40x60 is 1200 sq ft, so that would be roughly $6000 for concrete + site work prior to pour.

This is a quote from Marshfield, MO where concrete runs around $100/yard.

 

[HAP]

my quote for concrete was $5/sq ft when hiring out. That was rebar and all and I think that was 6" thick, but I could be mistaken. Half of your 40x60 is 1200 sq ft, so that would be roughly $6000 for concrete + site work prior to pour.

This is a quote from Marshfield, MO where concrete runs around $100/yard.

You will most likely need an engineered foundation for the steel building. Total cost for the concrete will be around $15K.

 

[rburke65]

I don't think your $20K budget is going to make but just my opinion. A 40'x60' is a great size.

 

[JamesW84]

You will most likely need an engineered foundation for the steel building. Total cost for the concrete will be around $15K.

That's true. I forgot about the foundation wall.

I also had quotes for a 42x48 slab with Foundation and 6" stem wall and one was around $15,000 and one guy said $17,000.

Basically, the site work and concrete for a 40x60 steel building will hit your budget for the whole build.

I was in the same boat - still am. If I don't end up moving, I'm considering doing the concrete myself.

You could run the foundation wall around the whole thing and only pour a slab in half of it to save some $

 

[nadogail]

Bobcat,

Invite a few contractors to give you a proposal for your project.

That will serve as a reality check.

 

[brewchief]

The easiest way to insulate a steel building is to use the fiberglass batts that go over the framework with the roof or side steel going over them and holding them in place, it adds cost up front but is probably far cheaper then other forms of insulation that have to be done after the building is up. I would insulate the whole thing even if you only plan on using part of it for a shop.

I think 12' is going to be on the short side if you work on equipment, consider a 16' sidewall so you can put in a 14' tall door.

Steel buildings seem cheap until you add in the concrete that you must have in order to build, wooden pole barns get away from that as you can add the slab later down the road as cash becomes available.

 

[matt_i]

In my opinion, working with and listening to a guy who did this for a living for 20+ years as a General Contractor of clear-span metal bldgs, is to pour a monolithic floor slab, grade beam, and piers for the support columns all in one shot.

The depth of the piers and grade beam is not insignificant, it should be below the frost line in your area.

So, that's a lot of concrete. The bldg. kit may be delivered for $10k but I don't think you will get a concrete foundation for $10k, so there is that inequity to deal with first.

I was in the serious planning stages of a 40' x 70', the bldg. kit was 18k, the concrete work was coming in around $30k which I specifically sought high-end contractors.

 

[Mikefromcny]

Thanks for all the input guys.

I didn't realize the steel buildings needed a concrete foundation...Glad I asked. Back to wooden pole barns.

These guys are a few hours away. http://www.niagarapolebarn.com 40x64x16 is $15,500.

I'd be happy to get it up with doors on it, and worry about the floor next year.

 

[Justanoldguy]

I didn't realize the steel buildings needed a concrete foundation...

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[dadsEH]

They don't!

 

[Justanoldguy]

They don't!

Maybe not in OZ.
They sure do here in NZ.

 

[readhead]

It appears that Simpson makes a few different kinds of "steel" buildings. What did you have quoted? One type requires lots of concrete and the other does not.
This information changes the conversation quite a bit.

 

[ssg57]

For what it's worth, I just finished my 40x80x14 building with a 20x80 lean-to.

The concrete and dirt work was way more than my building purchase and erection of the building. I was thinking around $70,000 but ended up more like $100,000 for a total cost.

See my build thread here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=305958

 

[rburke65]

I don't think you can just screw them steel buildings to the dirt. Of course this is just my opinion.....