Garage construction: Steel or frame?

[cstreit]

Hello all...

I'm planning a detached garage for springtime and have been considering possibly going wtih one of the steel pre-fab units to save $$$. I'm hoping for a 24x30 garage and at $40/sq ft. average cost (I don't have bids yet) the $28k cost is well outside my budget.

I've seen some similarly sized steel buildings for around $8k with shipping and need to get some opinions on this... I do want to insulate and can do the finish work and assembly myself on something like this.

Are the cost savings really there or is there a bunch of hidden costs for these that i haven't found? I do want to insulate. Will wire and plumb myself as well. Thinking about being my own G.C. on this with the help of some contruction related buddies...

 

[Tx Firefighter]

I just had a 30x40x12 steel building built.

(2) 12 foot wide by 10 foot tall roll up doors
(1) 3 foot walk-in door
(1) 4 foot walk-in door

Full insulation and a ridge vent too.

Turn key price was 15,400 dollars. That's completely tun key, including the concrete.

Around here, all the metal building guys charge 2 dollars a sq/ft for erection, which is a bargain once you figure all the trim detail work, insulating, and roll up door instalation. I figure the 2400 dollars saving wasn't worth the hassle to me to do the work myself.

They did the concrete 1 day, the erection in 1 day, and the skin, trim, and doors the third day. Quick and easy.

 

[danski0224]

Might want to check with what the city will allow. Unless you are unincorporated, Naperville can be pretty uppity

 

[cstreit]

Thanks Danski... I am in unincorporated Naperville... Part of the reason we moved here... Bigger property (ie room) less hassle (ie more lax code).

 

[sberry]

One thing, with a garage that size there may not be a lot of difference in cost, there may be other reasons to go steel. I like being able to add to the inside, a good reason is fire and fire insurance, much cheaper with steel and glass insulation, ever storm resistance can be a factor, no termite damage, ceiling designs can vary. Another reason for steel in some cases is that buildings are pre-engineered, the build inspector can pound sand (I like most insps) The main advantage of steel is on larger buildings is that its easy to build with high walls and large spans, large door openings. Again, there are advantages where fire is a major concern.