Metal building shoping

[Boatmedic]

I am looking to purchase a metal garage/shop kit and have found there are many building kit manufactures out there advertising.

For those that have been there and done that, do you have any advice for what I should be looking for? Is one type of building components/style better than the other or naa, they are pretty much all the same.

Any other thoughts or ideas that would be helpful in selecting a manufacturer?

 

[readhead]

How big of a building are you looking for? Are permits involved? Have you had plans drawn yet? Do you want to erect it yourself? What is the access to the building site look like? Is an HOA involved? Do you have a budget?

I’m a metal building contractor and these are some of the questions I would ask at our first meeting. Next we would discuss the use of the building and the details you would like to see in the building. A most important question is inside dimensions. Because of framing details wall height may have nothing to do with required clearance inside. The worst example of that was when I was contracted to erect an owner purchased building. All the primary and secondary steel was up when the owner realized that his motorhome wasn’t going to fit under the rafters. He and the internet salesman had only talked about wall height and never discussed interior dimensions.

You are making one of the most common mistakes in the business. You should be making plans first and then go looking for a supplier. Depending on the style of building all manufacturers are pretty much the same. What sets them apart is sales and service. This is kind of a dicey business with lots of sketchy players especially if you deal with an internet broker. PM me and I can discuss this more at length.

 

[EDS01SS]

I have been shopping for a few years now and just recently put a down payment on a building. Like redhead said its all pretty much the same manufacturer. They all seem to to come from Carolina Carports from my experience. Just need to find a good company to go through which is very hard when you look at all the reviews for each company. Very confusing lol

 

[readhead]

That brings up a good point. The decision will also come around about which type of building. Red iron or tube steel. Both can accomplish the same result but there are a lot of differences. Answers to my first questions will send you one way or another.

 

[justinmariano]

How big are you going? What are you using it for? Are you doing the labor? I am in the process of starting my VersaTube build. Pending my permit request, I'll be DIY'ing their Summit series garage in 22'x26' with 10' walls. So far I'm quoted at $7300. With slab, doors, and electrical hoping to sneak in under $10k but keeping it all DIY and calling in favors.

I heavily weighed the option of stick built vs. metal "erector set", the metal building won out. As far as costs go, for materials you're looking at about the same (unless you start getting over standard residential size garages, 600-700sqft), but the metal building can be up in a few days and that was the differentiator. For me to build the whole thing from scratch would take me 6 months with my schedule, so it was a no brainer.

IMO, stick built is the better option for smaller buildings in a more residential setting since you can match the style to your house, and truly built to suit. Also easier to heat and finish if you want to do that. But if you outsource the labor, you're easily looking at double the cost, if not more. So if you can't build it yourself and/or you need a large building, go metal 100%.

As far as VersaTube goes they've been super helpful with any requests I've had. You can create any building you want on their website, and share that design with their reps to get a detailed quote and spec sheet. In my case, the township doesn't require stamped drawings so that was a huge time/money saver. Once you create a building, their reps can send an extremely detailed spec sheet/renderings instantly via email. Worked great because I wound up changing the size twice after moving the location due to setbacks.

My .02, read and research your local zoning and building codes...over and over again! This has 100% been the driver behind what I am able to do with my building. Depending on your lot size, you might run into major limitations like lot coverage, building style, property/right of way setbacks, height, and square foot restrictions.

The biggest one is building style, some codes prevent you from building anything on your lot that doesn't match your house and/or other houses in your neighborhood. I know a few people that weren't able to go with a metal building because of this, even in rural areas (just in higher density zones with smaller lots).

I started out with the dream of a 24x36 shop with 12' walls, but lot coverage reduced me to 22x26, and zoning code made the walls shorter since accessory structures can't exceed the height of your house in my neighborhood unless they are two stories. Not to mention I had to move the location to a completely different part of my lot to comply with setbacks, since I technically have three front yards. Go as big as your code will allow, unless there are no limits of course.

 

[readhead]

I am a VersaTube dealer and if you are willing to erect it yourself it is definitely a less expensive option. Concrete is also less expensive over red iron. Because there are trusses in a tube style building you give up the volume under the roof which may require you to go higher overall.

 

[Boatmedic]

I am building a 60’ x 80’ with 20’ walls, 4:12 roof pitch. It’s on a 4 acre lot, 30’ setbacks, all permitted. I have a site plan already and the septic system has already been designed with perk holes dug and waiting for county inspection.

I have hired a project manager and he is basically waiting on me to find a building to purchase to move onto the next big phase.

In the south east corner will be an 18 x 40 two story dwelling structure. (Temporary apartment situation if you will) the bottom floor is office space for the shop that will consist of 3 car lifts on the South West corner.

Primary use will be light Automotive/ Marine / RV service work. No HOA’s .

Even though I would save money by putting it together myself, time is of the essence so I have to hire labor to build it all.

 

[readhead]

With that information I would absolutely steer you toward a red iron building. Try to find a metal building contractor in your area that can supply and erect the building. They should be able to connect you with a draftsman and engineer to provide permit documents.

 

[TTMotorsports]

Contact heritage buildings and get a red iron setup. Remt some equipment and hire a couple pros and do erecting yourself.

 

[brownbagg]

acemetalbuildings.com