New build - prefab/pole/red iron?

[Aaron0187]

Greetings
Long time lurker first time poster. Been preparing to build a large garage and am learning all I can but still having trouble wrapping my head around some things.
Enjoyed looking through everyone else's builds for sure.

Iam trying to build the biggest building I can afford, period. 50x80, 40x60 somewhere in there ideally. Tall enough for a lift , so 13 or 14ft high?

My questions:
What is the most cost effective basic way of building a shop of this size? I like red iron, but they seem to be the most expensive by far when you factor in actually building it, correct? How would one find a outfit to erect one of these?

Next is prefab carport looking type. These seem priced decent, with some sites claiming anything wider than 30ft is either impossible, or requires the price to double, at least. Why?
Is it.possible.to build a 40x60 prefab steel without having posts in the middle of the building? Why the cost jump?

Wood post frame is last on the list because of degradation and mold issues around here, but still on the radar because they seem to be the cheapest to build.
That is, if you ship in a crew to build one. Local guy said 64 THOUSAND dollars would 'get him started' on a 50x80. Out of town crew said 40x60 for around 20k was doable. Different sizes, but still seems like a massive price jump.

Area to be built in is 45768 Newport Ohio.
Going nuts having several of.the 558376 metal building sites calling me with prices every day. Why would the same basic building be 20k on one site and 40 on another? Why so many resellers of that style?


Regardless of type I'm needing it built as I have no experience doing this and no friends to help.

Local contractors here are unavailable. As in famous for being useless crooks in every form, so iam planning on having to pay for an outfit to come in for the build.

I appogize for some of the basic questions, but wondered if anyone had some up-to-date advice that has went through this recently.

Thanks
A

 

[matt_i]

Imo if you are going to build 4000sf on a contracted job you best bring cash.

$30/sqft is a good target for finished inside & out + concrete & electrical.

That puts you at $120k.

 

[78SC4X4]

The "prefab carport looking type" is just that. They are meant to be a rain cover for your RV or toys. Small square aluminum tubing with no foundation. To make it stout enough for a large building it turns into a red iron structure.

You're going to have to get details and look at them closely. 40K may include concrete while 20K may be "installed on customers slab". Insulation, windows, doors can add up and make a big difference.

 

[Disney]

Around here there was a fairly clear cut off point where a "red" metal building became more economical than a Pole barn. WHen You start going 40' wide, that was really the thing that puts it over the top on a pole barn. Seems to me, a 50x80 almost has to be a metal building.

I wouldn't use a carport style metal building for anything more than a shed. I wouldn't put anything I really cared about under one.

 

[mike93lx]

Imo if you are going to build 4000sf on a contracted job you best bring cash.

$30/sqft is a good target for finished inside & out + concrete & electrical.

That puts you at $120k.

This. Thinking you are getting anything near the size you want for 20k is silly

 

[Navydoc]

I kicked this idea around for a while also. I called Behlen and they said break even was over 40 feet wide.
You could also consider a red steel frame with SIPS. Behlen and Enercept has done this before.

Scott

 

[Aaron0187]

I did not go into specifics on the first post. The 40x60 for 20k was obviously just the building and doors, no concrete or insulation etc.

I was skeptical for the price, but this weekend I got to check out 1 friend that paid just a hair over $20k for his 40x60x12, with 2 doors, 1 man door, no windows. Pole barn.
He added concrete later on and outfitted it how he wanted, did his own wiring, put metal on the inside, etc. Turned out awesome.

The prices ive been checking on are just for the buildings with doors, ill handle the concrete/wiring/insulation etc later on or ahead of time for the ones that need a pad first.

Agreed it seems that above a certain size the red iron buildings seem to be the better choice as far as cost and time go.
The big disadvantage for red iron (for this area) is finding someone to erect one. Finding a contractor who will show up is nearly impossible, and if they do show they rob you blind, drag the job out 6-months, and/or be cracked out on drugs.
This area is a **** show for contractors. The last one I had in my house for a job said he would be there a week.... after 6 months, a ruined bathroom, and a basement full of junk, I had to run him off and take everything to the dump. Bathroom still a wreck.


The local guy wanting $64k to 'get started' on a 50x80 was just the building, no concrete, wiring, etc. Just the frame and sheet metal.

The carport looking ones secure onto a pad I am told, and supposedly can be wind rated for 140+mph etc etc, but they just look flimsy to me.

What is "SIPS"?? Have not heard that term before?

I would sooner have my testicles cut off with a spork before I would pay anyone $120k for a garage.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, You should seek a local builder with a good reputation.

Advice from friends must be considered with a caveat, they may be trying to appear more intelligent than they actually are.

The truth is "The first liar does not have a chance", if several liars are comparing building costs and they want to appear to have gotten the lowest cost building they may often omit salient details about the building they purchased. For instance Quality of materials, Cost of permits and Architectural services, terms of Payment, etc.,etc., etc..

Study the market and find out what is actually being built for what price.

 

[karoc]

I am going through the same thing,except mine is 32x70x12' and it will be a pole barn. The poles will be treated marine grade 6x6x16' which has a .60 rating for in ground contact. I wish could afford the red iron but just don't have budget for that so Pole Barn it is. I have bids from two different companys, one of them has few bad reviews and the other is a family own small company which I may go with them and they are only maybe 30 miles away. Now I check into kits which is awesome and like you found out the price is nice for around 22k without slab. Price on slab is around 13k for a concrete person who is also local.So only other way for me to save is to assemble the barn itself and save about 10k. I just don't know if its worth it since its also 3 1/2 hr drive away. With this being said only way for you to save and have little piece of mind is turn it into a DIY. I'm still on fence myself

 

[matt_i]

I did not go into specifics on the first post. The 40x60 for 20k was obviously just the building and doors, no concrete or insulation etc.

I was skeptical for the price, but this weekend I got to check out 1 friend that paid just a hair over $20k for his 40x60x12, with 2 doors, 1 man door, no windows. Pole barn.
He added concrete later on and outfitted it how he wanted, did his own wiring, put metal on the inside, etc. Turned out awesome.

I would just do that, you already can see what the end result should theoretically be if using the same builder.

 

[Navydoc]

SIPS: structurally insulated panel. Basically it is two pieces of OSB. Enercept.com is one company that has a pretty cool web site to check out.

 

[MrSurly]

I was skeptical for the price, but this weekend I got to check out 1 friend that paid just a hair over $20k for his 40x60x12, with 2 doors, 1 man door, no windows. Pole barn.
He added concrete later on and outfitted it how he wanted, did his own wiring, put metal on the inside, etc. Turned out awesome.

I would be *VERY HIGHLY SKEPTICAL* of his price claim.
I'll bet his wife was standing there.
There is No Freaking Way he got a 40x60x12 pole barn built for anything under 30K. No sir, I don't believe it. I built my own pole barn 30x40x14 with no labor costs and easily hit 30K+.

 

[MrSurly]

The most cost effective in that size range will be pole barn (post frame).
substantially cheaper than stick (unless you are planning to finish the insides)
and cheaper than red iron...but in that size the red iron starts looking more viable, to be honest. Red Iron has an advantage in that the roof pitch can be as low is 1/12, (maybe not in your location though) allowing a shorter building height AND since there are no trusses in the way, the lift can be accommodated with comparatively short side walls.
The "Carolina Carport" type of construction (IMHO) should never be considered in lieu of a permanent building; maybe for a boat cover.

 

[ddawg16]

A classic case of "If you want to play, you have to pay".

Your main issue of steel vs stick is not the overall size, but rather the depth. What is the primary purpose? If storing farm equipment....then, yeah....steel is the way to go. but if your going to do cars.....I'd go stick.

Your concerned about mildew? First....do a slab with a stem wall of concrete or block. This gets your wood walls well up above the soil. A proper vapor barrier on the outside...and drywall on the inside....and those wall cavities will stay dry.

Research a scissor trust supplier and then go talk to them....find out your price/size break point. I bet 35"+ feet is not an issue.

Also....nothing wrong with building something smaller now and adding on later. Especially if $$'s is an issue.

 

[Aaron0187]

My primary purpose will be as storage and a workshop for race cars/bikes.
I plan to store everything inside, mowers, tractor stuff, car trailer, etc. Don't want to leave anything out.
Ive rolled around on the ground and climbed over stuff in a small garage my whole life so far, which is why Iam going for as big as I can afford now that I have my own place to build on instead of renting.
If i must wrench on old stuff all the time, I want to atleast be comfortable doing it ;-)

The buddy of mine gave me the contact info of the outfit who did his barn, I did not get a chance to call them today but am going to try tomorrow.
His wife was not there when he told me the prices haha.
Hopefully the location makes a difference in prices. Because some of the prices you all have mentioned seem insane. Different codes perhaps?

I plan on using one of the carports for a wood shed and likely nothing else now.
Apparently one can add a sleeve to the posts on pole barn types now that is supposed to help with degradation also? Going to look further into that.

Thanks for the replies

 

[Aaron0187]

Waiting for estimate now from the outfit my friend used. Said it may take a few days or so to get back to me. I'll post what I find out.

 

[Aaron0187]

Hey sorry for the delay for anyone that might be interested. Just got a call today.
My buddies garage was a 40x60x11, 2 garage doors, 1 man door, 1ft overhang, gutters. His price 2 years ago was a hair over 21k$
The building I got a quote for today was a 40x60x13, (for lift), post protector sleeve things, all other specs the same and was quoted $28k installed. Another $8700 approx. for concrete.

The outfit is called JM Carpentry, the number is 330-231-0125 if anyone in OH is interested.

Iam waiting on a few more estimates, but so far his has been cheaper by ATLEAST $10k, some cases $20k.
Deciding on what to do with some $$ now. I need a garage, but am debating on paying down some other debt first now due to economy and job outlook currently.