Prefab vs Sitck Build Garage

[Greatwhitewing]

Background. Central MA, 24 x 30'ish, 2 story probably Gambrel style. Want reasonably high headroom so thinking 18-24" foundation wall. Most likely one 16' overhead door, 2 three foot entrance doors and couple windows, nothing exotic.

I found what seems like a pretty good prefab outfit in PA and got a decent price even with delivery considerably cheaper than I can get a contractor to build on site. I would have to provide my own foundation of course, guesstimating about $7k for that. First quote for prefab came in at $22k and probably go up a little after I add more options so I am in the low $30's. Stick build would be closer to $40k.

What I would like to discuss is the relative merits and drawbacks of prefab vs stick build.

 

[Hondaracer2oo4]

How about a link to the prefab you are looking at so we can see what they are selling. The prefab is going to be stick built too with te exception of the trusses but you could have the trusses built for your build too. Probably all 2x4 construction with the cheapest osb available with the crappiest windows and garage doors possible. Probably not a bad product at the end of the day but it all depends on what you are looking for.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

https://shedsunlimited.net/prefab-1-2-3-car-garages-for-sale-lancaster-pa/

I am not married to this guy which is why I didn't post the link initially.
The quality of prefabs like stick builds can vary. It's a pretty long way to ship too over 300 miles.

 

[ww_big_al]

Prefabs can be be good quality but the devil is in the details.
Are studs on 16' centers?
Length of stud? 8', 10', 7'?
is the garage wired?
Lights?
1/2" or 7/16 OSB on walls and roof? CDX Ply wood?
Vinyl side quality/thickness?
Cost include anchoring to your foundation?
You need to make sure what the contractor is quoting is the same as the prefab. Check your local lumber yards. Many can makeup kits and recommend contractors. Advantage of using local is you can have it built exactly how you want it and they are a short drive away to refine plans or resolve problems. One of my barn (garage style) doors came in the wrong size. The lumber yard picked up the old one and dropped off the new one. They had to do it twice because the door company goofed up.

 

[6768rogues]

Also make sure that out of state building meets your local building code. If a design professional stamp is needed, it usually needs to be from the state where the building is to be located.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

Also make sure that out of state building meets your local building code. If a design professional stamp is needed, it usually needs to be from the state where the building is to be located.

Good point. This particular supplier will generate drawings for submittal for a fee that's credited if you buy a structure.

 

[sierradmax]

I'm sure those prices are the prices listed w/o delivery. I would add about $2500 for a dedicated 48' flatbed truck to deliver. Have you gotten prices from contractors on the installation of a pre-fab? I would bet that you'll be closer to $35,000 said and done w/ delivery & installation.

I'd shop around for a stick-build. You're entering prime season for contractors. If you can wait until fall/winter, I bet you would get a better deal sub $40k w/ foundation in central MA.

 

[jetnow1]

I found the quotes for excavation and concrete were quite a bit higher than you estimate,
as much as double. I am in Central CT so not that far from you.

 

[Greatwhitewing]

I found the quotes for excavation and concrete were quite a bit higher than you estimate,
as much as double. I am in Central CT so not that far from you.

Oh... That seems unreasonable at those prices to me. If I remember correctly I think I used posts from here when doing google searches, brought me back to this forum and costs.

Have any online info or you basing on quotes you got? Does CT have a lot more restrictive costly regulations than MA?

If you are accurate the more local prefab guy who does everything (his price was over 10 grand more than building only prefab guy) may be closer to actual cost.

Thanks

 

[jackson1701]

I was always a fan of stick built until I truly learned about pre-fab. Most are built indoors in a dry environment, on a level surface. better chance of nice square rooms, less chance of water damage from rain storms etc. The are designed to be lifted with a crane, travel down roads etc. I have learned that they are built stronger and hold up just as good if not better than stick built. Again, like others said it will depend on the builder.

 

[n20junkie]

Sorry, but reading that ^^^^^ reminds me of prefab homes sales pitches. I have heard the road travel part as well, and I don't buy it. You can almost always tell a prefab structure from just seeing them from afar. They have so many design considerstions for road travel that they end up being a massive compromise IMHO.


Like most have said, if pound for pound they were the same build, I could see the advantage. Unfortunately they know every corner to cut and very cost saving measure to do.

Personally I have never seen a building come out of a prefab factory that was as good as a decently built stick build. Maybe some day my opinion will change.

 

[GMCGarage]

Sorry, but reading that ^^^^^ reminds me of prefab homes sales pitches. I have heard the road travel part as well, and I don't buy it. You can almost always tell a prefab structure from just seeing them from afar. They have so many design considerstions for road travel that they end up being a massive compromise IMHO.


Like most have said, if pound for pound they were the same build, I could see the advantage. Unfortunately they know every corner to cut and very cost saving measure to do.

Personally I have never seen a building come out of a prefab factory that was as good as a decently built stick build. Maybe some day my opinion will change.

Wouldnt both need to meet code? If a 2x8 is needed, does stick built contractor pick a 2x10?

 

[n20junkie]

Code? Code is the absolute minimum. Absolute junk builds can still meet code.

 

[Firebrick43]

Prefabs quality that can be great or horrible. Had some custom framers set trusses on my icf house and nail down the deck. They did a mix of stick framing and erecting prefabs. One of the crew worked at the prefab plant a few days a week as well. We got into a good conversation about prefabs.

They stated that they could tell who was on the jig table the day the walls went up. Some times it was flawless but many times they would have a wall 3" short or a door/window in the wrong place or wrong rough opening. The way the jigs were they said they were always straight and square.

 

[Y2KFirehawk]

Thanks for this thread. I am considering shedsunlimited.net as I am near them in PA.

 

[rnixon]

PM sent

 

[theoldwizard1]

The biggest problem with prefab sheds/garages is that you are limited on dimension, The restrictions are because of local codes that specify how big of an item can be hauled down the road.

I saw video of a guy who bought the biggest "shed" he could (16x32 ?). He had it built with a gambrel roof and upgraded the studs to 2x6. Too increase headroom in the loft, which he added on, he built the loft floor on 7' studs. He add insulation, room dividers, heating, plumbing and electrical. After about 6-9 months of his add ons, he had a 900+ sq ft tiny house for around $60,000.

EDIT : I found the video ! 16x52 Lofted Barn Shed Cabin Tour and Mostly Completed Shed to House Tour 16x52 with 2nd Level

 

[Stuart in MN]

The biggest problem with prefab sheds/garages is that you are limited on dimension, The restrictions are because of local codes that specify how big of an item can be hauled down the road.

The place the original poster is looking at prefabricates sections that are assembled on site, they don't bring out a complete garage in one piece.

 

[mgbbob]

Alans Carports.....24' x 35' with 12' walls. I love it.

 

[RogueFab]

Background. Central MA, 24 x 30'ish, 2 story probably Gambrel style. Want reasonably high headroom so thinking 18-24" foundation wall. Most likely one 16' overhead door, 2 three foot entrance doors and couple windows, nothing exotic.

I found what seems like a pretty good prefab outfit in PA and got a decent price even with delivery considerably cheaper than I can get a contractor to build on site. I would have to provide my own foundation of course, guesstimating about $7k for that. First quote for prefab came in at $22k and probably go up a little after I add more options so I am in the low $30's. Stick build would be closer to $40k.

What I would like to discuss is the relative merits and drawbacks of prefab vs stick build.

Prefab is metal building, right? All metal?

They're noisier, more difficult to insulate, sheetrock, wire, and seal in my opinion. They also don't look as nice and don't seem to be worth as much if you sell. Not that outbuildings are worth that much compared to their cost in many cases during a sale anyhow.

Stick is the opposite of that.

Please note the word opinion up there...

 

[rburke65]

Rogue.....did you read the web site?

 

[mgbbob]

I agree with pretty much RogueFab said about metal buildings but you don't have to reroof for a long time, there only noisy when it rains and it isn't that bad, there are some ways to work around insulation etc., I like the looks. As far as electric my total bill for 2 - 100 amp services in the shop, a new main for the house, 3 - 220 outlets, all 20 amp 110 outlets and everything in metal conduit, $2500. I was happy.

 

[spectrum1c]

Background. Central MA, 24 x 30'ish, 2 story probably Gambrel style. Want reasonably high headroom so thinking 18-24" foundation wall. Most likely one 16' overhead door, 2 three foot entrance doors and couple windows, nothing exotic.

I found what seems like a pretty good prefab outfit in PA and got a decent price even with delivery considerably cheaper than I can get a contractor to build on site. I would have to provide my own foundation of course, guesstimating about $7k for that. First quote for prefab came in at $22k and probably go up a little after I add more options so I am in the low $30's. Stick build would be closer to $40k.

What I would like to discuss is the relative merits and drawbacks of prefab vs stick build.

I live in eastern mass (cape cod) and am thinking about doing a similar project. Could you give an update on what direction you ended up going and what your experience was?

 

[Greatwhitewing]

Project is on hold but I could really use it