Shop Nation - how much does a shop building cost?

[Stuart in MN]

I follow the Shop Nation YouTube channel. In the last year he moved to a new house, and built a new shop behind it. In this video it's finally done, and he itemizes the total cost of construction. In the past he's also gone into detail about how much he makes from YouTube, which I thought was pretty cool - not that I'll ever try it myself, but like anyone I've wondered just how much the average YouTuber makes.

It cost a lot of money to build his shop - not counting the free stuff he got from sponsors and his own labor it was still around $250k. Granted, it is a pretty deluxe building but I think there's some good information there for others who are planning on their own place and don't know how to budget for it. (One thing I'm not sure of is his location, which obviously has an effect on construction costs...I assume he's somewhere in the northeast but don't know for sure.)

 

[Codyboy]

Tag for later.
My building with no electric or plumbing was around 140k.
I'm scared to add up all the receipts from the electrical, plumbing and HVAC are the big items right now.
Then I still need to finish out a bathroom and sink area.
I have nothing fancy at all. And I'd bet it will be close to 200k.

 

[FTWingRiders]

My wife and I are contemplating downsizing in the next couple of years, and when I built my timber frame shop 10 years ago it was 250k.. I’m not looking forward to what my next one will cost..

 

[mepstein]

My wife and I are contemplating downsizing in the next couple of years, and when I built my timber frame shop 10 years ago it was 250k.. I’m not looking forward to what my next one will cost..

That’s a beautiful building.
Edit - in a beautiful location.

 

[FTWingRiders]

That’s a beautiful building.
Edit - in a beautiful location.

Thank you!
I’m hoping to recreate her.. it’s 44x44 but I’d like to go a bit bigger.. next time if I can.
There’s nothing like New England in the fall.

 

[mepstein]

Thank you!
I’m hoping to recreate her.. it’s 44x44 but I’d like to go a bit bigger.. next time if I can.
There’s nothing like New England in the fall.

I agree. We have a timeshare at Smuggs. It’s not owning real estate but we are there a couple times a year, enjoying the Vermont and Maine countryside.

 

[NUTTSGT]

What is your sanity worth ? That may be a main driver for the build.

 

[zkdiesel]

I wish I’ve only blown 250k on buildings.

 

[Bessy]

I follow the Shop Nation YouTube channel. In the last year he moved to a new house, and built a new shop behind it. In this video it's finally done, and he itemizes the total cost of construction. In the past he's also gone into detail about how much he makes from YouTube, which I thought was pretty cool - not that I'll ever try it myself, but like anyone I've wondered just how much the average YouTuber makes.

It cost a lot of money to build his shop - not counting the free stuff he got from sponsors and his own labor it was still around $250k. Granted, it is a pretty deluxe building but I think there's some good information there for others who are planning on their own place and don't know how to budget for it. (One thing I'm not sure of is his location, which obviously has an effect on construction costs...I assume he's somewhere in the northeast but don't know for sure.)

If I remember correctly at one point or another it's mentioned in one of his videos that he's based in Ohio. I don't think he ever goes into any more specifics for obvious privacy reasons.
I just ordered the dust shroud for my Bosch saw after cleaning up a huge load of sawdust off the bench this morning... I had previously bought the 3d files from him, but still haven't printed it. I recall that a good number of the extra bits and pieces for assembly were more difficult to source in Canada, so I figured in the interest of time I'd just buy the unit and get it installed instead of screwing around. If anything breaks I have the capabilities down the line to repair/make replacements.

 

[liliysdad]

I’ve never spent 250k on a house….hell, I’ve never spent 200k.

My little dumpy 24x30 post frame shop was $13,500 in 2020, with concrete. I wired it, and added the aprons at the two overhead doors.

I just had a stick frame office built for my wife on an existing slab. A 16x24 she’ll with three windows, a door, and shingles was $12,000. I wired, insulated, and finished it and I’ve got close to $16,000 in it.


$250k… that’s about seven tax brackets away from where I get mail.

 

[jblnut]

I wish I’ve only blown 250k on buildings.

I was thinking the same thing

Buildings that generate revenue go in a different mental category than ones that don’t. A cattle barn generates revenue so if it cash flows it doesn’t matter what it costs as long as the banker says go for it. A farm shop has the ability to generate revenue in a few ways so if it cash flows build it. A machine shed doesn’t generate revenue but helps keep the value of your stuff from dropping so that one goes to the “it’s nice to have if I can afford it” area of the brain. A new house because Mama Bear noticed the sheds and barns generates revenue in the sense that Mama Bear sticks around with her income to help pay for it vs me living in the old shitbox (or new shop lol) without her or her income lol.

 

[Lumpy102]

****, my concrete was $16,500CD for 24 x 28 late fall of 2022
My insurance company says my building is valued at &98,000

 

[zkdiesel]

I was thinking the same thing

Buildings that generate revenue go in a different mental category than ones that don’t. A cattle barn generates revenue so if it cash flows it doesn’t matter what it costs as long as the banker says go for it. A farm shop has the ability to generate revenue in a few ways so if it cash flows build it. A machine shed doesn’t generate revenue but helps keep the value of your stuff from dropping so that one goes to the “it’s nice to have if I can afford it” area of the brain. A new house because Mama Bear noticed the sheds and barns generates revenue in the sense that Mama Bear sticks around with her income to help pay for it vs me living in the old shitbox (or new shop lol) without her or her income lol.

Oh you have no idea! The house getting marked out in front of that new shed

 

[reader2580]

I am pretty sure I spent less than his $97,000 overage for my entire garage that is 24x60x16. My garage is stick built, but not nearly as fancy as that one.

 

[jblnut]

Oh you have no idea! The house getting marked out in front of that new shed

I tried telling her we better keep the wheels and not take the hitch off in case we couldn’t make payments on it.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Whether you've never spent that much on a building wasn't the point of me posting it. Of course, building costs are much less in other parts of the country, a basic building without frills is going to cost less, and if you do your own work it matters too. This was just a data point for future reference.

 

[micromind]

I recently got a couple of bids for a 40X100 metal building, 16' walls. Slab and 4 roll-up doors included, about $210,000.

Western Nevada, prices are usually pretty high here compared to a lot of other areas.

 

[firebirdparts]

$50 a square foot is pretty reasonable. That’s a lot of building.

 

[Rc_Guy]

I recently got a couple of bids for a 40X100 metal building, 16' walls. Slab and 4 roll-up doors included, about $210,000.

Western Nevada, prices are usually pretty high here compared to a lot of other areas.

What are you calling a rollup door?

A regular garage door?

A door like a mini storage place?

Seems like a decent price though for that big

 

[jblnut]

I recently got a couple of bids for a 40X100 metal building, 16' walls. Slab and 4 roll-up doors included, about $210,000.

Western Nevada, prices are usually pretty high here compared to a lot of other areas.

Central MN here.

A few weeks back I ordered a 60x108x18 with two 24x16 overheads and a 6” concrete floor with rain gutters and a few windows. It’ll be right at $150k built with the construction hired out and us doing the floor.

 

[Shoester]

Materials package for my 3,200 SF shop with 16' ceilings was $60k from Menards for the basic shell, including windows, man doors, and OH garage doors. I built it on top of a full foundation, which ran around $18k. Slab was another $15k ish. Insulation will end up being around $6k. T&G interior walls $3k. Metal ceiling $7k. HVAC $4k. Loft materials $5k. Electrical...maybe $10k?

All-in that puts me around $130k or so. Still not done, although I'm getting close. Will probably be around $150k by the time I finish the loft and bathroom.

With the exception of the foundation, slab, and ceiling, my 70yr old father and I have provided all of the labor. Not sure how much you would have to add to that $150k for labor.

 

[u2slow]

Building costs vary regionally and your jurisdiction can set minimum (perhaps lofty) standards on how it's built. Never underestimate site prep.

Fwiw, i could not build a pole-barn or a sea-can palace. I burned through $100k easily without any interior, or electrical.

 

[micromind]

What are you calling a rollup door?

A roll-up is the kind you'd find on a storage unit, warehouse or an industrial building.

A basic residential garage door, I would call a sectional door.

 

[Notgrownup]

I have $12-14000 in my 24x24 with a 12x24 lean to shelter on the side and that included insulation, electric, HVAC, and a beer fridge.

 

[eviltwin]

I got quoted $200k for a 30X50 metal shop in the San Francisco bay area. That's from ground work to building being put up. No electrical, no insulation.

 

[Rc_Guy]

A roll-up is the kind you'd find on a storage unit, warehouse or an industrial building.

A basic residential garage door, I would call a sectional door.

That’s what I assume a rollup door is

 

[Bill T]

I am preparing to move but, currently while my shop is insured for 100 k. I have a rider for 250K on my tools and shop equipment. Many times, the building is only a fraction of the cost of our obsessions.
There is a law of nature-No matter how big you build a shop, you will fill it up with stuff.

 

[Fixr]

I have $12-14000 in my 24x24 with a 12x24 lean to shelter on the side and that included insulation, electric, HVAC, and a beer fridge.

How long ago was that?

 

[Notgrownup]

How long ago was that?

8 years, look, I know I would now pay close to $20k or more for what I have but still. I did all the work myself except for the concrete and block work.

 

[SouthernIllinois]

Last year (2024)

Local builder - all they do is pole barns - family owned - been in business about 40 years - 9 month wait for a build slot

68' X 36' with 12' ceilings overall.
56' X 36' enclosed.
12' X 36' Outdoor kitchen / patio on the "carport"

Gray metal with black roof, wainscot, windows and doors.

Three overhead garage doors (10' X 10')

10 windows.

Interior insulated and finished with white metal walls and ceiling.

The ceiling on the carport is black metal.

The building was $78k - not counting overhead doors, electrical, or cement

Cement $40k which includes a 68' X 23' apron and a pad for the propane tank. 6 bag mix with rebar and floor drains.

Three insulated overhead garage doors with Liftmaster openers installed is $14K

Electrical was about $6K - I have a friend who is a retired electrician and he helped me - I did the unskilled labor and he did the actual "electrician" stuff at $30 an hour. In addition to wiring the building, we had to move the meter.

Plumbing was about $3.5K. Bored a water line to the shed. Electric water heater, Two stainless deep sinks (one inside and one on the patio). Floor drains. Hot and cold spigots inside and out.

Propane tube infrared heater was $4.4K installed. I already had a 250 gallon propane tank from the old garage.

Champion 2-stage commercial compressor plumbed with rigid aluminum piping and 3 air outlets was about $4.5K

The dirt work / site prep was $11K. Took out 19 trees, concrete from old garage and leveled the lot. After the building is done he will have to come back and move some more dirt for drainage. A friend and neighbor did this work - that would have been $30k + elsewhere.

Probably another $5K or so in misc parts and pieces.

Still not done - A French drain is going in along one side, the lights over the doors still aren't uo nor are the ceiling fans and lights on the patio. I haven't even began to think about landscaping - I'm afraid that will be a 2026 job.

That area to the right of the shed will be leveled, those two trees will be taken out and a one car garage size building that will match this one is going up there for the mower, yard stuff and storage - it will not have a finished interior or heat.

No permits or inspections required for any of this.

A lot more pics and details of the builds can be found here:

My Retirement Shop, Pole Barns, Old Truck and Questionable Decisions Thread

Brief synopsis: Did 25 years on submarines in the US Navy, Retired from that. Commercial fished for about 14 years. Dad passed away the day after Thanksgiving last year. December 2023, my wife and I decided to retire early (me at 54, her at 45), buy the property from the estate and move back to...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[tez929rr]

Two steel buildings. 40 by 60 (in 2004) $43K. 30 by 80 built in 2015 (lower height) for $43K. Interior finished out for another roughly $10K. Septic system and utilities another $10K.

 

[finn]

Two steel buildings. 40 by 60 (in 2004) $43K. 30 by 80 built in 2015 (lower height) for $43K. Interior finished out for another roughly $10K. Septic system and utilities another $10K.

Beautiful place, but the prices are from ten and twenty one years ago, so not too relevant to today’s cost.

Then there’s the location, codes, etc.

 

[tez929rr]

Beautiful place, but the prices are from ten and twenty one years ago, so not too relevant to today’s cost.

Then there’s the location, codes, etc.

I guess I missed the part where I had to provide prices from right now matched to some other location. That’s what they cost me in the years cited. Wells and septic systems are the only things that have to be approved and inspected for residential construction. Literally no other codes or inspections.

 

[SD929]

I just started construction for in middle TN (about 1.5 hr nw Nashville) for a 60x40x14 post-frame with a 12ft lean-to down one side at about 137k. I looked at Morton but it was near 220 (but was turn key).

Includes

• 5" concrete under lean-to and building
• two 12x14 insulated garage doors
• 1 man door
• two windows
• 26G metal (roof and walls)
• 2x4" drains
• Scissor Trusses.
• Permit

Does not include

• insulation (20k spray foam 3" roof, 2" wall)
• HVAC
• Electrical
• Plumbing (still undecided if I'm going to run water from the house / meter or buy a pump and filter out of the rain water collection.

 

[sansbury]

I had a GC build a building for me recently in Western Mass., not a cheap place to do anything. I haven't bothered to add up all the additions that got tacked on as things progressed, because I don't want to know, but I would guess it is finishing out a bit under $200/sqft by the time the dust settles. This is on the expensive side due to a few choices I knew I was making.

- 26x42 main floor, 11' internal bay height, fully insulated w/ 2 8x9' doors
- 26x16' basement
- 2-zone mini split system w/ 3 heads
- 200A subpanel with a fair number of circuits, tons of lighting
- 1/2 bath with slop sink
- Epoxy floor on main level
- Clapboard siding to match house

The building footprint was constrained on all sides so the basement was an expensive choice to gain more space. The building was about 80' from the house so the plumbing and electric required trenching. The siding alone I think cost another 20K versus cheaper options but the building is visible from almost every direction and T1-11 would have looked nasty next to the main house. This cost also includes 10K to upgrade the electrical service from 200A to 320A so I have plenty for the garage and in case I convert the main house from steam to heat pumps down the road.

As it was I had estimates that were as much as 2X this from other builders, and most didn't even return my calls because they were booked out 18-24 months building $1-3M houses, and that's not only the middle of the high end out here.

If I left out the basement and didn't go quite as posh on everything I think I could have done it for under $150/sqft.

 

[ericm]

I got a quote a couple years ago for $640k for a 1640 sq ft shop in the SF bay area. Basic stick built, electrical, plumbing. I was going to insulate and drywall and add mini splits. The GC was one I'd used before and I know he's honest. This was the best price he could get. It wasn't a go away price. There were a lot of factors that went into the high price:

I'm in what the county considers a landslide zone, so the foundation had to be pier and beam. The county requires a paved driveway for 70,000lb fire trucks and 40x50 fire truck turnaround (even though the house is 150' away and has the required paved turnaround). The large impermeable area triggered a county requirement for extensive runoff handling including a 12x20x3 retention pond. We're in an area that's gotten a lot of rich people in the 28 years we have lived here. The GC told me that subs would raise their rates when they found out the location. A lot of contractors don't want to work in the mountains due to travel time.

The quote was the last straw that made us decide to move out of the area. We're tired of spoiled rich people and the sheer number of people. Traffic is insane. At the new place we've built a 3200 sq ft pole barn shop, two rooms with the larger one finished, plumbing and HVAC. It's not completed but it'll certainly cost much less than half what that quote was. That's probably still expensive to a lot of people but it's cheap to me.

 

[cannuck]

I am pretty sure I spent less than his $97,000 overage for my entire garage that is 24x60x16. My garage is stick built, but not nearly as fancy as that one.

$65 US ($90 Cdn) is about what I was hoping to be able to do before COVID. When I first built my 1k all metal at our in town house I had about $15k in fire insurance settlement and a pad 2/3 of eventual size. I did 100% of the design, fab, build, wiring, etc. and I don't think I took more than another 5 grand out of the company account. Of course, that $20/ft2 was 42 years ago and a pretty big buck for a home shop - but easily justified as was my place of work. A couple of years ago, it cost me $10/sq.ft. just to have a contractor spray closed cell foam onto underside of my roof. I hope I can do something for not too much of $100 a sq.ft. today but that may not be a reasonable assumption. Would love to hear from others in cold country.

 

[dcg9381]

I just started construction for in middle TN (about 1.5 hr nw Nashville) for a 60x40x14 post-frame with a 12ft lean-to down one side at about 137k. I looked at Morton but it was near 220 (but was turn key).

Sheesh Morton wanted $220k for the same thing? That's a big swing.
$137k with permitting isn't terrible an in....

Did you look at red iron steel (non-tube steel frame)? Seems like everyone is doing tube steel or post frame (pole barn) in the midwest and north of it.

 

[SD929]

It was a little more difficult dealing w/ the Morton sales folks - delays in between when we'd discuss and when I would get the quote. I know others have raved about them, so perhaps it was guy assigned to me. The Morton was turnkey more or less having those large rolls that fit in between the posts. It would have electrical and would finished inside (same metal panel used for exterior).

I did look at the red iron but none of the builders in the local area, or none that called me back at least seemed willing to do it. I definitely liked the idea of the iron framed, this shop has been a dream for many years now, and one that I thought would go that way. But when push came to shove it was just hard to find folks who did that primarily and I didn't want to push a builder into something they didn't often.

 

[LeeG]

I watched that video. A big chuck of his expense (81K) was site prep and foundation as he had to cut into a hill and build a retaining wall.