Steel Frame Buildings

[StoopidEngineer]

Hey All!

I'm a new member, and this is my first post, even though I've been lurking around for a while. I actually was pointed in this direction when I asked about building choices on the Practical Machinist Forum, where I'm a pretty active member.

Long story short: I'm exploring my options/in the planning stages of building my own house, and a home shop is definitely in the plans. Depending on some things, it may even happen first so that I can stage everything for the house construction in the shop building....

Anyways - the guys over at PM seem to think quite highly of steel frame buildings when compared to pole barns and traditionally framed buildings. I'm looking for something I can do myself (both to save money and because I love building things) and think I'm leaning towards a steel frame building.

I'm sure there are folks on here with experience on every different manufacturer and kit, so I was hoping for some opinions, as well as some direction on the actual construction.

If this is something that has been discussed here many times, feel free to just point me towards those thread, but I wasn't able to find them by searching.

Thanks All!

 

[AndyCBR]

Steel frame buildings are tough to beat but in Northern climates sometimes you have to get pretty deep with foundation walls to get below the frost line.

A pole building helps with this as the poles are deep and the slab comes later after the building is somewhat closed in.

I would get a couple of quotes but make sure you are comparing apples and apples IE many times a pole building gets insulated long after erection whereas the steel building the insulation on roof and walls is integral to the erection.

Let us know what you decide and post up some pics.

 

[drmarkr]

Your question is pretty general, so the search function might not have been helping. Try some other terms to cone down a little....

Or, grab something to drink, and go to the "Gallery" sub-forum. 6-8 hours later, your head will be swirling with ideas and infomation!!

 

[dynahoe]

the kit companies do not give any foundation requirements due to the variety of soil types,if you have to follow town codes you may have to have a foundation system designed by an engineer,I have not been able to get any info from the manufacturers for this purpose.you have to buy the kit before they will give you reactions to have a system designed which makes it difficult to estimate cost.some foundations systems can cost more than the kit depending on soil type.look into perma columns for pole barn

 

[AndyCBR]

the kit companies do not give any foundation requirements due to the variety of soil types,if you have to follow town codes you may have to have a foundation system designed by an engineer,I have not been able to get any info from the manufacturers for this purpose.you have to buy the kit before they will give you reactions to have a system designed which makes it difficult to estimate cost.some foundations systems can cost more than the kit depending on soil type.look into perma columns for pole barn

This may be true but any Structural or Civil Engineer from the area will be able to give you a rough estimate of footing size and slab thickness for a given metal building of a particular size.

May have to pay an hour or two to an Engineer to get these estimates and then revise once you get the reactions from the building manufacturer.

 

[Firebird 1]

Depending on the complexity of the building steel may not be for the do it your selfer. A wood pole barn is a lot easier. Steel is not hard to do, just need some special tools, and maybe a crane.

 

[dynahoe]

I was quoted 1100 for foundation design today as long as I supply soil density,and building plans.I live in Peyton Place and the codes are somewhat strict.must have a stamp on all designs.I'm looking at 15-18k for footings and slab 40'x60',5-6 inch slab.

 

[StoopidEngineer]

Thanks for all the info so far - been very helpful!

Does anyone have a preferred manufacturer for steel frame buildings? Good sources for the panels for a pole barn?

 

[dynahoe]

I think I'm going with Olympia steel buildings,so far lowest price and the frame is galvanized,gray color not red so I might not have to paint it.and they actually deliver the building as quoted .There's one near my shop,and they put me in touch with an engineer for the foundation system.It's wierd the local steel building companies are 8-10k more with shorter delivery travel.I think they just order the same building and mark it up

 

[AndyCBR]

I think I'm going with Olympia steel buildings,so far lowest price and the frame is galvanized,gray color not red so I might not have to paint it.and they actually deliver the building as quoted .There's one near my shop,and they put me in touch with an engineer for the foundation system.It's wierd the local steel building companies are 8-10k more with shorter delivery travel.I think they just order the same building and mark it up

Sales tax may be one variable in your pricing differences. In LA the local guy must collect city/state sales tax. The out of state guy charges only for delivery and you are on the hook for the sales/use tax.

In the residential market you may get away without paying sales tax but in the commercial market they will eventually come knocking on your door to collect.