Steel vs prefab vs stickbuilt

[scottzilla]

OK, i'm all over the place here.
Local contractors quote 23K to 40K for a 24x24 stick built, soup to nuts.
Too rich for my blood.
So I have an option to get an Absolute Steel bldg or a Woodtex prefab bldg (Built on site). The steel structure is 3K less but I would have to supply windows and garage door and I would have to build it.
I having trouble punching holes in the quality of a Woodtex building, so it rivals stick built.
Problem is, I need to get plans and need to commit to one or the other. Absolute Steel can provide stamped plans for $500, Woodtex is $700-$900.
In either case i would need to order building to get the plans to get the permits.
The other option is to get plans locally ($700-$900) and beat up some local carpenters for a good price. This is risky because at least I know what i'm paying with Absolute Steel and Woodtex.
Total budget: $19,999.

Anyone feel like talking?

 

[bluesman2a]

Between this and your other post on concrete, I have two words for you:

Pole
Barn

Before you scoff, go out and look at some of the buildings they make now from national outfits. Very nice... Also lowest cost per square foot. With these you can put the building up first, get it dried in, THEN put down the concrete (and probably use less).

Check out http://www.mortonbuildings.com/ they are just one of the places that does these things, chances are you have somebody local to you as well.

 

[scottzilla]

Between this and your other post on concrete, I have two words for you:

Pole
Barn

Before you scoff, go out and look at some of the buildings they make now from national outfits. Very nice... Also lowest cost per square foot. With these you can put the building up first, get it dried in, THEN put down the concrete (and probably use less).

Check out http://www.mortonbuildings.com/ they are just one of the places that does these things, chances are you have somebody local to you as well.

I did look in to pole barns at one time (I had never heard of them prior to visiting this site). If memory serves, the price didn't seem to be an advantage and I only found 2 companies on LI that could build them. Both were in the Hamptons and both struck me as being expensive. I will take another look though.
I have a 13'6" peak height to contend with. Would a pole barn work?

 

[73 stingray]

I am looking at 32x30 pole building right now.
pole buildings are much cheaper than stick built.
Look at CB and morton and your local builders
also look up pole buildings on the internet in your area
just my 2 cents

 

[Gary S]

My garage is stick built. In my opinion, it is the best choice. Later when it comes to insulating and wiring, you will thank yourself for putting up a stick built garage. Building materials are designed for stick built buildings, so finishing a stick built building is much easier than any other kind of building. A pre-fab stick built should be just as good, but doubtful it would be much cheaper.
I built my garage myself, so I don't have more $$ in it than most people with pole barns, metal buildings, or any other type.

 

[stinkythings.com]

Scottzilla,
I am planning to use steel trusses with a wood frame. This seems like it will be the least expensive way to go for me. I am on LI also in Suffolk. I am going 30x40, hopefully bigger if the town(ISLIP) lets me.Contact PERKA for trusses. this will give you a nice open design.Price of wood has really come down and it is easier to insulate. Steel frame allows for 24" on center using less wood for the frame.

 

[Matt M PA]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but I would also check with someone like Stoltzfus Structures who built my garage and shed. They have lots of "pre-fab" buildings...including a double-wide garage with a second floor. It shows up in two halves...and the second floor is literally unfolded. This was what I wanted to do, but wasn''t feasible due to the shape of our lot. They can build to be placed on a slab or with a wooden floor. I don't know if a link is okay on this site...but a search can find them in Atglen, PA.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

23K is very close to your budget. You could just about get a stickbuilt on concrete with a 9' cieling and a 4 pitch truss roof for that. Those woodtex buildings are a lot of bang for the buck, but there is no concrete floor. See if they will make you one to drop on a slab, and spring for the slab. Too bad about the 13'6'' stuff. Second floors are awesome.

 

[scottzilla]

Thanks people. Really appreciate the feedback.

 

[scottzilla]

Scottzilla,
I am planning to use steel trusses with a wood frame. This seems like it will be the least expensive way to go for me. I am on LI also in Suffolk. I am going 30x40, hopefully bigger if the town(ISLIP) lets me.Contact PERKA for trusses. this will give you a nice open design.Price of wood has really come down and it is easier to insulate. Steel frame allows for 24" on center using less wood for the frame.

Interesting, thanks.

 

[krooser]

A pole building can be very cost effective... have it built "flush frame' where the sidewall girts are layed "flat" on 24" centers and you have the perfect base for easy and cost effective insulation and interior finishing. Plus the concrete can be poured without a form (except at the doors)...

If you go stick built ask a local lumber company to supply you with plans... around here the plans are FREE if you buy the materials from them. Ask for a quote on the entire project like the building contractors do... they will usually meet or beat the box stores.

 

[scottzilla]

Scottzilla,
I am planning to use steel trusses with a wood frame. This seems like it will be the least expensive way to go for me. I am on LI also in Suffolk. I am going 30x40, hopefully bigger if the town(ISLIP) lets me.Contact PERKA for trusses. this will give you a nice open design.Price of wood has really come down and it is easier to insulate. Steel frame allows for 24" on center using less wood for the frame.

Perka is in Virginia. Did you compare to any local sources?
Is there a reason why you think steel is a better option than a wood truss?

I called 84 lumber and they have a kit that included windows and garage door for $5400. The guy told me to buy doors elsewhere because they usually "Come in damaged". They will deduct the price of the door from the kit price. The guy didn't seem like much of a salesman.

My 24x24 is turning in to a 20x30, btw.

 

[scottzilla]

Between this and your other post on concrete, I have two words for you:

Pole
Barn

Before you scoff, go out and look at some of the buildings they make now from national outfits. Very nice... Also lowest cost per square foot. With these you can put the building up first, get it dried in, THEN put down the concrete (and probably use less).

Check out http://www.mortonbuildings.com/ they are just one of the places that does these things, chances are you have somebody local to you as well.

Just a little update:
I called Morton (They have a location in Cutchogue, LI) and they threw some numbers at me. Nothing official yet but they will send me a quote. Based on our discussion, I doubt it will be competitive to stick built. High prices are a fact of life on LI, especially when dealing with an East End company.

 

[little d]

scott, have ya givin any thought to building it yourself? its really not as hard as ya might think. a garage is pretty simple. and you'd have plenty of help on here if ya get stuck on something.

 

[bucs012]

Last fall, I went with a 50x30 stick built. Here in Iowa, I found the opposite of what you did. The Steel Building guys (I had 3 different ones come out) were 5 to 7 thousand more than stick and that did not include all that I got with stick! All 3 stick guys I had come out were pretty close in price. They handled all permits and inspections.

I went fully insulated, cement slab, finished walls and 9 foot finished ceiling (I don't need the 10-14 feet of a steel building) , taped and rocked, 4 ceiling fans, installed my 17 lithonia 4 bulb 4 ft lights, 3 service doors, One 6x7 foot roll up door, one 8x18 insulated garage door with opener, 2 windows on the south wall) 2 inside walls to room off my man cave room of 20x15, and over 45 electrical outlets, brought in 200 amp service (house only has 100 amps) and vinyl siding and shingled roof. $38,000.

This same guy is coming back this Spring to build us a deck. His bid $3400. 2 other bids I got (from house siding companies that we are having bid our house for new siding this Spring were $3900 to $4400.

Would not trade it for the world.
My garage http://s104.photobucket.com/albums/m197/bucs012/Garage/