which is cheaper to build???
- Thread starter lt1driver
- Start date
Falcon67
Well-known member
Small - stick most likely, large - metal. Hard to say.
I agree here. You need a plan with bill of materials to do the comparison.
A 16' X 24' stick built building with 2 X 6 rafters will be economical.
A 48 X 64 steel building might be economical, per square foot to build/
You have to examine the details, ad determine this for your area.
Different parts of the world will vary here.
Like those above said, it's going to depend on size. You also need to take into consideration if one type of construction is allowed by code in your area.
$4500? sign me up for 10!!
Don't know about the USA but in Canada I just went through the whole process, metal pole shop,38x48x14 built on site, $43K , no concrete,wiring,etc.
So I down sized alot, 28x38x10, 3 T16 bay doors,4 windows, complete package just build it,$14K....plus concrete $4200, most labour done myself.
Stick build is WAY cheaper but u are limited to the size....around here if it is over 100m2 you need 24" footings a min 4' in ground,then build a wall to grade,then build your shop...its like building a basement first...thats why they go pole sheds..
Don't know about the USA but in Canada I just went through the whole process, metal pole shop,38x48x14 built on site, $43K , no concrete,wiring,etc.
So I down sized alot, 28x38x10, 3 T16 bay doors,4 windows, complete package just build it,$14K....plus concrete $4200, most labour done myself.
Stick build is WAY cheaper but u are limited to the size....around here if it is over 100m2 you need 24" footings a min 4' in ground,then build a wall to grade,then build your shop...its like building a basement first...thats why they go pole sheds..
A big un-talked about thing with a steel building is delivery charges.
If you are far from the factory, it can add up.
You also have to sit down and do a complete match of what was delivered compared to the buildings parts list to be sure you have everything you need.
With stick built if are short a 2x4 on Sun afternoon you can run up to the local big box for one.
Not so easy to do with a steel building.
But once you are over 24 x 32 they are often cheaper.
If you are far from the factory, it can add up.
You also have to sit down and do a complete match of what was delivered compared to the buildings parts list to be sure you have everything you need.
With stick built if are short a 2x4 on Sun afternoon you can run up to the local big box for one.
Not so easy to do with a steel building.
But once you are over 24 x 32 they are often cheaper.
cyamaha2007
Well-known member
My 36x56x14h came in at 20k complete with concrete electrical and insulation. I did all the work my self.
crewchief888
Well-known member
just my observation on my last trip to texas about a month ago..
i saw a lot of steel buildings in (eastern) texas, from texarkana to dallas
and noticed a lot of billboards and ads for steel buildings.
i'd think that with that many builders around, there would be some competition, a deal may be found....
i saw a lot of steel buildings in (eastern) texas, from texarkana to dallas
and noticed a lot of billboards and ads for steel buildings.
i'd think that with that many builders around, there would be some competition, a deal may be found....
Re: which is cheaper to build???--update
I am in city and was told I can only go (with the easement, distance to owners property line etc.) with a 14x24 next to my house on the side and along back half of house and will be connected to the house, garage is in back as I have alley.....so any other comments to add, living in the city ***** sometimes. thanks.
I am in city and was told I can only go (with the easement, distance to owners property line etc.) with a 14x24 next to my house on the side and along back half of house and will be connected to the house, garage is in back as I have alley.....so any other comments to add, living in the city ***** sometimes. thanks.
archirelic
Well-known member
Where at in west Texas?
Jose G
Well-known member
they live in US and they arent building them to hold snow, lot of them build in 2x4.. very little insulation, slab of 5-6" without surrounding wall, etc... its easy to throw low number also.. (like the HP in a car..)
i would also point out that the material seem less expensive the other side of the borders.. over here each m³ of concrete is around 140$ i think in the US its like 75$...
here in Canada, 30x40, no less than 25k$ and im easy, i would say 30k$ if you count a real outside and maybe a carpot.
the rough isnt expensive but still all 2x6x12 + 7/16 press wood + forrences (count for 15% of your build normally), its all the other thing like roofing, nails and screw, insulation (R20 in wall and R40 in ceiling, Enermax...) + pink foam to insulate the slab from the exterior (perimeter)... some windows with double glass, 1-2 garage door at 1k$ each, propane/natural gas heater, exterior finition and i forget lots of stuff.
im into the process of building a 30x40, i live in Canada, Quebec, its not cheap if you dont want to cheap out too much. to each his own...
sorry for my english, its not my first language
i would also point out that the material seem less expensive the other side of the borders.. over here each m³ of concrete is around 140$ i think in the US its like 75$...
here in Canada, 30x40, no less than 25k$ and im easy, i would say 30k$ if you count a real outside and maybe a carpot.
the rough isnt expensive but still all 2x6x12 + 7/16 press wood + forrences (count for 15% of your build normally), its all the other thing like roofing, nails and screw, insulation (R20 in wall and R40 in ceiling, Enermax...) + pink foam to insulate the slab from the exterior (perimeter)... some windows with double glass, 1-2 garage door at 1k$ each, propane/natural gas heater, exterior finition and i forget lots of stuff.
im into the process of building a 30x40, i live in Canada, Quebec, its not cheap if you dont want to cheap out too much. to each his own...
sorry for my english, its not my first language
Just had a 66x40 built. Has a enclosed 18x40 for my wood shop, standard 30x40x14 in the middle and a 18x40 enclosed lean to on the other side. Insulated, sidewalks, extra doors and windows, rough plumbing and I came in at about 57K. Priced 6 different companies and my guys were in the middle. Im on the coast in Texas.
marty_p
Well-known member
Here in the SE U.S., concrete can be had for $90-$110/cu. yd. + finishing of $1 ft up, depending on the source, availability, etc. As for as for rebar, I'm not so sure...
cyamaha2007
Well-known member
My concrete was 7in thick so 45yards of 4000psi fibermesh concrete=$4050
2 finishers 3 laborers= $1000
3 rolls of wire mesh off C-list $100.
4 rolls of 15mm vapor barrier $7 at auction.
I just shopped around alot.
guess I had some things confused in my mind....pole and stick are both wood right? I was thinking pole was metal. next question is the mesh or rebar better? Most 2-post lift companies told me 4" of 3500 concrete fine....your thoughts on that? last question, is a wood structure stronger against storms and winds or metal like was mentioned all over west texas? thanks.
cyamaha2007
Well-known member
As far as storms id bet on a pole barn. The poles are 4ft in the ground. That makes for a very strong foundation. Most other buildings are bolted to a footer above ground. This can be a shear point. If you want to drywall/ finish the shop like a residential garage stick built is the way to go. Its much cheaper to start out that way first. Other wise you end up building false non load bearing walls to attach dry wall to. I see that as double redundant and material wastefull.
OldTC
Well-known member
I'm building a 31'X46" with 10' ceilings.....built like a home, and I'll have 50k in it.
Steel building would have been less than half of that.
And wouldn't have looked 1/2 as nice.
Steel building would have been less than half of that.
And wouldn't have looked 1/2 as nice.
5lima30
Well-known member
I agree for smaller builds stick built will likely be cheaper (it was in my case 16'x28'). I also think that insulating and finishing the interior will be much cheaper on stick built than a metal building.
Falcon67
Well-known member
My 24x40 has about 14K in it now. All DIY except the slab. Paid $4.25 sq/ft for the concrete. EDIT - we have minimal footers here, mine are 12"x12".
Almost all farm & ranch out buildings are going to be steel. They are pretty reasonable in standard sizes, they go up quick and are used to cover machinery so very few have any sort of finish work inside. You can get a 30x50x12 for under 10K. Nobody builds a wooden barn anymore.
Almost all farm & ranch out buildings are going to be steel. They are pretty reasonable in standard sizes, they go up quick and are used to cover machinery so very few have any sort of finish work inside. You can get a 30x50x12 for under 10K. Nobody builds a wooden barn anymore.
Last edited:
Kirkvkid
Well-known member
I agree with Falcon.
The lower prices of some pole barns, it is due mass production. Im only talking about the building itself, not electrical, concrete, or insulation. You can save a whole lot of money by 'not being different'.
The outfit I used delivered and built mine for not much more then the kit would have been just delivered.
One, they owed their own lumber yard. No worries on markup.
Two, They try to sell you buildings that use similar sized materials. Think how popular a 30x40 barn is and what it shares with a 30x50 as opposed to a 40x60 or 36x36 or some other size
Three, lots of sales. The contractor they subed mine out to told me because of the recession, thats all he does anymore. Build pole barns for this outfit. These guys were lightening fast cause they already knew the plans by heart and judging by how fast they worked, they must build a $h%^ ton of barns.
So keep that in mind when pricing. Also, at some normal lumber yards they have some 20 year old cashier handing out estimates when the salesmen isnt there. This kid doesn't give a darn about saving you money because he doesnt care. Maybe if I talked to the salesman, I would have had lower estimates and done it myself and saved even more. But when your comparing apples to brussel sprouts...well you know who wins
The lower prices of some pole barns, it is due mass production. Im only talking about the building itself, not electrical, concrete, or insulation. You can save a whole lot of money by 'not being different'.
The outfit I used delivered and built mine for not much more then the kit would have been just delivered.
One, they owed their own lumber yard. No worries on markup.
Two, They try to sell you buildings that use similar sized materials. Think how popular a 30x40 barn is and what it shares with a 30x50 as opposed to a 40x60 or 36x36 or some other size
Three, lots of sales. The contractor they subed mine out to told me because of the recession, thats all he does anymore. Build pole barns for this outfit. These guys were lightening fast cause they already knew the plans by heart and judging by how fast they worked, they must build a $h%^ ton of barns.
So keep that in mind when pricing. Also, at some normal lumber yards they have some 20 year old cashier handing out estimates when the salesmen isnt there. This kid doesn't give a darn about saving you money because he doesnt care. Maybe if I talked to the salesman, I would have had lower estimates and done it myself and saved even more. But when your comparing apples to brussel sprouts...well you know who wins
38Chevy454
Well-known member
I will repeat my experience. At around 1000 sq ft or less, the stick built will be less. Above that metal building is less cost. One factor is what you want to do inside, stick built is easier to do std construction materials and supplies. Such as insulation, electrical, walls, etc. My garage came out a bit over 1200 sq ft and I am glad I went with stick built. Since i wanted stucco to match the house, metal building lost it's cost advantage since it is not intended for the extra stucco wall finish costs. Price was about the same, but finishing it inside by myself, the stick buolt was better choice for me.
Zengineer
Well-known member
Found some pretty reasonable prices for steel buildings in Canada. Delivered cost for an insulated 30'x40' with 12' ceilings is $14,700 for building + $4500 for insulation. On your property for less than $20,000 Canadian and ready to be put up.
http://www.steelbuildingcanada.com/index.aspx
http://www.steelbuildingcanada.com/index.aspx