The True Cost of a Metal Building Kit

Steel buildings are becoming increasingly popular for residential and commercial uses because they’re incredibly durable, fast to build, and more affordable than other building options. The unique building type has been a favorite for industrial use for a very long time, but along with the influx of new customers comes this common question – ‘So… what is the true cost of a metal building kit?’

Here’s a breakdown of nine major elements that impact the True Cost of a Metal Building Kit beyond the sticker price:

1. Permit and Code Compliance

Before you ever purchase a metal building kit, your very first stop should be a visit to your local building department. It all starts here! They’ll walk you through the process to get permits for your building, educate you on zoning and/or environmental issues, and provide you with local and international building code requirements.

2. Site Work

Before you can erect your building, you have to prepare the site. Associated costs are not included in your prefab kit sticker price, and they can add up fast if you don’t consider everything that is involved. Start by hiring a civil engineer to make your site plan and conduct a geotechnical survey, if needed. Consider the added costs of clearing the land and taking the dirt out or bringing dirt in.

3. Foundation and Footers

The vast majority of steel building kits need to be installed on a foundation. As part of point 1, check with your local building department to check foundation requirements, get in touch with a builder for foundation design, and hire a contractor to perform the work. Most manufacturers only provide column reactions and anchor bolt locations with a matching plan.

4. Design Specifications

Steel building kits are incredibly versatile and can serve a wide range of industries, covering everything from industrial manufacturing and commercial spaces to residential homes. How you choose to finish and design your steel building is totally up to you. Although the options are endless – so are the cost projections.

Building size is always the first design specification that comes to mind, but there’s so much more. To start, we take into account:

• Roof line shape
• Load requirements
• Weather requirements, including upgraded wind systems
• Gutter and downspout installation
• Size, location, and number of framed openings
• Size, location, and number of walk doors and windows
• Ridge vent installation
• Accessories
• And more

5. Insulation

Insulation is a must-have component in about 90% of all metal building kits. Pre-engineered steel is incredibly durable and provides impressive protection. Unless the building experiences substantial damage, the insulation should easily last for the life of your prefab building with no need for replacement. Read this blog on “The Right Steel Building Insulation Saves Energy and Lowers Your Energy Bill”  for more information.

There are many insulation options to consider, including fiberglass, wool, spray foam, and laminated blanket insulation (our top pick!). When installed correctly, insulation saves energy, reduces heating/cooling costs, and can also help to improve noise control.

6. Interior Cost and Finishing Work

Start by considering if you need to hire an architect for your project – it’s an extra cost to consider. The most common finishing work includes:

• Electrical
• Plumbing
• Sheetrock
• Paint

to name a few.

7. Erection

The sticker price of a steel building kit rarely includes the cost of erecting the building. For small structures like garages, some customers choose a do-it-yourself approach, but most projects require a professional erection. On average, you can expect to spend $4-5 per square foot for the erection. Please note that in most cases this price does not include turkey. (i.e., electrical, plumbing, and interior finish) You can expect to pay $20-$35 for a turnkey solution.

8. Market Forces

Steel is a global commodity and prices fluctuate rapidly – sometimes changing over the course of a single day. The price of American-made and imported steel are not the same and both are influenced by supply and demand. Did you know that the price of oil is arguably the strongest influencing factor in the price of steel? Coastal Steel Structures, can help you navigate changes with accurate, custom quotes that lock you in at the current market rate.

9. Taxes

Unless you’re tax-exempt, don’t forget that you have to pay taxes! Property taxes are typically assessed locally, but you’ll be paying to both state and federal agencies.

Metal building kits are often priced by the square foot, but that doesn’t really answer the real question. Every project starts with a sticker price, but some customers are surprised by the extra must-have costs that add up in the long-run. The cost of a metal building kit varies greatly, due to a wide variety of factors. The only way to know for sure what your prefab steel building will cost is to:

1) know exactly what you want and convey goals clearly, and

2) talk with a steel building expert at Coastal Steel Structures.

No two Coastal Steel Structures buildings are exactly alike. Get in touch with our team for more information and we’ll generate a custom blueprint for your facility to meet your unique needs. No matter what industry you’re building for, we can design the perfect, cost-effective solution.

For more information on Cost of a Metal Building Kit, CLICK HERE or give us a call 888-783-3535.
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