Steel building kits are prefabricated and prepackaged metal structures that you can purchase from metal structure manufacturers and suppliers. They are bought as assembled buildings, transported to your property and erected through easy-to-follow instructions and using simple tools that can be bought in any hardware shop. Steel building kits are highly convenient for anyone who is in need of a quick solution to their storage problems.

Despite these advantages, a lot of people are still not aware of what these are. People also shun away from metal building kits because of predisposed notions about them. But contrary to popular belief, these kits come in many shapes and designs and offer a lot of benefits that most other types of construction materials cannot provide. Read on and explore what you need to know about these highly versatile and durable structures.

The Basics

Steel building kits come with the complete package needed in erecting a sound and stable structure. These include frames, panels and roof. Styles cover a whole range of shapes and types: from the quintessential Quonset hut, to peaked roofs, barn styles, multi-carport stalls, and others. These kits also come in many sizes and designs that will suit any requirement and taste.

Buyers of these garage kits can choose from a range of options being offered by their chosen supplier. To better personalize the building, buyers can also opt for more decorative options like interior and exterior paneling, siding and various color and finishing options.

In addition to the basic features, buyers can opt to add additional features that are suited to the maintenance of their cars and the materials they plan to store in their metal garage. These include insulation and ventilation options, lighting, doors and windows. Buyers can also add compartments if they want to have multiple rooms inside their metal garages.

The cost of a building kit highly depends on the features that come with it. But garage kits that are sold by manufacturers already come in a price range. This is highly advantageous to those who are working with a strict budget. Buyers can also add various features depending on the budget allowance.

Erecting metal building kits are very simple. Some manufacturers will offer to transport the material to your property. As for the construction itself, owners only need permits, a concrete foundation and the basic tools to begin erecting the metal garage. Some kits are small enough to be erected by a single person. Kits come with step-by-step instructions that make them easy to construct even without the help of experts. The metals used are lightweight and all parts can easily be slotted together. Larger kits would require the help of contractors, which means labor costs in addition to the basic price.

Advantages of Metal Garage Kits

A metal structure has plenty of advantages over wood, concrete and other construction material. Metal structures are made to last for a long time. The metal sheets used in garage kits are chemically treated to be resistant to corrosion – the greatest weaknesses of metal. Treated metal sheets are also given a finish that prevents scratches and cracks from forming. Paint can additionally provide protection to the surface of the metal garage, making them last longer and look better.

The integrity of metal is not as easily compromised as wood and concrete. Metals cannot be destroyed by pests, molds and other fungi, and do not easily degrade nor crack. More importantly, metal structures are resistant to fire. Long-term maintenance will not cost as much as other construction materials available today. Metal garage kits, when built following the right specifications, are also highly watertight. They can withstand rain, wind and snow. This means that they are ideal in all regions and climate types. No longer will you have to worry when bad weather strikes your area; rest assured that all your vehicles and equipment are safe when stored inside a metal garage.

Garage kits also come in many sizes. Whether you want a garage that can store something as small as a MINI or as big as a private jet, or whether you want a garage that can fit your back yard or your sprawling new lot, a metal garage can be used. A garage kit is also highly modular and portable. This means that they are ideal for temporary uses. They are a quick solution to any immediate storage issue.

The best and most important advantage in owning metal garage kits is that they are inexpensive. It is understandable if home and business owners are not ready to invest a lot of money when erecting a garage. Garages are primarily for storage and protection, not necessarily for dwelling. Therefore, a metal garage is the best option when prioritizing budget. With their many advantages and benefits, metal garages are highly worth more than their price.

Steel Building Prices: How to Budget for a Metal Building

One of the biggest appeals to owning metal buildings is the cost. Metal building prices are relatively cheaper compared to other construction materials. The maintenance is also a huge factor when comparing total costs. Simply put, metal buildings are a better investment in the long run. But if you’re working on a tight budget at the beginning, metal building prices can greatly affect your choice. To know all your options, explore how to budget for your very own metal building.

Initial Pricing

Steel building prices are usually estimated on a per square foot basis. The price of the structure itself is around $5-$10 per square foot depending on the material and the finish. There are a lot of other aspects that can affect the pricing, including additional features or accessories, ventilation and insulation systems, size, styles, finish, labor, as well as permits for construction in your area. When all these costs are totaled, most companies estimate that metal buildings at around $10-$20 per square foot, probably more. Finished buildings can range from $10,000 to $100,000. But the price is variable, and knowing all these options makes it easier for anyone to adjust the specifications to fit a target budget.

Another important thing to add to basic metal building prices is the foundation. Metal buildings without a concrete slab foundation are not structurally effective and sturdy, which leads to damages and higher maintenance costs in the long run. The local engineering division will also be hard put to release construction permits without this important ingredient. Adding a slab foundation will cost around $4-$8 per square foot.

How to Budget

Because metal building prices are based on a per square foot measurement, initial costs would seem to balloon once you start multiplying to your target dimension. At this point, it is important to stay realistic and remember that this cost can rise even more exponentially when using other materials. Construction takes money, but it doesn’t mean that it is impossible! With metal buildings, begin with the base price of the two most important parts of the package: the structure itself, and the cost for laying the slab foundation. After estimating these, visit your local engineering department for estimates on permits. Then work your way up by adding specific features depending on your need for them.

One of the best ways to budget for initial metal building prices is to pre-plan your building design. Prioritize which features you want to add, then slowly eliminate or substitute those elements which you can remove or change. One of the most important parts of pre-planning includes knowing what your metal building is for. Is it for storage? Are you going to use it as a dwelling, or as an office space? What items are you going to place inside your metal building? Knowing all these will help you specify the size, shape, and overall dimensions of your metal building. Be practical in your decision. Include in your list all applications for your metal building, and then base your dimensions on these applications.

After knowing exactly what you’re going to use your metal building for, find out if you’re going to need a few additional features for your structure. The next few essentials are doors and windows. There is a range of options available for door and window types. The most important aspect to consider out of all these is the size. Think about the items you plan to place inside the building. Will you need huge openings for these items? As for the windows, consider your options for lighting, ventilation and insulation. This includes considering alternative indoor lighting options, A/C systems and interior paddings.

The next aspects you need to consider are the design and additional features. This should be based on the purpose and application of your metal building. If it’s for storage, then you can scale down and choose plainer designs. If it’s for a home or an office space, then trendier choices may be considered. Additional features include flooring, interior and exterior paneling, and the extent and type of paint and finish.

Finally, labor costs should be included in your estimate of metal building prices. One of the greatest advantages of choosing metal buildings is that even inexperienced builders can construct them. With just the basic tools, anyone can erect a metal building. Kits usually come with comprehensive instructions. This means that you can cut the labor cost from your target budget, which is usually pegged at $3-$10 per square foot.

Shopping for Companies

When working with an inflexible budget, it is crucial to canvass the various options available. This means visiting multiple shops for estimates on your plan. Final metal building prices depend on the plan and how the plan is executed. But after all the hard work, everything can fall well within your means!

Kits and Customized Structures

Steel building prices depend on a number of factors. These include size, design and any additional features that the owner might want to add to the basic package. Truthfully, it is difficult to ascertain the price of a metal building – any manufacturer, vendor or contractor can tell you as much. But the end price of your structure is heavily dependent on the application: how you’ll use it and what you’re going to use it for. To start with a basic assessment of the range of metal building prices, understand that metal buildings can come in two types: building kits and customized buildings.

Metal Building Kit

Metal buildings are often offered by suppliers in a package called “kits.” What are these kits, and what does one kit contain? Kits are basically metal building structures with pre-modeled designs. By “pre-modeled designs,” these mean a set dimension (height, width, and length) and interior and exterior styling. Think of a metal building kit as a toolbox for sale that’s already complete with the basic items like hammers, nails, pliers, and others. Buy one kit and you get the basics, including purlins, frames and panels. Also, metal building kits already have specified finishes to them, like exterior paint, texture and overall look.

Although kits have rigid designs, manufacturers usually create a number of kits per specific type of metal building. This is to allow customers the freedom to choose among many designs. In addition, some manufacturers give buyers an option to change a few features of a kit, like paint and finish. Features such as doors and windows can also be specified upon placing an order. But options to customize are highly limited when purchasing a metal building kit.

Metal buildings have been pre-packaged into kits for the benefit of buyers. Buying pre-packaged kits can greatly save owners a lot of time as compared to shopping for metal buildings one part at a time. Kits are also convenient because they already have all the basics of a building, reducing the need for buyers to research for all requirements beforehand.

One of the advantages of choosing a kit is that the metal buildings prices of kits are more fixed. When ordering kits, metal building prices are already set at a certain range. The specific product price can be settled once all specifications have been placed.

Customized Metal Building

Customized metal buildings are the complete opposite of kits. In here, buyers can exercise free will when choosing parts for their structures. But this freedom comes with a price. This includes investing plenty of time on research, complete planning of the dimensions and features of your building, and having a ready budget for purchases. In the long run, however, metal building prices when choosing to fully customize may cost less than buying a kit. This is because you can discover more inexpensive options for each part of the structure. Because kits are pre-packaged, the price is worth more than just the base cost of the materials. By customizing, you can slash these extra costs and pay exactly what you get.

The advantage of customized metal buildings is that the design is entirely up to you. This is important if you want to build a metal structure with a different shape, or if you are specifically looking for a certain look that cannot be found in kits. In addition, building owners can achieve a more unique look through customized metal building. This is especially appealing to those who want to build an office or a house made of metal, where they need a stamp of personality for branding or personal tastes.

Sticking to one vendor is an option if you want a fully-customized metal building. All you have to do is choose one kit that is closest to your planned structure, then add or remove features as you please. Of course, not all vendors can accommodate such customization. To achieve greater flexibility with choices and final metal building prices, it is unavoidable to approach more than just one vendor.

Other Factors that Affect Prices

Like all manner of construction, erecting a metal building has its fixed costs. When calculating metal buildings prices, the following should also be considered: permits and maintenance costs. This is not even including the price of the land if you’re still trying to acquire a lot for your building. Labor costs are optional, since a buyer can erect the structure himself. But they should also be considered if the buyer values convenience and has the budget for it.

A final advice on metal buildings prices: remember that you are the master of the price. Whether choosing a kit or a fully-customized metal building, the buyer is ultimately in charge of how much he is willing to spend for a metal building. This is why a building owner must remain flexible at all costs.