If you are considering adding an additional steel building to your property, then one of the first questions to ask is: how much do steel buildings cost? It’s essential to know your budget when choosing the right plans and materials for your building.
Total cost can vary, and really depends on a variety of factors. Simply put, there isn’t an easy answer or a general price one can reference for steel buildings without first having specific information about the project. This question is too broad to answer without more details like location, size, design, and features. Here are a few things that can affect your steel building cost:
Cost of Steel Building Materials
While many factors determine the cost of your prefabricated steel building, these expenses fall into two categories: materials and labour. Materials will be one of your most significant expenses, but – unless you consider yourself a handy person – there will likely be additional labour expenses for hiring a contractor to assemble the building.
One of the most cost-effective ways to construct a steel building is by purchasing a kit. A premanufactured kit comes with everything you need for construction and assembly, including beams, anchor bolts, framing, roof purlins, door frames, trim, optional insulation, hardware, and more.
Compare the cost of a customized building to a prefabricated kit, and you’ll see that the kit saves quite a bit of money on the final price. Since the manufacturer can replicate the same equipment for multiple customers, they can drop the price on materials and design.
One of the benefits of steel is that metal tends to be more affordable compared to other popular building materials. If you are on a tight budget, then you’ll likely find that metal meets your goals for both affordability and durability. If you are choosing materials based on price alone, then steel buildings are often the clear winner.
Steel vs. Wood
Even though steel tends to be a bit cheaper than wood, there are pros and cons to this decision. For example, wood offers a lot of options for customization. Also, if you dedicate time and effort to maintenance then wood can hold up over time without having to worry about corrosion or rust. On the other hand, metal is superior because it requires far less maintenance to ensure longevity.
Ultimately, it’s important to consider your priorities when choosing building materials. If you want to save money and minimize maintenance, then metal is the clear choice. Click here to read our blog on metal vs. wood buildings.
Cost of Labour
Once you’ve compared material pricing, also consider the cost of labour and installation. Smaller steel building kits can often be assembled following the DIY instructions from the manufacturer. Either you’ll need to invest the time to put the building together, or you will need to hire help to assist after the materials arrive on site.
For larger steel buildings, it may be necessary to hire a contractor to assist with assembly. Since most manufacturers offer materials only, you will need to bring in the labour to put these materials together.
If you are looking for a local contractor, then our team can assist in helping you find an experienced provider in your area.
Most contractors charge based on a cost per square metre. The price per metre depends on the finished size of the building. As a general rule of thumb, the cost of larger finished buildings tends to be less per square metre than a small or average-sized building. These labour costs can be eliminated completely if you choose to build the structure yourself.
Optional Add-Ons
A variety of accessories and add-ons can also increase steel buildings cost. Sometimes, these add-on costs can increase the price as much as 20 – 30%. These are some of the expenses you might pay:
- Delivery: Ask the steel provider if delivery is built into the pricing, or if you will pay an additional fee for the materials to be dropped at the job site. Often, delivery is calculated based on distance from the supplier or manufacturing site.
- Foundation: Does your steel building need a foundation? Nine times out of ten this is the case, in which case you will face additional costs to lay the foundation before the building is assembled.
- Windows and Doors: The placement of windows and doors can increase the cost. For example, it’s common for a basic steel building without windows to cost less than a building with many windows. Also, the type of doors (including walk doors and roll doors) will affect the price.
- Insulation: Insulation is often available as an optional add-on from the supplier, which will increase the overall cost. These materials are designed to slow heat transfer and help to maintain your desired indoor temperature.
- Vents: Depending on the use of your steel building, it might be necessary to add extra ventilation features. For example, buildings used for manufacturing and equipment often need to maximize ventilation for safety.
- Gutters and Downspouts: It’s essential to have an excellent system to manage snow and rain runoff. These features help with routing the water to minimize damage and wear on the building.
As with any type of construction, the success of the project is in the details. It’s vital that you evaluate your long-term goals when choosing accessories, add-ons, and design features for your project.
Customized Solutions for Steel Buildings
At Norsteel, we offer cost-effective quality solutions for steel building construction. If you’d like more information about how much steel buildings cost, then contact our knowledgeable team any time. You can speak with a building consultant to learn more about available materials and services. Then, we’ll finalize your order and deliver the building for construction on your site.
We offer a personalized experience for our clients, including building customization, information about the building and permit process, and anything else you need to ensure the success of your project.
To learn more, reach out to our expert team at Norsteel Buildings. Contact us to discuss your needs for the project so we can provide recommendations and pricing estimates: 1-866-971-7575.