The cost for building a 30'x40' prefabricated steel garage depends in part on the design of the building and the extras that are involved. Variations in doors, windows and insulation will affect the total price. The cost of labor may also be a factor, though in many cases the owner of a prefabricated garage will eliminate labor costs by handing construction with a crew of friends.

The style of the garage, which can be either straight wall or Quonset (arched), will also have an impact on the cost. The cost for straight wall steel garages starts at about $9 per square ft. Taking the roof into account, the cost of a 30'x40' straight wall steel garage is about $10,800. Accessories and delivery will add another $3000 to this cost for a total estimate of $13,800. Quonset steel buildings are more economical and start at about $7.50 per square ft. The cost of a 30' x 40' Quonset steel garage begins at about $9,000. Accessories and delivery are an additional $2,500, bringing the total estimated cost to roughly $11,500. If a foundation is needed for a prefabricated steel garage, its cost will add another $4 to $8 per square foot.

Therefore, the total DIY estimates are as follows:

• Straight Wall Steel Garage - $21,000
• Arch (Quonset) Steel Garage - $19,000

In contrast, hiring a contractor to build a traditional (stick built) 30x40 garage can cost from $35 to $45 per square foot, for a total cost of $42,000 to $54,000. Most of this cost represents labor, with materials accounting for about one quarter of the total price. This equates to a saving of around $20,000!

For more info see:

• Sample Straight Wall Steel Garages
• Sample Quonset Steel Garages

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