Other budget considerations
Other factors besides the building package price must be considered when planning your build.
Below are some of the main cost considerations.
Local labor rates
Depending on where you intend to build, labor rates for foundation, construction, and finishing can vary by as much as 60%.
Local material costs
Again, the local prices for concrete, road base, and interior finishing materials (lumber, etc.) will vary depending on where you intend to build.
Delivery charges
Not all suppliers include building delivery fees in the package price, so be sure to check before placing your order.
Delivery rates vary by the building’s weight, destination, and manufacturer, but generally cost 4% to 7% of the total package price.
They are more expensive the farther you are from the manufacturer.

Building permit fees
The cost of a construction permit in the United States and Canada varies based on the size and complexity of the structure and the state or province where the project is located.
Small towns might charge as little as $150, while larger cities could demand as much as $7,500.
On average, building permit fees range from $550 to $2,000.
Site clearing & preparation
Site preparation charges vary depending on the lot you intend to build on and the amount of work required to prepare the area for the foundation.
Estimates will vary by location, local soil, and climatic conditions. The following rough estimates are provided as a guideline and are based on the building's square footage, not the lot size.
- Surveying $1,500 - $2,000
- Plan Design $750 - $2,500
- Soil Testing $700 - $1,800
- Site Clearing $1 - $4 /sq ft
- Site Grading $0.4 - $2 /sq ft
Building construction
As with other estimates on this page, your metal building construction cost will vary significantly based on the job site location and local labor rates. As a guide, you should allow $5 to $10 per square foot for construction.

Concrete slab foundation
The foundation cost will vary based on your location, soil conditions, the type and thickness of the foundation required, local labor rates, and construction material prices in your area.
You should allow $4 to $8 per square foot for a concrete slab foundation.
You must consult a foundation installer for accurate quotations.
Please note that large, complex clear span buildings will require more difficult and costly foundations and must be designed and engineered by a licensed structural engineer.
Building design
If you choose to work with your chosen supplier, basic design costs are included in the package price.
Alternatively, if you require a more elaborate structure and choose to work with an architect, you should factor in approximately 7% for the architect's fees.
If you require professionally designed floor plans, electrical plans, and plumbing plans, they can cost between $300 and $2,500.
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Building insulation
The insulation price will primarily depend on the type of insulation you choose and the R-value required.
Here are some rough installed estimates for the most common types of metal building insulation:
- Fiberglass batts or rolls - $0.7 - $2.5 /sq ft
- Spray foam insulation - $2.5 - $4.5 /sq ft
- SIP panels- $5 - $10 /sq ft

Framed openings
Framed openings need to be added to your prefab building at the locations where doors or windows will be installed. Additional metal is required for each framed opening.
The required number and size of each opening will dictate the final price for these, but here are some estimates:
- Window openings $200 - $400
- Walk door openings $300 - $600
- Overhead door openings $400 - $800
Commercial-grade access doors
Overhead door prices are determined by the width and height required for your chosen application, as well as whether they are insulated. Without listing every possible metal building door option, here are some rough estimates:
- Sectional garage doors $900 - $4,000
- Roll Up Doors $1,200- $5,000
Personnel doors
Typical 3’x7’ (3070) personnel doors range from $450 - $850.
Both overhead and personnel doors can be purchased from your chosen supplier or sourced locally.
Windows
Window prices vary widely depending on whether they are standard vinyl or architectural-grade, but they typically range from $200 to $700.

Gutters and downspouts
Gutters and downspouts can cost from $3 to $15 per linear foot. The cost primarily depends on your material choice (vinyl, aluminum, etc.). The size of your structure will determine how many linear feet of guttering will be required.
To get a ballpark figure, add the length and height of each wall. You will need to add the height twice for two downspouts. Then, add 10 percent as a safety measure.
Here are some ballpark estimates based on popular sizes:
- 30x40x12 (1,200 sq ft) - approx. 125 linear feet = $395 - $1,975
- 40x60x16 (2,400 sq ft) - approx. 200 linear feet = $650 - $3,250
- 50x100x18 (5,000 sq ft) - approx. 350 linear feet = $1,300 - $5,750
Alternate siding options
If you require an alternate siding option rather than the supplied metal siding, here are some rough estimates:
- Hardie Plank $2 - $6 per square foot
- Vinyl Siding $3 - $5 per square foot
- Wood Siding $7 - $11 per square foot
- Stone/Brick Veneer $12 - $18 per square foot
Interior build-out and finishing
Steel building interior finishing and build-out can range from almost zero for a basic shed to over $100 per square foot for a fully finished metal home.
- Interior framing & dry walling $8 - $18 per square foot
- Electrical (rough-in) $2 - $6 per square foot
- Plumbing (rough-in) $2 - $6 per square foot
