Metal Building Kits - Prices & Planning Guide
Kit Buildings Designed for Quick & Easy DIY Assembly
Whether you're a homeowner adding a shop to your property, a classic car collector in need of a garage or a farmer needing a barn for equipment storage, prefab metal building kits are an affordable & economical solution.
Details on pricing, planning and erecting your new building are detailed below.
Solid metal kits offered by our suppliers are precision engineered in the factory and are delivered across the US & Canada with instructions and all the relevant hardware - allowing you to erect your new building in as little as two days.
Metal kit buildings are the superior choice for both contractors and homeowners looking to self-build
Quonset Huts have several benefits differing them from their rigid frame counterparts.
Erecting these structures extremely straightforward as mechanical lifting equipment is not required.
The buildings package arrives pre-drilled and pre-punched, leaving you with the simple task of bolting the arch panels together.
The rounded arch shape not only allows for ease of construction but is extremely durable. The shape helps it stand up to the harshest winds and winter snow storms.
In addition to outstanding durability and ease of construction, Quonsets are cheaper than rigid frame buildings by as much as 30%. Only basic maintenance is required over decades, allowing you to continue to save money over the life of your building.
For more information on Quonset Huts, and the models available see our Quonset Hut Kit Page
Similar to Quonset Huts, our rigid frame buildings are extremely durable and built to last. A big reason for this is the profile & gauge of steel used. While the big box stores supply buildings made with tubular metal, all of our structures are made with solid steel framing members.
There is a stark difference between the two types of steel building kit, see below for more details:
Solid Steel Framing
Our Supliers - Heavy Gauge Steel
Snow Loads to 120 lb/ft
Hurricane Force winds to 180 mph
Engineered for Seismic Activity
Tubular Steel Framing
HomeDepot, eBay etc. - Light Gauge Steel
Snow Loads to 30 lb/ft
Wind Gusts to Max. 50mph
Not Suitable for Seismic Loactions
Tubular steel is exactly that: Tubular! It’s a lightweight, hollow and not a suitable solution for most areas of North America. The max snow load it can handle is just 30 lbs per square foot, while only withstand winds up to 50 mph.
The steel used in our rigid frame buildings is much sturdier and engineered to withstand weather conditions in every corner of the U.S. and Canada. Withstanding winds of 180 mph and snow loads of 120 pounds per square foot, solid steel really is the only choice for a safe and dependable structure. Also, most of our suppliers offer 35-50 year structural warranty guarantees.
What Size Kit Do You Need?
Buildings come in a variety of sizes and kit prices can range from as little as $5,000 for a simple 30x30 self-build garage to approximately $30,000 for a 40x60 workshop - depending on location, building specifications, and optional upgrades.
Usually, the larger the building the cheaper it is per square foot. Price can also be reduced by minimizing the number of accessories, such as doors, windows or insulation. For rough estimates, see our estimate calculator.
While these are some of the more popular sizes of prefab kits, custom sizes are also available so you can be sure to get a structure that fits your available space perfectly.
Size | Sq Ft | |
---|---|---|
30x30 | 900 | |
30x40 | 1,200 | See: 30x40 Kits |
30x50 | 1,500 | |
50x50 | 2,500 | |
40x60 | 2,400 | See: 40x60 Kits |
Cost Savings - A number of cost savings can be realized with a prefab kit building, including:
Quick and Easy Assembly - Instructions and straightforward construction equate to fast build times
3Protection - The stable interior climate provided by a pre-engineered structure protects against rust and corrosion of the exterior finish, and mold growth on the interior. Your stored goods will be well protected in a small metal building.
4Strength - It has an incredibly high strength to weight ratio and is one the strongest and most durable construction materials on the market. Strong enough to withstand hurricanes, heavy snowfalls, and even seismic activity
5Environmental - It’s one of the most environmentally friendly alternatives to timber on the construction market. As a 100% recyclable material, most manufactured steel today also contains an average of 25% recycled content. Keep landfills free of construction materials and reduce your carbon footprint.
Choosing a kit for your new building project just makes sense. Here is a basic guide on things to remember when planning your new structure:
Building Codes and Permits
Find out everything you can about the local and regional building codes and processes for obtaining a permit (more information on this below). Be sure you will be able to do what you want to do with your home, and buildings constructed from kits are not going to contravene local codes. Be sure to speak with a local planning officer before you purchase your building.
Site Preparation Costs
Determine what will be required for utilities such as cable, gas, and electric lines to reach your site.
Foundation
At the very minimum, you will require a 4” floating foundation. For more on foundations see our foundation information page
Exterior Finishes
Do you want your building to follow the architectural style and details of your home, or to have a unique appearance as a standalone structure? With unlimited finishing options — from brickwork to masonry, stucco, wood or metal siding, and a myriad of paint colors to choose from, kits can be customized to satisfy your every architectural desire.
Metal framing is coated in the factory to protect it from rust during storage and transportation. Zinc galvanizing is the most common form of protection to prevent corrosion and can protect it for as long as 50 years depending on its thickness and the environment in which it is placed. However, extended contact with water in the form of rain, condensation, or fog can corrode zinc over time. Take steps to ensure there are no gaps or holes in walls that will allow moisture to build up inside wall cavities and damage the framing.
Zoning Restrictions
- Building regulations vary from county to county, so it is important to do your research on whether there are any specific limitations on your property by building an additional structure
- Properties each have individual zoning permissions. For example, a property could have residential or commercial zoning, or even direct-control zoning, which all come with unique building requirements and rules
- Common regulations relate to how far the structure is from the property line, the height of the structure, or even the appearance
Building Permits
- Before assembling a metal building kit, always check first if you need to obtain a building permit
- If you do, you will need blueprint plans of your proposed building, which can be provided by the respective manufacturer
- A registered third party must certify the plans
- A building inspector will review your proposed construction
- Typical issues a building inspector looks for include electrical wiring, the durability of the roof for the climate in which you are living, earthquake safety and structural elements of the building.
- Generally, larger structures have more stringent building regulations
- Building manufacturers will ensure that your proposed building is designed to meet all local requirements for wind, snow and seismic loads
- Touch up scratches or any exposed metal as soon as possible to prevent rust. Clean the area with a wire brush and then apply a paint recommended by the manufacturer.
- Inspect your structure at least once a year. Tighten loose screws, bolts, and other hardware. Loose connections lead to premature wear.
- Sweep off the roof to remove wet leaves and debris, which can be hard on the finish. Also, clear the roof after a heavy snowfall to reduce the risk of collapse.
- Seal open seams and other potential entry points for water with silicone caulk. Keep the structure’s doors closed and latched to prevent damage from wind gusts.
How large can the building be before it requires professional construction?
Most small metal buildings and kits up to 5,000 square feet can be done without the help of a contractor.
How easy are building kits to construct?
Building kits can be erected easily in just one weekend with a few friends, some lifting equipment and the right tools - your new structure will be assembled and ready to use in no time.
Components are cut with laser-like precision and fit together as easily as puzzle pieces to ensure fast & simple assembly. Full instructions are included along with clearly numbered parts.
Should I choose a custom-sized kit to fit my exact space, rather than a slightly larger standard-sized kit?
Whenever possible, buy a standard-sized kit over custom. For one, you WILL use the space, even if you don’t have a vision for quite how yet. And, standard-sized kits are considerably cheaper than having to have a custom-sized kit manufactured for you. Standard size kit packages include: 30x30, 30x40, 40x40, 40x50, 40x60, 50x50 & 50x100
What’s included in the kit?
Everything you need to correctly assemble and start using your new prefabricated building! That includes: Stamped architectural drawings, siding, and roofing panels, numbered parts, screws, brackets and an instruction manual.
Get, no-obligation, email quotes from four local suppliers
Compare Prices & Save