How Much Does it Cost to Build a 30×40 Garage?
Choose a DIY, Steel 30×40 Garage Kit for Your Storage & Hobby Needs
Quonset Buildings
- Least expensive garage option
- Superior wind & snow loading
- Fast DIY construction
- From $5 per square foot
DIY Garage Kits Go Up Fast & Cost Less!
Attention DIY Enthusiasts! That oversize garage you have always promised yourself is more affordable than you think and can be ready for those projects in a matter of only 2-4 weeks.
Pre-engineered steel garages arrive on site with all the parts numbered ready to be bolted together. Assuming you have a floating foundation in place, you and a couple of buddies can have the project completed over a weekend.
Prices start at just $10,000 for the building package!
Sample 30×40 Metal Buildings
Building Design Options
Straight Wall Buildings
- Attractive “traditional” building design
- Multiple exterior finish options
- Maximum interior space
- From $7 per square foot
When considering a metal 30×40 garage there are two styles available. The design dictates the cost, to a large degree. A typical straight-wall (gable) style garage (see pic to right) with a peaked roof is one of the two main options, a ‘P-Model’ (with the P standing for peaked) Quonset Hut Garage (see pic to the left) being the other.
The ‘P-Model’ is an aesthetic extension of the original dome-shaped Quonset hut, with vertical sides and a peaked roof. Typically, a Quonset garage doesn’t require a complete concrete foundation slab, as the walls can be set on narrow concrete footings instead, such is its stability. However, in a garage environment, this is not recommended, and a full slab should be used.
When comparing prices for either type of steel garage compared to a traditionally constructed wooden garage the real saving is in the construction labor cost. Steel garages come as ‘steel building kits’ and are designed to be built by even novice Do-It-Yourselfers with only a hand full of basic tools. A 30×40 steel prefab garage can easily be self-built resulting in a saving of as much as $20,000!
Steel Vs Wood Garage Estimate Prices
| Construction Method | Garage Kit | Windows, Doors etc. | Shipping | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood Frame Garage | $14,400 | $1,600 | $800 | $16,800 |
| Straight Wall Garage | $10,800 | $1,600 | $800 | $13,200 |
| Quonset Garage | $9,000 | $1,600 | $800 | $11,400 |
Other Cost Considerations:
The cost for building a 30×40 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 you can eliminate labor costs by handing construction with a crew of friends and some basic lifting equipment.
The cost for straight wall metal garages starts at about $9 per square ft. Taking the roof into account, the cost of a 30’x40′ straight wall garage is about $10,800. Accessories and delivery will add another $3000 to this cost for a total estimate of $13,800.
Quonset Buildings are more economical and start at about $7 per square ft. The cost of a 30 x 40 Quonset 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.
In contrast, hiring a contractor to build a traditional (stick built) wooden 30×40 garage can cost from $35 to $45 per square foot, for a total cost of $42,000 to $54,000. This equates to a saving of around $20,000 (assuming you self-build)
Other popular garage sizes include: 12×14, 20×20, 22×22 & 24×24, 40×30, 60×40
