A building of this size (30' x 40' = 1,200 square feet) is a good choice for a 4 car garage or 3 car garage with shop & storage space.
Foundation, finishes, and accessories will have an effect on the overall cost. If you decide to self-build and lay your own foundation you could save between $6,000-$10,000 on the final cost.
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When considering a metal 30x40 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 in the form of 'building kit packages’ and are designed to be built by even novice Do-It-Yourselfers with only a hand full of basic tools. A 30x40 steel prefab garage can easily be self-built resulting in a saving of as much as $20,000!
| Type | Kit Price | Doors etc. | Shipping | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood Garage | $18,600 | $1,600 | $800 | $21,000 |
| Metal Garage | $11,500 | $1,600 | $800 | $13,900 |
| Quonset Garage | $10,250 | $1,600 | $800 | $12,650 |
The cost for building a 30x40 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 $12 per square ft. Taking the roof into account, the cost of a 30'x40' straight wall garage is about $14,400. Accessories and delivery will add another $3000 to this cost for a total estimate of $17,400.
Quonset Buildings are more economical and start at about $8 per square ft. The cost of a 30 x 40 Quonset garage begins at about $10,000. Accessories and delivery are an additional $2,500, bringing the total estimated cost to roughly $12,500. 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 30x40 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: 12x14, 20x20, 22x22 & 24x24, 40x30, 40x60
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