Metal Building Kits

Metal frame structures are ubiquitous in the United States and Canada, even if they're not always immediately noticeable. You've likely observed them as agricultural structures, warehouses, or garages, and the utilization of prefabricated kits to construct homes or retail stores is becoming more prevalent.

These building systems are strong, versatile, and up to 50% cheaper than conventional construction.

Whether you want a warehouse, a hunting cabin, or a custom-built home, every pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) is precision-designed and manufactured using state-of-the-art computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) processes.

These advanced engineering processes allow for highly efficient material utilization and the production of structural members with a high strength-to-weight ratio that minimizes raw material costs and waste.

Steel has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any construction material - about 25 times greater than wood and steel frames are actually lighter!

Your custom-made kit will be delivered directly to your construction site all at once, so you won’t be waiting for materials or managing extra fees or delays from multiple manufacturers.

Steel buildings require fewer components, and each kit building package includes every bolt and fastener you need.

DIY kits are manufactured with the do-it-yourself builder in mind. Construction is straightforward and requires only basic tools, including full plans and instructions.

Also, with fast construction times, you benefit from lower construction costs if you choose to hire an erection crew.

All kits sold by our suppliers are constructed from factory-engineered kits.

A metal frame structure can be constructed in as little as 3-5 days. The typical timeline for construction from a kit is 7-28 days, compared to several months for other traditional construction options.

Small metal building kits of less than 2,000 square feet can be erected in just a few days. On the other hand, larger structures like a 10,000-square-foot warehouse can be finished in a matter of weeks instead of months, as compared to conventional construction methods.

The total cost of ownership for metal structures remains low, even in unpredictable or hurricane-prone areas.

Insurance premiums are up to 40% lower because prefab steel structures are fireproof, weatherproof, and extremely damage-resistant. Warranties start at 20 years, giving you peace of mind in terms of longevity.

You’ll also save on maintenance costs over time. Metal structures don’t rot, attract mold, shrink, or warp like wood-frame structures. They arrive pre-painted with high-quality rust-proof paint in your choice of colors. They won’t invite damage from termites, ants, or other pests. They have 60% lower HVAC costs, are easy to clean, and don’t require extensive exterior maintenance.

Simply put, prefabricated kits are more predictable to build and maintain, lowering costs throughout construction and throughout the lifespan of the building.

Prefab metal building kits prices start as low as $15 per square foot.

For additional pricing details, see our metal building prices page; for commercial applications, see our article on commercial building costs.

Absolutely! They make great family homes or a combination of home and workspace (AKA shop houses). Many homeowners choose metal for its low cost and versatility in design; they are also a popular choice for barndominiums (barn homes).

Overall, prefab kits are viable for anyone seeking an affordable, durable, and customizable housing solution. With their design flexibility and environmental benefits, they offer a modern solution to the challenges of traditional stick-built homes.

If cost is a primary concern, you might want to consider Quonset homes, as they can be up to 30% cheaper than a red iron structure and still offer many of the benefits

In most cases, yes. Depending on where you live, most structures larger than a shed (typically 200 sq ft) require a permit for construction. Check your local laws or visit our codes guide for more information.

Metal frame kits are considered to be a green building solution, from raw materials to maintenance. Engineered with up to 70% post-consumer materials, all metal kit buildings are 100% recyclable.

Manufacturing your custom structure is also less wasteful, with only 2% construction waste compared to almost 20% waste for traditional lumber construction.

When fully insulated, metal structures are more energy efficient than other construction materials, and their longevity means that fewer resources are wasted over the lifespan of the structure.

Cool metal roofing panels are easily finished with state-of-the-art coatings to reflect, rather than absorb, light and heat from the sun, lowering the cooling costs and emissions in hot environments. The use of cool roofs can result in as much as a 30 percent reduction in heat gain through the roof, and due to the applied reflective coatings, they can also provide up to 40% savings in cooling costs.

Do-it-yourself enthusiasts love prefab kits' streamlined planning, design, and construction process. Did you enjoy erector sets as a child? Constructing a metal framed building might remind you of that experience—with the added reward of adding your own custom doors, windows, and other personalized options.

These buildings strongly appeal to people who like building and customizing their homes and workspaces. Approximately 40% of buyers elect to self-build.

They're also a favorite of those who would instead save money by taking on much of the construction process themselves. But are they really do-it-yourself?

Think of DIY metal building kits as semi-DIY. You can control the design, color, windows, doors, and style of build. You choose the kit and design the building to suit your needs best.

With some construction experience and adequate planning, do it yourself (DIY) building construction is doable. This is particularly true for smaller buildings under 2,000 square feet.

However, we strongly recommend that professionals design and install the concrete foundation.

Framing. American-made steel is used in all of the metal building kit packages you’ll find on BuildingsGuide. The steel is made from up to 70% recycled materials and doesn’t warp or shrink. It can withstand much higher loads than wood. If you live in an area where you may experience hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes, steel is more resistant to those natural phenomena, able to withstand peak wind gusts of 160 mph, and are significantly more likely to remain standing during strong seismic events.

All kit packages are custom-engineered to meet or exceed your local code requirements for wind, snow, and seismic activity.

Paints. Typically, the metal components are painted in the factory with high-quality rust-resistant paint, usually with a 30-40 year warranty. Our manufacturers' paint also won’t chip, peel, blister, or crack. Manufacturers offer many color options, so you’re not stuck with basic beige (unless that’s your preference).

Components. Straight out of the package, steel framed building kits are more environmentally friendly. They don’t require the same additional chemical treatments that wood structures require. The provided bolts are rust-resistant and won’t expand over time.

Most everything in your kit package is 100% recyclable as well, making them a sustainable construction choice.

All kits on BuildingsGuide use solid steel I-beam framing. They can be engineered to withstand 160 mph wind gusts. They’re the durable, extremely strong beams used in most modern commercial construction projects.

In short, all kits you see on our website are commercial-grade kits engineered to last and add value to your property.

Unlike the kits you may have seen at big box stores, eBay and other online suppliers sell tubular (slip-together) steel frame building kits. These types of frames are hollow steel tubes with no longevity or rigidity. They can only withstand up to 50 mph winds and don’t handle the same snow load. These types of structures are ideal for carports and backyard sheds.

Due to their semi-permanent nature, these structures won't add value to your property, whereas a solid prefab steel structure will stand the test of time and add equity to your property.

Construction times for metal framed kits are shorter than other construction options since all the framing is pre-cut and drilled at the factory. As a result, a team of four (4) people can erect a small structure (under 2,000 sq ft) in just a few days.

The time frame is slightly longer for larger structures, but a crew of five to seven (5-7) people can generally erect a building up to 5,000 sq ft in about a week.

Whatever size you choose, metal frame kits go up much faster than wood, brick, or concrete structures!

Our suppliers deliver Red Iron metal building kits in Canada and the United States. Kits are delivered from multiple shipping points across North America, ensuring you get the lowest cost on delivery.

As with any major project, careful planning is key to ensuring you get the right building at the right price that is best suited to your intended application.

Choose a size and style. In the initial phase, you’ll determine the size of the building you need (Length x Width x Height). Don’t underestimate how much space you will need! (But also recognize that if you need to add more square footage, adding more modular sections to your existing structure is easy.)

NOTE. If this is a possibility, specify ‘expandable end walls’ when ordering your metal building kit from our suppliers.

Decide on a height. This largely depends on what you intend to use your structure for. Start by identifying the largest door clearance you will require, add two (2) feet to this as a safety measure, and then add a further two (2) feet to give you your required height. For example, if you have a truck that is 8 feet tall, you will need a 10’ door opening with a resulting height requirement of 12 feet.

Make initial permit inquiries. At this stage, it is a good idea to have an initial conversation with your local building department to verify if a permit will be required. If a permit is required, you can verify with the building department what information they will require for the permit application. You are responsible for ensuring all city, state, and regional codes (wind, snow, seismic) will be met before you order your kit and begin construction.

Decide on construction options. Will you go the do-it-yourself route and construct your own building, hire sub-contractors and self-build (be your own GC), or hire a general contractor (GC) to oversee the project? If your structure is over 2,000 square feet, you may want to hire an experienced erection crew. For more details, see our construction options article.

For more, see our article on planning a building project.

One of the benefits of working with our suppliers is that they will assist you in the design of your building and advise you on the most suitable options. Alternatively, you can also engage an architect if you require a highly stylized design.

Select your roof profile. You’ll want to consider the roof style you want and the pitch. Here's our guide to the available roof styles.

Decide on design options. Base model kits come with all the components for a basic structure. You then decide how you need to customize this to best suit your needs. Color, number, type, and size of doors, windows, porches, awnings, siding, etc. - the base kit package is the canvas for your dream structure! Or it can be just a basic garage with a couple of additions. You do you. Here’s our guide for choosing custom options.

Choose interior finishing options (if required). At this point, you can choose or design your own custom floor plan and decide on the level of finish your need.

Now that you have a good idea of the overall size, style, and design of your building, it’s time to find the most suitable supplier. This is where we can help you find the best metal building kits for sale.

Comparing quotes is crucial to find the best building for your purposes at the best price. Read about our cost comparison service and how it works.

Get at least four written quotes. Not all kits are priced the same, so it is advisable to shop around. BuildingsGuide is here to help you find the most suitable local supplier for your project.

After telling us a little about your requirements, we will then match you with up to four suppliers who deliver to your job site. Start by getting up to four competing quotes for your new structure.

Choose a supplier. Before choosing a supplier, compare cost, quality, specifications, supplier reputation, and customizations.

Place a deposit. Your initial deposit is usually 10-30% of the total cost of the kit. Once you place a deposit, your supplier will then provide you with a set of engineering drawings (blueprints) for your building. You will also need a set of engineering drawings for the foundation. Please note – not all suppliers provide these. If they don't, you will need to hire a local structural engineer to have these drawn up.

Once you are in possession of the engineering drawings, you can finalize the following:

1. Arrange Financing (if required). Financing a prefabricated building can be tricky. Most U.S. banks don’t provide homeowner financing for prefab steel structures. Don’t worry; there are options: here’s our guide to financing.
2. Apply for permits. As part of the permit process, you will be required to submit plans along with a site plan illustrating where you intend to build.
3. Contracting. If you elect not to self-build, you will need to sign contracts with sub-contractors or a general contractor for construction and finishing.

Please note. As indicated earlier, our suppliers do not sell cheap metal building kits that you will find at box stores. These are all commercial-grade, permanent kit structures that are engineered to last.

Site preparation. Much like planning for a baby’s due date, you’ll want to consider how you handle the delivery of your kit package.

Run services. Arrange for power, cable, water, and sewer lines to be run to the project site.

Pour the foundation. Before receiving your kit, you need a level, prepared site, and you need to lay a concrete foundation with anchor bolts.

Here’s our guide to foundations. We STRONGLY advise that you have a professional concrete company take care of this stage, as the foundation is a critical stage of the process.

Prep for delivery. Have a forklift or other lifting equipment ready to offload the delivery truck. For a detailed look at this step, see our article on prepping for delivery.

Pay the order balance. At this point, you will pay the outstanding balance on the building. This will either be just before the kit package arrives or at the delivery time. Be sure to discuss this with your supplier.

Store the components. Have a dry, level area ready to store the kit components in preparation for construction.

Schedule contractors. If you are subbing out your construction, confirm time schedule with your contractors.

Construction. The day you’ve been waiting for!

Hookup Services. Get utilities connected and operational.

Install Insulation. Add insulation (if required). For more, see our article on insulation.

Interior Build-out & Finishing (if required). Frame out your interior rooms and finish the interior. Your kit has everything to construct your new structure, but you’re in charge of the interior. Here’s our guide to working with the peculiarities of a metal frame building interior.

Walkthrough & Final Inspection. Like any new structure, you’ll need to schedule and complete a building inspection with your local inspector.