One of your first questions you might have when looking for a metal building is how much does a steel building cost?
The average steel building price is $15 – $25 per square foot, you can add $20-80 per SQFT for fittings and finishings to make it a home. The cheapest steel building is a ‘lean-to’ which can cost from $5.42 per square foot.
While metal building kits are economical in comparison to other forms of construction, a steel building can still be a hefty investment. You need to efficiently plan your project in order to minimize your expenses and maximize quality.
Accurate steel building prices are hard to find online, with many companies keeping metal building costs hidden until after a site visit.
This is due to the fact that there are so many options and possible site layouts that need to be taken into account.In this guide, you will find a large range of example costs for different building types for quick ‘ballpark’ prices. Plus estimations of different options available, like insulation, windows & doors and more.
According to oregon.gov, 50% of the nation’s non-residential low rise buildings involve the use of metal building systems. If you are planning on using this popular building type, you can get up to speed on pricing here in just a few minutes.
In this article, you will also find out all you need to know about the factors that affect prices, and how you can build your steel building to stay within budget. With this price guide, you will know what a metal structure will typically cost, and be able to adjust these estimates to fit your specific building plans.
What’s in this guide?
What's In This Article
In this section, we have broken down steel frame buildings by category of usage. You are going to find several examples of different types of steel buildings, that give you a typical price that you can expect.
This is a great place to start, but remember you’ll need to get a custom quote for your exact specification when you are ready, as there are many factors may influence the price of your steel building project. In a moment, we will go into more detail on how to calculate your building project cost too.
“Lean-to” steel buildings cost between from $5.52 per square foot depending on size, frame type, and roof style.
| Lean-to | Size (SQFT) | Price | $ / SQFT |
| Lean-to frame only | 15×20 (300) | $1,626 | $5.42 |
| Lean-to 3 sided frame only | 15×20 (300) | $1,559 | $5.20 |
| Lean-to with roof | 15×20 (300) | $1,936 | $6.45 |
| Lean-to 3 sided with roof | 15×20 (300) | $3,535 | $11.78 |
| Lean-to 2 sided with roof | 15×20 (300) | $2,683 | $8.94 |
Metal carport kits cost from $5.95 per square foot, factors that affect prices include the number of cars to store, wall material, and roof options.
| Carport | Size (SQFT) | Price | $ / SQFT |
| Carport 2 sided with roof | 12×20 (240) | $1,427 | $5.95 |
| Carport 2 sided with roof | 20×20 (400) | $3,557 | $8.89 |
| Carport 3 sided with roof | 12×20 (240) | $3,633 | $15.14 |
| Carport 3 sided with roof | 20×20 (400) | $4,992 | $12.48 |
| Carport 3 sided with roof | 24×20 (480) | $5,578 | $11.62 |
Metal garage kits cost from $11.50 per square foot, with more expensive garages being larger with more windows and doors.
| Metal Garage | Size (SQFT) | Price | $ / SQFT |
| Regular roof | 12×21 (252) | $2,900 | $11.50 |
| Boxed eave | 12×21 (252) | $3,100 | $12.30 |
| Vertical roof | 12×21 (252) | $3,300 | $13.01 |
Options:
Metal aircraft buildings cost from $6.50 per square foot, this varies based on the number of planes and the geographic location of your site.
| Aircraft Building | Size (FT) | Price | $ / SQFT |
| Arch frame | 100×100 (10,000) | $78,100 | $7.81 |
| Arch frame | 100×200 (20,000) | $87,400 | $4.37 |
| Rigid frame | 100×100 (10,000) | $75,000 | $7.50 |
| Rigid frame | 100×200 (20,000) | $130,000 | $6.50 |
Recreational steel buildings cost between from $5 per square foot, depending on what the building is needed for and it’s size.
| Recreational Steel Building | Size (FT) | Price | $ / SQFT |
| Closed-end wall | 80×120 (9600) | $62,400 | $6.50 |
| Closed-end wall | 120×160 (19200) | $105,600 | $5.50 |
| Closed-end wall | 120×220 (26400) | $132,000 | $5 |
Steel I-beam structures cost from $7 per square foot. The I beam is a robust vertical column that can be used to make buildings stronger than tube frames for example.
| I-beam Structure | Size (FT) | Price | $ / SQFT |
| Regular Roof | 12×21 (252) | $2,955 | $11.72 |
| Boxed Eave | 12×21 (252) | $3,055 | $12.12 |
| Vertical Roof | 12×21(252) | $3,255 | $12.92 |
| Regular Roof | 18×36 (648) | $4,410 | $6.81 |
| Boxed Eave | 18×36 (648) | $4,885 | $7.53 |
| Vertical Roof | 18×36 (648) | $5,235 | $8.08 |
| Regular Roof | 24×36 (864) | $6,050 | $7 |
| Boxed Eave | 24×36 (864) | $6,575 | $7.60 |
| Vertical Roof | 24×36 (864) | $6,925 | $8.02 |
Metal rigid frame buildings cost from $5.20 per square foot and suit conditions that require durability. For example, in locations with high wind speed or snow loads.
| Rigid Frame Building | Size (SQFT) | Price | $ / SQFT |
| Rigid frame horse barn building | 70×60 (4200) | $25,620 | $6.10 |
| Rigid frame horse barn building | 60×80 (4800) | $27,840 | $5.80 |
| Rigid frame horse barn building | 65×80 (5200) | $28,600 | $5.50 |
| Rigid frame horse barn building | 90×60 (5400) | $28,080 | $5.20 |
Steel truss buildings cost from $8.92 per square foot and are ideal for commercial applications that require strength and a clear open internal space.
| Truss Building | Size | Price | $ / SQFT |
| Large truss metal building | 40×20 (800) | $7,295 | $9.11 |
| Large truss metal building | 40×24 (960) | $8,345 | $8.69 |
| Large truss metal building | 50×20 (1000) | $9,595 | $9.59 |
| Large truss metal building | 50×24 (1200) | $10,695 | $8.91 |
| Large truss metal building | 60×24 (1440) | $13,595 | $9.44 |
Steel churches cost between on average $18 per square foot, fittings and quality are the main determining factor but the location also plays a role in cost.
| Church | Size SQFT | $/SQFT | Price |
| Church | 3,600 | $18 | $64,800 |
| Church | 4,880 | $18 | $87,840 |
| Church | 7,109 | $18 | $127,962 |
| Church | 9,307 | $18 | $167,526 |
| Church | 12,058 | $18 | $217,044 |
| Church | 23,720 | $18 | $426,960 |
Metal home kits cost $19.314 for a one bedroom and $50,850 for four bedroom with basic fittings. The number of bedrooms and finishing options can increase the price considerably.
| Residential Home | Size (m2) | Bedrooms | Price | $/m2 |
| Home Kit 53m2 | 53 | One | $19,314.50 | $364.42 |
| Home Kit 86m2 | 86 | Two | $29,339.47 | $341.15 |
| Home Kit 101m2 | 101 | Two | $34,693.85 | $343.50 |
| Home Kit 150m2 | 150 | Four | $50,850 | $339 |
Steel walkway buildings cost from $916 to $2,444, and using heavier steel or aluminum can increase this further.
Arched steel walkway with a tube frame
| Walkway | Size | Price |
| Walkway frame only | 8×20 | $916 |
| Walkway with a roof | 8×20 | $1,448 |
| Walkway frame only | 10×30 | $2,106 |
| Walkway with a roof | 10×30 | $2,444 |
As you might imagine, steel buildings don’t all fit neatly into one category. There are several options and features that you can add to make your project unique. These features influence the final cost.
There are thousands of combinations of steel building options, so it’s always recommended to compare quotes to get an accurate price. Here are some guide prices for popular metal building options:
This example metal building estimate from oregon.gov “cost factors for farm buildings manual” is for a Class 5 General Purpose Building containing 2,500 square feet and costs $39,963. Built with a pole frame, exterior wall height of 12 feet with enamel finish. Gable roof with metal cover, concrete floor, and electrical service panels.
| Base Factor, Class 5 General Purpose Building | ||
| – Using table format method: | ||
| — 2,500 square foot Base Factor | + $ 13.12 | |
| Adjustment factors: | ||
| – Cost per square foot adjustments: | ||
| — Wall height 12’; add for 2’ higher exterior wall | + $0.36 | |
| — Galvanized metal roof cover | – $0.22 | |
| — Square foot costs and adjustments subtotal; 2,500 sq. ft. @ | $13.26 | = $ 33,150 |
| Lump sum adjustments: | ||
| – 60 ampere service panel | + $900 | |
| – 110 volt outlets; 10 @ $ 70 each | + $700 | |
| — Lump Sum Adjustments Subtotal | $1,600 | + $1,600 |
| Replacement Cost From Manual | $ 34,750 | |
| Multiplied by General Purpose Building LCM | x 115% | |
| TOTAL REPLACEMENT COST NEW | = $ 39,963 |
Steel building quotes are partially determined by the design that you choose. Whether it be pre-engineered buildings or one that is tailored to fit your specifications. The more complex and customized your plan, the more higher the price.
Another aspect of your building’s design that affects the price is its size. Like for like, larger buildings are more expensive. But, if you consider the price per square footage then more substantial buildings are less costly per square foot.
An interesting point about metal building costs is that making a building longer is much cheaper than making it wider or taller. This is due to the amount of steel used in the spans being less on long buildings.
However, prices should not be the only factor when it comes to choosing a steel building design. You should carefully consider what you want out of the building, and then decide which building design and size is the best way to achieve your goals. It may be worth the extra initial cost if it translates into other savings down the line.
Factors like the ground you build on, to the amount of wind and snowfall in your area, and other geographic features, can have a considerable impact on pricing.
Wind speed: In general, the higher the average wind speed in your area the higher the price. This is because you will require more sturdy construction to stand up to the wind. According to a dissertation published in the Texas Digital Library, the expected cost increase is $ 0.78 to $1.56 per square foot for wind speed increases from 100 to 140 mph.
The beaufort wind speeds scale
Snowfall: A higher roof snow load will require stronger support for the extra weight, resulting in extra costs. According to Fema, roof snow load is defined as the weight of snow on the roof surface used in the design of the building structure.
A building without adequate snow load for its location can and does result in building failure. Things that need to be considered are roof shape, roof pitch, wind speed, plus the location of HVAC units, windows, and doors.
The increase in costs for higher snow loads on a metal building can range from $0.53 to $2.43 per square foot.
Steel Building prices can change due to local and state building regulations and requirements.
If you want to determine the actual price of a steel building accurately, then you need to have a working knowledge of the building laws and regulations in your county, city, and state.
For example, different types of buildings have unique requirements such as requiring appropriate insulation, fire escapes, or a minimum number of doors and windows. This could bring costs up by $1 – $5 per square foot depending on location.
For many, building regulations tend to be forgotten or only given thought much later in the process where additional costs could suddenly pop up. Speak to a professional from the start to mitigate those risks and ensure you construct a steel building safely.
Of course, it is difficult to give an estimate here as it does depend on your location and regulations. Therefore, it is just good to be aware of this before you start your process. Often, there may be a help desk or government phone line you can reach out to for construction help.
Fluctuating prices of steel cause changes in the costs of steel buildings.
This data from Focus Economics shows the price per metric ton over the last few years.
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
| Steel (USA) | $519.95 | $619.92 | $828.46 | $603.52 |
The change in the price of steel between 2018 and 2019 would reduce the overall cost of a 5 x 8m steel building, which uses 2.6 Tons (2,600 kg) of steel by $584.84.
Steel building prices are also determined by the effort required and complexity in its construction.
In general, construction accounts for up to 40% of the total price of a steel building. This covers everything that goes into the process of erecting your building from delivery, materials, and insulation.
Internal structural steel beams (such as I-Beams) cost around $65 per meter, as opposed to Quonset Huts or other self-supporting buildings that don’t require these beams.
There are many other construction factors that affect prices, which are out of the scope of this article. Fill in the form at the top of this page to speak with an expert and discuss your needs today.
Typically, it is a good idea to shop around before you settle on a steel supplier or contractor. This is because many companies offer different services and specializations. Some may offer better deals, or better service, for some projects than others. In this section, we have included some trustworthy names for you to consider.
Here is a list of some popular companies and their average metal building costs.:
Morton buildings offer a wide range of steel buildings, are BBB accredited, and offer prices for a fully insulated ranch style house shell for $50 per square foot. This could put your 2,500 square foot house at $125,000 in build costs.
Morton buildings also offer many other styles of farm, shop, industrial and residential buildings.
Muller Inc offers workshops, garages, homes, storage, and commercial steel buildings. They offer finance for most buildings up to $30,000 at 5.99% for up to 36 months. If you are a deserving non-profit organization, you could even get the chance of a free building for your project. A Muller Inc 50 x 50 workshop or barn could cost around $15,000 including standard concrete foundations, galvanized steel walls, and a simple pitched roof.
Freedom steel specializes in quality pre-engineered steel buildings. Recently reported prices include a 24 x 24 storage or utility building for $12,952.41, or a large 80 X 200 multi-purpose farm building with a PBR roof for $109,354.93.
Steel structures are usually priced per square foot, below you can find some examples of each type of metal building kits and their cost.
| Steel Structure | Average Cost per SQFT |
| Quonset Hut | $12 per SQFT |
| I-Beam | $17 per SQFT |
| C-Channel | $18 per SQFT |
| Modular | $60 per SQFT |
To pick the best option for you, you need to start with a focus on your needs. You need to first outline the type of steel building project that will satisfy your requirements. Consider your needs, and put those above all else.
Once you have an accurate idea of the project you need to build, you can then start comparing all the factors on our list to find the most economical option. After all, an option isn’t economical if it doesn’t even suit your needs.
By following this strategy, you ensure that you are happy with your project, while keeping the metal building costs at a minimum.
Metal building kits are pre-engineered off-site and delivered to you for assembly by a team of professionals. Kits are usually cheaper as the expensive design is split over 100’s of building sales.
If you are interested in metal building kits, there are over 40 building types, each with almost unlimited options to choose from. Prefab metal building kits cost from $12 – $60 per square foot depending on size and options.
Having a steel building could save you a significant amount of money, as it is generally a much less expensive material overall than many others including stone or wood for example.
Installing a metal building kit, depending on the complexity of the structure, could take as little as a few hours or days, to as long as weeks or even months. This depends on the size of your building, the extra materials you want to use, as well as things such as whether you need plumbing or electrical work.
The style of your metal building will impact price, here are some of the more popular frames:
Tube frame steel structures are some of the most basic frames on the market, as they often have a single beam that is bent at the top and eventually meets another beam opposite to it. This creates a type of arch which is finished by a layer of steel sheeting on top to build a roof. Leaving you with a structure that is open-ended and sometimes doesn’t have walls. These buildings are great for carports due to their low cost and ease of construction.A 20 x 80 (1600m2) tube frame steel building could cost $8,680.
Arched frame buildings are easily recognized with their semi-circle or arched entrance shape. The most famous of these is the military-style Quonset hut which can be found in farms, garages, and storage yards nationwide.
These are the second lowest cost type of steel building, and provide a clean open space in the middle to house anything from aircraft to winter hay.
A 20 x 80 (1600m2) arched steel building could cost $19,200.
Single span or clear span frames are simply single roof beams with supporting wall beams on either side. These beam sections can be placed 20 – 30 feet apart to create a building almost as long as the imagination. These sections are called Trusses. The benefits of single-span construction are:
A 20 x 80 (1600m2) single-span steel building could cost $27,200.
Multi-span frames simply have extra beams running from the roof to the floor.
These let you expand your building to be as wide as you need. It’s cheaper to use single-span frames, and have a longer building rather than a wider one because there is less heavy steel to use.
A 40 x 40 (1600m2) multi-span steel building could cost $32,000.
In conclusion, the costs of your steel building might depend on many different factors such as the type of construction, the current price of steel, the options you choose, along with the geographic location of your site. In short, we hope you have found a good deal of expert knowledge in this article, but understand the only real way to get an accurate price for your exact requirement is by speaking with an expert.
Get in touch with us today for friendly, free, personalized advice to make the right decision for you.
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