Steel arch building

[GW]

I am thinking about going with a steel arch building for my new home site. I want a large garage - I have been considering a 30 x 40 stick built, which will run about $26,000 or about $21.50 per sq ft, according to estimates from local contractors. I am getting info that a steel arch building will run about half as much, approximately $11.00 per sq ft for a larger 35 x 60 (2100 sq fr) unit.

Has anyone put one of these up lately? If so, what was your final cost per square foot? I'd like to find out if the numbers I am hearing are right, as it sounds too good to be true.

thanks,
GW

[Mark]

The steel arch building are cheaper because they typically don't include the foundation or labor to set it up.

Around here, you could probably get a 30x40 steel (not arch) building, built on site, foundation and permits for probably $17,000 or so.

[GW]

Thanks for the info - where are you located?

The price you are referencing is 1200 sq. ft at about $14 per square, which seems in line with the $11 per square that I am being quoted on a larger 2100 sq. ft. building. This is the total cost of the building, with a slab, electrical hookup, overhead door - ready to go.

[Mark]

I'm in NW Florida, everything around here (even outbuildings) have to meet 140 mph wind loads now.

If your arch building includes everything, ready to use (except power of course), then $11psf sounds like a decent price. That being said, the stick built price isn't that far out of line either, there is substantially more labor involved in constructing a stick built than a prefabbed building that's basically a big erector set.