What Are the Average Construction Costs For a Steel Building?

What Are the Average Construction Costs For a Steel Building?

There are lots of variables that go into calculating the cost of constructing a building. Building your steel building yourself will cost you less than contracting a crew, assuming you’re not paying yourself an hourly wage. But for sake of giving the best average price for a steel building let include all labor costs. The average price per square foot for a basic steel building is anywhere between $6 and $20. Let’s take a look at what variables influence the construction costs of a steel building another service that is becoming very common is Steel Roofing.

Labor

The labor cost of the construction of a basic steel structure typically ranges from $3-$10 per square foot. This price range takes into consideration variables such as the size and location of your building and the competitiveness of your areas labor force. Keep in mind these prices are for an average building, if you are erecting a highly complex building the construction time will increase and so the price of construction will clearly increase.

Foundation

Steel buildings don’t always require a concrete foundation, but if your building does, be prepared to pay about $6 more per square foot. Depending on the size of the job and the crew prices can range a couple dollars higher or lower. Sometimes it is less expensive to contract the pouring of your concrete foundation separate from the building construction crew.

Insulation

Insulation in a metal building is one of those finishes that comes with a sizable construction price tag. However, adding insulation does add significant value to the building. It soundproofs your steel building and makes it more energy efficient. The labor and construction of installing insulation in a steel building with unobstructed interiors adds $1-$2 per square foot to the cost of construction.

Accessories

Constructing a steel building is a relatively simple process because all of the components are rather large, come pre-engineered and are attached with bolts and rivets. Therefore, unfortunately, it’s the small details what end up costing the most because they are what take the most time to assemble. Additions like faux paneling, custom canopies, and other detailed accessories can drive up the costs of construction for any steel building.

All in all, the price of construction will directly correlate with the complexity of your building. Between contractors prices should be in the same ballpark, but there will be some differentiation depending on the efficiency and specialties of the different crews. For instance, experts in metal buildings or in concrete may be able to cut costs in specific areas of the one jobs while still supplying superior quality because they are that good at what they do.

That being said, if you decide to take advantage several crews vying over one job by pinning them against one another in a price war, do not simply go with the contractor that gives you the best bottom dollar bid. Think about it. There are only so many places a contractor can safely cut costs. In the end, the contractor is going to make sure he or she needs to make a profit on the job so be cautious of extremely low bids. A bid that seems too good to be true probably is. Refer to a contractors previous work, contact their prior customers, and even try to visit some of their previously built buildings to get an idea of what you’re paying for.