Choices for constructing outbuilding

I am planning to build a storage building this year for my tractors and implements. It will be about 24x40x8 ft high. I know that any size building will be too small – but this is the size I am choosing. I am exploring stick frame, prefab metal building, or pole barn type building. I want the longest lasting building at the lowest cost - with low cost being a more important criteria than extremely long life. I will of course get all required permits.

I would appreciate the group's collective wisdom on the options.

Foundation
For either stick frame or metal prefab, the foundation will most likely be 12 inch diameter metal reinforced concrete piers every 4 feet with 6x6 pressure treated timbers bolted to the concrete piers. As I crunch the dollar amounts, this seems the cheapest alternative for a foundation. The floor will be 6 mil plastic with 0 and 1 crushed stone on top.

Stick Frame
If I use 2x4 framing with T-11 siding this appears to be the cheapest option. I can do most of the work myself which helps keep the cost down. Is there something I am overlooking?

Prefab metal buildings
For the size mentioned, they seem to run in the $4,000-$5,000 range for the building itself. What are people's experience with the quality of the product and the ease that one person could erect a prefab metal structure?

Pole building
Because of the sheer weight of the main support members, I would have to hire this out. The cost seems to be about $7,000-$8,000 for our area. The one concern I have is rotting of the main supports that are underground. I live in a fairly wet area so is it possible for the main poles to rot in 20-30 years?

Thanks for any guidance you wise sages may offer.

Douglas Stockman
Penfield, NY

Sorry to take so long to respond. Work and home life keep me way too busy. I will email those who suggested they had plans to share.

Thanks again. Once I get it built, I will probably post photos.

Douglas Stockman
Penfield, NY

--->Paul

Hi Doug & (Paul from my previous post to Cody) -

I am nearly finished with a pre-fab steel shop as I type. It is 30x60x14 with 12' clear sidewalls. I subcontracted the concrete work. It is 6" thick with hugh footers, fiber concrete with wire mesh reinforcement, also rebar in the footers. Overkill but according to local code since Hurricane Andrew tore up S. FL.

I will be adding two 10'H x 12W roll up doors. I planned the door height 2' above my backhoe, and width was determined by NOT wanting to back a trailer with equipment into the shop in the dark with no assistance. I felt the extra width was cheap insurance to prevent damage.

This spring I am planning to add either a 20' or 30' lean straight off the shop roof to 10' telephone poles as outside support to maintain backhoe clearance under the lean-to. You can also see the extra 10' of slab - this is provisions for stoop in back to relax with some KY sippin' whiskey (Jim Beam Black) from time to time, fuel storage, and deer cleaning. When?? I don't know!!

Bldg is from Millenium Steel out of Tallahassee, FL. It is a kit and a PITA at that!! In work for nearly 2 yrs. entirely by myself consuming every spare minute I have. Total I have about $13K tied up in the bldg. - that is slab, bldg, doors and incidental costs i.e. fill dirt, extra cables, redheads, consumables etc.

Since I have had mine I would suggest a pre-fab kit but one that has majority of fittings WELDED. Then construction is MUCH easier only having to attach & connect girts and purlins. Steel Building Systems out of Ada, GA makes a dam fine bldg - should I ever get another that is who I'm going with. JMHO!! Butler Bldgs. are nice but out of my price range.

If this is not an option then I would strongly consider a pole barn. But for me price was about the same. Selling point for me was no longer having to waller around in the mud, no termite dmg, minimal weather deterioration (FL = Flat, HOT, Muggy & Buggy)! I had to save a few yrs. to get this bldg. but in the end it will be worth it. I did not want to build a smaller one for fear of having to expand real soon or redo entirely - capital is to scarce around here!!

Anyone can drop me an email if you would like photocopies of my dwgs. or to discuss items to watch out for in a kit building or this entire ADVENTURE!!! Will be glad when this is DONE!!
ShepFL

• Home for my rigs - especially the Olivers!

This is actually an older pic. Haven't taken any in awhile - been to busy finishing. Hoping to finish out roof next weekend. Then it is hang the doors and we are OPEN for business.

I chose the trusses because there wasn't a huge difference in cost, versus having to spend the extra time trying to save a few dollars. The trusses were on sale for about $40 each. All the building kits the local places like Lowe's, 84 and Wolohan Lumber sells have trusses on 4' centers, when using a metal roof. I live in Kentucky, so snow loads aren't a huge factor. If you live farther north the trusses would have to be adjusted for load demands.

I used a local sawmill to supply the oak, so I got it a lot cheaper than the same stuff in pressure treated would run, an 8' 6X6 was $7.20.

My Dad, who was 65 at the time, helped me with all of the building. My nephew did help poor the concrete floor, and he and another nephew helped set the trusses. This kept costs down to just materials, which makes a huge difference in price.

Thank You

"I will not say that one man can't erect a prefab metal building, but it will be a task beyond most men." Sales guy told me 5 guys could put my shop in 5 days. HA!! While I was skeptical I expected 1 month. I had no idea of the challenges and the variables.

Would I do it again? YES! Would I do it differently MOST DEFINITELY & I would have the Sales Rep. right beside me humping a$$holes and elbows to show me how it can be done in 5 days!