The hidden costs of metal building kits

After factoring in all the other elements that go into a successful building project, clients quickly see it’s better to go with a turnkey construction partner rather than purchasing a prefabricated standardized DYI package.

By Darren Sperling

Steel buildings are an ideal choice for a wide host of commercial and industrial purposes. They are affordable to buy, quick to build, easier to maintain and offer more durability and protection than using other building materials. When choosing your next metal structure, you can either go with a prefabricated standardized do-it-yourself (DYI) kit that you must assemble yourself, or work with a turnkey building team that supplies the materials and handles all the details of engineering and construction on your behalf.

Once you factor in all the additional stages of construction and costs in terms of time, money and effort involved, companies quickly discover it’s much smarter to go with a full-service team of experienced and skilled tradespeople to manage and execute the construction of your custom-built pre-engineered steel building.

Buying the metal structure is simply a first step in a bigger process

Metal buildings are generally priced on a per-square-foot basis; however, a lot of other factors need to go into calculating a final real price. Most kit manufacturers charge for the components, panels, beams and supports, based on final dimensions. Kits usually come in a few limited sizes, in pre-selected standardized designs – if you want anything custom, additional costs are required. The price you get from a manufacturer won’t necessarily include architectural and engineering fees, nor all the rest of the infrastructure and systems proper buildings need to operate.

We admit per-square-foot pricing is a great first step. It provides a convenient and easy frame of reference to help compare quotes from different companies. However, per-square-foot pricing does not tell the complete story. So much more goes into a price for a complete building project. Buying a building, either as a kit or through a manufacturer or supplier, is only the first of many costs. A kit purchase gives you several truckloads of components and steel parts. Even before site management (surveying, clearing, earthwork, foundation), you still need to pay for shipping the materials to site, rent equipment to install, pay for engineering, and do all the other construction (hiring teams of skilled workers) to assemble it properly and get it ready to meet inspection. Managing all those relationships adds greater complication to a building project. Companies usually realize how much easier, cheaper and faster to have one team come in and take care of everything for you.

It’s one reason why Summit Steel Buildings lists the per-square-foot material costs and then an additional amount for the rest of the installation. You get to see everything that’s included with a final price, without surprises. 

With metal kits, once the building is dropped off at the site, installation will have to be provided by a separate company, at another installation and erection fee (which may also be priced out by final building size – not accounting for the specifics of the jobsite and terrain). Many other construction costs need to be factored in. And don’t forget the cost of the concrete foundation work that supports the entire structure. That may or may not be included in your metal kit quote. [Remember, it’s always wise to get three different quotes for the job, provided by three different companies, and they might not always lay items out so you can compare apples to apples.] 

Read the second part of this article: Turnkey construction eliminates unforeseen hassles of purchasing metal building kits.

Summit Steel Buildings offers transparency in all your construction costs and needs

When you’re looking at purchasing a metal building, be sure to contact us for a comprehensive quote that includes all components for a successful construction project, not just the cost of the building materials. It takes many more processes and skilled people to complete a proper building construction. Why not get everything you’re going to need with one experienced partner? Save time in finding, qualifying and managing multiple teams that will not be included in the price of your original per-square-food metal building kit price.

Let’s get started on your next structure. Contact us when you’re ready to get started at 877-417-8335 and receive your free quote and preliminary drawings. 

Read the second part of this article.