If you need to construct a warehouse, ordering a metal building kit is a simple, fast, and affordable way to do it. This post will go over what you need to know about metal warehouse building kits, including costs, sizing, and features. But first, let’s explain why metal is suitable for building a warehouse.
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Why Steel is the Ideal Building Material for a Warehouse?
Here are some reasons to build your industrial warehouse building using a metal building kit.
- Strong and durable: We especially recommend steel as a building material for a warehouse, as it is extra strong, and can stand up to lots of wear and tear.
- Clear-span design: Metal prefab structures can feature clear-span designs with wide open spaces inside. These are great for warehouse shelves, large boxes and goods, and machinery and equipment. The buildings can also be designed with high ceilings and extra-wide doors.
- Easy and fast to build: Building a warehouse from a metal building kit is a much faster and easier process than doing a more traditional method of construction that takes place entirely at the building site. You do not have to worry as much about things like inclement weather conditions interfering with the building process and leading to delays.
- Cost-effective: It is also more economical to build a warehouse using a metal building kit than it is to use a more traditional method of construction that takes place 100% at the building site.
- Customizable: There are numerous ways you can customize a metal building kit for a warehouse to make it suit your individual needs.
- Weather-resistant: The job of your warehouse is to store and protect your goods. That means keeping them safe from precipitation, high winds, and other weather conditions. A metal warehouse stands up to the weather, keeping the goods inside safe while also taking less damage than a wood structure in intense weather conditions.
- Pest-resistant: The last thing any warehouse owner needs is to discover that pests have gotten into the warehouse and started chewing through the goods being stored. You can help prevent inventory loss and protect your warehouse itself by choosing a metal structure, as metal is pest-resistant.
- Long-lasting: A metal warehouse can withstand decades of use and remain in excellent condition with very little in the way of maintenance.
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Metal Warehouse?
The cost to build a metal warehouse depends on a number of factors, including its size, features, location, and the particular company you decide to order from.
At the lower end, you could build a small warehouse for under $6,000 (note that this does not include any sort of finishing, nor does it include shipping or the cost to erect it on your site).
A larger warehouse, on the other hand, could cost you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to build.
One thing to be aware of is that a larger structure will have an overall higher price tag. But the cost per square foot will be lower.
A typical cost range per square foot for a pre-engineered metal building is $20 to $35.
Popular Metal Warehouse Kit Sizes
Here are some common sizes for metal warehouses:
- 30 x 40
- 40 x 80
- 40 x 100
- 50 x 80
- 50 x 100
- 80 x 100
- 60 x 80
- 80 x 80
- 60 x 100
- 100 x 100
- 100 x 200
- 100 x 300
- 200 x 400
- 200 x 450
- 100 x 150
Warehouses can be constructed in other sizes as well. So, if you require other dimensions, search for a company that offers them, or work with a company that is willing to build to custom dimensions.
How Much Does a 20,000 Sq Ft Warehouse Cost?
To help you understand how to calculate costs, let’s look at an example.
Say you want to build a 20,000 square foot warehouse. You find a building company that offers a $20 cost per square foot. To find out how much the total cost is for the structure, you just need to multiply $20 x 20,000. This gives you $400,000.
Features and Options for Metal Warehouses
While you are comparing warehouse plans, you will discover there are a number of features and options available to customize manufactured warehouse buildings. Here are some to consider:
- The style of the roof
- The locations, sizes and types of doors (including garage doors and walk-in doors)
- The locations, sizes and types of windows
- Optional higher gauges of metal for various components of the building
- Insulation options
- Ventilation options (i.e. vents or fans)
- Color options
- Ceiling height
- Column spacing
- Internal walls if you want to divide the space (i.e. to include an office module)
- Lighting options
- HVAC options
Some metal building companies may offer you additional customization options for warehouses as well.
How to Build a Steel Warehouse Kit
If you want to build a metal warehouse, here are the basic steps.
1. Research local regulations.
The first step is to make sure you know the building codes and zoning requirements for your site, and what requirements your warehouse legally has to meet for you to construct it.
2. Choose a metal building company.
Next, decide on a metal building company to work with. Pick one that has ample experience with warehouses.
3. Decide on a metal warehouse kit, and customize it.
Choose a metal warehouse kit that will meet your requirements. Personalize your kit.
4. Get your building permits and financing.
Apply for building permits. Some metal building companies can assist you with this process, depending on the extent of their services.
Once you have the permits, you can apply for financing for your warehouse if you require it. Present the building plans and permits during the application process.
5. Order your kit.
Place the order for the metal warehouse kit. The metal building company can now begin prefabrication of the warehouse components in their factory. This is usually a straightforward process, but keep an eye on your messages and calls in case they have a question during the build process or want to give you an update.
6. Final construction happens on-site.
Once the components are shipped to you in the metal building kit, final assembly can take place. This is a quick process since most of the construction has already been completed. Your warehouse will then be connected to utilities, and ready to use.