A 30×40 metal building provides 1,200 square feet of space, making it ideal for home workshops, agricultural use and even retail stores.
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If you’re considering a 30×40 metal building for your project, you may be wondering how much it will cost.
30×40 Metal Building Price Range
Like any other building project, it can be difficult to get a precise estimate of the cost due to customizations. So many factors impact the cost of a project, but we can look at estimates and real-world examples to get an idea of how much this size building will cost.
In general, 30×40 metal buildings can cost anywhere from $9,000 to $14,000 ($8-$11 per square foot) for just the building kit itself.
For a turnkey solution, you can expect to pay anywhere from $20,000 to $26,000 ($15-$19 per square foot).
After doing some research, we found a few real-world examples of 30×40 buildings and their estimated costs from large vendors.
As you can imagine, the prices were all over the place:
- Metal Garage Central Kit starting at $23,155
- Carport Central Kit starting at $15,155
- eBay Basic building kit starting at $9,200
- Sentry Steel Turnkey estimated cost of $42,296.69
Even when comparing kits for DIY builds, base costs vary significantly. Prices will also depend on location, the gauge of metal used, the height, etc.. So you can expect to spend more than the starting price.
This also emphasizes why you should get more than one or two estimates on your structure.
Of course, the cost will also depend on how simple or complicated you want the structure to be.
Although this size is not a common choice for a residential home, if you did decide to go that route, you can expect to spend more because of electrical, plumbing, HVAC and, potentially, additional insulation.
A 30×40 garage would be significantly less expensive because you may only need a simple building.
How is a 30×40 Metal Building Price Calculated?
When calculating the cost of any metal building project, there are several factors that will impact the overall price. There are also other costs in addition to the building itself that will increase the total cost of the project.
Wind and Snow Load
One significant factor that will affect the cost of the building itself is wind and snow load. Different locations will have different requirements.
If you live in a colder climate that’s prone to heavy snowfall or an area that frequently gets high winds, you will need a stronger structure that can stand up to these elements. Naturally, this additional strength will come at a higher cost.
Options
Another major factor that will impact the cost of your 30×40 building is the options that you choose, such as:
- Windows
- Doors
- Trim
- Stucco
- Siding
- Additional insulation options
The more complicated the building, the more expensive it will be.
Site Work
In addition to the building itself, you must consider the cost of preparing the site for the structure. If you have a flat, level yard and you plan to use your building as a workshop or garage, you may not need much in the way of site work.
However, grading, tree removal and other additional site work will add to the overall cost of your project.
Foundation
Typically, a 30×40 metal building is placed on top of a concrete slab. A 30×40 concrete slab that’s 6 inches thick can cost between $8,000 and $12,500. Keep in mind that this cost is for a general-purpose building, such as a garage. If you were to build a home or commercial structure, the cost of the foundation may be higher.
Construction
Finally, you must consider the cost to construct the building. Costs for construction will vary greatly depending on your location, site work and the complexity of your building.
In many cases, the company that’s supplying your metal building can put you in touch with reliable, experienced contractors who can complete your project.
If you’re considering a 30×40 metal building, know that this is a lot of space. These buildings provide you with 1,200 square feet of space. You’ll have more space than many smaller homes, and you can do a lot with these buildings.
And when you consider how long metal buildings last, you’ll see that this is a solid investment.
How Long Will My Metal Building Last?
A tricky question. Metal buildings will require maintenance, so they’re not a maintenance-free option by any means. With this in mind, steel buildings are also susceptible to the elements, albeit they are much less vulnerable than a traditional building.
A lot of metal buildings have a 50-year warranty, so this is a good starting point.
Roofing and siding will be the main point of failure, but a little maintenance can go a long way in ensuring that your building reaches the 50+ year mark.
There are stories of 70+ year metal buildings still maintaining their integrity with little maintenance needed. Of course, if you live in an area where natural disasters occur, the building may fail, depending on the severity of the issue.
Common Uses of a 30×40 Structures
#1 – Garages
Homeowners that want to use their metal building as a garage will find that a 30×40 metal building provides more than ample space for a garage. You might even be able to use space for storage or even set up your own little workout studio in your garage.
Dimensions for a typical garage are:
- 12 x 22 (a one-car garage)
- 14 x 22 (longer vehicle option)
- 16 x 24 (long truck storage)
As you can see, you’re able to fit two longer vehicles in your building with 18 feet of space available. You can use this space for smaller vehicles, or you can make use of the additional 480 space for tools to work on your cars.
And the 480 square feet is if you have a truck. You can have as much as 600 additional square feet of space to build a workshop in your garage. It’s more than enough room for all of your needs.
#2 – Workshops
A lot of workshops are smaller than 30×40, but with this much space, you’ll have more than enough room to create a workshop for:
- Crafts
- Woodworking
- Metalworking
- Auto repair
You can use 1,200 square feet of space to store many of your items, too. You can store everything, from boxes to tractors, lawn mowers and other equipment inside of your building. Many 30×40 shop house designs are more garage than home and that seems to be a popular choice with mechanics.
#3 – Commercial / Retail
Commercial and retail entities are using metal buildings, too. The space doesn’t sound like all that much, but it is more than enough for:
- Repair shops
- Retail shops
- Real estate offices
- Insurance offices
You’ll find that even fast food restaurants use somewhere in the vicinity of 1,200 square foot buildings. Metal buildings have the benefit of not being combustible, so if a fire does break out, it will remain contained, which is a big benefit for businesses and their customers.
#4 – Agriculture
Metal buildings are a mainstay in the agricultural industry. These buildings have many uses in agriculture, including:
- Storage for equipment, hay, feed and so on.
- Small barn structures.
Storage is the main choice for these buildings in the agriculture industry, so you’ll find that many farms choose to use their building to store items that otherwise don’t have a “home.”
Since metal is weather-resilient, farmers don’t have to worry about their grain, feed or equipment being damaged by the elements. In the event of an outdoor fire, the building will hold up much better than its wooden counterparts.
Other Common Building Options
A 30×40 metal building does provide ample space for a variety of buildings. You have unlimited options, with many people choosing to use these buildings for:
- Residential A lot of people are moving toward smaller home sizes, and 1,200 square feet is still ample room for a home. Customization is available, so you can add rooms and even windows into many buildings
- Worship buildings are starting to choose the metal building style. Fire resistance is one reason, but the lower cost and time to build are other bonuses.
- Exercise or hobby rooms are becoming a popular choice. These buildings have more than enough room for the fitness-minded individual who wants to skip the gym and exercise at home.
Metal buildings have the ability to last much longer than their stick-built counterparts. And with the benefit of being highly weather-resistant and also resistant to fire, these buildings make a lot of sense as an alternative.
You also have the option of working with a manufacturer that will be able to design your metal building to meet your needs. Temperature control options allow you the option to make a home out of your building, use it as a man cave or even turn the building into your own office.