Home › Forums › Storage Solutions › Should we build a stick & frame building, or a metal building
Tagged: storage building
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Thrifty Empire.
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11/05/2016 at 12:11 pm #4953
Originally we’ve planned to order a lathe metal storage building online. It’s about $8k installed. They get it up in a day. It would simply be a storage building that would not be airtight or climate controlled.
But we’ve been getting interesting advice about paying more for an actual wood building that could be insulated and weather proof. It’d cost more and would take longer.
Anyone have some pros and cons either way?
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11/06/2016 at 2:19 pm #5030
Jay,
Do you know if the metal building could be “upgraded” and be conditioned later? I think the pros and cons come with your long term outlook. I think for eventual property resale, you will be able to recoup the cost of the metal building more than the stick frame building since the utility of the space will be similar since there was no plumbing roughed in before the concrete pad went down. If you had plumbing, a stick frame structure could be marketed as a living space. If you can eventually look at having the metal structure insulated and temperature controlled, that would be the way I think I would lean based on what you said your current use and needs are.
That being said, the thing I would worry about with the metal building would be animals and insects. If birds are able to get in, your inventory could be ruined very quickly. We have a metal pole barn and while it keeps the rain out, birds, bugs, and ground hogs often make it home as well.
~Jen
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11/06/2016 at 4:58 pm #5044
You make a good point. I forgot that you need to lay down the pipes before pouring the concrete base.
The metal building is really just a large shed. We can try to insulate and cover cracks, but the walls and roof are just a thin piece of metal. Perfect for storing things from the sun, rain, and snow. Not temperatures, small animals, and bugs. Our hard goods would do fine like this as they already do.
We know the metal building is $8k installed. We’re going to get a price on a wood frame building. It’ll cost more, but it’ll be nice to have a protected area.
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11/10/2016 at 11:41 am #5493
If it were me, I’d be looking pretty hard at other options that were fully weather-tight, and could be climate controlled. Then there would be zero concern with regards to what you’re able to store in there, and if/when you ever end up selling your place, it would make for a much more usable space if someone wanted to use it for storing vehicles, using it as a mechanic/service area, etc.
For me, it would really boil down to cost/benefit, but I would hate to spend $8k on a building, and either not be satisfied fully with the result, or to later find that for a little more I could have a climate controlled space.
Cheap storage space is great, but it may be worth spending the extra up front for more versatility, peace of mind, and resale value.
Just my $0.02!
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11/10/2016 at 12:19 pm #5502
Fair enough. A proper stick and frame building that is full insulated will probably cost $20k. That’s versus $8k for a steel shed.
If we can afford it, we want to do a wood building, but the cost is significant. It’s basically like building a small house.
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11/11/2016 at 8:24 am #5600
Check around with some Amish builders in your area. They can bring a team of Amish builders in and bang out your wood building in a day, and you may be pleasantlyt surprised with the cost if you get to the right people. You can insulate and wire it yourself after the fact.
Also, you can still run pipes in along the perimeter if need-be. It’s just more labor intensive and the concrete has to be repaired afterwards.
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11/16/2016 at 12:31 pm #5957
SIPs, structural insulated panel, might be an option. You would have to see if it was cost effective and you could find an expert in your area. I have it in the back of my head if I ever get the chance to have something built. From what I understand, the two main benefits are insulation (because of the built-in insulation and because the structure ends up being essentially airtight) and short build time. Though the Amish option sounds cool…
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11/16/2016 at 6:42 pm #5986
SiPS are a good option, but we don’t have those kind of builders around here. The guys who build for us can do the job. Jus takes money.
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11/19/2016 at 9:24 pm #6147
My Dad has been wanting a storage building on his property for years, and we’ve had a million conversations about it. He actually used to build houses for a living, and he always talks about a Pole Barn, which would be a big wooden barn that he could insulate with hay, and he also wants solar panels so it could be self-sustaining. He even wants to add a mother-in-law apartment on the top.
Since you guys already do AirBnB, that could become another investment, or just a good place for your friends and family to stay when they visit, instead of taking up nights in your rental property that could be generating income.
The biggest issue with a wooden building is that it would probably increase your property taxes…At least, it would here in New Jersey. However, putting a metal building would not, usually. You’d have to check with your township on that.
Also, speaking from experience, I used to have my inventory stored in a not-insulated room that is going to be my Dad’s house’s new bathroom….It’s NOT FUN to walk in there fully bundled as if I am ready to go out into a blizzard, just to get some work done. Last winter, my hands ached from the cold after only a couple minutes of working. In my opinion, it’s better to have a space that you can keep warm while you guys are in there.
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11/20/2016 at 9:44 am #6156
Yes, our property taxes will go up if we build a wood building, but then again so will the value of the land. Installing electric seems inevitable.
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11/24/2016 at 6:54 am #6471
Build it entirely out of filing cabinets!
….Oh my God
….I need professional help.-
11/24/2016 at 8:58 am #6480
One day I bet those metal filing cabinets might be valuable again.
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12/11/2016 at 8:50 am #7799
Skycam LOL I ran across a very vintage filing cabinet this week. I thought of you.
Interesting information. I cant really say which I think would be better for you. I would be a little concerned as to how much it would cost to have climate controlled. -
01/22/2017 at 7:14 pm #10892
Hi Jay and all,
Love your site and podcasts. You and Ryanne have passed on so much knowledge. I thought that I could contribute to this conversation as I was looking to build a storage space for eBay and household items and a place to do projects a while back. I looked into prebuilt structures and the cost was too oppressive for the size I was wanting. So this is what I did, keep in mind like you I started out looking at 8-16K in my budget but then I went hog wild and ended up with around 37K so far. Here are the specs.
The building is split into 3 sections – office, work shop & storage
24’X36′ with 10′ ceiling on the lower floor and I added gable trusses so that I could get roughly 864 square feet on the bottom floor as well as the top.
I went with the best metal I could find at $3600.
Lumber for the stick frame was another $2400.
Trusses were $3600 including the crane to set them.
I also put in a half bath with water spigots inside and out $9400 most of the cost here was the trenching to the main sewer line.
I opted to go with closed and open cell spray foam that averages 6″ think at $2900.
I put a ton of electric in the building at $9000 but it has a 100 AMP service so I can pretty much plug in anything, also CAT6 internet was included.
Sheet rock was another $2900.
Windows and doors $2600.
Garage door installed $1100.Now for the building of the shop frame, metal siding and the concrete that part was free thankfully. Saved me about $20K. That’s a whole other story in itself.
The labor is what will really get you on these projects. So I’m not saying anyone follow my example. I had been saving for years for this and paid cash for everything as I have wanted a nice shop for years.
However, some things that I have discovered over time.
The value of the house went up significantly.
I don’t have to leave the shop to use the bathroom.
The insulation keeps it comfortable all year round with only a PTAC 12000 BTU hotel style heat and air unit at $800 and a small 5000 btu air unit $105 upstairs. Costs less than $20 a month for comfort.
I separated the office space with double steel doors from the shop and loft to make it easier to keep clean and control the climate
I installed motion sensor lighting so its never on when I’m not in it and pops on when I am. I forget to turn off lights.
It’s 50 feet from my house which I have found to be very nice.
I put in a floor drain in the shop side so I could do clean up on projects when needed.I took several months off but I am still working on it. I’m doing the following myself which will save a lot of $$$.
painting
trim
cabinet and counter top install
flooring
additional lightingI still have about another 10K before complete but it’s very usable and I love it. It was -9 outside recently and I went out there to do some painting and sawing for our living room project at midnight and it was warm and I didn’t bother the neighbors because it’s so well insulated. No bugs or birds get in and my cat likes it too.
Along the way I scavenged many items for the shop too which cut down a couple thousand.
Oh and if they have not cut/notched your slab make sure it does get done or you will have more cracks than you would like to see.
You and Ryanne are master scavengers so I think you could have a really nice building for a good price. But think of all the things that you plan to use it for. Trying to do some things later will cost serious money and is better to do upfront.
Everyone that I consulted said go metal as wood would have been much higher. Also building codes in the area also made the cost a bit higher.
It is my multi-purpose fortress of solitude. Good luck with your building!
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01/23/2017 at 6:18 am #10919
This is great information. I think it’ll cost us about $50k for what the two-story building we want. 24′ x 40′ (times two!). Plus a metal roof.
As you said, we build it right the first time. Did you just build into town septic? Or install one yourself? Putting in a bathroom would be expensive for us.
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01/23/2017 at 10:21 pm #11002
Thank you for all the detail on the costs of your building! I am jealous as I’ve been pondering eBay storage solutions for years. Unfortunately, I live in a town where the building code requires a brick facade for anything bigger than a shed. There’s a battle brewing right now with regard to a neighbor who recently built a large (very nice looking) metal shop building without the city’s blessing. Everybody else wants one too but we’ve all been told “Nyet!” So I’m stuck with rental storage…pretty sickening to think about the HUGE storage building I could have built with all the rent money I’ve paid over the years.
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01/24/2017 at 12:01 am #11012
24×40 times two should be the gift that keeps on giving, especially for the volume you two sell.
I tied it into the city sewer system since the main pipe goes right through our backyard. The bathroom was an expense I wasn’t planning on but I’m glad that I was talked into it. When we remodel our house bathroom we will still have one to use. We have one of the ugliest pink bathrooms on the face of the earth so it’ll be nice to update it as well.
I waited twenty years to build it so I figured why not do it right. I’m old enough now that it’s become easier to make those decisions. It took a lot of patience and a lot of saving. We live super frugal and it is starting to pay off.
I can’t emphasize enough on the insulation. Go big on that and you’ll thank yourself later when you work in it during the brutal weather conditions. If you go with foam keep in mind you will have to let it air out for a long time as the foam has to fully cure. It gives off a smell for quite some time but it makes the building like a thermos. Really holds in the heat and the cool.
I know that you and Ryanne will get there as you both have tons of drive and you’re getting things done.
I have quite the tool cache now for the shop too thanks to estate sales. 😉
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01/24/2017 at 12:08 am #11013
Glad to share Cheryl, I’m sorry to here that. Our city has some strict guidelines also that I had to adhere to as well. Like instead of using 4 inch anchors I had to use 10 inch, which I had to special order. Yes, paying local storage fees was getting oppressive so it was time to change that. I wish you luck with finding a viable solution.
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