Quick Answer: Metal building kits typically run $14–$19 per square foot; fully installed (turnkey) buildings typically run $23–$41 per square foot, before finishing options. Your exact number depends on size, location, and finish level. Use our calculator tool
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Most kits run $16–$20 per sq ft. Your real number depends on size, location, foundation & finish. Takes two minutes to find out.
14,068 kits sold 50-year Structural Warranty
If you’ve started pricing out a metal building, you’ve probably already noticed the numbers online are all over the place — $5 a square foot on one site, $40 on another. That’s not because anyone’s making it up; it’s because “metal building cost per square foot” means different things depending on whether you’re pricing a bare kit or a fully installed building, what size you’re building, and where you’re building it.
This guide breaks down real numbers so you know exactly what you’re comparing, plus what actually moves your price up or down.
What You’ll Typically Pay
Across the industry, kit-only (shell) pricing generally runs $14–$19 per square foot, and fully installed (turnkey) pricing generally runs $23–$41 per square foot, before finishing options. Here’s how that breaks down at a few representative sizes:
| Size | Kit-Only | Kit-Only $/Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|
| 35×40 (1,400 sq ft) | ~$22,800 | ~$16.29 |
| 40×65 (2,600 sq ft) | ~$42,700 | ~$16.42 |
| 50×65 (3,250 sq ft) | ~$53,350 | ~$16.42 |
| 60×85 (5,100 sq ft) | ~$85,350 | ~$16.74 |
| 100×100 (10,000 sq ft) | ~$144,875 | ~$14.49 |
| Size | Turnkey (Installed) | Installed $/Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|
| 30×45 (1,350 sq ft) | ~$31,940 | ~$23.66 |
| 45×60 (2,700 sq ft) | ~$59,090 | ~$21.89 |
| 55×80 (4,400 sq ft) | ~$98,420 | ~$22.37 |
| 65×100 (6,500 sq ft) | ~$143,410 | ~$22.06 |
| 100×150 (15,000 sq ft) | ~$344,140 | ~$22.94 |
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Estimated kit cost
2,400 sq ft · $11.50–$13.50 per sq ft
Get My Exact Price →14,068 kits sold · 50-year warranty · No obligation
What that covers
Not included
How this is calculated. Kit pricing comes from the same benchmarked model published across every size page on this site, so the number here matches the dedicated page for your size. Cost per square foot falls as buildings get larger, because engineering, delivery and setup costs spread across more floor area. Learn more about our pricing methodology here.
Why we ask for your state. A steel kit is manufactured and shipped at essentially one national price. Concrete and erection labour are local, and they’re the only parts that move meaningfully by region — so those are the only figures adjusted. Tools that apply one regional multiplier to the whole project can be off by ten thousand dollars or more on a mid-size building.
What this is not. An estimate, not a quote. Ranges reflect ±8% for specification and supplier variation, before site conditions, wind and snow loads, permits or finishing. Insulation and door figures are industry-typical allowances rather than our published rates. For a firm number, request a free quote.
What Determines Your Cost Per Square Foot
Five factors do most of the work in setting your final price:
- Building size. Larger buildings almost always cost less per square foot than smaller ones — fixed costs like corners, doors, and engineering get spread across more space.
- Kit-only vs. turnkey. A kit-only price covers the steel structure delivered to your site. A turnkey (installed) price adds the foundation, construction labor, and often permits — which is why turnkey numbers run noticeably higher than kit-only numbers.
- Foundation type. A standard concrete slab is the most common and typically the most economical option; specialized foundations for difficult soil or heavier structures cost more.
- Labor and location. Construction labor rates vary by region, and local permitting requirements can add time and cost.
- Finishing options. Insulation, interior walls, windows, and custom colors are usually priced separately from the base structure.
Typical Cost Ranges By Building Size
As a rule of thumb, cost per square foot drops as size goes up:
| Size Range | Typical Use | Cost-Per-Sq-Ft Trend |
|---|---|---|
| Under 1,500 sq ft (e.g. 20×40, 30×30) | Garages, workshops, small storage | Highest end of the per-sq-ft range — fixed costs (doors, corners) are spread over less space |
| 1,500–3,500 sq ft (e.g. 30×50, 40×60, 40×80) | RV garages, barndominiums, small commercial | Mid-range — our most popular sizes, see [INTERNAL LINK: /kits/ “size and price index”] for the full list |
| 4,000+ sq ft (e.g. 50×100, 60×120) | Warehouses, agricultural, sports facilities | Lowest end of the per-sq-ft range, though total project cost is naturally higher |
What’s Included (and Not) in Your Price
Kit-only pricing typically includes: primary steel frame, roof and wall panels, standard doors, engineering stamps for your local code, and delivery.
Turnkey pricing adds: the concrete foundation, professional erection/labor, and often permit coordination.
Priced separately either way: insulation, interior finish-out, custom colors, windows beyond the standard package, and electrical/plumbing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It Costs You | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Comparing a kit-only quote to someone else’s turnkey quote | Turnkey runs meaningfully higher — you’re not comparing the same thing | Always confirm whether a quote is kit-only or installed before comparing prices across sites |
| Sizing based on price alone | Smaller buildings cost more per square foot, so going smaller doesn’t always save as much as expected — and you may outgrow the space | Size for your actual use case, then get a quote for that size specifically |
| Assuming the sticker price is the final price | Foundation, labor, and finishing are often priced separately from the base kit or turnkey number | Ask what’s included before comparing two quotes |
| Waiting on finishing decisions until after the structure is built | Retrofitting insulation or interior finish-out costs more than specifying it upfront | Decide on finishing level at the time of your quote |
5 Ways to Lower Your Cost Per Square Foot
- Go kit-only and hire local. If you have a contractor relationship already, kit-only pricing plus your own labor is usually the lowest total cost.
- Ask about factory-unclaimed buildings. Occasionally a custom order falls through
- Right-size instead of over-building. Because larger buildings cost less per square foot, it’s tempting to oversize — but the total cost still goes up. Size for your actual use case.
- Look into financing or rent-to-own. Spreading cost doesn’t lower the sticker price, but it can make a better-spec’d building fit your budget.
- Bundle finishing decisions upfront. Adding insulation or interior finish-out after the structure is up almost always costs more than specifying it at the time of your quote.
Get Your Exact Price
Every number on this page is a starting point — your exact price depends on your size, location, and finish level. We’ve shipped more than 14,000 kits backed by 50-year structural warranties at wholesale pricing, and getting your specific number takes a few minutes.
FAQ
How much does a metal building cost per square foot on average?
Kit-only pricing typically runs $14–$19 per square foot, while fully installed (turnkey) pricing typically runs $23–$41 per square foot, before finishing options. Smaller buildings run higher per square foot; larger buildings run lower.
What’s the difference between a kit-only and turnkey price?
Kit-only covers the steel structure delivered to your site. Turnkey adds the concrete foundation and professional construction labor, which is why turnkey pricing runs meaningfully higher than kit-only pricing.
Does cost per square foot really go down for bigger buildings?
Yes. Fixed costs like corners, doors, and engineering get spread across more total square footage as a building gets larger, which lowers the effective cost per square foot even though the total project cost is higher.
What’s not included in the base price?
Insulation, interior finish-out, custom colors, extra windows, and electrical/plumbing are typically priced separately from the base kit or turnkey price.
Is a metal building cheaper than a comparable wood-frame building?
Generally yes on a like-for-like basis, though the gap depends on size, region, and finish level.
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