You’re ready to hire a general contractor for your upcoming project, and you’re looking to get the biggest bang for your buck with a high-quality, affordable structure. That may be why you are considering a pre-engineered metal building or a PEMB. The next obvious question is what is a pre-engineered metal buildings average cost?
What can you expect?
Pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMB) are metal structures fabricated with steel. They support a variety of roofing systems and exterior wall applications and are a popular choice for many business owners due to a variety of advantages that PEMB offers.
Key Benefits:
But how much do PEMBs cost, all things considered?
Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings average cost is generally between $10 and $25 per square foot, though, of course, the cost can depend on specific factors.
Let’s dive in and take a closer look.
When something is referred to as “pre-engineered,” that means its components (like wall or roof panels) are manufactured at a factory and then delivered to a construction site. The materials are then assembled on-site. The pre-engineered process means everything gets built off-site before assembly.
A pre-engineered metal building utilizes the pre-engineering process. It is a building that is typically constructed with a steel frame that supports metal wall panels and roof panels.
They are pre-designed to meet exact dimensions based on:
Steel buildings are typically made from “I-beams,” which get their name from— you guessed it! The shape of the letter “I.” I-beams are made by welding steel plates together. They are then built together to create the frame of the building.
Thanks to the cost-effective and time-efficient nature of PEMBs, they are a popular solution for many buildings. Metal buildings are common for small retail and commercial office buildings, storage unit, industrial buildings and warehouses, and more.
Commercial: A steel structure is a fantastic, affordable investment for commercial buildings of any size. PEMB frames are versatile, so you can design attractive steel buildings to be big-box retailers, small storage units, and everything in between.
Agricultural: A metal building is an economical option for housing your agricultural equipment and even keeping your livestock protected.
Warehouses: The sheer durability of a steel building makes it a sound choice for warehouses. Owners can store their goods in a metal building and feel confident that their goods will be protected from inclement weather and pests.
Government: When it comes to publicly-funded buildings, budgets can often be tight. Steel buildings offer a great solution for government buildings like fire stations and libraries because they keep costs down while still looking pleasing to the eye. Steel buildings are also environmentally friendly!
Recreational Sports Facilities: PEMBs allow for maximum usage of a space, making them popular routes for recreational sports centers. Additionally, PEMBs are very flexible, so the space can be expanded in the future if needed.
Okay, okay… we’ve covered what pre-engineered metal buildings are and why they’re great. But how much do they cost?
Metal buildings base their costs on square footage. On average, you can expect to pay $10 to $25 per square foot for a PEMB. However, the range can extend as low as $6 to as high as $120 per square foot depending on certain considerations.
Compare this price to the average cost of wood buildings at $36 per square foot, and you can see why PEMBs offer a great deal. Remember the I-beams we touched on earlier? On average, I-beam steel buildings cost up to $17 per square foot.
The cost of a pre-engineered metal building is never fixed in stone. There are many considerations that can impact the final cost of your project. The main seven factors that impact cost are:
Even though large metal buildings may have a higher overall cost, they actually offer a lower cost of steel per square foot. Think of it as buying in bulk. Suppliers often offer higher discounts for larger building sizes.
In comparison, smaller buildings will cost more per square foot but less overall based on their size. The more simple the build, the lower the costs.
There are many types of steel to choose from, and the type of material you choose will determine the cost per square foot of your PEMB.
The main types of steel include:
Galvanized and stainless steel are popular choices because of their high-quality nature. So, while they may cost more upfront, they also offer cost-saving benefits down the line since the building will have a more reliable structural integrity.
Local building codes vary greatly from region to region. Depending on the regional codes you have to adhere to, you may be required to add more components that can add to the final cost.
Most codes are based on seismic risk— the risk of an earthquake causing damage to your building. Buildings in Southern California have a high seismic risk and therefore stricter design requirements.
Regional climate also affects the cost of a pre-engineered metal building. Buildings in Wisconsin or Minnesota must be able to accommodate snow accumulation and be insulated to protect against extremely low temperatures in winter. On the Florida coast, PEMBs must be designed to withstand heavy winds and rain during hurricane season.
Climate considerations impact the design of metal buildings. More specific design features usually equate to higher costs.
The steel market is a commodity market. A commodity is an economic good or resource that can be bought and sold with no regard to who produced the product.
Since steel is a commodity, the price often fluctuates based on weather, current events, or changes in the global economy. If supply can’t keep up with demand, prices will increase.
Recently, a tariff, or tax, was placed on the steel and aluminum trade in the United States, but as of 2021, the federal government lifted barriers to the steel trade which should help lower costs.
While labor costs don’t have anything to do with the price of steel per square foot, it is still a large consideration when estimating your final price. The materials you buy and the design you choose will heavily impact the amount of skilled labor required. Simple, small structures will result in lower labor costs, while complicated larger buildings will have higher labor costs.
While four-walled “box buildings” like simple garages are easy to build, custom-designed multi-story learning centers are a different story. Expect your building to be more expensive if you want a complex design with strict requirements.
Customizations that can impact cost include:
You shouldn’t be deterred from customizing your building the way you want it. Your PEMB is a long-term investment, so you should feel empowered to include all the features you want.
The frame of your building can be built in numerous ways. Some suppliers offer multiple options for various building structures, while others only provide one. The structure option you choose will likely affect the overall price, but the exact price increase or decrease depends on the steel manufacturer.
Structure options include:
It’s hard not to get excited about all the great benefits of pre-engineered metal buildings. With their affordable nature, flexibility, and eco-consciousness, you probably can’t wait to get started with your new project. But before you hire just anyone for the project, think about how you want your new building to be a life-long investment you can be proud of.
You deserve the best of the best in construction. When you hire APX Construction Group for your project, you can trust that our team will go above and beyond your expectations from the first phone call to the ribbon cutting.
Bring your vision to life with the help of APX. Contact us today to get started!
Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings are typically used for warehouses, factories, hangars, and sports facilities. Because of their flexibility in design they can be leveraged for a variety of residential and commercial uses.
– Cost Effective
– Sustainable
– Easy To Clean
– Low Maintenance
– High-quality and durable
– Versatile and offer Architectural options
a 20,000 st. ft. metal building typically costs anywhere from $240,000 – $380,000 depending on factors such as location, steel prices, building design, and inventory type.
It’s important that you choose a reliable steel building supplier. Some suppliers are eager to give potential customers the lowest quote possible. That quote, while seemingly an unbeatable deal, is low because it isn’t accurate. It fails to take into account all of the variables that go into pricing, such as seismic activity, snow loads and customization options that result in the best metal buildings. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. As McCain notes, another issue in immediately jumping on the lowest quote is the quality of work you receive.
“Cheap structures are cheap for a reason. General Steel structures are made with solid, all-American, I-beam construction with a 50-year structural warranty. The cheaper companies offer no warranty and typically are tube steel or weld-up structures.”
So how do you know the quote you receive is accurate? McCain says to give the supplier a call. “Call a sales associate, and they’d be glad to help you. It’s difficult to know if it’s accurate on your own. Our staff will review any quotes you get and make sure you’re getting what you need, with the correct loads and codes.”
Taking the time to do your research will ultimately lead to lower costs and a higher quality product.