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Are metal houses cheaper to build?

Reduced Cost - On average a steel home costs between $30 and $60 per square foot (including the kit, delivery, windows/doors, foundation & erection) You will also need to factor in approx. $25-50 for finishing. This is approx. 30% cheaper than a traditional 2x4 wood building.

buildingsguide.com - Metal Building Homes and Custom Kit Homes - BuildingsGuide
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As with any large construction project, planning is key to ensuring you get the home you need at the right price. The better prepared you are, the less chance you will be left thinking, “If only I’d….”.

Determine Requirements

Start by deciding on the total number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces you currently require and possibly in the future. Metal-framed homes can easily be expanded later if you want to add more rooms.

Decide On a Budget

Before you start planning your new home, research and plan your budget thoroughly. Metal home kits can cost anywhere from $15 to $25 per sq ft for the building shell package. You will also need to factor in floor plan design, foundations, permitting, interior framing, finishing, and contractor costs. This can bring the total to upwards of $100/sq ft, depending on your chosen level of finish. The list of costs will soon add up. So, before you start, it is essential to evaluate and analyze your budget thoroughly. Please note. Our manufactuirers only supply the building kit package which inlcudes all the framing and roof/wall sheeting. You will need to hire local trades for the interior build-out.

Find Land

Decide on an existing plot or find suitable land for your new residence. Lenders require plans and proof of title before they can begin a loan application. Home builders will also need to know where the home is to be erected before they can provide estimates. Check on building restrictions, and talk to your county or municipal building department to determine the size of the home you are permitted to build on your intended building site.

What Size Home Do You Need?

This will largely depend on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you will require, along with the number and size of your required living/entertaining area, dining, and kitchen spaces. Kit homes are available in sizes from 1,200 square feet right the way up to several thousand square feet. Widths start at 30 feet and increase in 10-foot increments with unlimited lengths.

Popular sizes for one-story homes

# Bedrooms No garage With Double Garage 2 bedroom 30x40 (1,200 sq ft) 30x50 (1,500 sq ft) 3 bedroom 40x60 (2,400 sq ft) 40x80 (3,200 sq ft) 4 bedroom 40x80 (3,200 sq ft) 50x80 (4,000 sq ft) 5 bedroom 50x80 (4,000 sq ft) 50x100 (5,000 sq ft) *

* With 3 car garage

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Popular sizes for two-story homes

# Bedrooms No garage With Double Garage 2 bedroom 20x30 (1,200 sq ft) 30x30 (1,800 sq ft) 4 bedroom 30x40 (2,400 sq ft) 30x50 (3,000 sq ft) 4 bedroom 40x40 (3,200 sq ft) 30x60 (3,600 sq ft) 5 bedroom 40x50 (4,000 sq ft) 40x60 (4,800 sq ft) *

* With 3 car garage

What Height Home Do You Need?

Steel building height is measured to the eave of the building. Typical eave heights for single-story, ranch-style homes are 10’ to 14’. For two-story homes, heights range from 18’ to 26’. Metal building homes are limited to approximately 30’ in height, so they are best suited to either one or two-story houses. Remember that steel frame homes are sold by weight, so the taller you go, the more steel will be required, impacting your overall cost.

Other home size considerations include:

What are the local zoning and code restrictions regarding the size and footprint of your proposed site?

What are your ‘must-have’ rooms?

Will you need a garage? If so, for how many vehicles?

Will you require an in-law or guest suite?

Do you need a safe room?

Will you need a mudroom entry area?

Do you want a designated laundry room?

Will you need a pantry attached to the kitchen?

Rather than a garage, would you prefer an attached carport?

And don’t forget storage space!

*** An Important Point to Consider before Ordering Your Building ***

The primary framing columns in a metal frame building can be ordered with either a tapered or straight profile, with the former being less expensive. However, straight columns allow for an easier application of interior wall finishes and maximize interior space. Therefore, unless you specify otherwise, most companies will supply the less expensive tapered columns. (More details on our planning page are listed below).

Will I Need a Building Permit For a New Home?

Most likely, you will require a building permit. There are exceptions throughout the country, so be sure to verify this with your building department. Once you've decided where to build your home and how big it will be, contact the building department to get started. The more details you can provide on your build, the faster the process will go. Your General Contractor (GC) will take care of the application process and pull the relevant permits on your behalf. For additional details, see our guide to codes and permits for steel buildings. To get the ball rolling on your permit, we recommend speaking to someone at the building department to verify what they actually require for the permit application (this can vary from location to location).

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When speaking with them, be sure to verify the following:

Is a permit required for your chosen plot?

What is the maximum building size you can erect for your lot size, and does your proposed footprint meet these restrictions?

what plans and supporting paperwork will be required?

To get the permit application started, you will typically need:

building plans and blueprints (provided by your home kit supplier)

foundation plans (provided by your chosen structural engineer)

a plan detailing your proposed building site on your property

Legal Considerations

At this stage, you will also need to ascertain the following:

are there any easements associated with the property that may affect your proposed building plot? You will need to speak with a title company to get the definitive answer to this.

to get the definitive answer to this. Are there any covenants and easements on the property that need to be considered before making your final site selection?

For an in-depth look at the planning process, see our guide to planning a building project.

Will You Need Financing?

Financing for steel-framed homes can be more complex as they are classed as ‘special construction,’ and most banks do not have much experience with this type of construction. That being said, there are a number of options available, and we cover these in our article on financing a building.

buildingsguide.com - Metal Building Homes and Custom Kit Homes - BuildingsGuide
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