Steel buildings

paradisePWoffrd said:
Also, if you arent in a hurry, you can keep your eyes open for cheap trusses. There are usually some for sale cheap on Craigslist.
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I like that idea and there were recently some 50ft trusses on Charlotte craigslist. I though Long and hard about buying some to use.
Ultimately I really need a somewhat turnkey building minus electrical. I don’t have time to erect it myself and I can’t deal with contractors all day while keeping my shop running. I’ve sent out for quotes from tons of building places of all kinds hoping to find one who’ll handle everything. So far I haven’t been too happy with any of them. They’re either ridiculous on pricing or just salesmen who know nothing about the actual construction.
So far Strat-o-span has been the most knowledgeable and nicest to deal with. They quoted me a 40x50x12 “pole barn” with metal side and 3” ceiling insulation 1ft boxed overhang on 4 sides for around 12k, no concrete and no doors just openings. Concrete quotes have been from 7k to 13k for a 3500psi fiber mesh 4” thick slab and footings. The catch being that in order to add this to the existing building and have tall enough walls I’ll need to dig down and expose the stepped footings. That leaves a huge variable in pricing than no concrete company has been able to give me a viable option for.

I’m now looking into making it 40x60x14 and just making it stand alone and scrapping the idea of adding to the other building. This allows me to do taller walls with a mezanine in part of the shop and not having to deal with tying the two together saving a pile of money overall.

Ugh... so much to think about. So much to decide and so much info to sort through. This is a huge decision and a pile of money to invest in the future.
 
mcutler said:
Is this a structure at your home or an addition to the current building you work out of Chris?

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It’ll be at my house in mount pleasant. I have an existing 20x48x8 block building that will be perfect. It’s divided into 3 rooms, a small office, a large fab/plasma table area and a third to be for the mill, lathe and other machine shop tools. Then the addition will house the lifts and have room for more fab, probably a carpeted sheet metal fab table, beat roller, sheet metal tools, press brake etc.

My wife works hard and makes the money to support the family. I love what I do but I don’t generate a ton of cash flow. I basically build the nest egg and make “fun money”. Being at home instead of 25 minutes away will save us a ton on nanny cost, allow my wife to leave earlier in the morning for work to be home sooner plus I’ll own the damn thing. I’ve paid over 100k in rent since opened up in my current shop. That’s sickening honestly. Owning this building outright will add equity to our property and be a huge step toward our end goal and my family life will really improve. I don’t have a store front I don’t really have any walk in customers. There’s no need for my location to not be at home other than the occasional buddy who wants to hang out when I need to be with the family. Family has become more and more important to me as my children grow. I don’t plan to waste their childhood busting my ass over an income that isn’t worth it.
 
MarsFab said:
It’ll be at my house in mount pleasant. I have an existing 20x48x8 block building that will be perfect. It’s divided into 3 rooms, a small office, a large fab/plasma table area and a third to be for the mill, lathe and other machine shop tools. Then the addition will house the lifts and have room for more fab, probably a carpeted sheet metal fab table, beat roller, sheet metal tools, press brake etc.

My wife works hard and makes the money to support the family. I love what I do but I don’t generate a ton of cash flow. I basically build the nest egg and make “fun money”. Being at home instead of 25 minutes away will save us a ton on nanny cost, allow my wife to leave earlier in the morning for work to be home sooner plus I’ll own the damn thing. I’ve paid over 100k in rent since opened up in my current shop. That’s sickening honestly. Owning this building outright will add equity to our property and be a huge step toward our end goal and my family life will really improve. I don’t have a store front I don’t really have any walk in customers. There’s no need for my location to not be at home other than the occasional buddy who wants to hang out when I need to be with the family. Family has become more and more important to me as my children grow. I don’t plan to waste their childhood busting my ass over an income that isn’t worth it.
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That's awesome Chris. I envy your position, aside from the investment you will be making... but it will be worthwhile. Working at home has its benefits, the positive certainly outweighs the negatives.

I've been wanting to go full time fabrication for years, but alas, my other half has only been working since the last year of our time together. And looks as if; my oldest will be signing his letter of intent this Wednesday with James Madison university for div 1 football beginning this fall, and my other two fall 6 years apart from there... So the future looks bleak for me and a career change.

Stay on top of these building guys, make them work for you to get the best outcome.

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Subscribe, fingers crossed I hope to be doing the EXACT same thing this year, 40x60x14 or so, big enough to work on Motorhome on the inside and probably a 14' 'carport' on the back side to put the motorhome under most of the time. Wanting good insulation, and maybe enclosing part of the interior to go full man cave / work from home office for long term planning.
 
MarsFab said:
I like that idea and there were recently some 50ft trusses on Charlotte craigslist. I though Long and hard about buying some to use.
Ultimately I really need a somewhat turnkey building minus electrical. I don’t have time to erect it myself and I can’t deal with contractors all day while keeping my shop running. I’ve sent out for quotes from tons of building places of all kinds hoping to find one who’ll handle everything. So far I haven’t been too happy with any of them. They’re either ridiculous on pricing or just salesmen who know nothing about the actual construction.
So far Strat-o-span has been the most knowledgeable and nicest to deal with. They quoted me a 40x50x12 “pole barn” with metal side and 3” ceiling insulation 1ft boxed overhang on 4 sides for around 12k, no concrete and no doors just openings. Concrete quotes have been from 7k to 13k for a 3500psi fiber mesh 4” thick slab and footings. The catch being that in order to add this to the existing building and have tall enough walls I’ll need to dig down and expose the stepped footings. That leaves a huge variable in pricing than no concrete company has been able to give me a viable option for.

I’m now looking into making it 40x60x14 and just making it stand alone and scrapping the idea of adding to the other building. This allows me to do taller walls with a mezanine in part of the shop and not having to deal with tying the two together saving a pile of money overall.

Ugh... so much to think about. So much to decide and so much info to sort through. This is a huge decision and a pile of money to invest in the future.
Click to expand...

If you are looking at stick built.... you might be able to find a contractor that can build it for you. Yes, it might not be as simple on the front, but could save you money by buying kits or low cost trusses with minimal headache. I am unaware of any in your area, so cant really speak to a good contractor to talk with.
 
@MarsFab "I like that idea and there were recently some 50ft trusses on Charlotte craigslist. I though Long and hard about buying some to use.
Ultimately I really need a somewhat turnkey building minus electrical. I don’t have time to erect it myself and I can’t deal with contractors all day while keeping my shop running. I’ve sent out for quotes from tons of building places of all kinds hoping to find one who’ll handle everything."

I wasn't going to say much until I read this line. This was and is my exact standpoint for why I chose my erector and building supplier. Down side is I spent more then most would have. Up side is it was entirely turn key with the exception of providing a level compacted pad. Literally one stop, they do concrete to roof.

Champion Builders, Wilkesboro NC. Its all they do. Red Iron kits and Complete steel Structures. Shops to Warehouses and everything in between. Directly from their web sight. They do custom sizes as well.

Cost Efficient Package 30 x 40 x 12
$38,900
  • (2) 10 x 10 Roll Up Doors
  • (1) 3070 Walk Door
  • Gutters & Downspouts
  • Insulation Roof & Walls
  • 4″ Concrete Slab
  • Erected

Value Package 40 x 60 x 14
$59,900
  • (3) 10 x 12 Roll Up Doors
  • (1) 3070 Walk Door
  • Gutters & Downspouts
  • Insulation Roof & Walls
  • 4″ Concrete Slab
  • Erected

Best Package 50 x 100 x 16
$104,900
  • (3) 12 x 14 Roll Up Doors
  • (1) 3070 Walk Door
  • Gutters & Downspouts
  • Insulation Roof & Walls
  • 4″ Concrete Slab
  • Erected
Feel free to call me or PM if you have questions.
 
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To anyone interested check out Nash metal buildings. I've been talking with them about a 60*100 for a while and they are super helpful, friendly and not pushy at all. They only sell packages but have a list of Erectors. And they manufacture everything here in NC with USA materials. They had specials at the farm show last week and a 30*50 package was $15k I believe.
 
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