Can you negotiate the cost of a building

[plowhog]

My problem is I am not finding other people who use this system to build in.

Now I understand. You seek to be the guinea pig to try out the new Cold Rolled steel approach to a steel building. With a neighbor to install it. And a price discount up front.

I wish you success getting a building erected, but my opinion of the above is: Strike 1, Strike 2, Strike 3!

Have you checked with the local bldg department to see what they require for permitting of such a structure? And, I am curious-- do you anticipate any plumbing or electrical at the building, and is there any grading / backfill required? Do you plan to insulate it?

I'm not sure what Cold Rolled steel requires, but my "plain vanilla" steel building required an engineered slab, a soils test, excavation, fill and compaction, and permitting and inspections for concrete, plumbing, electrical, septic, and on and on.

The risk of venturing out to "leading edge" is sometimes it turns into "bleeding edge."

I you do become the "guinea pig," I'd want some really solid assurances regarding building warranty from a company with deep enough pockets so you know you are covered. So if it rains and the building leaks, you don't have the mfgr saying it was installed wrong, your neighbor saying it is a terrible design, and so on.

 

[ddbackhoe]

OK. What I am looking at is a new process for steel buildings, called Cold Rolled steel. I was something an architect in LA recommended. It is lightweight steel framing, instead of heavy red. The reason I am looking at this system is that you can treat the concrete differently (Like a pole barn) which is significanlty less to install than a normal Monolith slab. They company claims to do the cold roll forming, I am looking for alternatives to do competitive bidding with but not having any luck.

And if you are still wondering on cold rolled, it is a system that is used in building storage units.

new, not really. They sell you on using a perimeter footing/wall (stem wall maybe a term used) , then adding a floor. You can do the same with almost any building, however if you are pouring a floor anyway it should be a little cheaper to have the monolithic done (less form building) Or, pour footers and use a gravel floor, or use piers and no footers, or just use posts and add skirt boards then pour, or ......

To answer the original question, my local steel guy is getting 2.25/lineal foot (1' x 3') for roll formed sheets.

VersaTube - DIY Steel Building Kits

 

[jaxs]

OK. What I am looking at is a new process for steel buildings, called Cold Rolled steel. I was something an architect in LA recommended. It is lightweight steel framing, instead of heavy red. The reason I am looking at this system is that you can treat the concrete differently (Like a pole barn) which is significanlty less to install than a normal Monolith slab. They company claims to do the cold roll forming, I am looking for alternatives to do competitive bidding with but not having any luck.

And if you are still wondering on cold rolled, it is a system that is used in building storage units.

I think you are listening to some kind of sales hype. Cold rolled steel process has been around longer than you or I and used to build everything from skyscrapers to farm trailers. The two main construction types in use is #1. Receiver channel ancored to slab with Z purlin and C purlin making up the remainder of framework. #2. Heavy cold rolled I-beams spanning both sides and top then crisscrossed by purlins. Both use 24 or 26 ga sheets for skin.

 

[rustyshakelford]

And I am referring only to the materials. Not the labor. My neighbor erects steel buildings. He will handle that portion of the show.

I’d go with his recommendations of who to get the kit from

Brett

 

[plowhog]

I've found the installers have in depth knowledge and have preferences of this mfr versus that mfr, plus good reasons to back it up.

 

[ustmd]

I think you are listening to some kind of sales hype. Cold rolled steel process has been around longer than you or I and used to build everything from skyscrapers to farm trailers. The two main construction types in use is #1. Receiver channel ancored to slab with Z purlin and C purlin making up the remainder of framework. #2. Heavy cold rolled I-beams spanning both sides and top then crisscrossed by purlins. Both use 24 or 26 ga sheets for skin.

+1--Lots of companies in TX do this and have the same structure as in the OP's link. I went with my neighbor to watch one do the sheets for his barn at a factory in Waco.


But back to his original question, you can try to negotiate anything...question is how anxious are they to sell?

 

[Stimw]

I would price the building both ways to see the difference.
Cold Roll Forming is a solid way to engineer the frame of the building as long as it is approved by City, County and State.

When I bought my 40' X 60' X 14' red iron building 3 years ago I found a local company referred by a friend.
I found that there were 2 regional manufacturers that only sell wholesale to dealers.
I bought the building with the options that I wanted including engineered concrete drawings.
The building seller arranged for the assembly crew which I paid directly.
I found a licenced concrete company to do the concrete and for a modest fee they pulled all permits for me. (I was not allowed because of the size/price)
I am familiar with concrete and they did a PERFECT JOB!
I did not order the 12' X 12' doors with the building. I bought them and installed them myself. (I have past experience)
I was on a tight budget and my total was a little under $40,000.00.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Argh. I hate your story. I am at 100k for a 45x68x18. That is all in with plumbing and electric. We have a variance up here if you are building an ag building you do not need a permit. Except for electric and plumbing.

 

[Stimw]

A friend told me that when ordering a building stay in 20' increments.
That builders work in that realm and anything in between requires additional set up at the build level.
20' is "Off the shelf" shop planning.
Makes sense to me having done fabrication/assembly type work.

 

[chim]

1. Nearly anything can be negotiated. One of our purchasing agents said that time is the issue, and the longer you can wait, the cheaper he can get it. The price stops falling when the PO is issued. (But then one of our estimators said I shouldn't take advice from a purchasing agent because they get paid to tell lies)

2. What does your builder neighbor have to say. There are a bunch of intelligent posters here, but I'd think your neighbor would be a great resource.