Pole Barn vs Steel building ASAP!!!!!

46ford · Mar 19, 2013

I own a junk yard and i have a garage that is 60x80. Unfortunately it burnt to the ground yesterday.

I need a new building ASAP!!!!. Im now left with the decision between the 2. I have all the equipment i will need to build the new foundation and build either of the buildings. My employees and I will be building it btw. Would it be cheaper to buy a steel building and construct it myself or build a pole barn?

sam5570 · Mar 19, 2013

if you build steel building you have pour concrete collums to set the steel on and pole barn just dig holes and set post so i'm going to say pole barn.

BigMike50 · Mar 19, 2013

sam5570 said:
if you build steel building you have pour concrete collums to set the steel on and pole barn just dig holes and set post so i'm going to say pole barn.

I agree with the guy with the cute dog picture. The short statement he typed up says it all pretty much

JPRambo · Mar 19, 2013

Steel Buildings & Metal Buildings | American Steel Span
after footers are poured and cured. 4 guys can build this over a weekend and it is huricane rated.
my brother has one similar (name brand??) it stood up to hurricane charlie in 2004

flusher · Mar 20, 2013

Steel building kit and have it erected by an experienced crew that can do the job quickly. My shop (steel building) is only 24 x 42 feet, but a crew of 4 had it installed in 1.5 days.

architect · Mar 20, 2013

wood pole buildings can start today, steel buildings are 8 to 12 weeks delivery from factory, unless one is sitting in a yard. bay spacing averages 25 feet, for your location must be designed for heavy snow load.
Wood trusses are probably available locally in a week. And for your size, just did a n 11,000 sf. with 25 foot eave near Pittsburgh for salvage yard whose building burnt down, but it took the best part of one year to complete, he did use a fabric structure for a while, depends on zoning and codes.

RedNeckRacin · Mar 20, 2013

We had the amish build a 80' by 100' pole builing with no floor for under 50K. Metal roof, and sides, two garage doors and a man door. IMO steel is easier to maintain, doesn't damage as easily and will last alot longer. We had to have a building quickly and cheaply, so that was our choice. In the future, we want to go all steel. (well atleast i do!)

Western · Mar 20, 2013

I would go steel, the self erect options are out there. Buy a per-engineered ready to go. Steel wont "burn down" near as fast as a pole barn might and as mentioned, will last along time. I know your in a hurry, but I wouldn't "put the cart in front of the horse" so to peak.

I would find a dealer that sales "weld-up" packages like Mueller Buildings or Metal Mart do here.

Diamondpilot · Mar 20, 2013

Around here you can have a pole barn built cheaper then you can build it yourself. I built my own 44x52 and a couple friends had built similar sizes cheaper. That and a crew can do it in less than a week including concrete floors.

Chris

2458n · Mar 20, 2013

Sure it would be good to keep your crew working. I believe it would be false economy. The crew who does this for a living are very slick and come in and flat get with the program. NO learning curve.

Nlight · Mar 20, 2013

Sorry to learn of your misfortune.
If you are interested in a Quonset type building, my son knows a guy who may still have one that was never put up. If you are interested, let me know and I will see about it's size, cost and availabiltiy. It would need to be trucked from near Minneapolis, Mn.

STEELMASTERUSA · Apr 5, 2013

46ford
- If you need some help with this give me a shout. I design these structures all day long, and can send you preliminary drawings.
Some of the comments here are helpful, but I woudl disagree on the foundation part. Steel buildings typically require a concrete foundation, but I have designed them in the past with wood piers, concrete sonnet tubes, or other minimal concrete requirements. It helps keep costs down. Give me a shout when you're free and I'll be happy to help you with this. 757-961-7009 Gary Parker - Project Manager - SteelMaster Buildings, Virginia Beach, VA.

SPIKER · Apr 5, 2013

here is one, look at your local CL for them last week or so there was a 60 x 100 or so for sale on mine ready to install no waiting & price was really good.
40' x 60' pole building $14,500.00 New 40 yr metal

or
new archway steel building 25/46ft

I didnt see the 100 x 80 anymore so must have sold... use " SearchTempest Online Classifieds Search - All the Classifieds. One Search. " to automatically search thru local and ebay listings.

Mark

fjcruiser · Apr 7, 2013

I'm for the pole building. I'm biased though... I'm a logger, I will always build with wood

.
I have built two pole buildings, my neighbor built one of steel. Not much difference really. I do like the pole bldg. for hanging stuff, etc. I would spec. Doug fir for the wood if possible. I was surprised to see how many "kits" are built with hem/fir vs. Doug fir in our area.
Steve

Nlight · Apr 7, 2013

Could you explain the reason you would specify Douglas fir? I do know it is much denser and heavier, does it hold up better over time?

fjcruiser · Apr 7, 2013

Nlight said:
Could you explain the reason you would specify Douglas fir? I do know it is much denser and heavier, does it hold up better over time?

You bet. White woods, Western Hemlock and true firs, are more brittle than Douglas Fir. In addition, they seem to be more prone to shake. My experience comes from cutting/felling these trees every day, professionally.
Most of the the "quality" builders around here, don't use hem/fir for building at all. That said, Douglas fir is widely available. It is our primary species of tree.
My comment regarding Douglas fir vs. hem-fir was that many kits that can be purchased locally spec. out hem-fir to save cost. I have spec'd my kits with Douglas fir for nearly the same cost.
Steve