Post frame construction questions.

jymbee · Jul 15, 2015

We're in the process of planning for a new garage/studio. Size will be around 28x30 with 10' ceiling and attic trusses. To this point we've been talking to builders who use typical stick type construction methods and getting prices from some local contractors as well as a couple of the Amish builders who can build on site.

Recently a contractor friend said we should consider post frame construction given the lower cost. When we got a quote from on such builder it was indeed significantly lower than the others not using this technique. But my main question is since the post frame price quoted was for the basic building with metal roof & siding, two garage doors, one entry door, 3 small windows and flooring under the trusses, would we really be saving that much when the additional cost of insulation, sheetrock, etc. which we'll need if we use the space as a studio are factored in?

The other question is about the overall suitability of post frame construction to what we envision will ultimately be a "finished" interior. I've read where some suggest that post frame is more suited to agricultural buildings and the like while others say it's fine for just about any type of building. Not sure which is reality and what might be just hype...

EddieWalker · Jul 15, 2015

Cheapest, fastest building you can build is going to be a pole barn type building, or like you call it, a post frame. If you are going to have a concrete floor and finish off the walls, then traditional stick framing is going to be faster and cheaper in the long haul.

Fawken · Jul 15, 2015

Are you talking about a metal frame building? One that size can be erected in one day for about $8-$10 thousand. Let them do the roll-up doors and entry door, but get your own windows. Finishing them out is no more expensive than wood, except for the cost of 2x3's to act as studs for the sheetrock. The big advantage is you're in the dry in one day.

jymbee · Jul 15, 2015

Fawken said:
Are you talking about a metal frame building? One that size can be erected in one day for about $8-$10 thousand. Let them do the roll-up doors and entry door, but get your own windows. Finishing them out is no more expensive than wood, except for the cost of 2x3's to act as studs for the sheetrock. The big advantage is you're in the dry in one day.

A building something along the lines of what's pictured here. We were told 4-5 days on site to construct.

CDN Farm Boy · Jul 15, 2015

EddieWalker said:
Cheapest, fastest building you can build is going to be a pole barn type building, or like you call it, a post frame. If you are going to have a concrete floor and finish off the walls, then traditional stick framing is going to be faster and cheaper in the long haul.

x2....

Fawken · Jul 16, 2015

jymbee said:
A building something along the lines of what's pictured here. We were told 4-5 days on site to construct.

Looks like a metal building to me. Here they prefab the supports to your specs and assemble it on site. My original house was what I call a "pole building." used telephone poles. Needed something quick and built it myself (with help from a young wife). 16 poles went up. Roof next, then the floor. 3 car garage and laundry room underneath. Later on, I added the main house.

EddieWalker · Jul 16, 2015

If you are considering metal over a wood pole building, the advantage to metal is the open, clear span that you can get. With wood, you are limited to the length of the wood truss. If the building is of similar size, a wood pole barn is going to be cheaper then a metal one.

SirReal63 · Jul 16, 2015

We are doing two finished out metal buildings. The first is done already and about to start the second. We used 2x4's for the walls and coupled with the 2-1/2" metal structure it allowed us to have a full 6" cavity so that R19 insulation would fit. In our case it was significantly cheaper than hiring a builder to stick build the houses, but I did the majority of the work to keep costs down. It was cheaper for the two metal shells than it would have been to stick build the shells. I would not hesitate to do it this way again.

jymbee · Jul 16, 2015

SirReal63 said:
We are doing two finished out metal buildings. The first is done already and about to start the second. We used 2x4's for the walls and coupled with the 2-1/2" metal structure it allowed us to have a full 6" cavity so that R19 insulation would fit. In our case it was significantly cheaper than hiring a builder to stick build the houses, but I did the majority of the work to keep costs down. It was cheaper for the two metal shells than it would have been to stick build the shells. I would not hesitate to do it this way again.

That's encouraging-- especially from someone who has actually gone that route. We are waiting for a couple more bids then it will be decision time. Thanks for the input.

SirReal63 · Jul 16, 2015

I ordered the lumber tonight, about $6,000 for all of the framing lumber for a 40x70 with 14' walls and a loft in the center. Sadly the insulation will cost as much as the framing lumber. It's only drawback is it lacks the aesthetics of a traditional house, but where we are function was more important than form. We are not visible from the road so the aesthetics did not matter one bit.