Stick Built v. Morton

[jcmseven]

After contemplating this for three or four years now, I am at the verge of committing to a building purchase. I have always wanted a detached garage/storage building/shop and am looking to do a 24x24 or similar sized building. My two main options are going with a stick built custom building or going with Morton building. My parents have a contractor who has built two houses for them and who I trust greatly. He has given me an estimate of about $50.00 per square foot for a building on a concrete pad with electricity but no heat that either exactly or at least closely matches our house. It would have similar siding and roofline and usual shingled roof. Morton comes in at about 35-40$ per equivalent square footage but can "come close" to having the building match. They cannot guarantee that the building with exactly match our house. Shelving or lofting and/or electricity would require hiring an additional person and might increase my cost some. The building site at which I am looking is about 80 feet from my main house. We live in a gated community and have reasonably strict rules about buildings and matching our homes. I think I can get this by the committee without trouble, but would not want a building that detracts from my home value but rather would be viewed as a value adding addition for the time that we sell, which might be a few years. Those with thoughts on this please chime in on whichever aspect you choose. Thanks.

John M

 

[Carl_NH]

For the delta in cost $6K I would go the stick built route. Morton may seem lower at the onset however wiring, finish, and the little "extras" you will likely want (matching the other bldgs, shelving, work benches etc) while this is in progress will be easy for your contractor to accomplish. I did my 24x36 barn/workshop and the contractor built 2 12' Long double shelved workbenches out of remaining 2X10s and plywood for $200..

On the other hand Morton typically is "what you see is what you get" with potential for additional charge for these extras and very little "custom" attributes. Not saying this is not possible but at the end of the day stick built gets my vote.

 

[BungeeII]

Morton buildings have their place.

A gated community with strict rules isn't one of them.:laughing:

$50 per square foot sounds pretty steep. Is it insulated and finished with drywall, too?

 

[JCB]

jcm,

I was ready to chime in and say Morton, Morton, Morton. After reading your post I'm saying stick built, stick built, stick built.

Pole buildings can look great and really give a warm fuzzy feeling as the PROPER place for a shop and storage are, but you've got a couple things going against you.

1. What BungeeII said...(i.e. have their place)
2. What Carl said...(i.e. pole WYSIWYG, little customization)
3. Pole built can look good, but it'll never match your house.
4. Cost may end up similar.

Good luck either way, sounds exciting!

Joe

 

[jcmseven]

If you know what I mean here, I am not wanting to "cheap out" on this building, but I am wanting not to overspend. I thought $50 per square was pretty steep so I am having a second estimate done. My wife is on me to make sure I am tight on my prices, i.e, an extra $10K unexpected would not win me the home popularity contest. When I first started my business, which I ultimately sold to three of my partners, I was in charge of "building out" my office space. I had never done this before but I recall it only being about $45-50 per square foot and I dealt with contractors. I realize this was about 10 years ago, but that was a finished space with climate control and electrical circuits run everywhere and multiple information ports with some nice interior finish work. Given today's economy, I felt that $40.00 per square foot would be about right, but I have no idea. I would appreciate insight into how far off I might be. I realize too there are geographic differences but for this type building I thought they might not be that much,.

John M

 

[jcmseven]

One other thing I should mention, our "gated" community is on the side of a mountain and is very heavily wooded. Most of the home lots where I live are larger than 3 acres so it is challenging in winter and impossible in summer to see one's neighbors. Essentially I live on about 7 acres in a rural setting that has a gate, private road and security guard. Not that it matters, but it would not be my intent on putting a Morton building on a 1/4 acre lot in a gated golf club community; ours is quite different from that.

John M

 

[radman1]

If you really want it to closely match, go stick built. If the building was farther away, not very visible from the house and you wanted similar look (but still a shop), then the Morton may work. Stick built will also be easier to attach cabinets, shelves, peg board ect to walls since standard 2x's are used. Drywall, sheets of plywood ect also easier to attach to stick built.

I have a 45x72', pole barn 100' from house. It has wainscoting bottom, eaves, windows ect. It was built 3-4 years before the house. Nice looking but does not match the house at all in color. If I had my options, it would more closely match the house but it is what it is. Your project is small in overall size and the stick built works. You have the chance to do it right for not much more money and it will add to the appearance of you property. If you needed a lot of space and height then the pole barn would be much cheaper.

Based on your prior posts, I think you are kind of like me. Do it the optimal way first or regret it later. Then you have to live with it or it becomes a major overhaul to correct. When I built my house I had originally planned a large utility room (12x15) for washer/dryer, work clothes ect. Wife didn't like it on the plans so we opted for smaller room in different location. With my family, the utility room is crowed and congested when going in and out of the house. Got bid last year to add onto house at the original site of the larger utility room. Now the A/C's, electrical ect are in the way, need to dig new footings, new sidewalk, windows, door, match the partial stone exterior ect. The bid was $70K for a 12x15' room. Not doing that project.

 

[CurlyDave]

Get at least 3 or 4 contractors to bid this building.

The more you can specify up front, the fewer surprises at the end. For instance don't just say 20 electrical outlets. Say 100 Amp electrical service, 10 each 20 Amp circuits, not more than 2 outlets per breaker, and include a diagram of where the outlets go. Then add your 220 Volt outlets for a welder, etc.

Right now, many contractors are hurting, and will give you very good prices. Lumber is as cheap as it has been in years. Everything is in your favor to go stick built, but I agree that $50 per sq ft is high for a shop/garage.

 

[Carl_NH]

I had this 24x36 stick built in 99 - concrete slab and second floor. I didnt want any posts inside so went with 18" floor trusses - they were the most expense in the project 22 @ $85 each. Used white cedar shakes to match the house and the same bleaching oil stai, and then copper lamps to keep the lady happy..

Total square footage first floor 850, and 550 upstairs. Was $30K with foundation - no insulation and I wired it myself underground from the garage 200' away. Probably today this may be 10-20% higher.

Note: putting the door on front with a metal roof is not advised

 

[buckeyefarmer]

In my area they both would be referred to as stick built, meaning the raw material is hauled on site than assembled. I would double check with Morton, I know of morton buildings with vinyl siding and shingled roofs that could match.