How Much Does a 30’x40’ Steel Building Cost?

A 30’x40’ steel building is one of today’s most popular sizes, offering 1,200 square feet of unobstructed interior space. Many Metal Building Outlet customers purchase 30’x40’ steel buildings for use as garages, barns, barndominiums, workshops or warehouses, or as equestrian, farm or retail buildings, among other common uses. While the cost of a 30’x40’ steel building will vary based on building height, special features and the building codes in your area, among other variables, most people spend between about $40,800 and $55,200 on a base building of this size after factoring in material, concrete and erection expenses.

Here’s a closer look at how much you can expect to spend in each category.

Budgeting for materials

 

The market price of steel can change on a dime, but as of February, 2024, you can expect to pay between about $12 and $14 a square foot for the steel used to construct your building (depending on snow loads, wind speed requirement, seismic loads, and building code). For a 30’x40’ metal building, this equates to somewhere between about $14,400 and $16,800, depending on your steel supplier.

Budgeting for concrete

 

Most metal buildings sit atop concrete foundations, and most consumers pay between $15 and $20 per square foot for concrete. For a 30’x40’ steel building, you’re looking at spending between about $18,000 and $24,000 for the concrete needed for your foundation and slab.

Budgeting for erection

Erection rates vary from contractor to contractor, but nationally, most people pay contractors between $7 – $12 per square foot to raise their buildings. For a 30’x40’ steel building, you can expect to pay between about $8,400 and $14,400 to have it erected.

A pre-engineered 30’x40’ metal building kit arrives at your erection site with its components already partially assembled, making it much faster and easier to raise than a traditional wood building. Have a specific building type in mind and wondering how much it might cost? Click here to access Metal Building Outlet’s 3D Designer and price estimator.