It’s not always so easy to accurately estimate the costs of construction projects.

Aside from the materials costs and labor, you’ll also have to worry about various soft costs such as design, building permits, insurance payments, and inspections. 

Just like with any building, constructing metal warehouses involves a lot of moving parts that require careful planning. Only after accounting for every expense does it become possible to calculate the projected total cost for the job.

If you’re planning on building a steel warehouse but are concerned about the average cost, it may help to examine your expected expenses in greater detail.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about estimating the cost of your next warehouse project, so you can move forward with confidence.

Warehouse Construction Costs to Consider

The cost of a steel warehouse construction project will vary widely depending on many different factors.

However, it’s much easier to reach an accurate estimate for the job once you dig into the details of how it’s done. 

Here are the six main factors that will largely determine your steel warehouse building cost.

Architectural Design and Square Footage

First, you’ll need a workable design blueprint for your warehouse that includes precise dimensions and total square feet. This is also the time to select a location for the warehouse on your property.

Leveling out the ground and laying a foundation should take place before any construction. 

If you’re building a prefab warehouse, you won’t need to worry about designing your structure from the ground up. Otherwise, you’ll likely need to hire a construction firm to create a design for the warehouse that suits your specific needs and taste. 

Just remember, the more space your steel warehouse occupies, the more expensive the project will become.

Price of Building Materials

Next, you’ll need to acquire all the materials needed to build the structure. Your complete prefabricated steel building kit and concrete pad will take up the lion’s share of the expenses. But you’ll also need to buy insulation, electrical outlets, lights, etc. 

If you plan to insert windows into the structure, you’ll also want to think about the cost of glass. For finishing out an area of the warehouse to build an office, you’ll need to consider the cost of sheetrock, lumber for framing, and joint compound.

Labor Expenses

With building materials out of the way, you can now estimate the labor costs associated with the project. In the majority of cases, it’s recommended to hire a team of professionals with extensive experience building steel buildings for homeowners or businesses. 

In general, the labor cost to build a steel warehouse tends to range between $5 and $10 per square foot every hour. With that said, you can expect to pay a premium for more skilled labor like running electricity or installing plumbing. 

As previously mentioned, installing sheetrock or a drop ceiling into a metal warehouse will raise labor costs for the project substantially, so be sure to thoroughly discuss projected costs with your contractors before getting started.

Construction Equipment and Tools

If you plan to build a steel warehouse on your own with a few friends or loved ones, you’ll have to think about acquiring all the tools and equipment you’ll need for the job. This includes hammer drills, tape measures, caulking guns, wrenches, and brooms for cleanup. You may also need ladders to access hard-to-reach areas. 

If a team of professionals will do the work, you likely won’t need to spend any money on tools. However, if your steel building is large enough, it may be necessary for contractors to rent heavy equipment like a forklift or scissor lift for hoisting i-beams and roof components into place.

Legal Compliance

Every state, county, and community may have its own set of compliance standards for constructing metal buildings. If your property is zoned for residential purposes, you’ll need to ensure your building is permitted by the local Homeowner’s Association.

For industrial warehouses, compliance standards are more stringent since the interior is occupied by workers. In this instance, you must follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance standards to maintain a safe and secure environment for employees.

Today, newly constructed metal buildings must follow the guidelines put forward by the International Energy Conservation Code, and compliance standards are updated annually. These codes can be quite complex depending on the type of metal building, where it’s located, and how it’s used. 

In short, metal buildings must meet minimum energy efficiency standards, which include ensuring the structure meets a minimum R-value and is properly sealed against the elements.

Regular Maintenance

Like with all construction projects, you’ll want to include preventative maintenance when determining the cost of a warehouse. Luckily, metal warehouses usually won’t require a tremendous amount of upkeep. 

At least once a year, take some time to clean the exterior of the warehouse including any bird droppings or other debris that can accumulate on the roof. If your roof has a drainage system, be sure to also check the gutters and downspouts for any obstructions that could block the flow of water. 

You may also want to periodically inspect your metal warehouse to ensure there are no visible leaks where moisture or pests can penetrate the structure.

Save on Costs With a Custom Prefab Steel Warehouse From Spry Steel

If the cost to build a steel warehouse from scratch seems a little daunting, our team of experts at Spry Steel is here to help. We offer a wide selection of top-quality prefab metal buildings, all entirely customizable and available in several different color schemes. 

Best of all, the transportation and assembly of your new warehouse is included in the price of your structure, allowing you to save more of your hard earned money. 

Whether you’re interested in a smaller tube steel warehouse for storage in the backyard or a more expansive cold steel warehouse for agricultural or business purposes, our experienced professionals have you covered. When you’re ready to learn more, contact us at Spry Steel to get started.