Anyone have experience with metal building kits?

[EvilRhino]

If everything goes right, we'll be closing on a house Dec 30th. 5 acres in Franktown. Currently, it has a greenhouse that has electrical and gas. My plan is to build a shop. Could be 30'x40' and use the utilities to the gh.

Does anyone have experience with metal building kits? That area appears to need 40" snow load rating. Most of what I've seen is only rated for 20"

I do a lot myself, so I'd probably grade the area and prepare the concrete area, footers, rebar, mesh. Any insight on the best way to do the concrete? I did our hot tub pad 12'x 16' in 2 days with a mixer 2 bags at a time. Is it worth it to hire trucks and finishers? Looks like $2500 just for the concrete myself vs $6-7k+ to have someone else deal with it.

Thanks

[Great-Kazoo]

DO NOT BUILD IT ON CONCRETE. Put the building up, then pour the concrete, inside. Put up on a pad your taxes are $$$$, it's now a permanent structure.
A steel building / pole barn is considered a utility shed here in weld cty. Check what the permit cost difference is, also look in to taxable difference.

Pouring yourself 2 bag at a time you'll run in to issues, that big an area. See what cost is for a mixer to drop off what you need. Don't forget to include sq footage for the pad and entry door.

You going to use some tinted fiberglass panels on the roof for illumination? When you do the numbers for wiring, otulet boxes, etc. Don't forget a security camera or two in the budget.

[Ah Pook]

I did a pole construction about 10 years ago. 24'x30'x11' building. Snow load was 54" and wind was 120 mph, as per Boulder County. I laughed but the specs are not out of line.

Double/triple check the measurements before ordering. If you know a PB builder, show them the plans.

I did fiber mesh re-enforced concrete floor. Not bad but their are cracks. The floor went in after the building was up. 2x12 pressure treated at the bottom level to hols in the concrete.

Too many details to put in one post. I can answer questions...

[Bailey Guns]

Interested in the info that comes out of this thread. I'm in the same boat. Demanded a house w/shop. Found the perfect house with no shop...given a budget to build a shop as a consolation prize from the Marriage Manager. Now we get to argue about where the shop will be built. But we have plenty of time for that since we don't close til the end of Jan at the earliest.

[Great-Kazoo]

Interested in the info that comes out of this thread. I'm in the same boat. Demanded a house w/shop. Found the perfect house with no shop...given a budget to build a shop as a consolation prize from the Marriage Manager. Now we get to argue about where the shop will be built. But we have plenty of time for that since we don't close til the end of Jan at the earliest.

That the place you looked at?
The first thing to do is check building codes & permits. Will it be cheaper building and over all tax wise to do metal or frame construction?

For anyone considering a metal building / pole barn. INSULATE IT. Consider some opaque fiberglass panels, as part of the rood for indirect lighting. Pour the interior floor AFTER the building is up. Look in to heated floors or other means of keeping it warm in winter.

My roof was done like any other roof, with a minimum overhang off the sides. How it's constructed, when it rains we get water under the roof / down the sidewall as the water follows the slope then drops.
Next building we do. Going to request the roof have a 6-8" overhang. Yes i have gutters, still an issue, ONLY when there's high winds coming in from the NW. It's not an issue for all metal ones, just something we have had a minor one with.
Do the building on a raised area, at least 6-8" above ground level. Helps with water / snow run off

Windows... Smaller ones up high, to keep unwanted visitors out. I have a nice 4x slider with a security bar across, from the inside. What ever you think you want for outlets, add more. Bigger electrical panel. I used the take off from the home upgrade. Had to split 3 of the 20A 110's, so i could run 3 separate 25A? 220 outlets for hobby items as i upgraded over time.

Phone , water and CAT 5 (what ever the current designation is) Phone line just in case your cell doesn't work inside, OR you're in an area that cell service isn't available.
Water for cleaning (on demand heater) If you do metal fab, or engine work (for rinsing sand / bead blasting off) and A CRAPPER. The spouse and i wish we ran water / sewer when ours was done (no extra $$$) This way i could live out there and come in for food and "adult entertainment"
The cable line, again if cell is non-existent or real weak. For security cameras, one must have items are security camera[s]

One more item. Build it bigger then you planned, everyone wishes they did after the fact. BUT............. price out everything you'd like before hand.
This way you can get the building you want, with the conveniences you'd like and stay in budget.
Ours has a few items mentioned, no budget when built, or room now to add improvements. Luckily i was able to barter for a lot of the interior upgrades once the building was up.

The Most Important thing when doing a garage / shop. Build an overhang off one side for outside parking. This way when the spouse complains "There's no room to park my vehicle in there. Because you're taking up the space" You point to the over hang , mentioning why yes there is room for you car honey. It just happens to be out said parking

Then duck, Or remove the firing pin from her pistol. Second thought, remove the firing pin any way. After 4 decades together, you'll thank me.

[Ah Pook]

It's like a safe, build it bigger then what you think you will need.

Ditto on the insulation. I didn't and now wish I did.

Another consideration is heating. I really like radiant floor heat but don't use my shop enough to justify it. Gas or propane need piping. I'm going to a wood stove in mine because wood is plentiful and cheap/free.

[zulu01]

DO NOT BUILD IT ON CONCRETE. Put the building up, then pour the concrete, inside. Put up on a pad your taxes are $$$$, it's now a permanent structure.
A steel building / pole barn is considered a utility shed here in weld cty. Check what the permit cost difference is, also look in to taxable difference.

Pouring yourself 2 bag at a time you'll run in to issues, that big an area. See what cost is for a mixer to drop off what you need. Don't forget to include sq footage for the pad and entry door.

You going to use some tinted fiberglass panels on the roof for illumination? When you do the numbers for wiring, otulet boxes, etc. Don't forget a security camera or two in the budget.

What is the advantage to pouring the floor after the building is up?

[Wulf202]

Tax assessment is reduced

[Wulf202]

You've got utilities and the knowhow. Do in floor heating.

[Great-Kazoo]

What is the advantage to pouring the floor after the building is up?

Tax assessment is reduced

This. On a slab / foundation, it's considered a Permanent Structure.