Written by
Tamatha Hazen
Edited by
Kristen Cramer
Fact-checked by
Tom Grupa
Cost to build a metal home by size
Building a metal home costs $50 to $145 per square foot, including materials and labor. Steel building prices depend on the size, materials, and interior and exterior finishes selected. Prefab metal house kit prices are $10 to $25 per square foot for plans and materials alone.
| Size | Square feet | Average finished cost |
|---|---|---|
| 25x40 | 1,000 | $50,000 – $145,000 |
| 30x40 | 1,200 | $60,000 – $175,000 |
| 30x50 | 1,500 | $75,000 – $215,000 |
| 30x60 | 1,800 | $90,000 – $260,000 |
| 40x50 | 2,000 | $100,000 – $290,000 |
| 40x60 | 2,400 | $120,000 – $350,000 |
| 40x80 | 3,200 | $160,000 – $465,000 |
| 50x70 | 3,500 | $175,000 – $510,000 |
| 50x80 | 4,000 | $200,000 – $580,000 |
| 50x100 | 5,000 | $250,000 – $725,000 |
| 60x100 | 6,000 | $300,000 – $870,000 |
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Steel and metal building home cost breakdown
| Factor | Cost per square foot |
|---|---|
| Metal building shell (materials) | $10 – $25 |
| Shell assembly & set up (labor) | $5 – $10 |
| Interior & exterior finishing costs | $35 – $110 |
| Total cost per square foot | $50 – $145 |
Metal house kits & plans prices
The cost of a metal house depends on if you choose a prefab kit, pre-made plans, or a custom design:
Prefab house kit
A metal house kit costs $10 to $25 per square foot and include everything needed to build the home’s exterior shell. Assembly to construct the shell on site adds $5 to $10 per square foot.
A pole barn house kit costs $10 to $30 per square foot and includes the posts and beams, exterior walls, standard windows and doors, fasteners, and blueprints for assembly.
Kit package – Some companies offer a complete turnkey package deal featuring a kit, assembly, and interior finishes.
Delivery fees – Most companies include delivery with the cost of the kit. If charged separately, the cost is about 5% to 10% of the total kit price.
Pre-made plans vs custom design
Metal building home stock plans and blueprints cost $1,300 to $2,000.
An architect charges $100 to $250 per hour or $15,000 to $80,000 to design custom house plans.
To save money, pay an architect or home designer a fee to modify a stock plan to suit your specific needs.
Labor cost to build a steel frame house
The labor cost to build a steel frame house averages $5 to $10 per square foot for assembly and set up of the metal shell, plus $35 to $110 per square foot for finishing. Additional labor costs include:
A general contractor costs $50 to $150 per hour to manage the total build. Hiring a general contractor to oversee your project helps to minimize errors and construction delays.
A structural engineer charges $100 to $220 per hour to evaluate the structural integrity of an existing metal building before converting it to a home or to ensure a new build is structurally sound.
An interior designer costs $50 to $200 per hour to design custom interior spaces.
Metal building homes prices by type
| Building type | Cost per square foot (installed and finished) |
|---|---|
| Barndominium | $65 – $160 |
| Pole barn house | $50 – $150 |
| Rigid frame (I-beam) | $45 – $135 |
| A-frame house | $100 – $300 |
| Quonset Hut (arch style) | $40 – $125 |
| Shipping container house | $150 – $350 |
| Modular metal building | $80 – $160 |
Barndominium or pole barn house prices
A barndominium costs $65 to $160 per square foot for a fully finished home. A barndominium—also called a "barndo"—is a barn-style metal structure with a flexible, open living space that doesn't require load-bearing interior walls.
A pole barn house costs $50 to $150 per square foot, including interior finishing. A pole barn features post-frame construction with wooden or metal posts anchored in the ground.
Rigid frame steel building homes cost
A rigid frame or I-beam building costs $45 to $135 per square foot fully installed and finished. The strong steel frame is designed for heavy snow loads and column-free interior spaces.
A-frame metal building homes cost
An A-frame home costs $100 to $300 per square foot for a fully finished metal house. The A-frame structure is popular in ski areas since the sloped roof prevents excess snow and ice build-up and offers high ceilings and large windows.
Quonset huts
A Quonset hut building costs $40 to $125 per square foot for a fully installed, finished structure. This lightweight steel building has a semi-cylindrical or arched cross-section. Quonset huts are often seen on military installations and are named for the Naval Air Station where they were designed.
Metal shipping container home
A metal shipping container home costs $150 to $350 per square foot, depending on the size, number of containers, and interior and exterior finishes selected. The shipping container alone costs $1,200 to $10,000 and comes in 10', 20', and 40' standard lengths.
Cost to finish a metal building home
The metal home kit or exterior shell and on-site assembly make up 30% of the total project cost, while labor and materials for site prep and interior and exterior finishing make up the other 70%.
| Factor | Average cost (40x60 metal home) | % breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Building shell materials(Including assembly and installation) | $36,000 – $84,000 | 30% |
| Site prep and foundation | $14,000 – $54,000 | 15% |
| Interior and exterior finishing | $70,000 – $210,000 | 55% |
| Total cost to build | $120,000 – $350,000 | 100% |
Metal barn home construction may include these additional costs:
Site prepand foundation
Land clearing costs $1,200 to $3,700, depending on how heavily wooded the lot is.
Excavation costs $2.50 to $15.00 per cubic yard.
Land leveling or grading costs $0.40 to $2.00 per square foot.
A land survey costs $200 to $1,2000, depending on the property size and difficulty of the terrain.
Asphalt driveway paving costs $3 to $7 per square foot, while a gravel road costs $1 to $3 per square foot installed.
See AlsoWhat is a shouse?A concrete slab floor costs $5 to $10 per square foot installed, depending on the reinforcement and thickness.
Interior and exterior finishing costs
Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot of surface area.
Spray foam insulation costs $1.00 to $4.50 per square foot of surface area.
Flooring installation costs $4 to $15 per square foot, depending on the material chosen.
Interior painting costs $1 to $6 per square foot of surface area.
Interior doors cost $155 to $688 each, including installation.
Exterior door installation costs $300 to $1,900 each for a garage, side, back, or front door.
Kitchen cabinets cost $4,500 to $15,000 installed.
Kitchen countertops cost $50 to $150 per square foot installed.
Kitchen appliances cost $2,500 to $6,800 to install a complete set.
Sink installation costs $330 to $1,300 for each kitchen or bathroom sink installed.
Installing light fixtures costs $70 to $300 per fixture or about $3,000 for the home.
HVAC installation costs $7,000 to $16,000 for a new system with ductwork.
Furnace installation costs $3,400 to $11,000 for a new furnace with ductwork.
Landscaping costs $50 to $100 per hour or $3,000 to $16,000 for a completely new landscaping installation.
Permits and zoning –
Building permits cost $500 to $2,000 for new home construction or building renovations.
Zoning requirements in some areas limit the height or square footage of metal buildings. Check with your local municipal office before starting any development work.
Adding living quarters to an existing metal building
Converting an existing metal building into a home requires tying into the existing major utilities or adding new services on site. Adding major utilities costs $9,000 to $34,500, depending on the services already on site. Costs may include:
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City water – Installing a new water main for a metal building costs $1,700 to $3,000.
Well water – Drilling a new well costs $25 to $65 per foot.
Sewer – Adding a sewer line costs $1,600 to $7,200 for up to 40 feet, with excavation and backfill.
Septic – Installing a new septic system costs $3,280 to $5,040.
Plumbing – Installing plumbing pipes in new construction costs $4 to $6 per square foot.
Electricity – Running power from the road to the house costs $10 to $25 per linear foot.
Metal building home vs. traditional cost
A metal building home with basic finishes is typically cheaper than a traditional home build costing $100 to $200 per square foot. A metal building is durable, low maintenance, and faster to build than a traditional home.
| Factor | Metal building home | Traditional home |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $120,000 – $350,000 | $155,000 – $416,000 |
| Time to build | 6+ months | 12+ months |
| Lifespan | 50 years+ | 70 – 100 years+ |
| Strength and safety | Endures winds up to 150 mph | Endures winds up to 150 mph |
| Durability | Metal construction resists mold, pests, and fire. | Prone to moisture, mold, pest, and fire damage |
| Maintenance | Aluminum siding is very low maintenance. | Wood and stucco homes require repainting every 7 to 10 years. |
| Energy-efficiency | Well-insulated for better energy efficiency | Energy-efficient building practices are more costly. |
| Insurance costs | Insurance may be more difficult to obtain since adding secondary usage of a workshop or agricultural workspace is riskier. | Easy to insure, but costlier in areas with hazardous weather like hurricanes and tornadoes |
| Environmental impact | Sustainable stainless steel has a reduced environmental impact . | Green building practices are more expensive. |
| Building codes | May be restricted in some cities and towns | Some suburban neighborhoods have home size and elevation restrictions. |
| Financing | May be unable to get a conventional mortgage | Easier to get a conventional mortgage or construction loan |
| Selling | Limited resale market | Appeals to most buyers |
Metal houses FAQs
Does a metal building add value to your home?
A metal building adds value to your home since homebuyers tend to prefer homes with a garage or workshop space.
What is a pre-engineered metal building?
A pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) is a steel frame system designed to fit exact dimensions and fully manufactured at a factory. The frame components, including the roof and wall panels, are shipped to the job site where they are assembled and set up.
How long does it take to build a metal building?
Depending on the crew size, a small metal building can be erected in a few days, while larger structures may take about a week. Adding interior living quarters takes another 3 to 6 months.
How long do metal buildings last?
Metal buildings last 50 to 100 years. Steel is highly resistant to corrosion, mold, pests, and fire damage. Steel is also strong enough to withstand high winds and heavy snow loads.
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Who builds metal buildings?
Metal building companies most often build steel structures for commercial use. However, many metal building kit companies offer installation and construction services for residential homes. Before selecting a builder, confirm they have experience with residential construction and interior finishing.
Getting estimates from metal home builders
When getting estimates from metal home builders near you, follow these guidelines:
Search for licensed, insured, and bonded builders with experience building metal homes.
Get several estimates with similar materials, features, and finishes to compare.
Read builder reviews on HomeGuide and Google.
Ask about visiting an active job site to see their work in progress.
Pick a builder that works within your budget and timeline.
Request a written contract including the timeline, payment schedule, and warranty information.
Avoid making large upfront deposits or paying in full. Instead, follow a payment schedule and make the final payment when the job is complete.
Questions to ask
To find the best metal home builder for your project, ask these important questions:
Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?
How many metal building homes have you built this year?
Can I see examples of your work nearby?
Does your estimate include site prep and cleanup?
Are you responsible for getting the necessary building permits?
How long does a metal building home take to install and finish?
How much of a deposit do you require? What are your payment terms?
Do you have a list of preferred lenders for financing?
