Has anyone put together a large metal building?

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We're considering using a 30'X60'metal building for a garage/barn. The salespeople all talk like it's a breeze--and that my husband and I can do this, it only takes a couple of days. Say all we'll need is a forklift to help move the 200 pound beams. Neither my husband nor I are do-it-your-selfers, and I'm obviously skeptical. We don't mind a challenge to save money, but this sounds too easy to be true.

Have you done this and what was the size of your building? How long did it take, and how many people were helping to erect it?

-- Marsha (CaprisMaa@aol.com), October 05, 2001

Answers

Having done more than a little contracting work in my younger days I'll tell you this much. If neither you nor your hubby are handy with and comfortable around tools and building DO NOT take on a project of this magnitude without professional or skilled, experienced non-professional help. While you said "metal building" I'm going to assume you mean a pole building with metal sheeting as opposed to a steel frame metal building.

Like most things in life, they're not difficult once you've done a couple with someone who knows what they're doing and can show you what you need to know. I think we've all had experiences with things like that. The first time you install a new improvement it takes quite a while and, in that process, a few things come to light as to how to do it efficiently. Unfortunately, you're only doing the one. If you were to do another on immediately after you finish the first you'd not only complete it in far better time but, in most cases, have a nicer result, too.

I'd heartily recommend hiring a working foreman or finding a willing friend who's done this kind of thing before. You and some not-so- experienced friends can still provide the bulk of the labor and save a lot over having an entire crew do all of the work while you watch from the sidelines. I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), October 05, 2001.


With 200 pound beams as you stated, I assume it is a steel frame building. If you told the salesman you are not do-it-yourselfers, then he is lying to you. Get a new saleman and knowledgeable help.

-- Joe (CactusJoe001@AOL.com), October 05, 2001.

Funny someone should post such an inquiry...

I (+ family & friends) am in the process of finishing up a 30 X 50 wood frame metal sheathed building. About all that's left is the peak at one end and the garage doors , some wiring etc. We got the lumber from an old barn, (used the barn siding for wall covering in our house)cottonwood 2 X 6s. I started grading the fill in early June, framed up for the concrete pour early July, and poured cement the 2nd week of July. We built the trusses and put up the framework in August. Had the metal (mostly) on by mid-Sept. We bought our metal from a wholesale supplier who cut length to our specs for 39c sq. ft. Total cost of building because of all the labor and extras given to us....approximately $6000.00 I thank the Lord for all the people who helped us for no apparent reason. I've thanked the folks who helped us numerous times. ...But , I WORKED MY TAIL OFF all spring & summer long! ... After work that is. put one up in a couple of days? hmmmm.... tired in No. MO

-- Eric Davis (w_farmersville@hotmail.com), October 05, 2001.


>I WORKED MY TAIL OFF all spring & summer long! ... After work that >is. put one up in a couple of days? hmmmm.... tired in No. MO

Thank you! I knew better than to take the salesman's word. I love the honest advice given here at Countryside. Thank you all for your comments, we are definitely rethinking our building options, and won't be building a metal building ourselves.

-- Marsha (CaprisMaa@aol.com), October 06, 2001.


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