I apologize if this is a duplicate--thought this was posted previously, but can't find it.

We're thinking of purchasing a large 30'x60' metal building for a garage/barn. Salespeople assure us that we can put this together ourselves, only need a forklift to raise the 200pound beams. Say it only takes a few people a coule of days to completely erect this building, we can make our own cuts for doors & windows. My husband and I aren't exactly do-it-yourselfers, but we'd certainly attempt to do this if it is as simple as they say. But we also know how sales pitches are too!

If you have built a large metal building, what size was it? How many people did it take and how long till it was finished?

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

Answers

Boy does this bring back memories !! My wife and I built a 30 X 40 pole barn. Had some Menoites put the poles in and put up the roof trusses. Could never have done that ourselves, since we had no idea how to do it. [ We did build, and put up the posts and trusses on the chicken house be that was only 12 x 20 and 10 ft. high ] Next on our barn, we did put up the cross pieces that the roof tin is attached to. That wasn't hard, but we did need to rent scaffolding and that was hard to move around, etc. Our barn is 14 feet high where the trusses meet the poles. Then came the problem of making sure that the whole thing was square before we put the siding on. That is a problem with a large structure. We had help from a neighbor who is a general contractor. Never got it really square but close enough. My wife and I put up the siding and it was hard work! Don't think there was a day over freezing when we were working on it. It is dangerous to try and set a piece of steel siding that is 3 feet by 20 feet! Windy days are a blessing because you can't work! Then came the roof! While sitting on the corner of the roof, and looking down, and then trying to lift/push/slide the first piece of tin for the roof.........common sense took hold and we had some Menonites do that too. Much safer. As my neighbor said, is this barn roof worth breaking your neck on? No.

My advice, unless you are really good at building, and have plenty of neighbors to help, hire it out. It will get done faster, safer, and probably better. And you will be in good shape to do the finishing work on the inside.

-- Rickstir (rpowell@email.ccis.edu), October 05, 2001.

Marsha, I'd say go for it. I've never built a large metal building, but I've put up metal grain bins and large tower metal feed bins. These things are all like giant erector sets and go together quickly. No measuring, this piece goes here, etc. A wooden pole building goes up fast as well, and if I had my choice I'd probably still go with a pole buildin just because I've got so many and have worked on them, but I'll tell you, those cheap prices for the all metal buildings are darned attractive! If you do it, go out and buy yourselves a couple of good cordless drills for all of the bolts you'll be using.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), October 05, 2001.

Marsha...my husband helped a friend build one about the same size as yours. It was a pain! Took them (3 people) about two months to build. The scaffolding is a MUST and there are many heavy trusses. And there is alot of screwing!! Make sure you make provisions for condensation on the inside and there is good insulation to muffle the sound of heavy rain and hail!! Some animals are sensitive to the noise. Good Luck!

-- Marcia (HrMr@webtv.net), October 05, 2001.

You can find your other thread at:

http://hv.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=006aoe

If you prefer a clickable link, here it is: Link

-- Joy F [in So. Wisconsin] (CatFlunky@excite.com), October 05, 2001.

Marsha,

I'm in the process of putting up a 150'x 300' metal building for an ice hockey rink. But this is like comparing apples and oranges. Metal buildings go together pretty easily even for novices who can follow directions. Don't be fooled though! Unless you have experience in putting up one of these buildings you won't have a completed building in a few days.

-- Pete (pdfitz@mkl.com), October 05, 2001.

Thanks to everyone who responded. It sounds like this is not the solution for a not-so-handy couple. I appreciate your answers

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