How much does it cost a square foot to build a metal building?

Answer 1

In order to start to estimate the time and material for a steel building erection , first you will need to estimate the man hours required to determine the man-hours per square foot of building.

Erectors often can do a box 2400' building in as little as 4 days or .04 (men/hrs.) per sq.ft.)

Based on national averages of an experienced 4 man crew, the average time to erect a small 40 x 50 x 14,

(2000') is 4-5 days. To estimate the man hours (men/hrs.) based on these averages:

· Calculate: 4 men at 8 hours per day = 32 man-hours per day. 32 (men/hrs.) per day x 5 days = 160 (men/hrs.) per week.

· Divide 2000 sq.ft. By 160 = .08 (men/hrs.) per square foot. (Average .05-.10 per square foot)

Once you have estimated the man-hours per square foot, you can estimate the labor cost by taking the total man hours times the hourly wage per person.

Next, you would take the total number of days that you would need equipment rental and calculate the equipment rental cost and transportation.

Now, add your appropriate overhead for your monthly business expense. (Average 10- 25%)

Don't forget to ad travel time, insurance cost or any of the other above mentioned or job specific items.

Example: 40 x 50 x 14

2000 x .08 = 160 total man-hours x $25.00 per hour average $4,000.00 Labor

160 total (men/hrs) divided by 32 (men/hrs) day = 5 days rental at $500/day $2,500.00 Rental

Travel time and expense at $100/day (100 miles) $500.00 Travel

Subtotal $7,000.00

Add profit at 20% $1,400.00

Total Erection cost ($4.20') $8,400.00

Example: 100 x 100 x 18

10,000 x .06 = 600 total man hours x $25.00 per hour average $15,000.00 Labor

600 total (men/hrs) divided by 32(men/hrs) day = 18.75 days rental at $500/day $9,500.00 Rental

Travel time and expense (within 1 hour of jobsite) No Charge

Sub-total $24,500.00

Add overhead at 20% $4,900.00

Total Erection Cost (2.94') $29,400.00

These examples are given only as guidelines to assist a Builder in a method of evaluating final cost as you complete the work. Learning how to estimate the hours will also give the Builder some guidelines in ball parking the time and equipment rental to calculate if the rates of a sub-contract erector are reasonable. There are many other methods for estimating erecting cost and nothing is a substitute for experience.