steel garage/shops

I'm needing more garage/shop space for my ever increasing toy/junk collection and wondered if anyone has experience with or has researched steel construction buildings. I have spoken to a few manufacturers and it is like talking to a used car salesman. Has anyone dealt with a legitamate manufacturer and had good results?

Tom ,

A few years back I did the steel building search, got fed up with the excessive add on costs.....ended up with a 16 x 40 Amish ppre assembeld and delivered shed with heat, air, 220v, full lighting etc. -Inclusive of the pre=asembled building, finishing the interior, paved 80' driveway and landscaping, it came in at $8,000 for all.

Alan,
That's quite a bargain. How many years back was that? I have been getting proposals of between 10K and 16K for a 24x36, and that does not include slab costs and permit/inspection fees. Lumber is pretty cheap right now but the ease and speed of throwing up one of these metal structures is very enticing.

Uh, Alan, he's in California. You're in Amish country.
How many Amish wagons do you think it'll take to get it out there? That's a lot of oats.

:)

Cory, you make me laugh :)
Approx 6 years ago...I have a 3/4 plywood sub floor on 16"oc and another 1/2" on top of that.
Jacking a car on this floor is solid. There is no slab as it sets on a shale base, to avoid large add'l improvement tax based on a permanent fixture. I get assest a mear $165 annual tax here in PA.

Hi Tom
A couple of years ago I scored on a quanset style metal bldg. I'm a bit of a cheap skate who enjoys garage sales, farm auctions and the like. I've seen quite a few at the auctions especially. Anyway I paid 2800 bucks for my 1500 square foot "can". It had been stored for several years packed on 5 pallets. Including concrete windows, doors and framed ends, I've got about $15k invested in it. My sons and neighbors helped erect it (I'm retired Union Sheet Metal Worker, BTW)
I don't think it will win any awards for architectural excellence, but it is solid, lockable, and very dry inside.

Jeez, Al, ya gotta get me Jakey Stoltzfus' phone number!

Esh's sheds in Roxbury

Call General steel building---lots (I mean lots) of time people order buildings and let them slip. If you are flexible you'll find a deal.

Ernie,
At 15K you have a real bargain there. Mine will have to be a tad more stylish as it will be in constant view from our back patio so Candace wants some color co-ordination. Imagine that.

Color coordination?
You got it! Here's a shot just after erection: I painted the panels to match my house before assembly. Left the top silver for sun reflection. After this shot was taken, I wood framed the ends with windows and doors, then painted them to match.
Ernie