Metal garage kits

Premium steel garage packages

Considering a large, pro-grade detached garage for your home or business?

Choose a pre-engineered metal garage kit. While more costly than a basic tubular carport-style structure, they provide lasting durability, add value to your property, and can be customized to match your existing buildings.

Find the best metal garage buildings for sale with competing free quotes from vetted local suppliers.

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Top selling metal garage building kits

Below are some of our most popular metal garage building kits, showing various door configurations for typical setups. You can customize any of these structures to meet your specific size, access, and style requirements.

Popular garage sizes include: 30×4030×50 and 40×60.

Unsure what size you need? See our sample garage plans for inspiration and layout ideas.

What is a 'Red Iron' garage?

Red iron buildings are a notch above your typical metal buildings. They are engineered with commercial-grade steel I-beams and securely bolted together on-site for lasting durability. Each one is custom-designed to meet local building codes, handling up to 160 MPH wind and 110 PSF snow loads. Unlike simpler tubular structures, these are made from high-quality American steel, designed for long-term use with low maintenance, and have warranties of 30+ years.

Installed Garage Cost Range

$25 - $45

per square foot

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Customer garage projects

Martin's double garage

Ken's garage

Joe's garage

Johnston RV garage

Why choose a metal garage kit?

Steel buildings for your garage are a durable, cost-effective, and low-maintenance alternative to traditional ‘stick-built’ buildings.

Compared to a pole barn, a steel garage kit allows you to maximize your floor plan with 100% usable, column-free space.Their trussless roof design also provides loft space for additional storage, an office, or an apartment.

The roof can easily be engineered to support a winch or crane for auto maintenance etc.

Precision engineering ensures your building goes together without a hitch the first time. The easy bolt-together framing enables fast install times for both DIY and professional projects.

Unlike tubular carport-style metal garages, ‘Red Iron’ buildings add value to your property, are engineered to meet all local codes, and can be certified for occupancy should you want to add living quarters.

Garage features

Start your project by customizing a standard-size metal building kit package to create a space that meets your specifications for access and functionality.

You get exactly the garage you need by specifying height, roof style and pitch, exterior finishes, colors, door and window sizes, and types.

By configuring these options, you can create a space that meets your storage or workshop requirement and complements your existing buildings.

Garage packages include:

  • Steel I-Beam framing
  • Steel roof & wall panels (26ga)
  • Complete trim package
  • Two framed door openings
  • Foundation anchor bolt plans
  • Engineer stamped plans
  • Kit delivery
  • Installation instructions
  • All bolts, flashing & sealants

Metal building features

  • Bolt-up construction
  • Trussless roof design
  • Clearspan widths to 300′
  • Certified to 160 MPH wind
  • Certified to 110 PSF snow
  • 30+ year warranty
  • Fast, free delivery
  • Fast build & times

Custom options:

Doors – Choose overhead garage doors, rollup, sliding or bifold door options.

Roof profile & pitch – Adjust the gable roof pitch or select a single-slope, gambrel, or monitor profile

Insulation – Opt for vinyl-faced fiberglass, spray foam, or insulated metal panels (IMPs).

Structural upgrades – Add porches, overhangs, a carport lean-to, or a mezzanine for loft storage.

Colors – Mix & match siding, roof, trim, and wainscot color options for a custom look.

Items not included:

  • Permits
  • Foundation
  • Installation
  • Insulation
  • Interior build out

How much do metal garages cost?

The average turnkey cost to erect a metal garage ranges from $25 to $45 per square foot. This includes the kit, foundation and installation costs. Our 2-car metal garages start at $26,100, 3-car at $34,800, and 4-car at $43,500.

Costs vary based on your location, the number and size of overhead doors, and the level of interior finishing required.

For additional cost details, see our prices page.

Item Square Foot Cost
Building kit (shell)
$15-$25
Foundations
$5 – $10
Installation
$5 – $10
Av. Turnkey Cost
$35 / Sq Ft

Nine ways to save on steel buildings

Based on conversations with our previous customers, contractors, and suppliers, here are some quick tips to help you save on your new steel building.

1. Shop around. With so many suppliers offering different deals, getting quotes from multiple suppliers is essential. Also, most suppliers offer free shipping, so you don’t need to buy locally if you don’t want to.

2. DIY. If manageable, erecting the structure yourself can lead to substantial savings. Most people can reduce the total cost by approximately 20% to 30% by taking on this task.

3. Simplify the design. Opt for a straightforward design. Complex designs necessitate extra steel and more engineering effort, increasing the final cost of your new build.

Two bay garage/shop
Credit: Great Western

4. Minimize expensive design changes. As with any large project, careful planning is critical; overlooking current requirements can lead to unexpected future expenses. Once production starts, making changes can be costly.

5. Choose a basic roof style and low pitch. A single-slope roof with a 1:12 pitch is the most economical choice. Like the design aspect mentioned earlier, intricate roof styles like monitor and gambrel require additional materials and engineering time. A gable roof with a 2:12 pitch strikes the perfect balance for most buyers.

6. Minimize door and window openings. Framed openings should be kept to the bare minimum as their costs accumulate rapidly. Also, opt for standard-sized options wherever possible, preferably those that are easily obtainable in your local area.

7. Reduce the height. Try to be realistic about the height of your steel garage; the higher you go, the more materials are required, which will, in turn, increase the price. The additional space will also impact your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) expenses.

8. Plan ahead for expansion. Red iron buildings can be expanded later if you specify ‘expandable end walls’ on your initial order. If you fail to do this, the expenditure of adding additional bays later will be significantly more expensive due to the additional engineering required.

9. Schedule off-season installation.  Schedule construction in early spring or late autumn to save on contractor fees, especially in colder climates where these times are more cost-effective than summer.

30′ x 40′ Shop/garage
Credit: Norsteel

TIP: Choose as large a garage as your budget and space will allow. The #1 complaint we hear is, ‘I wish I had opted for a slightly larger size.’

Pitfalls to avoid when buying metal buildings

Pre-engineered metal buildings are known for their affordability, durability, and fast install times. However, attention to specific details is essential for a successful project and a space that fulfills your requirements.

Not thoroughly planning the project. Avoid rushing the planning phase. Carefully consider all design elements to prevent costly modifications, budget overruns, and delays.

Ignoring local codes. Engage early with local authorities to prevent zoning or code violations, which could lead to legal issues.

Hiring the wrong contractors. Ensure the crew you hire has substantial experience installing pre-engineered buildings. Proper vetting is crucial.

Don't let this happen to you!

Not comparing apples to apples. When comparing prices, ensure you’re evaluating similar quality kits. Prefab metal buildings come in different grades. Cheaper options often found in online retail or big-box stores use tubular framing, which lacks commercial-grade steel I-beam frames’ durability and load-bearing capacity. Remember, opting for a less expensive option means compromising on longevity, strength, and possibly safety.

Overlooking the importance of the foundation. A weak foundation is the leading cause of failure in pre-engineered buildings. It’s crucial to hire a certified structural engineer for the slab design and choose a reputable concrete installation company.

Overlooking future growth. Anticipate potential growth. Including “expandable end walls” in your initial order is more economical than making modifications later.

Insulation and ventilation oversight. Proper insulation and ventilation are crucial for maintaining energy efficiency. Neglecting these can cause heat and moisture build-up, potentially damaging the framing and siding.

Buying purely on price. Steel garage kits vary in price and quality. Be wary of suppliers who pressure for quick sales. Avoid making hasty decisions based on cost alone. Instead, obtain detailed written quotes from at least three suppliers and compare them thoroughly.

Questions to ask yourself before buying a metal building kit

After helping customers plan, configure, and purchase metal garages for over twenty years, here are some of the most important points to consider.

  • How many vehicles do I need to store? Allow 240 square feet for cars and 300 square feet for medium-sized trucks. This provides two feet of clearance on either side of the vehicle and three feet down the length. We recommend creating a floor plan to visualize your intended layout.
  • Do I need additional workshop or storage space for garden equipment, tools, ATVs, boats, etc.?
  • What is the maximum height of the vehicle I need to park? Add 2 feet above the door opening to the eave height for steel garages. For example, an 8-foot door requires a 10-foot eave height.
  • Will you require a half bathroom? (allow approx. 25 sq ft)
  • Will you fit an office space? (allow approx. 80-120 sq ft)
30' x 60' Garage with office & half bathroom
  • Do you need a second-story loft apartment or storage area? If so, choose a 16’ to 20’ height and install a mezzanine level.
  • Do you need heat? The most economical option is installing radiant underfloor heating, propane, or a natural gas convection heater. For 2-car garages, you will need approx. 35,000 BTUs, and for 3-car, you will need a 45,000 BTU system. For a low-cost option, consider a pellet stove.
  • Will you be washing cars inside? Then, plan to have floor drains installed in each bay for drainage.
  • Do you have (or will have) an electric vehicle? Consider running a 230-volt 40 Amp service to charge an EV.

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Nine ways to save on steel buildings

Here is a brief overview of the build project; for additional details, see our article on how to plan, design, and build a garage.

Site prep and concrete foundations

Before erecting the frame your new building, you must prep the site, including grading, clearing, etc.

All garages will typically require a concrete slab. Although it is possible to have a dirt floor (if required), only piers are required in this case. For light loads, such as one to two light cars or trucks, the concrete should be at least four inches thick, and for medium loads, such as one to two medium-sized trucks, a thickness of six inches is recommended.

Construction options

When it comes to erecting your building, you have three options.

  1. Do-it-yourself (DIY). We only advise going this route on smaller buildings and if you have previous experience.
  2. Self-manage. You will hire and manage the various sub-trades to erect the building.
  3. Hire a General Contractor (GC). A GC will manage the entire project on your behalf, from pulling permits and installation to the final inspection.

Installation / assembly
Credit: u/domino666

Interior finishing

The final stage will include running utilities and adding insulation.

If you plan on having a separate bathroom, office, or shop space, framing can be done using either 2×4 wood studs or steel studs and finished with drywall.

Alternatively, you could install a mezzanine to provide a loft area. If this is a requirement, plan for an eave height of 14 to 16 feet.

Mezzanine loft storage area
Credit: u/yellow68camaro

Garage kits FAQ

With a metal garage building, the height is measured at the eave. As a rule of thumb, you will need 2 feet above your highest opening. So for cars and trucks, you will need an 8-foot overhead door plus 2 feet to give you an eave height of 10 feet. For oversized vehicles, you will most likely need 12-14 feet.

Our steel building kits come with either a 1:12 or 2:12 pitch. Steeper pitches up to 6:12 are available as a special order.

Yes, our buildings can be customized with alternate exterior finishes to the standard PBR panels. Options include stucco, brick/stone veneer, and insulated metal panels (IMP). Please note that it is essential you discuss this option with your salesperson or project manager in advance to ensure that your steel building is appropriately engineered for these modifications. Retrofitting or remodelling a steel building isn’t straightforward.

The timeframe for delivery is influenced by its size, complexity, and type, among other variables. Typical lead times can range from 30 to 90 days.

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