What kind of steel building do you have?

[stirfamily]

We're looking to put up a building for DH's shop and are considering Morton Buildings. Got their info packet and will be calling them this week for a quote.
Was wondering what type of experience others have had.
Also, has anyone bought building kits from Menards? What about them?
Thanks so much,
Karen in NE Indiana
aka grandma chicken

[artificer]

Do you have more time or money? Are you handy? Around here, Morton has a really good rep. You pay for it, but you get a first class building fast.

A Menards building can be cheap or moderately decent depending on what you buy, and the choices you make. Our Menards building has turned out well. If you want to maximize your building, and are willing to do a lot of work, the Menards building is a good choice. If you want to buy the building, and have someone else put it up, you end up being the general contractor for the build.

I believe that the Morton steel is higher quality and thicker than Menards. Its basically a case of you get what you pay for. The Menards steel is adequate however.

If you decide to buy the Menards building, plan on a several hour trip to spec it out and sign off on EVERY item on the list. What you are buying is a parts list and a plan sheet. If you deviate from the plans, you might need more materials. We went with bookshelf girts at 24" OC. The design was for flat nailed on a wider OC spacing. That upped the materials needed.

Michael

[NTRotty]

I have talked to Morton, local representative gave information over phone that most of their buildings start at $12 to $15 / sq. ft., for basic of buildings and we did not discuss options or extras. I understand their quality of product and installations is very good.

I have not compared to any other designs or brands. Keep us posted on what you find in comparison.

[littlebitfarm]

Comparing Mortons and Menard's is a lot like comparing a Cadillac and a Kia!

Kathie

[Chuck R.]

We're having one put up in about 1-2 weeks (hopefully) by a local contractor. He built my old boss's barn, our friends barn, and our friend's, friend's barn, very well known locally and well thought of. It really depends on your features, but to give you an idea on pricing:

60x40 Barn with hard pack lime dust floor:
Two 10' overhead doors.
One walk in door.
Waist coat (two tone)
Two cupolas W/wind vanes

Attached 15x24 ft shop (Lean To) W/concrete floor
Concrete extended to 36' to make a porch
3 Windows
Garage door
walk in door
Seamless gutters
3000 gallon rainwater collection system w/pumps

For an estimated $32,000.

We looked at Mortons, ESH and Lester. Mortons are very, very, nice buildings, but they're also the most expensive at least around here.

Chuck

[ET1 SS]

We bought a steel building from 'Freedom Steel'

http://www.freedomsteel.com/

It is 40' by 60', no problems with it.

We are very happy with it.

[Cornhusker]

I like the Mortons but they are a bit pricey.
We put up a 30x50 Cleary building.
It cost around 8 bucks a sq ft but that included the insulated doors.

[Terminus]

My pole barn was completed about a month ago by a local contractor;
40x64 with a 10x64 lean-to, 2 sliding doors, one walk in door and one window.

The flooring I will do myself. Total cost about $19,000 or $6/sq ft.

[stirfamily]

Well, we've got a couple of reps coming out next week. One from Morton and one from Meyer Buildings. Will be going to Menards this weekend to get their prices too. DH wants to the do the work ourselves, I say NO! So right now I'm leaning toward anyone who will do the whole she-bang and keep me off a ladder! LOL!
karen in NE Indiana
aka grandma chicken

[Lazy J]

Menard's Buildings are NOT the way to go if you want something that will have the strength to last. The purlins will be on 36" centers, it will come with rafters on 8' centers, and the oors will be a cheap kit.

Look up some of the Amish builders, they are hungery for work and will make some deals.

Where are you located in NE Indiana? I can get you in touch with a builder that did work for me that I trust.

Jim

[artificer]

Originally Posted by Lazy J

Menard's Buildings are NOT the way to go if you want something that will have the strength to last. The purlins will be on 36" centers, it will come with rafters on 8' centers, and the oors will be a cheap kit.

Look up some of the Amish builders, they are hungery for work and will make some deals.

Where are you located in NE Indiana? I can get you in touch with a builder that did work for me that I trust.

Jim

Purlins are in the roof. Menards (Midwest Manufacturing) spec a max of 24" OC for purlins. If you mean girts in the walls, then your spacing is whatever you want. The spacing of the girts is chosen for an agricultural building. We went with 24" OC bookshelf spacing. As long as the spacing is less than what is spec'ed, then it will meet the design numbers on the plansheet.

Once again, Menards "buildings" provide a plansheet, parts list, and a construction guide. Other than the metal thickness, you can build the building as strong as you like.

Where are the Amish going to get their materials? You're comparing apples and oranges. The Amish are building a building, but Menards is only providing the materials.

I can't remember if it was Cleary or Morton, but they told me that they wouldn't spec the door on our shed. The rep said he can't compete with Menards, so they frame it, and I could get the door and install it. Savings would be significant. If I wanted to go with a commercial bomb proof door, and was willing to pay for it, then they could supply it.

Rafters on 8' centers (actually trusses) are an upgrade. The minimum cost/max spacing is 9' OC for a midwest ag building. You can go with however close you want. You'll still meet the minimum requirements for snow/live/dead/wind loads. Anything closer is stronger, more expensive, and can be considered a better building. If you want, you can spec a higher snow/dead load, and get the plans designed for that.

I am not a employee of Menards, but have spent far too much money there. People tend to not understand that they will sell you whatever you want, as long as its in their supply catalog. Its up to you to have a design that you like, or have adequate specs for their design service. The "design service" costs $20. What do you expect for that?

Michael

[ET1 SS]

Originally Posted by stirfamily

Well, we've got a couple of reps coming out next week. One from Morton and one from Meyer Buildings. Will be going to Menards this weekend to get their prices too. DH wants to the do the work ourselves, I say NO! So right now I'm leaning toward anyone who will do the whole she-bang and keep me off a ladder! LOL!
karen in NE Indiana
aka grandma chicken

I was able to do our building mostly by myself.

I did hire one guy with a crane for 3 hours. It cost me $150.

Otherwise it was just me, myself and I doing it.

I did talk to one contractor who offered to have his crew it the assembly. 5A man crew working for a week was going to cost me $10k. Half the cost of the entire building.

I paid $20k for the building and I had no desire to pay another $10k to get it assembled.

But I did it myself, with the help of a crane which ran $150.

I think that if your Dh wants to build it, then let him.

[ET1 SS]

Originally Posted by Lazy J

Menard's Buildings are NOT the way to go if you want something that will have the strength to last. The purlins will be on 36" centers, it will come with rafters on 8' centers, and the oors will be a cheap kit.

Aren't these buildings engineer stamped and certified?

Guaranteed to withstand hurricanes and snow load?

30-year warrantee on the finish?

Mine is.

[Lazy J]

Originally Posted by artificer

I am not a employee of Menards, but have spent far too much money there. People tend to not understand that they will sell you whatever you want, as long as its in their supply catalog. Its up to you to have a design that you like, or have adequate specs for their design service. The "design service" costs $20. What do you expect for that?

Michael

The scenarios I have been involved in were making comparisons between a Morton quote and the Menard's Sunday Newspaper Flyer. This is comapring apples to oranges.

[Lazy J]

Originally Posted by artificer

Where are the Amish going to get their materials? You're comparing apples and oranges. The Amish are building a building, but Menards is only providing the materials.

The Amish Contractor I use purchases his materials from high quality, reputable suppliers and is not merely building a building, unless you know something about Schwartz and Sons construction that I don't.

Jim

[Timberline]

We have a Morton, 38'x72'. Put it up about 10 years ago. We bought it through Regency Steel. Someone had ordered it then backed out, so we got a really good deal on. We love it.

[stirfamily]

Originally Posted by Lazy J

Look up some of the Amish builders, they are hungery for work and will make some deals.

Where are you located in NE Indiana? I can get you in touch with a builder that did work for me that I trust.

Jim

Jim, I'm outside of Fort Wayne, New Haven/Woodburn way.
karen in NE Indiana