Metal Building Sizes & Prices
Choosing the right size is the most important decision in your metal building project. Too small and you outgrow it in two years. Too large and you are paying for space you do not need. Here is a practical guide to the most common sizes, what they cost, and what they are best for.
Common Sizes at a Glance
Price ranges reflect Georgia market turnkey costs, including site work, foundation, steel, erection, and basic finish. Your actual price depends on site conditions, finish level, and mechanical requirements.
24x30
720 SFSingle-car workshop, small storage, hobby shop
30x40
1,200 SFTwo-car garage, small workshop, farm equipment storage
30x50
1,500 SFWorkshop, small commercial, equipment barn
40x60
2,400 SFAuto shop, small warehouse, agricultural barn, church
40x80
3,200 SFLarge workshop, small manufacturing, retail, office
50x100
5,000 SFWarehouse, manufacturing, church, commercial flex
60x80
4,800 SFManufacturing, distribution, large commercial
60x100
6,000 SFWarehouse, self-storage, large manufacturing
80x100
8,000 SFLarge warehouse, distribution center, multi-tenant
100x200
20,000 SFDistribution hub, large manufacturing, self-storage facility
How to Choose the Right Size
The right size depends on what goes inside and how the space flows. Here is the process we walk through with every client.
List what goes inside
Measure every vehicle, piece of equipment, workstation, or storage unit that will live in the building. Draw it out on graph paper or a napkin. Include dimensions.
Plan circulation space
Aisles, work zones, staging areas, vehicle turning radius, forklift lanes. A 40-foot-wide building sounds big until you park a truck and a forklift inside. Allow 12-15 feet for drive aisles.
Consider ceiling height
What is the tallest thing going inside? Overhead doors, lift equipment, racking systems, ceiling fans, and HVAC ductwork all eat into usable height. Standard eave heights are 12-16 feet.
Think about doors and access
Where do vehicles enter and exit? Do you need dock-high doors for truck loading? How many personnel doors? Overhead door sizes (10x10, 12x12, 14x14) affect wall framing and cost.
Add a growth buffer
If the building will serve you for 20+ years, add 10-20% to your floor area. It is dramatically cheaper to build bigger now than to add on later. A 50x100 costs far less per square foot than a 40x80 plus a 10x20 addition.
Custom Sizes
Pre-engineered metal buildings are not limited to standard sizes. Our PE engineers design buildings to your exact specifications. Common customizations include:
- Non-standard widths (any dimension, not just 10-foot increments)
- Extra-tall eave heights for cranes, mezzanines, or racking (up to 40+ feet)
- Multiple roof slopes or varying eave heights across the building
- L-shaped, T-shaped, or other non-rectangular footprints
- Lean-to additions for covered loading or equipment storage
- Future expansion provisions (end-wall framing designed for removal)
Custom sizing does not dramatically increase cost. The engineering is already custom for every building we design. Tell us what you need and we will make it fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure what size you need?
Tell us what you plan to use the building for, and we will help you right-size it. Free consultation, no obligation.