Just thought I would post an estimate I just got for a new shop that we are considering putting on our place in Fredericksburg. In that area there are not a ton of choices for contractors that will return phone calls or show up but this guy was very responsive and timely. It doesn't seem too unreasonable to me considering the current economy and the area its in, but then again I haven't ever had a shop built from the ground up so not sure of current costs. Let me know if you think it sounds unreasonable of out of line in any way:

Cost of erection of building: $ 102,400.00
Draw schedule:
To start shop fabrication portion of building: $34,000.00
At the start of onsite erection of building: $34,000,00
Upon completion of building: $34,400.00



Scope of work:
Building to be 40’ wide by 60’ long with 18’ high eaves. Roof pitch of building will be 3” on 12". Includes one 20’x40’ awning matching the pitch of building roof on South side of building and one 20’x80’ awning with 1/12” roof pitch on east side
1. 3- 40’ foot clearspan trusses made from 12” x 19 lbs per foot I- beam –red oxide primed
2. Two- 40 foot endwall trusses made from 8” 10 lbs per foot I- beam –red oxide primed
3. 4- 18’by 12” I beam columns load bearing and 4- 8" endwall columns –red oxide primed

Awning trusses to be constructed of 8”x0 lbs per foot I beam
4”x1/4” wall square tubing awning columns


6. All wall and roof purlins 8” by 14 gauge factory primed
7. Roof purlins on 5’ centers
8. Roof tin -26 gauge r-panel galvalume -25 year corrosion warranty
9. Roof and walls will be cable braced with 5/16” galvanized cable (for wind strength)
10. Gutter and downspouts 26 gauge (clients choice of color)
11. Wall tin- 26 gauge r - panel- 26 gauge (clients choice of color)
12. Includes two- 12’x14’ ’ sectional, insulated overhead doors and installation
13. Includes one 3' steel personnel door

This bid includes all labor, materials, and equipment to complete above mentioned work in a safe and timely manner.

* Note*
This bid does not include any interior work or windows.

Concrete slab bid:


Cost of concrete slab for building: $43,200.00
Draw schedule:
To start forming slab: $28,512.00
Upon completion of slab: $14,688.00

Floor specifications Main building floor-60’x60’

1. Concrete to be poured 5” thick, 3000 psi mix
2. #3 rebar on 16” centers in mat
3. #5 rebar (4) in all footings.
4. 14”wide by 2’ deep footing around perimeter of slab with 2 beams running the length of the slab and 3 running across slab(located at column lines).
5. 3000 psi concrete finished as per owners specification.
6. Includes cement pump truck to place cement in a safe and timely fashion

Saw cut expansion joints 24 hours after concrete placement


* Notes
1. This is not an engineered slab
2. This bid does not include fill material or labor to install. This bid is for a slab built on a level, properly compacted pad. We ask that pad be constructed at least 62’x62’
3. This portion of bid does not include rough in or final plumbing or electrical work

Due to fluctuating prices, this is an estimate only.

So 145k total?

"Due to fluctuating prices, this is an estimate only."....add another 25% by the time it's done.

Yes, thats the way I read it. 102 for metal and 43 for concrete. I initially read it as 102 total which is why I thought it wasn't that bad but now that I realize its 145, I may change my opinion.

That sounds outrageous, to me. Maybe that’s what material and labor for that sort of thing costs, these days. I have no idea. I just can’t imagine shelling out that kind of money for a shop that size.

$60 sq ft seems pretty dang high for a shop without any electric or plumbing. I don't know what the market is around Fredericksburg. Maybe one of the contractor forum members will chime in.

Seems high to me also.

I know most metal builders are only guaranteeing for 5 days right now. Slab seems a little off and I’d probably get another quote or two. Lady I work with owns a metal building company also and concrete all in in my area is about 13-14 dollars a square foot.

Pad is over 3,600 SF and concrete alone is now over $100. If the cost is high, it certainly ain't the slab.

Sounds like highway robbery to me as well. We just finished a custom home build & scrapped the shop & outdoor gazebo because the prices were ridiculous. Builder had a 20% margin but steel and masonry work were stupid high. FJB

That pricing sounds insane to me. You should get a materials quote straight from a supplier. My brother just built a 40'x30' shop for around $20-25k. Granted only 600 sq. ft. is a slab, and we did all the welding and labor ourselves. That $20-25k included dirtwork, slab and all materials (including overhead door, windows, and entry door).

I agree. I wasn't surprised at the concrete bill but the metal work seems out of line to me.

I don’t know sh-t about metal building prices. I’m not affiliated with this company. But I do watch them on the youtube. Wolf steel buildings. Based in Texas. Might give you a price comparison.

Next to the definition of Royal Effin is right here

Who cares if they answered their phone

They did, so you may wondered if they're legit

I have had a few built

Id message Guttit on here, maybe FG for a fair price

But that sounds like a snake price to me

That was my point. Something doesn’t add up. Concrete doesn’t sound right but neither does the metal side of it either. In east Texas concrete turn key is 13-14 a square foot. Based off that concrete seems lower than it should be but could be right for the area. If I read it right they are using 26 gauge sheets for the walls. They are skipping there for sure. I think concrete is lower than it probably should be and building is higher than it should be. Might offset overall but I’d get another quote.

I’ve never asked for money upfront, and would never pay up front as well.

I’m starting to look at doing a metal building for a house. I’ve gotten a couple of rough quotes for concrete building spray foam, rough plumbing and windows right at 100k for 2600 square feet

I’m a building contractor in the HC and I can say it is kind of high. Check with Mueller or Prime metal buldings in kerrville

750 sqft, 10’ sides. 2” closed cell foam 2 doors was $28,000 three months ago. Concrete has dropped si ce then

Do you build metal buildings/shops out there?

I have not built one in a while, but that's HIGH!!!!

Your bid seems good to me. My all in price for my 30x40x14 with 10 foot porch was about $70,000 in 2020.

Base dirt work $5,000
Slab $13,000
Building $28,000
Electric $7,000
Foam and paint $4000
Brick work $4,000
Final dirt work $2,000
French drains $1,000
Sod $500
Driveway $5,000

There’s other stuff I can’t remember right now

Your base and slab, $18k.
His quoted at $43k+, concrete prices are lower now.
Yes I realize his is another 30’ one way. But the shouldn’t drive the cost that much.
Material I believe is the bigger issue and reason for the added price. Still seems a little high to me. Not sure how far the OP is from suppliers also.