In recent years, steel and metal building homes have become a more popular choice for homes. They are a modern option to traditional wood-framed homes. Metal buildings are known to last longer and be more resistant to damage from rot, pests, fire, and bad weather than structures made of other materials. This can mean lower long-term maintenance costs and more useful life.
In residential use, a “Morton style building” is usually a post frame or steel structure available from major manufacturers, focused on the style and construction of metal buildings.
From a general, non-brand-specific point of view, Fusion Estimating will break down common price ranges for metal homes, explain the main factors that affect price, give you real-life examples, and give you budgeting tips to help you make a better choice.
What Is a Steel/Metal Building Home?
Instead of the usual wood frame, a steel or metal building home has a main building frame and surface made of steel or metal. Powerful and durable, these homes use pre-engineered metal components made off-site then supplied and built on your land.
Common Types of Metal Building Homes
- Metal Home Kits / Pre Engineered Steel Structures: These are steel frames and walls that are made in a factory and come ready to get assembled. In a way, they are the structure of the house, and you can decorate them however you want.
- Barndominiums: On the outside, a barndominium looks like a barn, but on the inside, it is a fully functional house. In barndominiums, there is often a living area as well as a garage, workshop, or storage room.
- Pole Barn or Post Frame Homes: These buildings are made with big support posts that are usually hidden in the ground. They have metal siding and roofs and can be fully equipped for living in.
Key Characteristics
Durability and Resistance: The steel structures are immune to fire, rotting, pests and adverse weather, and it usually outlives and is durable compared to the normal wood frame houses.
Customizable Design: Metal frames let you have wide open floor plans and flexible layouts that can work with a variety of building styles.
Prefabrication and Efficiency: Building a home with prefabricated parts is usually faster and more reliable than building a house on-site.
Typical Cost Ranges for Metal Building Homes
Separating the structural shell from a finished, habitable metal structure home helps estimate cost. That way you can see how the budget changes at different stages of the job. Realistic, up-to-date information comes from recent business sources and cost data.
Basic Building Shell Costs
Metal building kits (materials only):
The materials for most premade steel or metal building kits for homes, which include framed walls, roof panels, and structural parts, cost between $10 and $25 per square foot.
Smaller buildings or simple designs may incur higher square foot costs due to lesser fixed expenses.
Depending on gauge thickness and materials, local suppliers estimate kits run $25–35 per square foot.
Turnkey or installed shell:
A turnkey metal building shell costs about $24 to $43 per square foot, which includes transport, foundation preparation, and professional assembly when evaluating morton building cost.
This phase only deals with the outside of the building and its structural system. It does not cover things like insulation, electrical work, plumbing, or walls inside the building.
Finished Residential Costs
To turn a metal shell into a cozy home, budget for interior systems, finishes, and amenities. Based on the most latest data on construction costs:
National average finished costs:
Construction of a metal home usually costs between $50 and $145 per square foot, which includes the materials, the building, the interior finishing, and the work related to morton building cost.
This range demonstrates that the various areas vary in the degree of design challenge, insulation, interior fitting and labour costs.
Mid range metal home projects:
When fully finished with normal home features, some cost guides say that standard metal homes with living quarters cost between $95 and $125 per square foot.
When you add upgrades like high-end kitchens, handmade cabinets, high-end finishes, and advanced HVAC systems, the total cost can go up. For example, standard wood-framed homes often cost more per square foot than many metal-building homes when comparing morton building cost. This is one reason why steel construction is still a good choice for low-cost home projects.
Examples by Building Size
When estimating how much something will cost, the size of the building and how finished you want it to be are two of the most important factors. Here are some prices for small, medium, and large metal construction homes based on market data.
Small Metal Homes (≈ 1,000–1,500 sq ft)
For metal building homes that are not too big, about 1,000 to 1,500 square feet, the general costs tend to fall into the following ranges:
- Lower end: about $50,000 (for easy finishes and little work inside)
- High-end: at least $145,000 with all internal finishes and utilities set up
These numbers show the average national prices for fully finished metal homes that include the structural kit, installation, internal finish out, and basic systems like plumbing, electricity, and air conditioning.
Larger homes often have higher costs per square foot because they have to pay for more fixed costs, like preparing the site and building the base.
Medium Metal Homes (≈ 1,800–2,500 sq ft)
Because they require more materials and finishes, 1,800 to 2,500-square-foot medium-sized homes cost more to build. However, the price per square foot can stay the same:
- A fully finished home usually costs between $90,000 and $260,000 or more depending on morton building cost factors.
- The price of a 40-by-50-foot (2,000-square-foot) metal home could be between $100,000 and $290,000. This depends on the design features and the quality of the inside.
This range includes normal home features like bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, insulation, and utilities, as well as fully finished interiors.
Larger Metal Homes or Structures (> 2,500 sq ft)
Homes made of metal that are bigger, like those that are over 2,500 square feet, naturally cost more overall due to higher morton building cost. However, economies of scale may stabilize per-square-foot prices:
- People often say that a 40 by 60 (about 2,400 square feet) building costs $120,000 to $350,000 or more for a finished home package with normal finishes and interior systems.
- A 40-by-60-metal building shell may have basic structural package costs that are lower, such as $28,800 to $33,600 for materials plus foundation and assembly costs. These costs do not include interior finish.
- For homes of the same size, installed turnkey costs that include base, materials, and construction usually range from $62,000 to $91,000 before interior finishing.
It costs more to build out and design the interior of bigger projects because there are more choices. This is the main factor that affects the total cost after the basic shell.
Key Cost Factors That Influence a Metal Building Home
When planning a metal building home, whether it is a simple barndominium, a post frame house, or a steel framed house, it is helpful to know what the main morton building cost factors are. Here are the main things that usually change the total cost of a project.
Size & Footprint
The total square footage has a direct effect on the total cost, since bigger buildings need more supplies and workers. It usually takes longer and costs more to build something with a bigger area.
Size reduces cost per square foot because economies of scale spread fixed expenses like shipping and setup over more area.
Site Preparation & Foundation
The land usually needs to be cleared, graded, and leveled before construction can start. The amount of work needed depends on the terrain. Site prep is not usually part of the price of the base kit.
Residential metal buildings need a solid base, which is usually a concrete slab. A standard slab costs $4–8 per square foot, although poor soil might raise prices.
The base costs and site costs will increase further when you have to undertake additional work such as testing the soil, excavating utility holes and building retaining walls.
Materials & Insulation
The price of steel and other materials changes a lot because of fees, global supply and demand, and the cost of making things, which directly impacts morton building prices. This makes it one of the most unstable cost factors. Higher grade steel, custom coatings, or thicker gauges cost more up front but can last longer.
Insulation is an important part of building homes that use less energy. Higher R value insulation or metal walls cost more upfront but save money on heating and cooling over time.
Labor & Local Market
Labor prices vary greatly depending on location, local building expenses, and skilled labor demand. In some places, labor costs can take up a big chunk of your cash.
Additionally, it is important to have access to contractors who have experience with metal buildings, as well as, specialized metal building teams may charge more than general carpenters.
Interior Finishes
The cost of turning a metal shell into a comfortable house includes plumbing, HVAC systems, electrical wiring, fixtures, drywall, flooring, cabinets, and fixtures. Once the shell is in place, these items often make up the majority of the total cost.
High-end finishes like custom kitchens, high-end floors, and luxury bathrooms make the total cost a lot higher.
Permits & Building Codes
Permits, licenses, and code compliance vary by municipality and can cost thousands. For residential metal buildings, some local governments need certain kinds of engineering or checks.
Wind, snow, and earthquake codes may also necessitate structural changes, especially in extreme weather settings, which can raise material and labor costs.
Comparing Steel/Metal Buildings to Traditional Homes
Cost per square foot and long-term performance are crucial elements in deciding whether a metal constructed home is cheaper than a wood-framed home when comparing the cost of morton building.
Cost Comparison
- Metal/steel building homes: The cost of metal/steel construction homes typically ranges from $50 to $200 per square foot, depending on design complexity and finishes, with many projects undercutting traditional builds.
- Traditional stick built homes: Average building costs $100–200+ per square foot and fully customized residences $200–$450+.
- Metal building homes often cost 20-30% less than traditional homes due to lower labor and frame costs and speedier construction.
Other Benefits
- Construction speed: Improves with pre-engineered metal components, reducing build times and labor costs compared to wood frame, a benefit often highlighted by morton homes buyers.
- Durability and maintenance: Steel’s resistance to pests, decay, and dampness may help reduce maintenance and insurance costs over time.
Tips to Save Money When Building Your Metal/Steel Home
It does not have to cost a lot of money to build a metal or steel house when planning around morton building cost. You can save a lot of money without sacrificing quality if you plan ahead and make smart decisions. Today’s construction and metal building guidelines back up these effective ways to save money:
Plan & Simplify Early
- Choose a simpler design: Simple rooflines, fewer custom angles, and open floor plans can help reduce the costs of construction. Prices usually increase when buildings have a lot of complicated features.
- Use pre-engineered or standard building kits: These choices reduce waste and speed up the building process, saving you 10–20% compared to custom builds.
DIY & Material Sourcing
- Take on some build work yourself: DIY general contracting or interior finishing can save thousands on labor.
- Shop around for materials: Compare prices and consider bulk or sale purchases of windows, doors, and cabinetry.
Design & Sizing
- Only build what you need: Reducing space and square footage saves material and labor expenses.
- Minimize customizations: Put necessities ahead of extras, and if you need to, add upgrades later.
Conclusion
Overall, metal/steel building residences vary in price depending on size, finishing, and construction features that influence morton building cost. A typical finished metal home costs between $50 and $145 per square foot. The total cost of an average project can range from a modest amount to a more custom amount.
Due to lower labor, build times, and maintenance, metal homes are 20–30% cheaper than wood-framed homes. Costs vary, therefore a professional estimate should provide you a location-specific quote.
Fusion Estimating is an expert in providing accurate estimates for both residential and commercial construction projects through professional Residential Estimating Services. We can help you get accurate estimates for your metal home or any other construction project while staying informed about industry trends, including morton buildings careers. To make budgeting easier and make sure your next job goes well, contact us immediately. Get a free quote today.