PRICING GUIDE

Metal Building Cost Per Square Foot in Georgia

In Georgia, a fully installed metal building costs $20-50 per square foot, depending on size, complexity, and interior finish level. A turnkey building with interior buildout runs $35-75+ per square foot. Here is everything you need to know about metal building costs.

Cost by Building Type

The type of building you need is the biggest factor in cost. A simple open-bay agricultural building with no interior finish is a completely different project than a climate-controlled commercial office.

Commercial & Office

$30-50/SF

Offices, retail, flex space, multi-tenant buildings. Includes insulation, finished interiors, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and code-compliant accessibility. Higher finish expectations drive cost.

Industrial & Manufacturing

$25-45/SF

Manufacturing plants, processing facilities, heavy-duty workshops. May require crane systems, reinforced foundations, heavy-gauge framing, specialized ventilation, and three-phase electrical. Complexity varies widely.

Agricultural & Farm

$15-30/SF

Equipment barns, hay storage, livestock shelters, riding arenas. Typically open-bay or minimally finished. Lower cost because they require less insulation, simpler foundations, and fewer mechanical systems.

Workshop & Garage

$20-35/SF

Personal workshops, auto shops, hobby buildings. Size ranges from 1,000-10,000 SF. Costs depend on door configurations, electrical service, concrete thickness, and whether you need climate control.

Cost by Size

Larger buildings cost less per square foot due to economies of scale. Foundation and site work costs get spread across more area, and steel pricing improves with volume.

Size Sq Ft Shell Only Turnkey
30x50 1,500 $30K - $45K $53K - $113K
40x60 2,400 $48K - $72K $84K - $180K
50x100 5,000 $100K - $150K $175K - $375K
60x80 4,800 $96K - $144K $168K - $360K
60x100 6,000 $120K - $180K $210K - $450K
80x100 8,000 $160K - $240K $280K - $600K
100x200 20,000 $400K - $600K $700K - $1.5M

* Turnkey ranges assume standard finish with concrete slab, insulation, basic electrical, and standard doors. Costs vary by site conditions, finish level, and mechanical requirements. All prices reflect Georgia market conditions as of 2026.

Kit vs. Turnkey: The Real Cost Comparison

Metal building kit sellers advertise $10-25 per square foot. That price includes only the steel package shipped to your site. To actually use the building, you still need site work, a foundation, erection labor, insulation, doors, and inspections. When you add those up, the "cheap" kit often costs more than hiring a turnkey contractor from the start.

Kit Route (DIY)

Steel kit package $10-25/SF
Site prep & grading $4-8/SF
Foundation & concrete $4-8/SF
Erection crew $5-10/SF
Insulation & trim $3-6/SF
Your time managing subs ???
Total $26-57/SF

Turnkey Route (Bolt)

Everything included $35-75/SF

Site work, foundation, steel, erection, insulation, doors, trim, concrete, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, permits, engineering, inspections, final walkthrough.

One contract. One point of contact. One team accountable for the entire project.

Total $35-75/SF

Georgia-Specific Cost Factors

Building in Georgia comes with specific conditions that affect metal building costs. Our PE engineers account for all of these in your project design.

Red Clay Foundations

Georgia's piedmont red clay is expansive, meaning it swells when wet and shrinks when dry. This requires deeper footings, proper compaction, and sometimes lime stabilization. Foundation costs in Georgia typically run 10-20% higher than in regions with sandy or loamy soils. Our PE engineers design foundations specifically for your site's soil conditions.

Wind Load Requirements

Most of Georgia falls in a 115-120 mph wind speed zone per IBC/ASCE 7. Coastal areas near Savannah require 130+ mph ratings. Higher wind loads mean heavier framing, more bracing, and higher steel costs. Every Bolt building is engineered to meet or exceed local wind requirements with PE-stamped plans.

Humidity & Condensation Control

Georgia's high humidity means condensation is a real issue in metal buildings. Without proper vapor barriers and insulation, you will get sweating walls and roof drip. We specify and install appropriate insulation systems (typically closed-cell spray foam or faced fiberglass with vapor retarders) to prevent condensation damage.

Permit Costs by County

Permit costs in Georgia vary significantly by jurisdiction. Metro Atlanta counties (Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett) charge more and have longer review times. Rural counties like Coweta, Meriwether, and Heard have lower fees and faster turnarounds. Some unincorporated areas may not require permits at all for agricultural buildings, though we always recommend building to code regardless.

What is Included in Bolt's Turnkey Price

When we quote a project, the price includes every phase of construction. No surprises, no hidden costs, no "that's extra."

Site Work
Clearing, grading, drainage, erosion control, utility connections
Foundation
Soil testing, engineered footings, reinforced concrete slab
Steel Package
PE-engineered framing, purlins, girts, bracing, hardware
Erection
Our crews erect the steel -- no subcontracted erection crews
Exterior Finish
Wall panels, roof panels, trim, gutters, downspouts, doors
Insulation
Spray foam or fiberglass with vapor barrier, sized for your use
Interior Buildout
Framing, drywall, flooring, paint, restrooms as needed
Mechanical
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC -- designed for your building's use
Permits & Plans
PE-stamped engineering, building permits, all inspections
Final Walkthrough
Punch list, CO, warranty documentation, project close-out

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a 40x60 metal building cost in Georgia?
A 40x60 (2,400 SF) metal building in Georgia typically costs $48,000-$120,000 installed, depending on complexity. A basic shell runs $20-30/SF, while a fully finished building with concrete, insulation, electrical, and plumbing runs $35-50/SF. Our turnkey pricing includes everything from site preparation through final walkthrough.
Is a metal building cheaper than a stick-built building?
Yes. Metal buildings typically cost 30-50% less than conventional stick-built construction for comparable square footage. A stick-built commercial building runs $100-200/SF, while a metal building with similar interior finish runs $35-75/SF. Metal buildings also go up faster, reducing financing costs and getting you operational sooner.
What is included in the cost per square foot?
It depends on the quote. Kit-only pricing ($10-25/SF) includes just the steel package. Erected pricing ($15-35/SF) adds labor. Our turnkey pricing ($35-75/SF) includes site work, grading, foundation, steel erection, roofing, insulation, doors, interior buildout, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and final inspection. Always compare apples to apples.
Why do metal building costs vary so much?
The biggest cost drivers are building size, wall height, insulation type, number of doors and openings, foundation requirements (Georgia's red clay can increase foundation costs), interior finish level, mechanical systems, and local permit/engineering requirements. A simple open-bay equipment barn costs far less per square foot than a climate-controlled office building.
How can I reduce the cost of my metal building?
The most effective ways to reduce cost are: choose a simple rectangular footprint (no L-shapes or offsets), minimize wall height to what you need, use standard door sizes, limit the number of framed openings, choose spray foam over batt insulation only where needed, and go turnkey with one contractor instead of managing multiple subs yourself. We help clients right-size their buildings during the design phase.
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