50x100 Metal Building: 2026 Prices and 6 Commercial Uses
A 50x100 metal building gives you 5,000 square feet of clear span space. That is enough for a contractor's shop with offices, a small warehouse, an indoor arena for training or a big equipment barn. It is one of the most common sizes for light commercial buildings.
For 2026, a basic 50x100 kit costs about $70,000 to $85,000, and a turnkey building usually runs $150,000 to $225,000. Here is how that breaks down, six common uses and the decisions that move the price most.
50x100 Metal Building Price
| Cost item | Per sq ft | 50x100 total |
|---|---|---|
| Kit only (12 ft eave) | $14 to $17 | $70,000 to $85,000 |
| Kit with 16 ft eave | $15.50 to $19 | $77,500 to $95,000 |
| Erection | $4 to $12 | $20,000 to $60,000 |
| 4 inch slab | $5 to $9 | $25,000 to $45,000 |
| Insulation (fiberglass) | $0.50 to $1.50 | $2,500 to $7,500 |
| Turnkey total | $30 to $45 | $150,000 to $225,000 |
These rates match our other mid size guides, with kits at $14 to $17 per square foot. Commercial buildings often need a thicker slab, more doors, fire separations and plumbing, which push the turnkey figure toward the top of the range or past it. Run your own numbers in the metal building cost calculator.
Why 50 feet wide?
A 50 foot clear span lets trucks turn inside and leaves room for racking along both walls. The frames are heavier than a 40 foot span, but the extra width often saves money compared with a longer, narrower building of the same area, because you need fewer frames and less wall.
6 Common Uses
| Use | Typical setup | Eave height |
|---|---|---|
| Contractor shop | Shop floor, 2 to 4 overhead doors, office and restroom | 16 to 18 ft |
| Small warehouse | Racking, a dock door or two, small office | 18 to 24 ft |
| Equipment barn | Open floor, large sliding or roll up doors | 16 to 20 ft |
| Auto repair | Several bays with lifts, parts room | 16 ft or more |
| Indoor training arena | Open floor for horses or sports | 16 to 18 ft |
| Retail and showroom | Front showroom, rear storage | 14 to 16 ft |
If you are planning a warehouse, our warehouse building costs guide covers docks, racking and fire codes in more depth.
Foundation and Concrete
At 4 inches, a 50x100 slab needs about 61.7 cubic yards of concrete, or 67.9 with 10% for waste. Most commercial floors are 6 inches thick, which needs about 92.6 yards, or 101.9 with waste. Forklift traffic and heavy racks may need even more, plus thickened footings at each frame column.
| Slab thickness | Cubic yards | With 10% waste | Slab cost at our rates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 inches | 61.7 | 67.9 | $25,000 to $45,000 |
| 6 inches | 92.6 | 101.9 | $32,500 to $55,000 |
The 6 inch figure uses the $6.50 to $11 per square foot rate from our concrete slab calculator.
What Moves the Price
- Eave height: going from 16 to 20 feet adds steel to every frame and more wall panel.
- Loads: high snow or wind zones need heavier frames. Use our snow load calculator to check your roof load.
- Doors: each large overhead door needs framing, a header and the door itself.
- Insulation: commercial buildings usually need to meet energy code. Our insulation guide explains the options.
- Site work: grading, drainage and a parking area can add tens of thousands on raw land.
Permits and Timeline
A 5,000 square foot building almost always needs stamped drawings, a building permit and often a site plan. Commercial use may trigger fire sprinkler rules depending on what you store and your local code. Engineering and fabrication usually take several weeks. Once the slab has cured, a crew can often erect the steel in two to four weeks, depending on height, weather and options. See our permits guide for the paperwork.
Questions to Ask Suppliers
Commercial buildings of this size are engineered for your site, so the quote should spell out the design loads, the building code edition and the risk category used. Ask whether the price includes stamped drawings for your permit, anchor bolt plans for the foundation contractor and freight to your site. Check the lead time, since large frames can take several weeks to fabricate. Confirm the panel gauge, coating and paint warranty, and whether insulation, gutters and trim are included. Finally, ask who handles erection and whether the crew is insured. Getting these answers in writing makes it far easier to compare two quotes that look similar on price.
FAQ
How much does a 50x100 metal building cost?
About $70,000 to $85,000 for a basic kit and $150,000 to $225,000 turnkey in 2026.
How much concrete does a 50x100 slab need?
About 67.9 cubic yards at 4 inches or 101.9 cubic yards at 6 inches, both including 10% for waste.
Is 50x100 a good size for a warehouse?
Yes. It gives 5,000 square feet with enough clear width for racking on both walls and a turning area for trucks or forklifts.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, PPI series WPU1017, steel mill products, checked October 2026.
- Rex Metal Buildings cost calculator rates and size guides.
Ready to price your building? Get free metal building quotes from suppliers who serve your area, or use the form on this page and our team will be in touch.