A Quonset Hut’s cost depends mainly on its size, materials, and any additional features necessary for its purpose.
Because of these three factors, you need to know some basic information on Quonset buildings in general and, specifically, the one you intend to buy. So, let’s look at the ideal type for your purpose.
Quonset buildings are prefabricated from semi-circular sectioned corrugated steel and bolted together on-site into an approximate semi-cylindrical structure.
They were first developed for military use during the early years of the Second World War as cheap and quickly assembled semi-permanent buildings, able to be transported by military trucks wherever needed.
Today, this versatile building is very popular with homeowners, farmers, and business owners to provide a residential dwelling, garage, warehouse, or workshop that is quickly erected, modified, and dismantled as needed.
How Much Do Quonset Huts Cost?
The price of a Quonset Hut kit mainly depends on the building’s size.
Once you have decided how large you want the structure, the remainder depends on additional features such as utilities, types of windows and doors, and erection.
| Purpose | Size | Area | Minimum Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garage – Single | 12 ft x 12 ft | 144 sq. ft. | $5,000 |
| Garage – Double | 24 ft x 24 ft | 576 sq. ft. | $6,000 |
| Garage – RV | 40 ft x 20 ft | 800 sq. ft. | $12,000 |
| Storage Area – Small | 30 ft x 30 ft | 900 sq. ft. | $12,500 |
| Storage Area – Medium | 30 ft x 40 ft | 1,200 sq. ft. | $13,000 |
| Storage Area – Large | 40 ft x 60 ft | 2,400 sq. ft. | $25,000 |
| Storage Area – Extra Large | 60 ft x 100 ft | 6,000 sq. ft. | $45,000 |
Note: The prices in this guide are approximate and subject to change. Use them as a starting point for your research.
Discussion
You can buy Quonset Huts for purposes as mundane as somewhere to keep your bikes or garden tools (6 ft x 8 ft) or a large storage area of 60 ft x 100 ft.
Small kits that don’t need foundations cost anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000. However, if you want to hire people to erect the hut, expect to pay from $5,000 to $25,000 or more, depending on the building’s size and how fast you want the structure erected.
Moving to the other end of the scale, if you want a fully erected residential Quonset building, the price may cost from $30,000 to $45,000.
Finally, if you want a wholly erected and finished Quonset building with a floor area of 16,000 sq. ft. (80 ft x 200 ft), expect to pay up to $100,000 or more.
The average Quonset Hut kit (without erection and concrete floor) costs around $14-$30/sq. ft. But, it can be as low as $5/sq. ft., depending on the amount and quality of steel, and how much time has gone into the design and manufacture.
Typically, you should balance the steel’s quality against the hut’s purpose and hidden maintenance costs. For example, you don’t need high-quality steel for a cattle shed, but you do for your home.
9 Quonset Hut Kit Price Factors
We know that assembling a Quonset Hut can be cheap, quick, and simple for someone with basic DIY skills and a few strong-armed friends.
But, other factors affect the overall price of the structure:
1. Size
As you would expect, a large Quonset Hut costs more than a small one.
2. Concrete
Not all Quonset Huts need a foundation.
However, the large ones do. Otherwise, their weight will cause the ground to subside and the structure to sink.
Typically, concrete foundations cost around $5 to $10/sq. ft.
3. Utilities
Electrical and plumbing work is not always essential, especially if you use the structure for storage. However, you will need these utilities and drainage if your Quonset Hut is a workplace or living area.
Usually, you must be a certified plumber or electrician to carry out these works. And you can expect to pay from $5 to $12/sq. ft. for plumbing and $7 to $15/sq. ft. for electrical work.
4. Erection
When you erect the Quonset Hut yourself, all you need to pay for are the tools, your time, and your buddies’ time.
Perhaps, depending on how friendly you are with them, a few cases of beer will be enough.
However, if you need a professional to erect the building, expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $12/sq. ft.
5. Location
Steel and labor charges vary depending on where the factory is located.
Generally, costs in urban areas tend to be higher than those in rural districts.
6. Materials
The type and quality of steel will affect the price.
Thicker and better quality (i.e. rustproof) steel will be more expensive than thinner and poorer quality metal.
7. Accessories and Features
Suppose you need end walls to the hut; or windows and doors. You will have to pay more than if your hut doesn’t have these features.
Generally, a Quonset Hut with more features and accessories will be more expensive than those without.
8. Insulation
As you would expect, a steel building with no insulation will be cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Therefore, you must install insulation to live or work in the building or store temperature-sensitive items.
Furthermore, the amount and type of insulation you need will depend on your climate zone. If you are in doubt, contact your local permit office, which will have the necessary information.
9. Additional Fees
On top of the prices mentioned in this guide, you can expect to pay for transportation and taxes. Furthermore, you must also pay for permits from your local town hall.
All these amounts will vary depending on where you live and the design of your Quonset Hut.
Ensure you ask the supplier how much transportation and taxes are. And ask your local permit office which documentation you need and how much it costs.
Don’t get caught out by finding you have to pay more than you expect.
Benefits Of Quonset Hut Kits
Quonset Hut buildings are simple to erect if you have a few DIY skills.
Because everything technical takes place in the factory, all that’s left for you to do is to find a couple of friends, a socket wrench, scaffolding, and some rope, and in next to no time, you’ll have a weatherproof structure ready for you to kit out for its purpose.
Quonset buildings’ benefits include the following:
Transportation
Because the kit is factory manufactured to your specifications, the components are easily transported to the site with full assembly instructions.
All that’s necessary is to ensure vehicle access to where you intend to build.
Preparation
The amount of preparation depends on the purpose of your Quonset building.
If you want a beaten-earth floor, you only need to level the area, ensure it’s vegetation-free, and provide some concrete foundations. Otherwise, pour a concrete floor and foundations and build from these.
Furthermore, if you need drainage and utilities, ensure they are in place before erection.
Erection
Arguably, the best feature of a Quonset Hut is that you don’t need a contractor to erect it. And you don’t need special tools or skill sets.
Think how much money this will save. Probably, many thousands of dollars in hiring steel erection specialists!
All you need is a couple of friends, a socket wrench set, and a working platform at height, and just about anyone with DIY skills can construct a Quonset Hut kit.
However, if you aren’t the handyman type, all you need is your local general contractor, who will erect this structure in a week or two.
Floor Space
Because the structural strength is in the sheet metal covering, the Quonset Hut doesn’t require supporting frameworks, purlins, or pillars. Therefore, you can use 100% of the available interior floor space.
Whether you intend to use the structure as a storage space, office, workshop, or house, you can put the internal dividing walls exactly where you want them.
Alternatively, if the building is for bulk agricultural storage or a garage for vehicles, and you don’t need internal divisions, that’s okay too.
Security
Unlike many other building types, you can put in as many windows as you want (or none at all) in the places where you want them. Therefore, you can have a secure unbroken outside skin or place the windows high up in the steel arch.
If you need your Quonset building fully enclosed, you can fix plywood, concrete block, or sheet metal end-walls at either end of the semi-cylinder. Then, install fully customizable door openings such as personnel or up-and-over garage doors.
Alternatively, if the Quonset Hut is for livestock shelter or to protect the hay from the rain, you might leave both ends open.
Either option won’t affect the structural strength of the building as the arches support the entire weight.
Can Withstand Bad Weather
Because of the structure’s design, construction materials, and curved profile, you’ll find that a Quonset Hut can withstand severe weather conditions, including hurricanes.
Generally, Quonset Huts are considered one of the most structurally sound buildings available.
Versatility
Think of a purpose for your new building, and a Quonset Hut will be ideal for it.
They’re suitable for many different purposes:
- Storage spaces
- Retail shops
- Temporary classrooms
- Work areas
- Community halls and churches
- Agricultural buildings, including livestock shelters
- Vehicle storage garages
- Fabrication and workshop facilities
- Hospital clinics
- Dormitory barracks
- Recreational spaces
- Residential houses
Easily Customized
Because of its design and how its assembled, you can easily change or remove the Quonset Hut’s end walls entirely to suit another purpose without disrupting the cylindrical profile.
Furthermore, you can also extend the length of the building by simply adding extra arches to the Quonset.
You don’t need to add additional framing like some other metal buildings, as the structural strength lies within each arch.
Get Quonset Building Quotes Today
You wouldn’t have read this far if you weren’t seriously considering buying a Quonset Hut.
Whether it’s a store for your garden tools or a fully fitted house, you need to find a reputable supplier who will supply a good quality product at a reasonable price with no hidden extras.
Rex Metal Buildings can supply you with precisely the type and size of Quonset Hut you need. Contact our sales team by completing the form below, and someone will get back to you ready to discuss your requirements.