How Much Does It Cost Per Square Foot to Build a Warehouse?

50x100 Metal Building

These days, estimates suggest that about 95% of industrial buildings feature steel construction, and with good reason. Steel warehouses are economical, easy to erect in comparison with other options and highly customizable, giving you the freedom to configure yours exactly as you choose.

If you’re on the hunt for a public or private warehouse or a distribution or fulfillment center, a prefabricated steel warehouse building may meet your needs. Available with clear spans, meaning they don’t require interior columns or supports, metal warehouses can also offer high overhead clearance, wide door openings that can accommodate large vehicles or equipment, and special  features that help protect against the elements, pests and other potential construction hazards.

Estimating Costs for a Steel Warehouse 

Larger steel buildings typically offer lower costs per square foot than smaller structures, and this holds true when it comes to metal warehouses. The larger your steel building is, the more you can expect to save, but for most standard warehouse sizes, you should expect to pay somewhere in the range of about $11.00 to $15.60 per square foot.

Popular steel warehouse sizes are as follows. Each includes a cost estimate for a warehouse in the following sizes:

50’x100’:              $56,600 – $77,800

80’x100’:              $87,600 – $111,800

100’x100’:            $110,800 – $127,000

(*Due to unforeseen economic changes beyond our control; prices and availability are subject to change.)

Factors That Help Determine Final Warehouse Costs 

Keep in mind that the numbers outlined above are associated with a relatively basic warehouse design. A number of variables impact the final cost of your steel warehouse, among them:

  • Ceiling height
  • Foundation
  • Customizations, including doors, windows, mezzanines and insulation
  • Market price of steel
  • Building code and load requirements (i.e., wind and snow loads)

As you can imagine, the price of your metal warehouse tends to increase when you make more customizations to it, or when you must comply with strict wind or snow load requirements in your geographic area.

Even after factoring in such expenses, though, most buyers find that steel warehouses are the most cost-effective and advantageous type of industrial building to construct. These buildings are also cheaper to raise and maintain than alternatives, meaning they offer lower lifetime costs of ownership.