Overpaying for your auto repair shop will mean higher costs and lower profits, and getting a building that doesn’t satisfy your needs can mean daily headaches.
Metal is an extremely popular building material for many styles of commercial applications because it is durable, resilient, and cost-efficient. In this article, we examine the benefits of using this sturdy metal construction for an automobile repair building.
If you want to find out more about steel auto buildings, including pros & cons, rough price estimates and handy building guide you’ll want to keep reading.
What's In This Article
What Are Prefab Steel Auto Repair Buildings?
If you’re unfamiliar with metal prefab construction prefab is short for prefabricated which means the building components were designed, constructed and packaged up as a kit before shipping them to the building site. You save a significant amount of time and money during the design and construction process due to the efficiencies of this style of manufacturing, which is a primary appeal of prefab construction.
Let’s dive deeper into the category of prefab auto repair buildings. We’ll run through a list of pros & cons so that you may decide whether these buildings are right for you.
Pros of Steel Auto Buildings
Prefab building kits are popular for their cost efficiency and rapid construction process plus there are quite a few other benefits for building an auto repair shop using a steel prefab building kit.
Open Span Design
One of the top benefits of metal prefab construction is its wide-open design. Metal prefab structures use heavy I-Beam or C-channel support systems (amongst other methods) and heavy 26-gauge steel sheets for the ceilings and walls. The result is a strong and resilient structure that doesn’t require as many interior support beams and columns as traditional buildings.
You get an open, spacious interior, which is of particular importance for an auto repair building because you’ll want all the interior space you can get. This is particularly a huge benefit for anyone running an auto repair shop to allow ample clearance for vehicle hoists and clearance for the height of the vehicles on the hoist. Additional space is needed for other business operations; whether for tools, parts, office space, equipment, or extra space to store cars, no space is wasted.
Metal prefab garage kits make an excellent choice if you are looking for an open, spacious auto repair unit that will encompass all of your business needs.
Cost-Efficient
One of the main appeals of prefab construction is its cost-efficiency. The biggest reason for these cost savings is the expedited design and construction process. Compared to traditional styles of building, it massively reduces the amount of waste generated in the building process, fees to dispose of construction waste and the money to purchase the wasted materials in the first place.
Designing a prefab metal building is also quite a bit simpler than designing a traditional structure. You can choose from a wide variety of pre-established templates, or you can work with a supplier to build a sophisticated 3D model to your exact specifications. This eliminates the need to hire an architect and the costs associated with this more complex design process. Most prefab manufacturers tend to have in-house design teams that can provide customized design services and your building can be designed in a matter of hours.
And the cost savings don’t stop there. Because the components are pre-assembled by the manufacturer in their facility, they are built to exacting specifications, pieced together on site and tested for fit and inspected for mistakes. It is an extensive process up front but the result is that it makes it more streamlined than traditional construction.
When you’re considering a project for a business, it’s important to have the business up and running as fast as possible. Overall, you can build your prefab auto garage in a fraction of the time when using a prefab steel building kit; saving you valuable time and money!
Can Be Insulated
Metal prefab buildings are surprisingly very efficient when it comes to air tightness for leaks and when insulated properly, they retain hot or cold air very well. Due to the precise prefabricated process, they fit together tightly, minimizing air loss at the seams. You can add further insulation along the steel sheet walls and ceilings. The result is excellent heat or cold air retention, saving you money on your electricity bill, and making an environmental choice that you can be proud of.
Durable and Strong
Metal construction is known for its durability. Metal prefab buildings use strong support systems with heavy beams and 26-gauge steel sheets. They withstand the elements, including harsh winds, rain, and snow. This is particularly attractive for business owners so they can feel confident their building will endure over many years, amortizing the cost of construction over a longer period of time, making it a great business investment.
Furthermore, metal isn’t susceptible to the same issues as traditional construction materials. Metal does not rot, is not a fire hazard and typically doesn’t have issues with pests such as termites, ants or rats that might destroy the integrity of the building. These things will save you money on routine maintenance, and it will likely make the building less expensive to insure. Yet another cost-saving from metal prefab building kits!
Fast Construction
When it comes to any building being used for business purposes, fast construction benefits you in many ways. Think of it this way – if you can’t work, you are losing money! Prefab auto repair shops can be designed and built much quicker than traditional structures, letting you get to work fast. This is important as it expedites your business operations being ready for receiving customers and supports you to start making money right away.
This factor is also relevant if you need to expand your building down the line. Prefab buildings can easily have walls removed to add additional space to your building (provided you have the land for it). If you have a growing business, you can rest easy knowing that your building can grow with you. Additionally, if you want to franchise your business, using a standardized prefab building “kit” makes any business expansion that much easier to duplicate and keep the brand look, feel and operations high quality.
Cons of Steel Auto Buildings
To support you to be as objective as possible when making an important decision for a project such as using a steel prefab metal building kit for an auto repair shop, it’s important to look at any potential downside of building a steel auto repair building.
Getting Approved
First, as in any construction project, there may be some building regulations and zoning guidelines that apply to your new project or that may limit what you can actually build in your area of interest. Of course, this will depend on your geographical location as to the specific rules that apply and varies between locations but it is worth noting that because metal prefab construction projects are relatively unique, it may be difficult for regulators to decide which rules apply.
For this reason, you should research the rules and guidelines early in the process so that you can receive the relevant permits or approvals that you need. If you’re unsure what you need, contact your municipality or City Hall and see whether they have a construction help desk that you can reference. Taking these small steps prior to proceeding with your business project will save you many headaches in the long run.
Price of Steel Auto Buildings
Metal prefab auto buildings are highly cost-efficient options for building a fast and efficient construction process but their overall cost and how to finance projects like this is a common question that people have. They ask, “What is the cost to build a metal auto repair shop? The answer is not always so simple as it heavily depends on the shape and size of your structure and the exterior and interior options you choose.
Below we’ve included a pricing chart for a simple prefab warehouse structure of different sizes. Use this to form a base estimate for the cost of your metal auto garage. To help your estimate calculations included a pricing structure for a building that has been fully outfitted with interior and exterior options below as well. Realistically, the price will be somewhere in the middle, depending on how many interior and exterior options you choose and also how many stylistic changes you make to the structure. The cost is also affected by the types of services required to be installed in your building such as plumbing, HVAC and electrical.
Example for the most simple warehouse structure, with no options:
| Building Dimensions | Square Foot | Estimated Cost | Approximate Price Per Square Foot |
| 24×24 | 576 | $5,800 | $10 |
| 30×40 | 1,200 | $9,100 | $7.50 |
| 40×60 | 2,400 | $17,500 | $7.30 |
| 60×80 | 4,800 | $33,600 | $7 |
| 50×100 | 5,000 | $31,000 | $6.20 |
| 80×100 | 8,000 | $48.800 | $6.10 |
| 100×100 | 10,000 | $60,500 | $6.05 |
| 100×200 | 20,000 | $120,000 | $6 |
Example for a steel structure, with quality options, windows & doors, finishing, plumbing, electrical fitting, lights, and drywall:
| Building Dimensions | Square Foot | Estimated Cost | Approximate Price Per Square Foot |
| 24×24 | 576 | 69,120 | $120 |
| 30×40 | 1,200 | $120,000 | $100 |
| 40×60 | 2,400 | $252,000 | $105 |
| 60×80 | 4,800 | $480,000 | $100 |
You can build a structure that truly meets your business’s needs and achieve your business goals with some versatility for design and cost. Give thought to your needs, and if you’re ready to proceed, your next step is to contact a supplier to work toward your ideal prefab auto garage design.
Average Prices
| Auto building | $105 per sqft |
| Delivery | $1200 |
| Foundations | $6 per sqft |
Other Auto Buildings
As we’ve mentioned throughout this article, steel prefab structures are highly versatile. There are many building options available within the automotive field that might be similar to an auto repair shop for building style but house a different business model.
Car Wash – Another popular business opportunity within the automotive industry is a car wash. These large steel structures utilize a similar design to the auto repair shops, allowing plenty of interior spaces for cars, equipment, and more. These can be a lucrative business opportunity because they are exceptionally low-maintenance, especially if you are operating a self-serve car wash.
Garage – Whether you need a garage for commercial or residential use, a prefab steel building has you covered. You can build a garage in all shapes and sizes and can have them detached or semi-detached. Adding a semi-detached garage to an existing structure such as a house or a workshop is also possible.
These garages are strong and resilient and offer excellent protection from theft which is an important aspect if you’re housing expensive equipment, RVs or multiple vehicles. No matter the amount of storage space you need for automobiles, you can construct prefab metal building kits to provide ample space and protection.
Carports – Along the same lines as a metal garage is a metal carport. Carports could also make a great addition to your auto repair shop, providing shelter for cars waiting to get serviced, giving your business a more professional appeal and added convenience for customers, especially during rainy or cold weather. Customers will feel more secure leaving their vehicles overnight even in a carport which can be semi-enclosed and monitored with a security system.
Considerations in Building an Auto Garage
Before we wrap up, we want to cover some of the top considerations necessary before constructing an auto repair shop. We want you to be happy with whatever you build, so here are some things to watch out for:
Factor in Additional Rooms
When designing a commercial structure, it’s important to allocate space for supporting business activities as well. It can be a temptation to dedicate the vast majority of space to primary business activities. For example, in an auto repair garage, you dedicate almost all the space to the garage itself.
But be sure to leave yourself room for supporting spaces – such as an office, a customer reception/waiting room, an employee break room, employee washrooms, additional storage space, and more.
We recommend that you start the process with a detailed breakdown of how you intend to do business and then build a space that meets these needs.
Is Your Business Growing?
As you add more customers, employees and the ability to service more cars, you might need to expand your business space.
It’s a good idea to give yourself more space than you need, or you might end up with more expensive renovations down the line.
Metal prefab structures are highly expandable so if you don’t have the capital right now for a larger structure, you can always tear down walls and expand your garage in the future (provided you have the land for it) in a fairly economical way when using metal prefab kits.
Putting Your Plan Into Action
If you want to get started, then compare quotes today. A supplier will work with you to design the right building for your business. They won’t move forward with the project until you are happy. The parts will be manufactured and shipped right to your location, where you and your team can build your new business!
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No matter your project size, find the best small to large steel auto shop building kits near you.
