How Much Does a Steel Church Building Cost?
Last Updated: June 01, 2023
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Quick Summary: Metal Church Building Cost #
Steel church buildings will cost anywhere from $15 to $40 per square foot. Depending on the size of your church the total cost can range from $75,000 and up to $500,000 or more.
For congregations with big ideas but small budgets—or for those that simply want to get the most for their money—a church steel building is an exciting alternative to houses of worship built from traditional construction materials. Just because steel churches are affordable does not mean that quality or customization need to be sacrificed, however. In fact, a modern steel church building can be made to look just like one made from brick, stucco, or wood. Alternatively, metal church buildings can be framed with steel and finished with these or other materials. No matter which method is selected, steel buildings can provide a modern place of worship that will serve the needs of your congregation for many years.
Advantages of Steel Church Buildings #
A church metal building is an attractive alternative to a conventionally built church for many reasons, including:
- Affordability: By using steel building kits, it is possible to save 1/3 to 2/3 on the total cost of a new church. Much of the savings associated with pre-engineered steel buildings vs lumber is due to the fact that their components are made in a factory and then assembled on site. And depending on the complexity of a metal church building and the congregation's skill level, it's possible to save even more money by erecting the church yourself.
- Durability: Able to resist heavy winds, snow, fire, earthquakes, and other extreme weather, steel church buildings are built to last and require almost zero maintenance. As a result of steel's fire resistance, you're also likely to see a drop in your insurance premiums.
- Efficiency: Not only can a steel building church be constructed in a fraction of the time that a traditional church can, but it is easy to expand should your congregation's needs change and extremely energy efficient when properly insulated.
- Eco-friendly: Church metal buildings are environmentally friendly because they utilize the most recycled material on earth: steel. Modern steel is completely recyclable, and manufacturing it produces few emissions.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Church Steel Building #
Because a church steel building must meet the needs of an entire congregation, it is critical to think carefully about its design and construction. To this end, a building committee can be useful. Choose no more than 10 people to help who can help come decide on aspects of a new metal church building such as:
- What rooms/facilities are needed
- How big the church needs to be
- The congregation's budget and means of fundraising (if needed)
- Required building permits
- What additional furniture, furnishings, etc. are needed
- Whether the congregation can supply some of the labor
- How much parking is needed
Church Steel Building Sample Costs #
Determining steel church building prices is a complicated affair due to variations in material and local labor costs, local building codes, individual supplier costs, and customer needs. Due to these factors, the following metal building prices should only be used to gain a general idea of how much steel church buildings cost.
- Depending on the size and complexity of your steel church building plans, the cost (including materials, delivery, concrete slab, and construction) can be anywhere from $15 to $40 or more per square foot.
- If your congregation plans on buying a prefabricated steel church and erecting it, materials might cost somewhere around $5 to $15 per square foot. The larger the church steel building is, however, the lower material costs will be. For example, the materials for a 30,000 square foot church might be purchased for as little as $8 to $10 per square foot.
- A 70'x110'x24' church in Texas was engineered and installed for around $70,000 to $75,000 ($9 to $10 per square foot). It included five (5) doors of varying sizes and a canopy over the entrance door.
Watch: Example of 60 x 100 x 10 Church - Pineridge Baptist Church #
Watch this video to see an example of a church constructed with steel.
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