What Does a Steel Quonset Hut Cost? Pricing, Examples and Buying Tips
Last Updated: September 22, 2023
Fact Checked By: Ryan Maguire
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Quick Summary: Metal Quonset Hut Price #
As a ballpark estimate, plan on a minimum of $50 per square foot for a basic quonset hut up to $250 per square foot for a high end commercial building.
The economy of steel makes these an affordable option but finish work adds cost.
The predecessor of today's steel barns, garages, hangars, warehouses, and similar arched metal structures is the Quonset hut. First used in World War II, Quonset huts provided the military with lightweight, transportable housing and storage that could easily be put together and taken apart in the field using basic hand tools.
Today, anyone can benefit from their fast, easy assembly, low costs, and functionality.
No matter how you intend to use a Quonset hut, this buying guide makes it easy to purchase one by providing straightforward commercial steel building pricing information and putting you in contact with multiple suppliers.
Quonset Hut Basics #
If you're thinking of buying a Quonset hut, here's what you need to know about these versatile metal structures.
- Construction: Quonset huts have a semi-circle shape and are made from corrugated, galvanized, prefabricated steel. While they can be placed on numerous hard, flat surfaces (including concrete, wood, and pilings), their design only permits windows and doors to be placed on the ends, and overhead clearance can be limited as you move away from the hut's center.
- Simple to build: In traditional construction, the materials are brought to the site and the structure is built. Erecting a Quonset hut, however, is a very different process. Because a Quonset hut is a prefabricated building, the metal components are made in a factory and then shipped to the site and assembled. This makes putting up steel arch buildings not only faster, but also cheaper, as significant money is saved on labor. The simple construction of these structures also makes smaller Quonset hut kits a reasonable do-it-yourself project, enabling you to save even more money.
- Durable and low maintenance: Steel is incredibly strong and can stand up to just about anything Mother Nature can throw at it, including extreme weather, fire, and earthquakes. As a result, Quonset buildings require little, if any, upkeep.
- Flexibility: Rather than asking what a Quonset hut can be used for, it might be more useful to ask what it can't be used for. Quonset huts are favored by entrepreneurs as a work and/or storage place with low overhead and by farmers to store equipment, feed, and produce or as a place to hold a show. It is also possible to build an athletic facility inside of a Quonset hut, and the arched structures can even be used for residential applications, including as a dormitory, home, or emergency relief structure. Best of all, Quonset hut buildings can easily be adapted to another use and if necessary, disassembled, moved, and reassembled at a new site.
Quonset Hut Average Costs #
Current market prices for metal, local labor costs, and individual supplier costs can all impact Quonset hut prices. Owing to these factors, the following Quonset hut costs should only be used as a general overview.
Quonset Hut Kits
- Basic 20' x 36' kit - $15,000 - $30,000
- Includes curved steel rib framing, roof and wall sheeting, trim
- Does not include foundation, floor, insulation, interior finishes
Turnkey Quonset Buildings
- 30' x 40' insulated building - $50,000 - $100,000
- Includes foundation, insulation, electrical, plumbing, HVAC
- Finished interior with restroom, office space
Commercial Quonset Warehouses
- 40' x 60' warehouse building - $200,000 - $300,000
- Insulation, roll-up and personnel doors
- Interior mezzanine, sprinklers, electricity
Additional Quonset Hut Costs
- Concrete foundation - $10-$20 per square foot
- Delivery - $2-$4 per mile
- Installation - $15-$25 per square foot
- Insulation - $1-$2 per square foot
- Lighting - $5-$10 per linear foot
- Bathroom installation - $5,000-$15,000
Key Factors Affecting Cost
- Size - Bigger is more expensive
- Customization - More complex adds cost
- Location - Impacts delivery and labor costs
- Finishes - Insulation, electrical, bathrooms, etc. add up
Prices can range widely based on options. Carefully evaluate to fit your budget.
Example Prices Paid for Steel Quonset Huts #
We asked people how much they paid for their quonset huts. Here are some real life examples from people who purchased steel quonset huts:
John in Ohio bought a 30' x 50' quonset hut kit from Olympia Steel Buildings for $18,000. He then spent $15,000 hiring a contractor to pour the concrete slab foundation and assemble the steel structure. With another $10,000 in finishes like insulation, drywall, and electrical, his total cost was around $43,000. He uses it for boat storage and a workshop.
Mary in Montana purchased a prefabricated 20' x 40' quonset hut with insulation, roll up doors, and simple interior finishes from Roder Steel Buildings for $68,000 including delivery. With the concrete foundation and electrical hookup, her total was $75,000. She uses it as an equestrian facility.
Paul in California bought a turnkey 40' x 80' quonset hut warehouse from VP Buildings for $210,000. This included the foundation, insulation, sprinklers, restroom, office, and all required permits/fees. It serves as storage and distribution for his small business.
Amy in Oklahoma worked with a local general contractor to construct a 50' x 100' steel quonset warehouse for $340,000. This heavy commercial building has insulated metal panels, high bay LED lighting, truck doors, a mezzanine, and fire suppression system. Amy leases it to an aviation company.
Chris in Pennsylvania purchased a DIY 20' x 24' quonset hut kit from eBay for $8,000 and built it himself on an existing slab. With basic interior finishing, his total cost was around $12,000. He uses it as a home gym and man cave.
Julie in Minnesota purchased a 30' x 40' quonset hut barn kit from SteelMaster Buildings for $15,000. With $8,000 for foundation and erection and $5,000 for insulation and electrical, her total cost was $28,000. She uses it to store hay and equipment for her small farm.
James in New Mexico bought a pre-built 40' x 60' quonset warehouse from Chief Buildings for $95,000 including delivery. With permitting and site prep, his total came to $105,000. He uses it for his auto mechanic shop.
Sarah in Washington had a 50' x 80' quonset hut built by a local contractor for $220,000. It is fully insulated and has multiple truck doors, an office, bathroom, and mezzanine storage space. She uses it for light manufacturing.
Mark in Illinois purchased a used 30' x 36' quonset hut on Craigslist for $12,000 and moved it to his property. With foundation and re-assembly, he invested around $20,000 total. He uses it as a workshop and storage for his welding business.
Amy in Georgia bought an Olympia Steel Buildings quonset DIY kit for $10,000. With help from friends, her total build cost was $15,000. She finished the interior as an art studio and yoga space.
Steel Quonset Hut Uses #
Steel quonset huts are versatile structures that can be used for a variety of commercial, industrial, agricultural, and even residential purposes, including:
Storage - For equipment, vehicles, inventory, records, bulk materials etc. The open layout allows maximization of space.
Warehouses & distribution - The large, open floorplan suits inventory storage and movement. Roll-up doors allow for truck access.
Workshops & garages - The steel construction is durable to withstand shop use. Easy to customize with electrical, compressed air, hoists etc.
Barns & stables - The curved roof sheds snow and rain. Good ventilation. Stalls can be installed inside.
Retail & restaurants - The interior can be finished for retail storefronts, concession stands, cafes, etc.
Offices - With insulation, HVAC, and interior buildout they can be adapted for office space.
Aviation & marine - Useful for small airport hangars and boat/RV storage near water.
Gym & recreation - Durable structure for indoor sports, riding arenas, pool enclosures etc.
Residential - While uncommon, they can be adapted for houses with proper foundation and utilities.
The versatile, open layout and economical steel construction makes quonset huts suitable for many applications. Proper finishing and utilities are needed for conditioned spaces.
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