Breaking Down the Cost of Metal Barns in North Carolina

Roughly 1/6th of North Carolina State economy 2025 is projected to come from the agricultural sector, with an economic impact of about $111 billion [source: NCSU.edu]. With such thriving agriculture, farmers, ranchers, and agribusiness owners constantly seek reliable ways to protect machinery & equipment, livestock, crop bags, and regular farm tools. Extreme weather events like hurricanes, storms, heat waves, wildfires, and rising operational costs have made sturdy, long-lasting metal prefab barns in North Carolina a necessity.

These are cost-effective, practical, and fully customizable buildings that offer excellent durability and require minimal maintenance. Here, we will break down the cost of metal steel barns in North Carolina and the factors affecting them and help farm, ranch, and agribusiness owners make an informed decision.

Factors Affecting The Cost Of A Metal Barn In North Carolina

• Size: The width, length, and height of a barn directly affect material use, labor costs, and installation complexity. A large barn needs more structural reinforcement, which increases the overall price. However, as the size of a metal building increases, the cost per sq. ft. decreases. So, don’t be scared to add extra storage space for gears, farm tools, or future use.
• Material: The choice of steel greatly affects the quality of a metal farm barn in terms of longevity and weather resistance.
• 100% Galvanized Steel: It is resistant to rust, saving you from costly repairs with time. Once installed correctly, these won’t need annual repainting or recoating.
• Painted Metal: This is budget-friendly but requires regular inspection and touch-ups to avoid corrosion.
• Heavy Gauge Steel (14 or 12 Gauge): The 14-gauge steel frames are economical and suitable for everyday farm work like storage sheds, carports, etc. You can opt for 12-gauge metal buildings for areas prone to harsh weather conditions, for large-scale construction, and for long-lasting durability.
• Foundation: A Concrete slab offers maximum stability and durability. It needs minimal upkeep and can bear more load than other types of metal barn foundations.
  • The cost of a concrete slab can range from $4 to $8 per sq. ft.
  • The cost of a gravel base can be $1 to $3 per sq. ft., but it will need regular maintenance.

You can choose between different types of metal barn anchors based on foundation types, such as rebar anchors for gravel/ soil and concrete brackets for concrete base foundation, depending on weather exposure, purpose, and the barn’s size.

Custom Features for Prefab Steel Buildings in NC: Below are some of the common customizations that contribute to the price of a steel ranch barn.

• Roof Style: Vertical roofs provide better water runoff and higher durability but cost more, while horizontal and regular roofs give traditional appeal and suit moderate weather areas.
• Insulation: We offer single bubble, double bubble, and woven R17 insulation for temperature control. You can choose from various steel farm building insulation options, such as fiberglass, spray foam, and reflective coil.
• Doors: The wider and larger doors will cost more but will provide ample space for parking tractors and harvesters and loading/offloading products on the farm.
• Windows: Strategically placed windows will bring natural lighting and fresh airflow into the barn without raising your energy bills. You can opt for metal Carolina barns to maximize ventilation.
• Lean-Tos And Overhangs: These provide extra shaded space for storage or resting but add structural costs. A lean-to barn is ideal for creating a loafing shed or outdoor storage area for easy access to frequently used items.
• Internal Partitions: You can choose sectioning for livestock stalls or tool areas. The extra raw material will add to the cost but will pay off in the long run as you will save time and effort.
• Clear Span: Opt for a clear span design that gives freedom to design internal space without any supporting columns or walls. A clear span metal barn costs more than a multi-span but gives maximum usable space for factories and food processing units.

Cost Breakdown By Metal Farm Barn Project Type

1. Small-Scale Farm Storage Barns

• Typical Size Range: 20 to 30 ft. wide and 20 to 40 ft. long
• Estimated Cost: $8000 to $20,000+
• Uses: storing farm tools, equipment, and feed; small livestock shelters such as goats, poultry, or calves; and seasonal storage for hay bales or haylage.
• Major Cost Factors: basic steel frames, insulation, flooring, concrete slab, and customization.

2. Medium-Sized Ranch Barns

• Typical Size Range: 40 to 50 ft. wide and 60 to 80 ft. long
• Estimate Cost: $25,000 to $ 50,000+
• Uses: livestock farming (horses, cattle, sheep), storing machinery (tractors, plows, harvesting equipment), large scale hay storage.
• Major Cost Factors: roofing styles, wall gauge thickness, and concrete slab foundation thickness.

3. Large Agribusiness Barns

• Typical Size Range: width of 60 ft.+ and length of 100 ft.+
• Estimate Cost: $60,000 to $ 150,000+
• Uses: commercial scale storage of grain, dairy processing, feed distribution, large livestock operations, multi-purpose agricultural uses.
• Major Cost Factors: structural reinforcement (for hurricane & storm regions), advanced security features, advanced customizations (like climate control, automatic doors, cold storage).

These metal agricultural barns are weather-resistant, energy efficient, and have lower operational costs. This is why commercial metal buildings are a smart investment for NC agribusinesses.

Additional Cost Consideration For Prefab Metal Buildings In NC

• Site preparation, excavation, and soil testing costs
• Cost of shipping, labor & installation on-site
• Your location, how far it is from the roadway, utility distance, and accessibility to the site
• Cost of permit for construction, laying utilities, HAVC, fencing, etc.
• Strictness and design regulations by local building regulations [ICC.org] for barn construction in NC
• Long-term maintenance and upkeep costs (generally lower than traditional barns)

Note: Viking Barns’ final quote on all metal barn buildings includes shipping and installation costs for a hassle-free journey.

Tips For Saving On Your Steel Barn In North Carolina

A basic metal barn structure can cost between $15 and $25 per sq. ft. So, is there a way to save on metal farm structures? Yes! With these tips, you can save more on metal buildings. So, let’s see them one by one:

• Put Permit Before Installation: Any changes the building department asks for are easier to do during the design phase. Once the building is ordered and built, modifications become more expensive.
• Opt for Prefab Steel Farm Buildings: A prefab barn is mass-produced in a factory under strict conditions, costing less than a custom design from scratch.
• Choose Metal Buildings In North Carolina For Sale: Take the benefit of various sales running online from time to time. You can check the website for more details.
• Choose Length Over Width: A 60 ft. wide x 40 ft. long steel barn will cost more than a 40 ft. wide x 60 ft. long since more material is needed for a wider building.
• Install Authentic Insulator and Ventilate the Barn: These may come with a one-time cost but will reduce monthly farm operational costs and energy bills.

Find Your Right Steel Prefab Barn In North Carolina Today!

As we can see, the price fluctuation of steel farm buildings depends on design complexity, size & dimensions, location of installation, and local agricultural building codes. However, what sets a metal agricultural barn apart from traditional construction is its durability, cost-effectiveness in the long run, and multi-functional space. Get a free quote on your dream metal farm barn from us today. Call (704) 579-6966 to learn about pricing, custom features, financing, and more.