How Much Does It Cost to Build a Steel Home in 2025?

Average Cost to Build a Steel Home

Cost Factors for Building a Steel Home

Many factors influence the cost of building a home, from plans to electrical wiring. Prices also vary significantly depending on whether you buy a metal home kit or opt for a custom design. 

Metal Homes Prices per Square Foot

Metal building homes cost $20 to $70 per square foot when you use a home kit. If you choose a custom build, you can expect to pay around $120 per square foot. This estimate assumes you have prepared the land, poured a foundation, and arranged to install utilities. If you still need to do these things, you’ll pay $50 to $120 per square foot for a home kit and $150 to $170 per square foot for a custom home.

Metal Home Prices by Type

There are several styles of metal homes, from simple Quonset huts to more complex A-frame or barndominium homes. Each requires different materials, difficulty levels, and time, causing costs to vary significantly. 

Quonset Huts

Quonset huts cost between $13 and $15 per square foot or an average of $14 per square foot. These are the simplest metal home structures—essentially sheets of steel anchored by an arched roof. Sometimes, the side walls and roof are a single huge piece of molded steel, with either end made of metal or wood cut to size. This means you'll be able to forego the cost of a metal roof, as the Quonset hut kit includes it.

Rigid Frame Houses

Expect to pay between $13 and $18 per square foot or around $16 per square foot for a rigid-frame house. These homes use heavy-duty pinning to make them more stable than other options. They are also popular because they are single-span buildings, meaning the inside is entirely open-plan, with no columns, supporting walls, or other structures to get in the way.

A-Frame Houses

A-frame houses average $69 per square foot, with homeowners paying anywhere from $13 to $125 per square foot. The wide price range is because some A-frame kits are available for those with a tight budget, and, at the other end of the scale, high-end materials and finishing products quickly escalate the cost.

Building an A-frame house is comparatively simpler and more inexpensive than a traditional home. As the name implies, a-frame properties are triangular-shaped homes, so they’re exceptionally strong and popular in areas prone to storms. 

Barndominiums

Barndominiums cost $20 to $85 per square foot, with an average price of $53 per square foot. While some can be converted barns, many are entirely new constructions. They're large, metal buildings with lots of open space, particularly in the kitchen, dining, and living areas. They also combine a workspace or shop with a living space within the same structure. Some people even incorporate stables into their barndominium structures. 

Metal Home Kits

While metal home kits cost between $20,000 and $90,000, the total cost typically depends on the size of the structure and what’s included in the kit. Most kits average $55,000. Basic models around 1,000 square feet are usually the least expensive, while large, customizable models are more expensive.

“While you might see metal home kit prices as low as $5,000, it’s important to understand what is included before buying. Some lower-cost products provide only the outer shell, similar to what you’d get for a shed. Metal home kits are particularly popular for accessory dwelling units,” says Tschudi. “An ADU is built on the same lot as the primary dwelling and can be used as an office or studio, a rental unit, or just an extra guest suite.” 

Primary factors that you should consider as you’re looking for the right metal home kit for you include:

• Square footage: Most options range from 1,000–2,000 sq. ft.

• Design: Some models only include the outer shell, which costs less.

• Delivery fees: Add 5%–10% on top of the kit price.

• Customization: Features like an attached garage run up to $20,000 more.

Interior Finishes

Expect to pay between $35 and $110 per square foot for interior finishes. Prices vary significantly depending on the materials and level of customization you choose. Basic finishes, such as standard drywall and laminate flooring, are on the lower end, while high-end materials like hardwood and custom cabinets increase the price.

Metal Home Plans 

The cost of buying​​ metal home plans ranges from $500 to $2,000, with most averaging $1,300. This is more affordable than the $2,000 to $8,800 price to hire an architect because you’re not having a pro design a custom building. However, most manufacturers won’t sell you a plan if you don’t intend to buy a kit.

Excavating/Grading

The cost to clear land ranges from $1,300 to $5,300. If you’re working with an untouched lot, you’ll need to start here before you can do anything else. This cost applies whether you choose a metal home kit or a custom build. 

Delivery

Delivery of the home kit and supplies costs between $5,000 and $15,000. Depending on whether you chose a custom build or purchased a metal home kit, a contractor may include this in the installation fee or charge separately for the service. 

Assembly

The average cost to assemble a metal home kit is $37,500, ranging from $25,000 to $50,000. Costs for building a custom home vary depending on the size and layout, but your contractor should be able to provide a quote early in the home-building process. The quote typically includes interior and exterior finishes like drywall, flooring, or stairs. 

Other Steel Home Building Cost Factors

In addition to the above factors, you’ll need to budget for several other costs, such as labor, permits, foundation, installation, and home systems.

Labor

You’ll often require several contractors to build a metal home. Expect to pay between $5 and $10 per square foot for assembly in addition to $35 to $110 per square foot for finishing. Additional labor costs may include:

• The cost to hire a general contractor is $50–$150 per hour.

• The cost to hire a plumber is $45–$200 per hour.

• The cost to hire an electrician is $50–$100 per hour.

Permits

You’ll likely need a building permit for your metal home. The cost varies between $500 and $2,000, depending on your location and the project's complexity. The contractors you hire often acquire permits and include the price in their quotes.

Foundation

Whether you choose a home kit or a custom build, the cost to build a foundation is $4,000 to $12,500, with most averaging $8,300. If you want a basement under the house, your costs will be at the higher end of the range.

Insulation

The price to install batt and roll insulation ranges from $1,100 to $2,500. The best type depends on whether you’ve added extra framing and where you’re putting it. Most end up spending an average of $1,800.

Plumbing

Plumbing pipe installation costs $400 to $2,000 for an average home, whether custom-built or from a kit. This includes materials and installation for the building, but not connection to a sewer main or septic tank. 

Sewer/Septic

To get rid of water and waste in your home, you’ll need to pay to connect it to a sewer or septic system, which typically costs between $2,000 and $9,500. Common charges you’ll incur include:

• Cost to install a septic tank: $3,200–$10,700

• Cost to install a sewer line: $550–$2,300

• Cost to install a water main: $700–$2,600

• Cost to dig or drill a well: $1,500–$12,000

Electrical

Installing new wiring costs $600 to $2,300 in an average-sized home, depending on the amount of wiring needed. The cost will be higher if you need a panel with several circuits.

HVAC

Putting in an HVAC system is important if you plan to live in your new home. The type of system you require depends on your location, climate, and budget. The cost to install a new furnace ranges from $2,800 to $6,700, while the cost to install central air runs from $3,900 to $7,900.

Siding

Installing new siding costs $6,000 to $17,000. This wide range is mainly related to the total square footage. High-end materials like metal or cement fiber usually cost the most, and lower-cost siding options like vinyl cost less. 

Roofing

The cost to install a metal roof ranges from $5,700 to $12,200, depending on the material. Most metal home kits come with a roof, but you may want to add something more durable or aesthetically pleasing. If you’re building a custom metal home, you’ll need to consider your roofing options as you plan.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Metal Homes

While metal homes have many advantages, there are a few drawbacks, too. They're not the best choice for everyone. 

Pros

Metal homes are easily customizable, upgradeable, and extendable. They have lower insurance costs and a minimum 20-year warranty.

Cons

Metal homes have a lengthy planning permission and construction timeline. Budget-friendly metal homes don't have the same look as more traditional homes, and kits afford less customization.

Budgeting for Building a Metal Home

The cost to build a metal home varies widely depending on the size, design, and finishes you choose. To keep your project as budget-friendly as possible, consider the following tips:

• Use a pre-fabricated metal home kit rather than building a custom design.

• Opt for cost-effective interior and exterior finishes, such as standard drywall and laminate.

• Complete small jobs, such as painting or disposal yourself, to save on labor fees.

• Compare quotes from several home builders in your area to find the most competitive offer.

• Stick to a simple floor plan and avoid customization or intricate features.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.