Nothing in the middle of the floor. Ever.
14'+ for lifts, overhead storage and real headroom.
To 20'+, single or drive-through configurations.
Stops condensation dripping on your work.
Tell us where power and air go before we build.
No credit check. Delivered now, paid monthly.
A two-post lift needs roughly 12 feet of clearance to raise a vehicle; a four-post with a car on top needs more. Add lighting and any overhead lines and 14-foot eaves is a sensible floor for a shop you intend to work in, not just park in. Leg height cannot be increased after erection. Of everything customers call us about afterwards, wishing they had gone taller is the most common — and the only one we cannot fix.
A 10-foot roll-up handles most vehicles. A 12-foot handles trucks with racks and most trailers. If you will ever bring in a dually with a fifth wheel, or a tractor with an implement mounted, measure it and add clearance. A second door on the opposite gable end turns a dead-end shop into a drive-through, which changes how you work in it far more than the cost difference suggests.
An uninsulated steel roof sweats. Warm humid air hits cold steel overnight and rains on your tools and your work in the morning — this catches people out across the whole Southeast, not just the coast. A vapour barrier or insulation package is not primarily about heating the space; it is about keeping condensation off everything underneath. Budget for it at order time rather than discovering the problem in October.
We do not run electrical, but where the openings and framing sit determines what your electrician can do cheaply. Tell us at order time roughly where you want your panel, welder outlets and compressor and we will place framing and openings accordingly. It costs nothing at design and is expensive to work around afterwards.
A two-post lift generally needs about 12 feet of clear height to raise a vehicle fully; a four-post with a car on top needs more. Factor in lighting and overhead lines, and 14-foot eaves is a sensible minimum for a shop with a lift. Eave height cannot be increased after erection, so err taller.
30'×40' handles a two-bay shop with storage and is our most-quoted size. 40'×60' gives you room for multiple projects, a lift and a parts area. If you are torn between two sizes, extra length is cheaper per square foot than extra width.
Across the Southeast, yes — primarily for condensation rather than temperature. Warm humid air against cold steel produces dripping overnight that lands on tools and work in progress. A vapour barrier or insulation package prevents it. Add it at order time; retrofitting is more expensive and less effective.
The structure supports it — that is essentially a barndominium. Be aware that adding living space brings residential code, permitting and often different inspection requirements into scope. We supply the shell and certified drawings; interior finish, plumbing, electrical and HVAC are handled by your contractor.
10 feet handles most vehicles, 12 feet handles trucks with racks and most trailers. Measure the largest thing you expect to bring inside — including anything mounted or towed — and add clearance. A second door on the far end for drive-through access is worth far more than it costs.
Tell us the size, your county and what you are storing. We quote from current steel pricing — no obligation, and we will tell you if a different size suits you better.
