Anyone have experience with metal building kits?

[Great-Kazoo]

Interested in the info that comes out of this thread. I'm in the same boat. Demanded a house w/shop. Found the perfect house with no shop...given a budget to build a shop as a consolation prize from the Marriage Manager. Now we get to argue about where the shop will be built. But we have plenty of time for that since we don't close til the end of Jan at the earliest.

That the place you looked at?
The first thing to do is check building codes & permits. Will it be cheaper building and over all tax wise to do metal or frame construction?

For anyone considering a metal building / pole barn. INSULATE IT. Consider some opaque fiberglass panels, as part of the rood for indirect lighting. Pour the interior floor AFTER the building is up. Look in to heated floors or other means of keeping it warm in winter.

My roof was done like any other roof, with a minimum overhang off the sides. How it's constructed, when it rains we get water under the roof / down the sidewall as the water follows the slope then drops.
Next building we do. Going to request the roof have a 6-8" overhang. Yes i have gutters, still an issue, ONLY when there's high winds coming in from the NW. It's not an issue for all metal ones, just something we have had a minor one with.
Do the building on a raised area, at least 6-8" above ground level. Helps with water / snow run off

Windows... Smaller ones up high, to keep unwanted visitors out. I have a nice 4x slider with a security bar across, from the inside. What ever you think you want for outlets, add more. Bigger electrical panel. I used the take off from the home upgrade. Had to split 3 of the 20A 110's, so i could run 3 separate 25A? 220 outlets for hobby items as i upgraded over time.

Phone , water and CAT 5 (what ever the current designation is) Phone line just in case your cell doesn't work inside, OR you're in an area that cell service isn't available.
Water for cleaning (on demand heater) If you do metal fab, or engine work (for rinsing sand / bead blasting off) and A CRAPPER. The spouse and i wish we ran water / sewer when ours was done (no extra $$$) This way i could live out there and come in for food and "adult entertainment"
The cable line, again if cell is non-existent or real weak. For security cameras, one must have items are security camera[s]

One more item. Build it bigger then you planned, everyone wishes they did after the fact. BUT............. price out everything you'd like before hand.
This way you can get the building you want, with the conveniences you'd like and stay in budget.
Ours has a few items mentioned, no budget when built, or room now to add improvements. Luckily i was able to barter for a lot of the interior upgrades once the building was up.

The Most Important thing when doing a garage / shop. Build an overhang off one side for outside parking. This way when the spouse complains "There's no room to park my vehicle in there. Because you're taking up the space" You point to the over hang , mentioning why yes there is room for you car honey. It just happens to be out said parking

Then duck, Or remove the firing pin from her pistol. Second thought, remove the firing pin any way. After 4 decades together, you'll thank me.