Before you collect quotes, decide how much of the build you’re hiring out. It changes who you hire and what you’ll pay.

Scope	What’s included	Typical cost per sq ft	40×60 (2,400 sq ft)
Kit materials only	The steel or post-frame package, delivered	$20–$35	$48,000–$84,000
Shell erected	Frame, roof and walls up on your foundation	$30–$50	$72,000–$120,000
Standard finish (turnkey)	Move-in ready at a standard finish	$80–$120	$192,000–$288,000
High-end	Upgraded finishes, cabinetry, windows and systems	$150+	$360,000+

These are national planning ranges for the heated area. Land, site work, septic, utilities and the foundation’s engineering vary by site and are usually extra.

Shell Only

A shell builder or kit erector puts up the frame, roof and walls. You then hire, or act as, the general contractor for everything inside. It’s the cheapest way in, but you take on scheduling, subcontractors and the risk of delays.

Good fit if you have building experience, time, and trades you trust, or you plan to finish part of the space later.

Turnkey

A turnkey builder handles everything from foundation to final inspection and hands you the keys. It costs more per square foot, but one company is responsible for the whole job, and lenders are usually more comfortable with it.

Good fit if you’re financing the build, you’re not local to the site, or you want one point of responsibility.

In Between

Many owners hire a shell erector and a separate finish contractor, or have the builder finish the living space while they finish a shop themselves. Just make sure each contract says exactly where one company’s work ends and the next begins.