Anybody ever SELL a metal building?

Heath · Dec 22, 2003

I've got a wood framed metal building that is about 35x50 that I will no longer need in about 2 years.
I'm in the planning process of building a high ceilinged 4 car garage with with quest quarters above it. Once I have this built, I will no longer need the metal building.
Have any of you ever sold an existing building? I've only owned the property for a year and a half, but I don't think the building is over 5 years old. It's white and has 11' ceilings, a 9' overhead door, a walk-through door and 2 windows.
Is selling it to someone who will come out, disassemble, and remove the building practical? I think that disassembly would be pretty straightforward. The main post for the building don't appear to be set in cement. Maybe they are and the cement is below the ground surface.
Anyway......any thoughts on this "plan" are appreciated. Any money I could get to help offset the garage construction costs would be a nice bonus.
Thanks

cowboydoc · Dec 22, 2003

Never sold one but we've bought quite a few over the years. We either got them for free or for very little. Maybe 20% or less of the cost of a new one. Taking one down is ALOT of work. Twice as much work as putting one up. Everything has to be numbered and placed carefully to go back up the same way. Most of the wood is put in with ring shanks and usually long ones. You either have to use a reciprocating saw or tear it off which usually means you break alot of lumbar. It's kind of like selling a house to move. It's alot of labor and costs alot to do so the house isn't worth much.

Heath · Dec 22, 2003

Thanks for the real world input. Do you think the building would be worth $1000 to the right person? More? Less?

DocHeb · Dec 22, 2003

Around here metal buildings are often found in the "Free" section, as in "Free, you remove". Your might get a nominal price, but as mentioned by Richard they are a lot of work. I had looked at two "Free, you remove" large glass greenhouses, and I couldn't rationalize the work of dissasembling, labeling, and protecting that much framing and glass. A lot of the materials was not predrilled, but drilled on-site. If re-assembled, the holes would not line up and would result in numerous additional holed being drilled in the material.

Heath · Dec 22, 2003

I'm guessing I'd be lucky to find someone to come and take it for free. I'd leave it standing and use it for more storage, but it blocks some of my best views!

wroughtn_harv · Dec 22, 2003

I had a conversation last night with a bud who'd offered to remove some old Payless Cashway buildings for the materials. Months went by and then they told him they'd bid it out. Low bidder only got eighteen grand to remove them. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Bud got ahold of the contractor and bought twenty foot sheets for six dollars each.

I would guess if your building is well made and in good condition you can work out a deal favorable to you by just letting the word get out that you're interested in getting rid of it.

In every neighborhood there's the old boy who had more time than money and is always looking for a bargain. A bargain on a good building is a bargain indeed.

Right now off the top of my head I can think of three of my buds who'd jump on your building like stink on dog, well, dog stuff. If only you were in the neighborhood.

I'm sure there are the same kind of characters up there. In fact I'd even bet that somewhere in your neighborhood there's an old restaurant where the geezers have a wisdom table. The know it all table. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif We have at least two around here.

So hold your cards close to your vest and don't be too easy. And if you do cut a deal make sure your partner in this crime has a reputation for doing what he says he will in a timely manner. If you think the building ruins a view you haven't seen anything like the view when half a building is standing there. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Willman · Mar 28, 2025

Any Amish farmers in the area, they would have it down and gone in a day

bigtiller · Mar 28, 2025

I sold a 10 year old 10x16 portable wood shed. With new paint, wired, insulated and finished interior. Posted several pics and $50 you move.

The first caller was about 1000 miles away, 2nd caller was local but had no idea how to move it. 2 weeks later the 3rd caller came with a Case all terrain forklift. He picked it up, set it on a trailer, tied it down and took it with him, leaving me with $50 and we both had a big smile.

I told everyone that the $50 giveaway price was just to relieve me of any responsibility if anything bad happened.