Morton Building worth the $?

[SteveBenson]

I would agree that Morton makes a fine building. But lets face it, post-frame construction is about as simple as it comes. Assuming you're using correctly sized structural elements, quality is just a question of proper site preperation, quality materials, and taking the time to get everything square plumb and level.

I used stock plans to build mine and saved 20k. I took 3k of that and bought enough 2x6 T&G SYP to finish my entire barn floor to ceiling, build horse stalls, finish tack room, feed room, and wash stall. Slapped one coat of polyurethane on the whole thing and boy all that wood looks fine. You will never see that in a Morton building. They line the stalls and thats it. They take cost out were they can (which isn't always a bad thing).

I'm sure Morton has a lot more experience than I do and I'm sure I made a couple of mistakes along the way. I'm sure they have some shortcuts I'd like to know about. If I had to do it over (someday I know I will) I know there are things I would do differently. But there aren't too many things you can screw up that badly. I'd take my barn over a morton barn anyday. Not because it's constructed any better, but because of the detail and quality I was able to put into finishing the interior with the money I saved on construction. I also have the satifaction of knowing I did it myself and the experience to takle another building with no hesitation.

And I still got a lot leftover for toys (I'm still trying to explain this logic to the other half, she's not buying it so far).

But if money is no object, then the decision is easy enough.

 

[cowboydoc]

John,
There isn't one thing inferior about my building. I just did all the work myself. I probably have a better building than a morton as I know they don't use the quality of steel that I did or would have done the extras that I did. My inside I lined with white steel. I'll get you some pics tomorrow and we can talk about it. It only took about two weeks to build. My brothers came out and helped for a week. We put up the shell and poured the floor. Then I finished the inside off and put the doors on later.

 

[jyoutz]

John, I had a quote last year from Bunger Steel in Phoenix, AZ for a 30 x 40 building. One of their stock kits which included a 10' ceiling, metal walk-in door, two windows, and framed out for two 12' wide overhed doors. The entire cost of this kit delivered to my location (250 miles) was only $7500. That included roof upgrades to a 50# snowload spec. I was calculating to have the concrete slab and electrical stubbed in to be about $8000. And then for two overhead steel doors about $900. And then for insulation $2000-4000. So this entire project would only cost somewhere in the $18,000 to $20,000 range. Sure say you had about $5,000 more for interior upgrades and add about $2000 for your porch overhang. Still this is alot cheaper than $44K. I would have had to assemble the frame kit, but it was all steel and just bolted and screwed together. You might consider going that route. Hire out the concrete and electrical work, garage door and insulation install, and do the rest yourself.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

<font color=blue>…Phoenix, AZ …included roof upgrades to a 50# snowload spec…</font color=blue>

Jim,

How much snow do you possibly get in Show Low, AZ…?

Do you actually get any snow…?

 

[cowboydoc]

John,
There are alot of places in AZ that get alot of snow. One of my favorite places in AZ is Flagstaff, AZ. It is absolutely beautiful there and they have pretty much four seasons.

 

[Chillimau]

I think Show Low is ESE of Flagstaff. I think they get some snow. (too much thinking going on) My brother in-law bought a pick up from a guy in Flag and didn't have AC. Guy said you didn't need it in Flag. But bro in-law wished he had it in Phoenix!

Gary

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Believe it or not... I've been to Flagstaff a dozen times or so...

I couldn't imagine a "snow flake" ever dropping on that state.../w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

Yes, indeed... it is rich in colors and it's natural beauty is stunning... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[BB_TX]

You say "The steel buildings I've seen look like steel buildings". I assume you mean the typical plain looking metal building with 1-12 pitch roof, no overhanging eaves, and plain trim. Unless you have a different Morton than we have here, their buildings are metal outside with wood framing inside. The building I put up is metal outside and structural steel inside. The outside appearance is essentially the same as the Morton. It has 4-12 roof, 2' overhanging eaves all around, facia trim, soffits, gutters, and door trim. Since mine does not use trusses, my internal height clearance goes all the way to the top.

 

[forestcreature]

next time you see a new rural/suburban fire dept building faced with brick, check to see if it is a morton. they are also big into the gas-mart type buildings, and make church buildings. they will face with anything you want, provided you want to pay them for it.

 

[NJJohn]

I guess you're right, a steel building is a steel building wether it's a pole or steel frame. How hard would it to attach a lean-to to a steel frame "kit"?
The problem with a "kit" is that it takes time to assemble, something I don't have enough of right now. If I had a week or two I could dedicate, I would definitely be going that route.
CowboyDoc, I never meant to imply your buildings were inferior. But I just felt if I went with a local constructor, who low-balled the bid to get the job, would look to cut corners wherever he could to turn a profit. When your doing it yourself, you usually put a little extra care into your work. That kind of quality is too rare these days, and if It costs a little more up front, $10 to $20K over 25 years doesn't seem that bad.
My only choices are locals(hope for the best), kit(no time) or Morton(reputation). I dont want to spend $44k, but I can't afford to spend twenty for a ten year building.I want to do it once, the right way.

 

[cowboydoc]

You're right John. I would sure check around though. Call some the people and let them give you bids. Ask around to some people that have had them put up and better yet ask to go see some of their work. I didn't mean that you had implied my building was inferior either. I just wanted you to know that it was first class and for not alot of money, relatively anyway.

 

[NJJohn]

Yes, I think I'm going to try and get some more quotes. I guess it doesn't hurt to shop around a little more.
I just wondered wether there was magic in a "Morton" or just paying the middleman.
I would still like to see some pics of your buildings when you get a chance.

 

[cowboydoc]

John,
Look for them tomorrow. I'm going to get some in the AM and when I have a chance at the office I'll post them.

 

[Bill_in_MI]

I had a Morton put up last fall. 36 x 45. It was in the $40's as well. I don't regret one dime. Yes, I could have saved several thou by shopping contactors, investigating their work, spec'ing things out myself, doing some of the work myself, and cutting a few corners. But I didn't want to do any of that. I wanted best in design, quality matrials, a few "extras" and work done by people who do it every day for a living. I've been around long enough and made enough mistakes to value the difference between, for example, a concrete slab poured and finished by me and my friends and my brother-in-law who used to be in the business, and the same done by professionels who do it every day. When I add it all up...I got what I paid for. Zero regrets.

 

[Knight9]

I'm always game to see more new and recent photos...but in the meantime...for those of us who can't wait till tomorrow /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif here is a link to a thread where Richard (Cowboydoc) posted some photos of his barn construction.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=rural&Number=50207&page=&view=&sb=&o=&vc=1>Richard's Barn</A>

Thanks for all the excellent info Richard!!

Kevin

 

[jyoutz]

Today we had a small 8" snow. I have seen 38" during one storm a few years back. About 30 miles from here and at another 1500' higher elevation, they had a 60" snow in 1998. Mostly though we get 8-12" snows and a few big 18-20" dumps. We're at 6500' elevation. Flagstaff to the west of us gets a lot more snow. Of course in Phoenix, the most snow I've ever heard of there is about 1" that lasted for a few hours. But of course they're in the desert at only 1000' elevation. In Show Low, we be in the mountains.

 

[jyoutz]

John, check out the Guiness Book of Records for the most snowfall recorded in a 24 hour period. I think you'll see Flagstaff listed as the place. Flag's elevation is 7000' +

 

[NJJohn]

Bill, That's the reason why I wanted to go with Morton, exactly! I saw some pictures of your building and fell in love. I just questioned the price, and was actually hoping for mid 30's, not 40's. It just seems Morton is "professional" pole barn builders.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I don't want to seem like I am badmouthing mortons but they do cut corners like any other business. I have seen some of their buildings and they have quite a few flaws in them. By no means am I perfect but Mortons has multiple crews based all over the US and each crew is run different so you should still check out their work just like any other contractor since that is all they are.

 

[cowboydoc]

John,
Sorry I didn't get you pics but I had a little problem. Does anyone know why if you reformat a floppy disc on the computer and then try and use it in the digital camera your pictures won't come out right? I put a disc in that hadn't been formatted but was new and it worked.