Hi, we are moving on to some property that doent currently have a shop on it. My question is, what will save you money? Ordering a steel building, home depot kit or build from scratch. The concrete and framing and roof I would hire out if I went from scratch. It does get really cold here, so insulating and a heater is a must. What's your thoughts?

I would go for the wooden building myself and have a wooden floor raised just a tad above the concrete pad and then have the whole shebang insulated from the cold. If you are handy you can do it from scratch if you have some help. You didn't say how big your project is but remember you'll need some help with the roof trusses when you get to that part of the movie. Also, be sure to use shingles. I have a wooden building that I use in the winter and I actually put new wall to wall carpeting on the wooden floor to make it cozy. I also did a storage loft utilizing the peaked roof area instead of wasting the area. I also had a nice bronze 2 light chandelier and two heavy duty electric outlets installed as well. Kind of homey.

A steel building is all fine and good but steel can rust and it does hold the heat and the cold in the summer and winter. If you want to work outside in it in the winter you'll get mighty cold in there insulation or no insulation.

You can price the kit and see how much it is versus from scratch. There are advantages to a kit though. At least you wouldn't have to cut everything up. You can get plans for a shed/building and do it yourself if you are truly handy.

I'm with Twinkie, Leeboy. I think a steel building is going to be the *cheapest* way to go initially, but unless I needed something really large, I would build my own wooden building, possibly something matching or at least complimenting your home.