Morton buildings are highly engineered structures that can be used for multiple purposes. The pre-engineered structures can use masonry, metal, steel, wood-frame, and other materials that offer strong, versatile, and durable properties. Whether you are looking for agricultural storage, workshops, garages, barns, or any residential or commercial space, Morton Building is a suitable option.
In 2025, if you are looking for a standard Morton building ( 40×60), the average cost is $180,000 and can exceed $300,000. The cost depends on various factors, including location, material quality, customizations, required features, site preparation, and more. You can also contact the consultation team at Morton Building Inc. to discuss the cost and services.
In this blog, we’ll discuss all the cost factors, compare them with similar buildings, costs per square foot, budgeting tips, and more. With our guidance, you can easily start working on your construction project without any confusion.
Morton Building
What is a Morton building? (history and brand recognition)
Morton Buildings, Inc. was founded in 1903, when Interlocking Fence Company was formed by Jon Getz, Sr. The company gained recognition due to its innovative construction features. They are widely known for their finest pole barns, equestrian buildings, cabins, homes, steel buildings, and more.
Why people choose Morton (durability, customization, warranties)
With more than a century of experience, Morton Building is now widely considered one of the most reliable partners for construction projects. They’ve been offering durable, customizable, and effective construction solutions for more than 120 years. Due to their premium quality, advanced engineering techniques, tailored layouts, and long-lasting structures, they have become one of the most secure and trustworthy partners.
It also provides you with a 3D studio tool, so if you want to design your own post-frame building or structure design, it can help you out. They’ve made the process simple for you; just customize your design and send it to the Morton team for consultation.
Talking about advantages, Morton Building has industry-leading protection and warranties. Most of their buildings and structures come with a 35-year warranty. This includes repainting and replacements if your paint flakes or peels, or if it shows chalking. Furthermore, you are expecting a 20-year warranty that involves repainting and replacement of the FLUOROFLEX® panels if any visible red rust corrosion appears. Here’s a quick summary of all the warranties offered by Morton Building.
- 35-Year Warranty – Paint Protection – Includes: Repaint/Replace the FLUOROFLEX® roof/siding panels if paint flakes, peels, or if it shows chalking.
- 20-Year Warranty – Corrosion Protection – Includes: Repaint/Replace FLUOROFLEX® roof or siding panels if any visible red rust corrosion appears.
- 5-Year Warranty – Wind Load Protection – Includes: Repair/Replace of any structural damage from natural phenomena such as wind, with no velocity limits.
- 50-Year Warranty – Snow Load Protection – Includes: Structural damage for most buildings with no weight limit in snow-laden areas.
Common uses (barns, garages, workshops, storage, homes)
The structures built are highly versatile, durable, and long-lasting, and this is what makes them the ideal choice when it comes to construction projects across different industries. The construction solutions provided are useful in agricultural, residential, commercial, and large industrial projects. From barns, garages, workshops, to storage facilities, homes, and hybrid structures, you are getting adaptability, better performance, safety, and durability.
Garage & Hobby: They are very useful for structures that require durability and versatility, such as vehicle storage, hobby shop, detached garage, recreational, storage shed, and backyard office.
Farm Building: It is a perfect option for agricultural projects that require machine storage, an insulated workshop, a seed dealership, a dairy, monoslope barns, milking parlors, and livestock. Customizable designs can help with large equipment, storage, and space management.
Home & Cabins: From ranch homes, cabins, to a shop house, it covers everything. If you are looking for a lake retreat, a hunting resort, a country getaway, stops, detached or attached garages, this is for you!
Equestrian: You are looking at strong and cost-friendly options for animal-purpose structures such as stables, stall barns, riding arenas, shelters, and more. Stalls, doors, footing materials, and accessories to finish your buildings are also offered. These structures are created with safety, functionality, and proper finishing.
Commercial Projects: Airplane hangers, animal services, wedding & event venues, offices & warehouses, self-storage, banks, automotive facilities, child care, retail & restaurant, winery, brewery, and distilleries.
Community Builds: Whether you require municipal structures that include fire stations, EMS facilities, public use, and storage buildings. Even for religious sectors, sanctuaries, activity centers, storage, fellowship halls, offices, and classrooms. There are multiple options for you.
How Morton’s construction differs from generic pole barns or metal buildings
You might be wondering, when comparing a generic pole barn or metal buildings in Morton’s construction, which is better? Well, the difference is in the quality, engineering, and long-term reliability offered by Morton, basically making them lifetime buildings.
Generic Pole Barns? Morton Buildings is known for constructing one of the finest pole barns. Instead of utilizing a traditional wooden post-in-the-ground structure, they use a highly versatile and effective method known as post-frame building construction. This is also known as a pole barn. Unlike wood-pole structures, Morton uses engineered components such as laminated columns, premium steel panels, and trusses. The trusses are built with dense webbing and are typically placed directly over each laminated column. This makes them more durable, strong, with a large open space, and protection from extreme weather.
One more thing to note is that trusses work together with the upper and lower columns. So, no interior support beams or walls are required, providing you with open floor plans and access to design the inside however you like.
Generic Metal Buildings? Morton Buildings doesn’t use generic metal building methods for the construction projects. It is because they are limited in customisations to size, layout, finishes, and more. Furthermore, they are more prone to bends, dents, warps, chalking, and are less corrosion resistant. Compared to this, Molton utilizes custom-engineered designs that allow flexible sizes, layouts, roof pitches, and finishes. The Hi-Rib steel, manufactured by them, is thicker, stronger, and coated with FLUOROFLEX® paint, providing more durability, resistance, and protection.
Additionally, it uses a bolted heel connection between trusses and columns. This makes your structure even more resistant to strong winds and snow. You also get a wide open floor plan flexibility as trusses are specially designed and placed directly over laminated columns.
60×40 metal building
Price comparison: Morton vs standard metal building kits
Standard Metal Building Kit: It typically includes materials such as steel framing, wall and roof panels, trim, fasteners, framing for doors and windows, basic hardware, and engineered drawings or blueprints. Depending on your project size and the features involved, the standard kit might cost you around $30,000 to $40,000.
Things that are often not included in standard kits are site preparation, labor, foundation, slabs, insulation, and interior finish work. Your doors and windows are also optional, so you would have to ask and pay extra to achieve them.
Morton Metal Building Kit: Morton has an advantage over a standard kit since it offers everything you need for your construction project. For example, it includes labor, delivery, materials, equipment, and any other necessary items. The cost is a bit higher since it offers stronger options such as engineered trusses, stronger components, warranties, etc.
If you want to achieve the exact cost of Morton metal building kits, you can contact Morton’s local sales consultant. But in general, the average cost for a building ranges from $75 to $125 per square foot. However, you should expect the cost for the entire project to be anywhere in between $180,000 and $300,000.
You must know that the features you choose for your project can also increase the costs. Cost for installation of concrete, HVAC, plumbing, and finishing features can also cost you about $60 per square foot. The cost can increase to more than $100 per square foot, depending on the provided factors.
Key differences in materials, lifespan, and maintenance
Materials: As you know, there are multiple types of construction projects. Some use lumber, steel, while others use hybrid materials. Any product, natural or synthetic, like stone, wood, clay, steel, cement, plastic, etc, used for building a structure is a material.
A lifespan is how long a structure will last. For example, a well-engineered structure is designed to last for several years. Some structures even last for more than 50 years and centuries. A building’s life span depends upon its architecture, design, climate resistance, and upkeep.
When you have completed your construction project, then comes the process, including maintenance. Over time, a structure could require tasks such as repair, replacement, tightening, repainting, remodelling, or any other customisations. The main purpose of maintenance is to ensure safety and preserve integrity.
In the end, the main difference between all three is that materials are resources required to build a structure, while the material quality and structure design dictate the lifespan and maintenance required in the future.
Example cost ranges for a basic 60×40 metal building (without customisation)
The cost of a construction project can depend upon multiple factors and aspects, such as structure size, design complexity, and custom features. For example, a basic metal building may cost you about $125,000, while a large project can cost you $500,000 per 20,000 square feet. These prices can increase depending upon the how big is the project size.
The average cost of a steel warehouse is between $25 and $65 per square foot. But if you are looking for an aircraft hangar, the cost can significantly increase, ranging from $30 to $600+ per square foot. So, the larger and more demanding your project is, the more it will cost.
Pros and cons of choosing a generic 60×40 vs a Morton
Choosing a generic 60×40 over Morton Buildings for your project comes with many advantages and some disadvantages that we are going to discuss now.
Generic Or Prefabricated 60×40 Metal Building Kit
Pros:
- It has a lower upfront cost compared to Morton.
- As the kits are pre-packaged, you are expecting a faster delivery.
- Good choice for simple, basic workshops and stores.
Cons:
- Materials used for the projects are mostly lighter-gauge steel, which can wear out quickly and is less resistant.
- The design customisation is very limited vs a Morton.
- Either no warranties or shorter warranties are available for paints, coatings, and structural integrity.
- As time passes, you would have to repaint, fix corrosion, replace panels, etc, increasing maintenance cost.
- Warranty doesn’t cover everything, and you would have to find suppliers and labor to conduct operations.
Morton 60×40 Post-Frame Building
Pros:
- Morton uses engineered components such as laminated columns, dense trusses, and Hi-Rib steel, providing advantages in durability, strength, and versatility.
- Morton offers multiple warranties, offering repaint and repair.
- You are provided with a clear-span design. Plus, you can also customize the design for your structure.
- Morton’s construction is highly resistant to issues such as rust, weather, wind, and snow loads.
- Unlike generic, in warranties, there’s no involvement of any third party. Morton covers everything according to the warranty description.
- Warranty for structural damage in snow areas is available for 50+ years.
Cons:
- It costs more at the start compared to a generic metal building
- Compared to a generic or prefabricated metal building, it takes more time as materials are engineered, labor is required, and a full process is adopted.
- One of its disadvantages is that you can’t have a basement with a post-frame building.
- Additional features and materials increase the costs, and financial problems may occur when valuing the post-frame building.
Morton building cost
Factors affecting cost (location, size, foundation, materials, finishes, custom features)
We have discussed the average cost of building projects, but do you know which factors affect the total cost of your project? It is crucial to understand all the factors as they help in budgeting and financial decision-making. Generally, construction projects depend upon multiple factors. These include location, size, complexity, foundation type, materials, finishes, etc. You can’t expect effective budget management if you don’t cover all the factors while estimating.
Building size: The size of your building is one of the key issues that influences your project cost. The bigger the project, the bigger the amount of material, machinery, equipment, and labor will be needed. As an illustration, when considering a 40×60 building, it would cost less than an 80×100 building would. Also, the size of the square feet and other dimensions play a crucial role in the cost of your project.
Materials: The nature and quantity of materials you need to build can also have a direct influence on the costs. To illustrate, buildings constructed with materials like steel, iron, or any other metals are generally very costly compared to those constructed with lumber.
Features & Customizations: They will also charge you additional amounts in case you would like to install something like insulation, ventilation, skylights, overhead doors, inner partitions, and any systems like HVAC, MEP, ductwork, etc. To take an example, a lab building would need a ventilation system, which can add to the project cost.
Location: The location or region in which you are building your structure can also significantly conflict with the overall costs. The cost of labor, material, and equipment depends a lot on geographical locations. For example, lumber is expected to be cheap in the regions where it is produced compared to other regions.
The climate associated with that region can also increase or decrease the costs. As you would need to add features and do customizations, your project stays strong in those specific conditions. Structures in areas with heavy snowfall require high load-rated trusses, but if you talk about tornado-prone zones, you also need to work on wind resistance.
Site Conditions: The condition of your land and soil, the stability, slope, and drainage, all affect the cost. Foundation types and preparation costs are mostly dependent on it. If your soil isn’t stable enough, it can’t hold the structure, so you would need to prepare it in order to meet the requirements. This process to prepare your soil can require materials, equipment, and labor, increasing the project’s cost. Poor site conditions can result in settlement issues, corrosion exposure, and lead to maintenance expenses after the construction is done.
Construction timeline: It can take a lot of time to construct a structure, especially if it’s a large-scale project. Although if you want to complete it quickly, it can increase the costs. Because this means you would require more workforce to get the job done. Emergency purchases can also result in buying an option that isn’t budget-friendly.
Distance and accessibility of the site: Transportation and site accessibility also significantly impact the project cost. For example, if you are shipping materials from one place to another, it will cost you more. Location with difficult conditions can also increase the cost. Like, a marine structure will typically be more expensive compared to buildings constructed on land.
Local codes: The legal and compliance charges can also impact your project costs. Each country has different policies, legal structures, rules, and regulations. To build a structure, there are certain codes and regulations to follow. Codes regulate wind loads, snow loads, fire ratings, and more. If you fail to meet such requirements and standards, you might face fines, permit denials, insurance issues, and more.
Base shell vs turnkey pricing (structure only vs full interior finish)
Base Shell: In construction projects, a base shell or base build/grey shell is used. It includes a completed exterior with some basic structural framework of your building project. The essential structure, or what it typically involves, is frame, roof, siding, exterior walls, and foundation.
- Price: The cost of an insulated and lockable shell offered by Morton’s is about $75 to $125 per square foot. If you are looking for a ranch-style insulated house shell, the price for it starts from $70 per square foot.
Turnkey: What puts a Turnkey apart from a base shell is that it is a fully completed building. All the interior finishing and mechanical systems are installed by the construction team. So, you are getting what’s offered by the base shell and also insulation, plumbing, electrical, flooring, walls, and other fixtures. It provides a fully complete, ready-to-use building.
- Price: On top of the shell, interior finishing adds up to $75 to $150 per square foot. If you want a 2000 square foot, for example, a ranch-style home with no garage. The insulated shell will cost you about $150,000 to $200,000, while interior finishing can cost $150,000 to $300,000. So, if you go for a total cost, it will be around $300,000 to $500,000+, depending upon the features required.
Financing options or payment plans Morton offers
Talking about financing options or lending, Morton Buildings doesn’t offer them internally. Although they make financing much simpler and easier by partnering with external lenders. Morton doesn’t finance the building directly, but they connect you with your local or national banks or financial institutions. Depending upon the building type and customer requirements, lenders offer various products. It is also location-specific, so local lending partners can vary.
Morton Building doesn’t provide an actual subscription or pricing plan. However, you can get in touch with their sales consultants to discuss the pricing.
Real-world examples (ranges, not exact quotes, e.g., $75,000–$120,000+)
As we have discussed earlier, the cost of the project depends upon various factors such as project size, complexity, design, location, etc. The following are real-world price ranges for different types of buildings and structures.
Basic Metal Kit: If you are looking for a basic metal kit or a building shell kit, the total cost can range from $43,000 to $79,200 for a 2,400-square-foot structure.
Turnkey Project: While a structure with full interior finish can cost around $150,000 to $250,000, depending upon insulation, flooring, HVAC, MEP, local codes, etc.
Barns: Barns are generally used for animals, hay, or agricultural purposes. Generally, a barn can cost you around $30,000 to $120,000+. This is the total cost for a 1200 square foot project.
Ranch Homes: Ranch homes are considered a suitable option for various lifestyles as their design makes it easier to maintain and customize. It is also an affordable option. The cost of building a ranch home can range from $100 to $300 per square foot. But if you are looking for the total average cost. You can get it done for between $190,000 and $480,000.
Garage: Garages are a typical choice for purposes including parking, storing, workshops, offices, etc, but their main purpose is parking and sheltering vehicles. A basic garage that allows space for one car costs around $9,600 to $31,160, and more, depending upon how many cars you want to fit in your garage.
How much does a 40×60 Morton building cost per square foot
Average cost per square foot (with basic finishes)
Whether you are looking for a residential, agricultural, or commercial level project, the cost of the project depends on the size, requirements, and complexity. So, if you want a barn, garage, workshop, or any other structure, it all depends. However, the average cost of a project is around $180,000–$300,000+, depending upon the project. So, the average cost of a project of Morton’s can reach $75 to $125 per square foot.
Cost per building type (garage, barn, barndominium, workshop)
The cost may increase or decrease depending upon factors we’ve discussed earlier in this blog. For example, if you are looking to install insulation or mechanical systems in your structure, that can increase the costs.
| Building Type | Cost per sq ft | Cost per 2,400 sq ft |
| Garage | Ranges from $15 to $100+ | $36,000 – $240,000+ |
| Barn | Ranges from $35 to $50+ | $84,000 – $120,000+ |
| Workshop | Ranges from $18 to $25+ | $43,200 – $60,000+ |
| Ranch Home | Ranges from $100 to $300+ | $240,000 – $720,000+ |
| Barndominium | Ranges from $65 to $160 | $156,000 – $384,000+ |
Ongoing costs per year (maintenance, insurance, property tax considerations)
Working on a construction project can be costly as you have to deal with maintenance, rental, insurance, taxation, overheads, and other things. We have discussed the factors that impact the cost till the construction project is completed. But the expenses don’t end here. In the future, a structure requires restorations, maintenance, insurance, and you would also have to pay taxes. Let’s now dive into these ongoing costs.
Maintenance Cost: Although Morton Construction provides multiple warranties, the projects are durable, resistant, and strong. However, this doesn’t mean that any construction project is free from maintenance. Over time, you would need to reinforce your structure. Insulation, MEP, ductwork, and other systems require maintenance; otherwise, issues and failures might occur. Here are some examples to understand why maintenance is required.
- The lifespan of steel is more than 50 years, making it one of the most durable materials. Frequent repairs and maintenance are required due to rotting, pest infections, fire damage, etc.
- Concrete requires maintenance for cracking and reinforcement purposes, but it can last for about 60 to 100 years.
- Wood is a less durable and stronger option compared to steel and concrete. It is also vulnerable to pest infestations, mould, etc. It has a lifespan of 20 to 30 years.
Insurance: There are multiple factors on which insurance costs is dependent. Insurers focus on factors such as material durability, fire resistance, risk of damage from weather, etc. They also make sure of things such as the final cost of the project, the type of property, its use, the occupant’s risk profile, and more. Generally, the insurance cost for your apartment buildings can be between $100 and $2000 per month, depending on project size, location, and coverage type.
Property Tax: Once your structure is complete, you will also have to take care of property tax. Property tax is something you have to pay annually. Although it can depend upon the location and region, in 2023, the average countrywide amount of property taxes was $1,889 across the US. This was with the standard deviation of $1,426.
Cost comparison & budgeting tips
Morton vs other builders (metal building kit companies, local contractors)
What sets Morton apart from any other metal building kit companies or local contractors is the reliability and exceptional results it has to offer. You are dealing with a company that has been in this business for more than 120 years, serving thousands of clients from different industries. It operates about 7 manufacturing plants and over 100 construction centers across the United States, providing local expertise and support.
Morton is known for its distinctive quality, appearance, durability, and trustworthy warranties. They avoid the lowest-cost shortcuts and focus on superior craftsmanship and standout design, such as Morton’s signature trim. This makes their structure different from those generic options. They have prioritized pioneering post-frame building methods and have consistently introduced enhanced engineered materials, solutions, and designs for agricultural, residential, and commercial needs.
Unlike other contractors, Morton follows standards, rules, and regulations, making sure that their highly engineered building system meets the standards of UBC and IBC. The majority of local contractors don’t really offer warranties, but at Morton, you can benefit from their warranties. One of their warranties even exceeds 50 years. So, if you are looking for an experienced, reliable, and trustworthy partner, it would be safe to say Morton is your best option.
How to estimate total project budget (foundation, site prep, utilities, permits)
Budgeting is one of the most crucial aspects of a construction project. Without proper budget management, you can’t have a smooth construction process without any issues. If estimations and budgeting are not done with accuracy, you can face potential issues such as resource wastage, shortages, overruns, etc.
This is why it is necessary to ensure precision. Precision can be achieved through following a step-by-step procedure and breaking down the entire project. You must evaluate all small tasks and assign a cost to each task separately. The following are the steps to ensure top-quality budgeting.
Initial Research: The initial process includes evaluating all the project details. These include land purchasing, zoning, codes, financing, etc. It mainly includes breaking down the project into smaller parts so you can evaluate everything without missing out on something.
Design & Planning: Here comes the architectural design and engineering cost. Calculate all the costs for design, drawings, models, and customizations. This also includes evaluating all the time required to conduct each task associated with your project. You would also need to calculate labor wages and salaries.
Site Preparation: Now, you’ll estimate all the materials, equipment, and labor required to prepare your site. It is better to consult with your local market, vendors, and suppliers to achieve the best rates.
Foundation: You need to calculate the cost for the foundation you chose for the project. This includes slabs, piers, basements, and more, depending upon your soil and structure.
Utilities: Overheads are one of the main things to cover while budgeting. These typically include costs for systems like electric, mechanical, plumbing, sewer, HVAC, ductwork, gas lines, etc. You must evaluate how many systems are required for your project. Most people utilize similar projects for evaluation, while models, drawings, and designs all provide you with a proper understanding.
Interior Finish: Once your project’s exterior structure is finished, you would also have to install flooring, drywall, insulation, plumbing fixtures, paint, and furniture. These will also cost you more.
Permits & Fees: Each country or region has different permit and legal fees. You have to check and evaluate for local permits, inspections, environmental impact fees, and more. For calculation, you should consult with the specific fee schedule provided by your local government or department.
Insurance & Taxes: After the construction process, you would need insurance for financial safety and protection. Multiple companies offer different insurance. You can contact their consultants and get your insurance done. While insurance is an optional thing, you would still have to pay for property taxes and liability charges. Most countries follow the annual payment system, so it is better to put them in your budget.
Contingency Reserve: At least 10-15% extra must be saved as a contingency reserve. Some problems can arrive unexpectedly, and it is a wise decision to put a reserve for that purpose. Budgeting hidden costs can help tackle delays, price spikes, code changes, and more.
Ways to save on a Morton building (timing, standard sizes, minimal customization)
Customisations, project size, and features required can significantly impact the final cost of the project. Here are some tips and tricks you can use to save some money on Morton Buildings.
Timing: You should plan construction during off-peak seasons as materials and labor demand drop in the winter or early spring season. This can help with cost reduction. Morton runs winter/off-peak programs, which help lower prices and secure earlier delivery slots. So, you can expect the best for less cost during winter construction schedules.
Standard Sizes & Packages: The cost of the project depends on the features required, the project size, and how much customization you want. It’s better to pick a pre-engineered package. This produced size minimizes any custom engineering, which helps speed up the manufacturing and shipment process.
Avoid Expensive Customization: Morton provides a customization tool that allows you to design your project according to your choice. Engineering, material, and labor cost cuts can be achieved by choosing a few features. It is better to go with those required. Some unique features include special trims, complex rooflines, and bespoke windows.
Do site work in advance: It is better to prepare your site before because well-prepared sites minimize warranty issues, mobilization charges, construction time, and efforts. You should have suitable site conditions to ensure warranty coverage. Morton Buildings’ exclusive warranty requires your site to be fully capable of sustaining the weight of the components required in the building.
Conclusion & Call to Action
In this blog, we’ve discussed how much does a 40×60 Morton building cost per square foot, building type, and more. Our full breakdown covers all the factors, average costs, pricing plans, financial options, how to save on the project, and more. In conclusion, a Morto building does cost more than your standard metal buildings, but what you are getting here, you can’t expect that in a standard kit. Morton’s not only provides you with exclusive warranties, but you also expect quality, performance, and benefits of customizations.
So, what are you waiting for? Get a free quote from Morton or compare with local contractors to find the best fit for your project.
FAQs
How long does it take to build a 40×60 Morton building?
The time for project completion can depend upon multiple factors, including site conditions, location, permitting, design, customizations, finishes, features required, and more. However, a construction project can take a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on the provided factors.
Does Morton sell kits or only turnkey builds?
Morton Buildings utilizes a custom construction model. They don’t sell generic kits but an insulated and lockable shell. Turnkey is generally not part of their home offerings. The interior finish is also often left to homeowners or general contractors.
Can you finance a Morton building?
Indeed, you can, but they don’t lend internally. They have a partnership with AgriFinancial (AgFi) for affordable and easy financing options. So, yes, they do offer loan and lease programs, but through partnering with another institution.
How does location affect Morton building pricing?
Location can directly impact labor rates, shipping costs, local building codes, weather-related issues, site conditions, permit fees, and more. For example, labor rates in one region may differ from those in another. If your soil is not prepared to support the weight of structural components, work would be required. Thus, increasing the cost.
