Oh well. My barn quote from Company 2 just came in. I like everything about the company . . . except the bottom line.
Company 1 is offering a 60x80 building with an 80' lean-to for about $48,000 delivered. But Company 1 doesn't do the installation - and that's a huge concern.
Company 2 had a 50 x 100 "on sale" at a 23% discount. That had me jazzed. But the quote I just received for the building + a lean-to is $63,773. That's 31% more than Company 1's proposal, albeit for a slightly bigger building.
Company 2 can do the installation - except for the foundation. But the installation charge is $6.50 per square foot. That's $32,500 ... for what's generally described as easy work.
I've been told to use 40% as a good rule of thumb for estimating a setup fee. But Company 2's $32,500 is 51% of the building price.
IMO, Company 2 is charging too much. Even though it's the industry leader, I'll be looking elsewhere. Back to Company 1 *if* I can find a contractor who will do the work at a reasonable cost. (Company 2 warned me that many contractors will only offer to set up a building they buy themselves, one that they tack their own heft surcharge onto.)
Most likely, I'm back to seeking a vendor, someone who can both provide a building AND install it, for a reasonable fee. Now, at least, I have a better feeling for what that fee should be.
Maybe NH has a local company I could use.
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