Anyone able to give me an approximate cost to put up a quonest? Looking for some kind of covered storage, would prefer not to go with a fabric shell, am thinking a traditional steel semi-circle construction on a concrete/cinderblock foundation, dirt/gravel floor, no insulation/power/windows; basically a storage building tall enough to hold something, say, the height of a semi tractor. Garage doors on the either side to pull equipment through.
Just a ballpark number, for anyone who's gone down this road, if you are able?
I've been tempted to use seacans as the long walls, and enclose the space between them
but I don't really find the price of seacans (on the Canadian prairie) to be as inexpensive as the internet suggests.
I've seen a structure built with a third seacan as the back wall, and a roof over the space, to make a covered work area with one open wall, and three lockable spaces. Like this, but only a single container high:
It was an excellent use of the containers, but again, seems dependent on having access to cheaper seacans than I'm seeing for sale?
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So, I'm seeing a lot of fabric-over-frame shelters on many upcoming Ritchie Bros auctions, bunch just sold in Saskatoon, anywhere from $1000 to $17k. Are they worth erecting, or do they just come apart in the weather?
There seem to be two, maybe three different manufacturers. Arctic Shelter is the only one that shows the company name on the side of the box, the other two are probably imported Chinese pieces.
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So, in speaking with a few government people, it turns out that seacans are not considered "buildings" - at least, not yet - so long as they aren't being used for regular human occupancy. So, a seacan can be placed and used for storage, and there is no increase in your taxes because of it. Unlike, say, a quonset or stick-framed shop. If you take it a step further, and build a roof over the space between two seacans, now you introduce things like building inspectors, & tax assessors, etc.
Also, it seems the going standard for non-taxable structures on land (outside of major centres) is 100 square feet (say, 10' by10') or less. Although this can be altered in the bylaws for the region you're in, it seems to be the common ground in Canada, from what I understand. Keep your storage buildings 100 sq ft or under, and nobody cares. Take them over, and all kinds of attention is bound your way.
Handy information to have, if you're looking to mitigate against tax increases on your prepper property. Or, just want to keep prying eyes off the preps.
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I picked up a fabric roof one (20 x40I think)at Richie bros, designed to mount on sea cans, I haven even taken it out of the box yet.. (I only have one sea can so far) it's not easy finding sea cans in the prairie that aren't expensive or rusted out. If they aren't water and rodent proof they aren't worth having.
I've noticed the same. I believe I'll simply spend the extra coin on a new seacan (or two), just not worry about it. I've been eyeballing those fabric roofs for a while now, never worked up the nerve to actually start bidding on one. I'd be curious to hear how it all works out for you, once you put it up. Do you know, will putting up that roof change the status of your seacans from untaxed "equipment" to a taxable building? I'd spoken briefly with a building inspector in my RM, and he indicated that once you put up a structure meant for human occupancy, things change altogether. Can you set up the fabric so it can be slid on & off of the frames?
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Danux,
Quonset huts can vary widely in price. I think your best bet is to contact a distributor closest to you, give them your requirements and see what kind of budget they spit out for you. sometimes the seller of the product will have separate installers you can contract out to for installation...so its a two part deal (in my experience) They are a good idea for storage....but be warned they are notorious for leaks and drips. If your not insulating and waterproofing it you'll get that issue. Even when a waterproofing membrane is added, etc....these things are prone to leaks. Just the nature of them I guess...
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