Side-by-Side Comparison

Package vs. Custom Steel Building in Alaska

Choosing the right path for your project

Josh Kingery
Reviewed by Sales & Lead Designer, Superstructures Inc. · Sales & Lead Designer, Superstructures Inc. · Updated

Both package and custom steel buildings are pre-engineered Varco Pruden systems with the same 25-year structural warranty. The difference is in the degree of standardization and the resulting trade-offs in cost, lead time, and flexibility.

Package Buildings — The Case For

Faster lead times

Package buildings move through the design and engineering process faster than fully custom designs. If your timeline is tight, a package may get you to delivery 4–6 weeks sooner than a custom equivalent.

Simpler decision process

The key decisions are size selection and optional upgrades (doors, windows, insulation). There are no dimension variables to optimize — you choose from proven configurations.

Competitive pricing

Packages are priced as complete systems. Starting at $39,014 for a 30×30 through $63,142 for a 50×50 (materials + standard shipping), they represent an efficient price-to-size ratio.

Proven configurations

Package dimensions are chosen because they're common, useful configurations. If your use fits a standard size, you benefit from a well-tested building design.

Custom Buildings — The Case For

Any dimensions

Need a 65×120 warehouse? A 48×80 hangar? A 35×200 equipment storage building? Only a custom design gives you complete dimensional freedom.

Specific eave heights

Standard packages come in common eave heights. If you need a 24' clear interior for semi-trucks or a 30' clear interior for a large aircraft, you need a custom design.

Specialized structural requirements

Overhead crane provisions, heavy mezzanine loads, large framed openings for aircraft or equipment — these require custom engineering that package configurations can't accommodate.

Complete design control

Custom buildings let you specify every dimension, opening location, roof pitch, and structural requirement. If your project has specific requirements that a standard package doesn't meet, custom is the path.

Comparison FAQ

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