Project planning

Building Comparison Planner

Compare three common scopes for a shop, pole barn, house or garage, then save a planning brief or send it to request a written estimate. This tool never calculates a price.

1. Your building

Building type

Width (ft) optional

Length (ft) optional

Wall / eave height (ft) optional

Intended use

Utility needs

Large overhead doors

Building site

Footprint: Not provided

2. Compare scopes

Shop shellEnclosed post-frame or framed structure with roof, walls and doors.

Structure, roof and wall covering
Large and walk doors as selected

Insulated shopThe shell plus insulation for a more usable year-round space.

Shell scope
Insulation approach discussed at estimate

Finished workspaceAn insulated shop with interior finishes and utility rough-ins coordinated.

Insulated shop scope
Interior liner or wall finish
Utility coordination

How the shops scopes differ

Comparison of Shops scopes
Item	Shop shell	Insulated shop	Finished workspace
Structure, roof, walls	Typically part of this scope	Typically part of this scope	Typically part of this scope
Insulation	Not usually in this scope	Typically part of this scope	Typically part of this scope
Interior wall finish	Not usually in this scope	Discuss / optional	Typically part of this scope
Utility coordination	Discuss / optional	Discuss / optional	Typically part of this scope

Shop shell

Structure, roof, walls: Typically part of this scope
Insulation: Not usually in this scope
Interior wall finish: Not usually in this scope
Utility coordination: Discuss / optional

Insulated shop

Structure, roof, walls: Typically part of this scope
Insulation: Typically part of this scope
Interior wall finish: Discuss / optional
Utility coordination: Discuss / optional

Finished workspace

Structure, roof, walls: Typically part of this scope
Insulation: Typically part of this scope
Interior wall finish: Typically part of this scope
Utility coordination: Typically part of this scope

The written estimate — not this planner — defines what is included. No engineering, code or permit determinations are made here.

Your discussion brief

Type: Shops
Scope: Shop shell
Width: Not provided
Length: Not provided
Wall / eave height: Not provided
Intended use: Not provided
Utility needs: Not provided
Large overhead doors: Not provided
Building site: Not provided

Still to decide

What will the shop mainly be used for?
Which utilities does the shop need (electric, water, heat)?
How many large doors, and what opening sizes?
What is the building site like (grade, access, trees, utilities)?
Approximate width?
Approximate length?
Approximate wall / eave height?
Door sizes and locations
Floor / slab plans

The PDF is a planning brief, not an estimate. "Convert to Estimate" sends an estimate request with this brief — it is not a price, quote or contract.

Planning a roof, siding or deck instead? Use the Project Cost Planner. Learn more about shops.