About this video: Neil's 30x50x16 M-Model build, part 1
In this 2:04 video, Neil documents the first stage of building his 30x50x16 Toro M-Model barndominium in Washington State, from breaking ground to standing every column on both side walls. He and one helper put up the first four columns themselves, then a larger crew and a scissor lift set the rest into the concrete pad, with the rafters coming next.
Neil's building is a Toro M-Model cold-formed steel building, made by Toro and engineered for bolt-together assembly. He's building it as a barndominium. Toro doesn't install buildings: Neil and his own crew are putting this one up.
- Breaking ground. The site is broken for the 30x50 building.
- Four columns, two people. Neil and one helper stand the first four columns.
- Every column up. With a bigger crew and a scissor lift, both side walls are set into the concrete pad.
Key moments in the video
Jump to any part of the 2:04 video on YouTube.
- Project announcementNeil announces that ground has been broken for his 30x50 Toro building.
- Column installationThe first column goes up, and Neil and one helper stand the first four columns.
- Securing the structureOn day three, a bigger crew and a scissor lift help set the rest of the columns into the concrete pad.
- Rafter assembly prepWith all the columns up on both walls, the crew gets ready to assemble the rafters.
Read the video transcript
Project announcement
0:01 Hi everyone, it's Neil. Pretty excited today. They just broke ground for our property, where we'll put a Toro steel building out of Toronto. It'll be a 30x50 building that will go right over here.
Column installation
0:30 Okay, we got column one up. Hey everyone, it's Neil here. We're making some progress on our barndominium. As you see today behind me, we were able to put up the four columns. Just two of us were able to do that.
Securing the structure
0:44 Hi everyone. Hey, it's day number three officially. And as you can see behind me, we've got more of a crew to help us, and a scissor lift, which will make it much easier and safer to get those columns up.
1:14 We got all of the columns up for both walls now, up and secure into the concrete pad.
Rafter assembly prep
1:27 The guys will hopefully be assembling the rafters. So stay tuned.
Transcript lightly edited for readability. Music-only sections are left out.
The building in this video
Neil's 30x50x16 Toro M-Model cold-formed steel building, 1,500 sq ft, going up as a barndominium in Washington State.
Neil
Toro customer, Washington StateNeil is building his barndominium himself. After breaking ground, he and one helper stood the first four columns on their own.
“Just two of us were able to do that.”
Columns up and secured
Day threeOn day three, a bigger crew and a scissor lift made it easier and safer to raise the rest of the columns. By the end of the video, every column on both side walls is set into the concrete pad, ready for the rafters.
“We got all of the columns up for both walls now.”
“A scissor lift, which will make it much easier and safer to get those columns up.”
Every Toro building is engineered in-house for your site's snow, wind and seismic loads and comes with engineer-stamped drawings. Buildings are made in 30+ manufacturing facilities certified to standards including CSA A660, CWB, AISC and AWS D1.1. Engineering is led by Noah Sinclair, our in-house structural engineer.
Questions about building an M-Model yourself
Still unsure? Price your building and a building specialist will walk you through it.
Can two people put up an M-Model?
Neil and one helper stood the first four columns of his 30x50x16 by themselves. For the rest of the columns, a bigger crew and a scissor lift made the work easier and safer.
What equipment helps with column installation?
Neil says a scissor lift made it much easier and safer to get the columns up. Your assembly drawings set out what your building needs.
Can an M-Model be used as a barndominium?
Yes. Neil is building his 30x50x16 M-Model as a barndominium. Toro straight-wall buildings can also be engineered for a mezzanine or loft, supplied in the kit.
How big is a 30x50x16 steel building?
It's 30 ft wide, 50 ft long and 16 ft high, or 1,500 sq ft.
Are anchor bolts included?
Yes. Anchor bolts are included with every cold-formed building, for securing the columns to the concrete pad.
How much does an M-Model cost?
Toro steel building kits start at $19 USD per sq ft in the U.S. and $26 CAD per sq ft in Canada. Your site's loads and codes, along with size, framing system, openings and options, have a big impact on the final price, so reach out for pricing on your specific building.
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