Airplanes are structurally sound and very strong when in the air. But, when parked on the ground, they’re brittle and prone to damage by many different forces.
The obvious answer is to provide a cost-effective lockable shelter for your airplane. An average steel airplane hangar costs between $15 and $25 per square foot. But, if you want to build a hangar with any customizations, this price can almost double.
Of the two hangar types available, rigid-frame steel buildings cost more than arch-frame, by about 25% more for a small steel aircraft hangar of area up to 40ftx 40ft. However, hangars of larger dimensions see a much greater price difference.
Your airplane is a major investment both in time and money. Therefore, an asset such as this needs a suitable structure in which to store and maintain it.
A steel airplane hangar is probably one of the strongest and most durable places to house your plane. It can withstand hurricane-force winds when built properly and fixed to a substantial concrete foundation. Because of their strength and resistance to fire, termites, mold, and warping, you’ll find that insurance is much cheaper than traditional construction materials.
Fortunately, most steel hangars come as prefabricated airplane hangar kits that a contractor can assemble. Alternatively, if the construction cost is too high, you can do the job as a DIY project. All you need is the land on which to erect it and a concrete foundation.
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How Much Does An Airplane Hangar Cost?
The airplane hangers’ prices shown in this article include the cost of pouring a basic concrete foundation. Of course, these will be higher if you customize the foundation or have a concrete floor poured. Likewise, a steel hangar’s building cost increases if you install extras such as heating, air conditioning, drainage, plumbing, and electricity. Customizations such as these increase the overall installation price by 40% or so, depending on the facilities you add. Moreover, there is another customization that many people choose. Insulation is definitely worth the extra cost as it lowers the amount you spend on heating and cooling. And, provides soundproofing if you intend to use the hangar for maintenance.
Types of design
There are two types of airplane hangar design: rigid-frame and arch-frame. Typical small aircraft hangars measure around 20ft x 20ft but can go up to 40ft x 40ft. A rigid frame always costs more than the other, usually by about 25%, if it’s a small building of up to around 40ft x 40ft. In contrast, structures with an area greater than this have a much larger difference in price depending on the hangar’s dimensions.
Let’s have a look at some examples of different sized stuctures.
| Hangar Size | Frame Type | Estimated Cost |
| 80ft x 80ft | Arch Frame | $40,000 to $50,000 |
| 80ft x 200ft | Arch Frame | $80,000 to $100,000 |
| 80ft x 300ft | Arch Frame | $120,000 to $150,000 |
| 100ft x 100ft | Rigid Frame | $70,000 to $80,000 |
| 200ft x 200ft | Rigid Frame | $275,000 to $325,000 |
| 300ft x 200ft | Rigid Frame | $410,000 to $480,000 |
The costs shown in the table above are approximate and estimated. We have compiled information from various online resources, so you should regard them as a guide only. Prices vary depending on many different factors, so use this data as a starting point for your research and use sources relevant to your individual circumstances and location. Note that the figures above do not include the cost of buying or leasing land.
Advantages of Steel For Building Hangars
Suppose you have a light aircraft for recreational purposes, or your company has a private jet for executive travel. In either case, you must choose the best material for your prefab hanger. If not, you run the risk of damage to the bodywork or external moving parts during periods of extreme weather. Although aircraft are strong and perfectly designed for flying, they can be brittle and prone to scratches, dents, and other damage when they’re stationary on the ground.
If you decide to buy a hangar, it’s best to choose a steel one every time. Steel is one of the strongest and most durable materials and is easily made into a prefabricated kit for those who want one. If you choose a properly designed and constructed hangar, it can withstand strong winds up to hurricane force. Furthermore, a steel hangar will also protect your plane from accidental knocks from other aircraft as they taxi onto the runway.
Apart from the purely structural advantages, the aircraft hangar prices are more cost-effective than traditional construction materials and building methods. Furthermore, insurance fees are lower than other types of structures incorporating timber, mainly because steel is non-flammable. But also because of its imperviousness to mildew, mold, termite infestation, structural warping, and cracking.
And suppose you choose a prefabricated steel structure. In that case, the hangar is quick and simple to assemble. You can even handle the construction of a prefab yourself if you are good at DIY and want to save contractor’s fees on hangar building costs.
Aircraft Hangar Cost Factors
Three main factors affect the price of a steel airplane hangar. Let’s consider each one in turn and see how they affect hangar building costs.
Size
The size of hangar you decide to purchase boils down to the size of your planes and how many of them you own. If you fly for recreation, you will probably only need enough room for one aircraft and your car. Moreover, you might also need a space for a workbench and tools. On the other hand, if the hangar is for a fleet of corporate planes, you might have two or three or more airplanes. In this case, you probably won’t need space inside for cars, preferring to have a small concrete area along the side to use as a parking lot.
Probably the smallest usable hangar will be around 20ft x 20ft. But, although prices escalate if you choose something larger, the price per square foot usually drops. Remember, too, that a hangar doesn’t only store a plane. You must also have enough room to maneuver each aircraft into and out of the building without colliding with other planes, doors, cars, and any other item that’s lying around. Therefore, it’s important to buy the correct size, even if at first you don’t think you need all the room. And, of course, you might decide to purchase either a larger plane or another one, so you need enough room for all your future plans.
Don’t quibble about the size you think you need. Many private companies and individuals who own aircraft say that if you can’t afford to buy a decent-sized hangar, you probably can’t afford an airplane.
Location
The place where you want to keep your aircraft will have a land value associated with it, reflected in the lease price or purchase price. This doesn’t only mean that land in a city and surrounding area will be more expensive than in the middle of nowhere. It also relates to the availability of facilities at the airport. Suppose an airfield has cheap rent or land lease and is in the middle of a high real estate value area. In that case, you’ll probably find that it has poor quality or limited after-hours support. Instead, you should search for a more expensive airport with good air traffic control facilities, regular on-site security patrols with operational CCTV, reasonably priced fuel, and preferably someone on duty 24 hours a day. If the support doesn’t cover these:
- You can’t use the plane whenever you want.
- The airport might also be subject to break-ins with correspondingly higher insurance premiums.
- And of course, when you eventually decide to sell your hangar and lease, you might find it difficult to find a suitable prospective buyer.
Raw Commodity Costs
The price of steel varies with the stock market. But, it doesn’t stop there. A company selling steel aircraft hangars has to buy the raw steel or pay another company to make the finished product for them. On top of this, the company also pays industry agreed wages and has its policy on covering overheads. However, a competitive company making prefab hangar steel kits would keep all overheads as low as possible to compete with its competitors. In practice, the only factor out of the company’s control is the price of raw steel.
Renting vs. Buying a Hangar
So far, we’ve only talked about buying a hangar. There is another option, which might be better for some people. You can rent a hangar instead.
Let’s look at the advantages of renting and purchase to see which is the best option.
Renting
Typical factors relevant to renting include:
- Length of the proposed rental duration – If you plan on storing the aircraft for short periods, it makes perfect sense to rent a hangar rather than purchase one. Most airports and airfields have different rental hangar spaces to suit all aircraft and most have maintenance facilities.
- The size of the plane and how many you own – If you only have one aircraft, then renting might be the answer. However, if you have more than one, then a purchase or long-term lease will be the best solution. If you only have one plane, it can be more cost-effective if you share a hangar with another plane owner. Many recreational plane owners do this, and it helps with the bills. However, suppose you want to rent a private hangar. In that case, you don’t have to worry about damaging the other plane and yours being damaged in return. You can be sure that your private space is for your aircraft alone.
- What facilities you need and how often you use them – Some airport facilities such as security, traffic control, and using a tug are included within the rental fees. Whereas other airports charge you monthly for the number of times, you use a taxi tug.
Find out the terms and how much you expect to pay before you sign the rental agreement. Read the small print to confirm the extras aren’t excessive. Of course, you should compare the overall cost of renting with purchasing to see which is the most cost-effective in your situation. However, suppose the plane is a corporate model. In that case, the rental and all the extra payments can be regarded as a business expense, greatly reducing the overall cost.
Purchase
Before you decide to purchase a ready-built hangar or buy a kit to assemble, you should carry out a cost analysis of rentals and purchasing to see which is right for you.
Let’s look at some advantages when purchasing an aircraft hangar.
- Ownership – When you buy a hangar, you own it outright. You can use it for whatever purpose you like without getting permission from anyone else. It will always be available for you, and no one will be storing another plane in your space.
- Location – You can choose where you would like to build the hangar, and as long as the real estate is lettable or you can buy it, there shouldn’t be any problems.
There are some disadvantages too:
- Suppose you decide to move house or job, and the existing hangar isn’t near enough to your city. In that case, you will either have to sell the hangar along with the real estate lease or hire a contractor to dismantle and transport it to a location nearer to your new home.
- If your plane spends long periods away from the hangar, you leave the space empty and unused. This is costly and is not a good use of resources, as you will need to rent space at a different airport for the duration and cover the overheads of your purchased hangar. However, if you use the plane for business purposes, your company can claim the extra expenses under tax.
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A steel aircraft hangar is an essential asset if you have a private or corporate airplane. The enclosure protects your plane from damage caused by extreme weather and by accidental collision. A hangar also gives you a place to maintain the craft and park your car while flying.
If you need help to find airplane storage structures for purchase, complete the form on this page. You will receive 2 or 3 quotes from companies that produce steel hangar kits ready to deliver or airports near you with pre-built hangars available to sell.
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