Alright folks, let me walk you through my absolute headache trying to figure out how much building a metal basketball gym would actually set me back. Buckle up, ’cause this was a ride.

First Off, Thinking Too Simple

I started off thinking, “Hey, metal buildings are supposed to be cheap and fast, right? Just buy a kit.” Boy, was I wrong. I jumped online looking up those shiny metal garage kits, figuring a big box for hoops couldn’t be that complicated.

Turns out, dirt ain’t just dirt. Called a local guy to ask about pouring the concrete slab – the absolute base of everything. He starts asking questions:

• “What’s the soil like?”
• “Got rocks or tree roots?”
• “Need drainage planned?”
• “How thick you want it?”

Suddenly realized I hadn’t even looked at my own dang backyard properly. Had to pay another guy just to check the dirt! Budget instantly felt heavier.

Kit Prices are Sneaky Traps

Finally found some kits sized right – like 40×60 feet, good for a half court plus some space. Prices looked kinda okay online… until you click “add to cart.” That’s where they get ya. Everything was extra:

• Insulation? Cha-ching! Forgot balling in a metal oven or freezer ain’t fun.
• Windows & Skylights? More $$$. Wanted natural light, right?
• Double Doors? Needed big ones for moving stuff, extra cash.
• Paint Color other than white? Yep, pay up.

Basic kit price ballooned like crazy just clicking boxes.

Delivery? Ha!

Assumed delivery was included or cheap. Nope. Big trucks bringing tons of heavy steel? Got quotes that cost nearly as much as the kit itself. Found out some places charge per mile past their free zone, and guess what? I’m way outside their “free zone.” Felt like highway robbery.

Then Came the “Install” Shock

Thinking I could maybe, kinda, DIY it with buddies… watched a few install videos. Quickly changed my mind. Heavy steel beams, climbing, cranes, welding? Nope nope nope. Hired pros. Got three quotes. Each one made my eyes water. Turns out, skilled crews building a proper gym ain’t working for peanuts. Labor cost felt like buying the kit all over again.

Power & The Little Stuff That Kills

Forgot about real basketball stuff. Lights bright enough for night games? Special electrical run. Heavy-duty outlets? Pricey. Even basic lighting fixtures for a space that big? More than my living room lights! Then: hoops themselves (decent ones ain’t free), scoreboard maybe? Flooring besides concrete? Epoxy coating? More layers of cost.

Sat down with all my scribbled notes, quotes, and receipts:

• Dirt Check & Prep: Way more than planned.
• “Basic” Kit + Needed Extras: Double the online sticker shock.
• Delivery Pain: Gut punch cost.
• Pro Install Crew: Like paying for a second kit.
• Concrete Slab: Bigger chunk than expected.
• Lights, Power, Hoops: Death by a thousand small cuts adding up huge.

The grand total? Ended up costing easily 3 times what that initial online “kit price” screamed at me. Felt like building a small house, not a gym shed. Learned my lesson hard: Metal is a shell. The true cost is in everything you put on it, in it, and under it. If you’re dreaming big, save way bigger.