There are so many advantages of investing in a horse arena cover.
One of the main advantages would have to be being able to ride rain, hail or shine!
Dreaming of riding undercover? Or working horses in your own state-of-the-art facilities? Wondering how much it would cost to build a horse arena cover?
A covered riding arena project is often a large investment. This is why we recommend a thorough planning and budgeting stage before you commit to a new build.
If you are planning a riding arena cover project, here is a handy price guide to help you budget.
How Much Does It Cost To Build A Horse Arena Cover?
The average cost to build a horse arena cover in 2024 is approx. $170,000 including GST and installation.
This does cover a wide range of sizes and designs though, with project costs ranging from around $95,000 to $195,000.
Some larger facilities that include storage spaces and stables can cost more than $200,000.
For an indication of how prices can vary between projects, view the list of popular project sizes below. We have included an approximate price range for each size.
Popular Horse Arena Cover Sizes & Price List
Here are some of the sizes and configurations for covered riding arenas that have been popular in 2024.
- A 30m x 21m x 4.5m horse arena cover with gable infills and partially clad walls costs approx. $95,000 – $115,000 including GST and installation.
- A 48m x 24m x 5m horse arena cover costs approx. $145,000 – $175,000 including GST and installation.
- A 60m x 21m x 5m horse arena cover with a gable infill costs approx. $160,000 – $195,000 including GST and installation.
- A 48m x 27m x 5m horse arena cover costs approx. $165,000 – $200,000 including GST and installation.
- A 61m x 21m x 5m horse arena cover with two walls enclosed costs approx. $170,000 – $210,000 including GST and installation.
- A 60m x 21m x 5m horse arena cover with three walls enclosed and a gable infill costs approx. $175,000 – $215,000 including GST and installation.
Please keep in mind that these are approximate price ranges only and cannot be used as a formal quote. For an accurate price and an obligation-free quote, call us or submit a REQUEST A QUOTE form.
We hope you are able to use this information as a price guide for your project. To help you understand horse arena cover pricing, we discuss the factors that will influence how much your project will cost.
Factors That Influence Horse Arena Cover Prices
There are typically six main factors that influence how much a horse arena cover project costs.
These include the size of the project, the configuration of the cover, materials, project design, project complexity and the scope of the project.
1. Size
2. Configuration
3. Materials
There are several material costs to be aware of on a horse arena cover project.
First, is the cost of structural steel.
Our sheds are manufactured from Australian-made steel including heavy-duty UB columns and open web trusses. And while steel prices are lower post-Covid, Australian-made steel typically costs more than imported steel.
Keep in mind though, that Australian-made steel is the highest quality steel available due to the high standards and quality control in place in Australian manufacturing.
Similarly, the cladding on our shed builds is also Australian-made.
The three cladding options we offer are zinc cladding, galvanised cladding and Colorbond cladding. Zinc cladding is the most cost-effective and is used for most of the farm sheds we build.
The other material cost to keep in mind is the cost of corrosion protection coatings.
While hot dip galvanising is by far the most effective steel coating, it is also the most expensive, having a much higher initial cost compared to alternatives like paint or pre-galvanizing.
Having said that, hot dip galvanising has the lowest long-term cost. And we don’t recommend compromising on corrosion protection!
4. Design
The design and design features that you choose for your project will determine how much you will pay.
For example, design features such as gable infills, partially clad walls and cantilevered canopies will add to the cost of your project.
Having said that, these features make your project more functional and practical – and remember that poor design is not only frustrating but it can be expensive in the long run.
There are also design features that can provide cost savings. For example, our custom gutter system allows you to capture rainwater run-off which can be reused. Or installing skylights allows you to take full advantage of the available natural light.
5. Complexity
One of the less common factors is the project complexity.
The complexity of the project and the site can contribute to the project costs.
For example, a site may be difficult for our installers to access.
We encourage customers to select sites with good access and to prepare the site well.
However, if you do have limited choices for your project site, or if you are covering an existing arena or if there is existing infrastructure to work in with, our building consultants are available to visit site. This helps ensure that the arena cover will fit in seamlessly.
6. Scope
The project scope will also determine the overall project cost.
Obviously, the more inclusions there are in the quote such as kick rails, the more you can expect to pay.
It is also a good idea to consider the exclusions to make sure you are comparing “apples with apples”.
If you are comparing quotes, here is a handy checklist.
That’s an overview of the factors that determine the cost to build a horse arena cover.
There are some ways you can save money on your project though.
Next up we discuss ways that you can save money on your build – without sacrificing quality!
How To Save Money On Your Horse Arena Cover
There are three main ways that you could potentially save money on your project.
1. Size
As we have already mentioned, our range of standard-size spans are the most cost-effective.
Choosing one of these can provide a cost saving as a truss jig does not have to be set up specifically for your project.
This saves both time and money in the drafting and manufacturing stages.
We understand these aren’t a practical option for every project though.
You can also ask our building consultants which bay spacing would be best as some widths work out more cost-effective than others. Some popular bay widths include 8 metres, 8.5 metres, 9 metres and 10 metres.
Choosing the correct bay width or varying the bay widths through the cover can also help avoid inconvenient column placement. This is why our building consultants are available to visit the site during the planning and design stage to measure up and plan column placement.
Another way to save money would be to consider building a smaller arena cover. For example, 20 metres wide by 40 metres long. This may not be practical for you though.
2. Configuration
Like choosing a cost-effective size, it is also a good idea to select a cost-effective configuration.
As we have already mentioned, a long, narrow cover usually works out to be more cost-effective per square metre than a shorter and wider cover.
But it must be functional!
Our building consultants are more than happy to discuss and quote various options for you. This can help you decide what is the best fit for your requirements and your budget.
It also helps you avoid the frustration of an ineffective and impractical design that will ultimately cost you more in the future.
3. Supplier
Choosing the shed builder or manufacturer that is the right fit for your project can go a long way towards reducing project costs – and alleviating stress!
We would recommend building your cover with a company that can look after the complete project.
Here at Action Steel, we don’t just manufacture the steelwork. We also apply for the required council permits, coordinate the erection stage and project manage your shed from initial sign-up to completion.
With Action Steel managing all these steps, it means your project becomes a much less stressful and time-consuming experience for you. And time is money!
That’s a wrap on cost savings for a horse arena cover project! We hope the discussion has been helpful.
For more articles like this, browse our Learning Hub. For more information on the cost to build a horse arena cover and project design and delivery, talk to our building consultants.
