Tips for Erecting Steel Buildings

 Many people who choose steel buildings as a solution to their storage, expansion or other needs have no experience in construction. While the typical metal building is easier to put up than other types of construction, they’re not a do-it-yourself project for the typical home handyman – there’s far too much riding on getting the measurements and angles precisely right.

That said, many home and business owners choose DIY metal building kits to put up small garages, sheds and storage areas with the intent of doing it themselves or hiring a local contractor to do the actual work. If you’ve chosen a steel building to keep costs down or because you’re impressed by the many advantages of metal building construction, these tips can help ensure that you put up your structure safely and within reasonable budget and time limits.

• Provide a proper space for materials and staging around the perimeter of your construction area. You’ll need an area with stone, gravel or some sort of paving to place your materials when they arrive as well as to stage the various components before you assemble them.
• Keep your foundation clean and clear of any obstructions so that it’s ready when you’re ready to put up your building. If you don’t stay on top of things, you could find yourself wasting time clearing the site when you could be bolting walls into place.
• If your building requires a poured foundation, be sure to choose a concrete contractor who can do the job correctly. The building components require precise dimensions and thicknesses. If the concrete isn’t poured correctly, you could lose time while you find another contractor to fix the job an inexperienced concrete contractor messed up.
• Choose your erection crew wisely. If you’re planning a DIY job, be sure that someone on your crew is familiar with construction methods for steel buildings, or you may find yourself waiting for parts to replace others that have been ruined or misplaced because of your inexperience.
• If you decide to use a construction crew to put up your steel building, choose one that has experience building the brand and style you’ve chosen. If the company you purchase your building from has its own construction crew or partners with contractors in your area, take advantage of their knowledge and experience.

Choosing a steel building as a garage, storage, retail space or equipment shed can save you money and time. Just be sure that you work with partners who know what they’re doing to avoid offsetting your savings with expenses related to the construction.