Pre-Building Considerations for Steel Buildings

Today’s homeowner finds many uses for steel buildings. They’re being pressed into service as garden and storage sheds, garages, hobby workshops, home offices, greenhouses, pet kennels, boat houses and plane hangars. If you have a need for a building on your property, there’s a good chance that a steel building is the perfect solution for your need. Part of the reason for the new popularity of steel buildings is the ease with which anyone can order one online and the ease with which you can erect your new steel building yourself on your property. Between ordering your building and erecting it, however, there are a few things you need to take into consideration.

Know all of your shipping details. Before you actually place your steel buildings order, make sure that you understand all the details of the shipping and delivery. Discuss it thoroughly with your dealer so that you know who will be responsible for the shipping, how it will be delivered and when you can expect delivery. While there are some steel building manufacturers who maintain their own shipping fleets, most dealers work with a third-party carrier to deliver your building to your worksite. Generally, the shipping arrangements will be made by the dealer or manufacturer, who will inform you of the arrangements as they are made. If you need to make changes to those arrangements – because your site isn’t ready, for example, be sure to notify your steel buildings dealer with as much notice as possible.

When you receive your contract and shipping details, look it over carefully to make sure that all of the details are correct. Generally, your building will be delivered to the address on the invoice. If that’s not your worksite, it’s your responsibility to make sure the company knows the correct address for shipping. The last thing you want is all the makings of your new metal building sitting on your front lawn when your building site is three miles down the road at your retail garden site.

If you have your new steel building delivered before the actual construction start date, you’ll need to make arrangements to protect all the parts from dust and weather. While all the metal components have a protective coating, you don’t want them getting mud-splattered, covered with dust or soaked through. Make sure you have heavy-duty waterproof sheeting on hand to cover all the pieces until you’re actually ready to begin construction of your building.

If you’re not planning to put up your new steel building yourself, make sure you book your contractor well in advance of the delivery date. Be aware that there are certain times of the year when your local contractors will be booked weeks, if not months, in advance for jobs. Give them plenty of notice so that your contracting company is ready to go when your building is delivered.

Planning ahead can help you eliminate many of the challenges that come along with putting up steel buildings. Take an active role in the planning and be sure that you understand all of the details and preparations you’ll have to make in advance.

Steel Buildings Sales Tactics To Make You Wary

When you first start shopping for steel buildings and sheds, you’ll notice one thing above everything else – there are almost as many surplus sales and going-out-of-business sales and everything-must-go sales as there are in the carpet and furniture industry. If you’re looking for a bargain price on steel buildings, all the savings hype can be confusing. Are you really getting a great deal on “unclaimed” steel buildings? Here are four of the most common sales tactics used by unscrupulous sellers of steel buildings to convince you you’re getting a great deal.

50% OFF All Our Steel Buildings This Week Only!

It’s a typical ploy that you’ll see in any industry. You’re almost never actually getting 50% off – or 40% off or whatever. The company jacks up their resale price and lists it as their “regular” price so that your sale price looks much lower. That’s not to say that some companies don’t run legitimate sales on their steel buildings. If the website is offering 50% off their steel buildings every time you visit, though, you can bet that you’ll find their 50% off price on the metal building you’re buying is the regular price at many other websites.

Free Freight If You Order Within 48 Hours

Free shipping is a common sales gimmick, and it’s often used to pressure a customer into making a quick decision rather than shopping around and comparing prices. Freight costs can be a considerable chunk of change, so it feels as if you’re getting a great bargain. The truth is that those companies don’t eat the cost of shipping your metal building to you – they just front-load the cost by adding it onto the price of the building. The addition of a time factor is an attempt to get you to make an on-the-spot decision instead of shopping around. Take the time to shop around, though. There’s a wide range of prices for most steel buildings, and many other manufacturers will offer you the same or similar deals.

Special Deals on Unclaimed Steel Buildings

You’ve seen the sales that claim “We ordered too many and our loss is your gain!” Some steel buildings manufacturers run their own version of this deceptive sales practice that goes like this. You tell the salesperson what you’re looking for and he responds that they actually have a building on the lot that’s almost exactly that size that will meet your local building codes. According to the salesperson, someone else ordered the building, put down a deposit, then never finished paying for it. It’s a top quality steel building, but you can get it for 25% off the asking price because they’ve already got a deposit on it. Of course, there is no such customer and you’re paying the actual price – the salesperson just told you a great big whopper to convince you you’re getting a great deal.

Prices Are Going Up So Buy Now

This high-pressure sales tactic may not always be a gimmick. In fact, the cost of steel buildings can vary considerably because the price of steel fluctuates so much. The solution is to do your own research and find out what the price of steel is doing on the commodities market. Sometimes it really is the best time to buy before the prices go up.

Do you research when you’re shopping for steel buildings. Comparison shopping is your best friend, so do yours and choose wisely to get the best deal.

Considerations For Buying Steel BuildingsBuying

So you’ve decided that a steel building is the perfect solution for your need. What’s next? Whether you’re looking at steel buildings for storage, garages, yard and garden sheds, as a home workshop or as an airplane hangar, there are some considerations that you’ll have to take into account. Before you finalize your plans and order your new steel building, be sure that you’ve considered these important factors.

 

The measurements given for steel buildings on most websites are for the exterior footprint of the building. Be sure to factor in a few feet on every side for clearance, as well as clearance for door openings. When deciding where to locate your new building, you should also consider whether or not you might want to expand in the future. Most steel buildings are easily expandable, generally by adding on to the back of the unit. If expansion is a possibility, make sure that you position your building to allow the addition.

Local Building Codes for Steel Buildings

Before you set your heart on a metal building, be sure to check with your local code and building office to find out if there are any special considerations. Many communities require that you meet specific standards depending on the size of the building and other factors. The local building codes will also determine important factors in the design of your steel building, which may dictate the style and size of the structure you select. If you’re working with a company that creates custom designs or customizes standard packages, your architect will need to have the local building codes to work with to ensure that you’re building will be legal when it’s finished.

Costs

Be sure that you understand what the cost of your final package will include and what options will incur an additional cost. Depending on your community, you may need to pay an inspector to okay any electrical or plumbing installation in your building, for example. You may also end up having to pay extra for a specific type of roof to meet local standards, or for optional doors and windows to finish your building properly.

Keep in mind, as well, that while you can buy DIY steel buildings kits, you should have a contractor do the actual construction if you’re not well-versed in DIY skills. At the very least, you might want to pay a contractor to put down the cement slab for your foundation to be certain that it’s done right.

Steel buildings offer many advantages, whether they’re used as storage buildings, garages, home workshops or retail spaces. It’s important to consider all the factors when choosing a steel building to make the most of those advantages.

Steel Buildings for Your Home and GardenHome

Steel buildings are taking on a bigger and bigger role in the residential market. The right steel building can solve a lot of your home and garden storage problems. Here are just a few of the situations for which you might consider steel buildings.

 Are you tired of your lawn and garden equipment taking up room in your garage that’s meant for your car?

Storage is one of the most popular reasons that people choose steel buildings for their properties. You’ll find many websites online devoted to selling steel storage buildings in a wide range of sizes and styles, many of which will fit right in next to your home, even in areas that are strictly controlled by homeowners’ associations. You can choose from metal buildings just large enough to store your riding lawnmower and gardening equipment, or put up one large enough to fit a full-sized lawn tractor and several decks.

Would you like to turn your attached garage into a home theater room, a man cave or an in-law apartment, but aren’t sure what you’d do with your car?

Classic steel buildings make great garages. You can buy steel buildings that are purpose built to be used as garages, or customize one to suit the purpose. You can use a steel building as small as 6 feet by 8 feet as a single car garage, or put up an open ended steel shelter to use as a carport. Either one will free up your garage to be used for other purposes.

Is it time for you to move your wood or hobby workshop out of the basement and into its own dedicated space?

Steel buildings are ideal for use as workshops. They require far less infrastructure than wooden buildings, which lowers the upfront cost of a steel building considerably, and cost less to maintain over time. Because the steel is pre-cut for your building and arrives on site ready to put together, you can easily put up your workshop yourself over a weekend, with the assistance of a couple of friends and basic home power tools – a drill is about all you’ll need.

Do you want to work from home but need a comfortable, detached office to work from?

Once again, a steel building is the answer. Steel buildings are available in sizes ranging from small to gigantic, and can easily be subdivided inside to make a waiting room and one or more offices.

If you’re in need of more space on your property for just about any purpose, take a look at the possibilities offered by steel buildings. Chances are you’ll find that a steel storage building will be perfect for your needs.

Five Reasons Steel Buildings Work for Commercial Construction

Steel has been the preferred construction material for industrial and commercial buildings for some time now, but the reasons for choosing steel buildings for commercial purposes gets longer and longer as time goes on. No matter what type of commercial construction you’re planning, prefabricated or custom-designed steel buildings offer the perfect blend of convenience, affordability and durability for your needs.

It’s easy to see the advantages of steel in constructing towering skyscrapers and enormous industrial buildings, but steel also offers enormous advantages for even small-scale commercial endeavors. From garages and storage units to workshops, steel buildings are cropping up everywhere, thanks to all the benefits and advantages they offer.

Design Considerations

Steel is an extremely flexible construction material and steel buildings offer an enormous amount of flexibility in design. For smaller commercial construction, nothing beats steel arch construction for design flexibility. Because Quonset steel buildings and other designs based require very little in the way of interior structural columns and support, you can easily design an interior that works for your company or business. Open floor plans and modular office construction is easy when you don’t have to build around steel support columns.

Construction Durability

Steel allows for tight-fitting construction that bolts together securely. That makes for buildings that go up easier and more quickly using construction methods that withstand strong winds, heavy snow loads and even earthquakes. The typical metal building will stand for decades with little maintenance or repair.

Affordability

Steel is a relatively inexpensive construction material, but that’s only the start of the savings. Small-scale steel buildings generally don’t require a dug foundation, which reduces the cost of preparing your site for construction. Since the parts arrive ready to assemble, and all in one shipment, your work crew doesn’t stand around waiting for parts to arrive. And since steel building assembly is generally a matter of bolting pieces together, the actual construction takes far less time than other types of construction. You’ll get your building up and working sooner, which means that you’re making money sooner.

Low Maintenance

Metal buildings require very little in the way of ongoing maintenance and upkeep. All it takes is seasonal cleaning to keep your building looking fresh and clean. Steel resists rust and corrosion and isn’t prone to termite or ant infestation. Because the building components fit so closely together, steel buildings are easier to heat, cool and insulate, saving you money on energy as well.

Green Factors

Steel may not seem like the greenest building material in the world, but it offers a number of green advantages. For starters, many steel buildings are made with recycled steel, so you’re not taking more natural resources for the earth – and when you’re done with your building, the steel can be recycled again rather than ending up in the trash stream or a landfill. Steel buildings are also highly energy efficient, which reduces your energy use and cuts your carbon footprint considerably.

Steel buildings are an excellent choice for commercial buildings of all types, from garages and workshops to storage units or retail stores. For more information about how a steel building can be the perfect choice for your project, contact a manufacturer of steel buildings with your project considerations.

Choosing Among Quonset Steel Buildings

The most popular style of steel building on the market today is the Quonset building, roughly based on the design of the Quonset huts developed for military use by the British during WWI. They were adopted by the U.S. military, and after the war, made their way into general use throughout the agricultural areas of the country. Today, manufacturers of steel buildings offer three basic styles of Quonset buildings. The right one for you will depend upon your needs, the strength requirements of the building and the space you need.

Q Model Steel Buildings

The traditional Quonset building is the generally the least expensive and provides a number of benefits. It’s the standard hoop-shaped construction with which most people are familiar. Structurally sound and strong, Q-model steel buildings are most popular for agricultural uses because they offer the most cubic footage of interior space. They’re an excellent choice when your needs don’t require clearance on the sides.

S Model Steel Buildings

Similar to traditional Quonset buildings, S model steel buildings have a domed roof and straight walls. The straight walls give full clearance on both sides of the building, making it a better choice for garages, barns and workshops. While it’s not as strong structurally as the standard Quonset building, it still does a good job of withstanding heavy snow loads and intense winds.

P Model Steel Buildings

The least traditional of the Quonset buildings, the P model looks more like a typical barn or house than a Quonset hut, thanks to its pitched roof and straight walls. These steel buildings are often used as regular garages, workshops and storage buildings in areas where appearance is important.

The S model is the most popular style of Quonset building, because it offers a great compromise between style and space. The straight walls make it easy to install doors and windows, and give the building a more traditional appearance that fits into most settings.

No matter which style you choose, Quonset steel buildings are durable, attractive and require very little maintenance. Most pre-engineered steel buildings are created in heavy-duty high quality steel that has been recycled from other uses, and are powder-coated with a finish that is corrosion, rust and fire-resistant. They’re economical to buy and even more economical to maintain over the years – most steel buildings require little more than a strong spray-down with a hose or power washer to remove surface dirt. Choosing the best model for your needs will ensure that you get the most value for your money.

Five Reasons to Use Steel Buildings as Sheds and Barnsto

Steel buildings have been a popular option for agricultural buildings such as sheds and barns for decades, ever since the days of the old Army surplus Quonset buildings, but they’re gaining more popularity year after year. For farmers, ranchers and others who need agricultural storage sheds, barns and other structures to shelter their crops, animals and equipment, steel buildings offer many benefits over other types of construction. These are just a few.

Strength

Steel is one of the strongest construction materials known. Steel has high tensile strength and can support larger loads than wood or concrete without additional reinforcement.

Weather Resistance

Steel building construction methods add flexibility to that strength. Buildings made of steel are not only stronger than wood construction, they’re also better able to withstand high winds, storms and even floods. Arch construction and A-frame construction are ideal for buildings in areas that get a lot of snow – they’re designed to shed snow rather than let it pile up and collapse the roof. Steel buildings can be built to code for any type of weather or climate condition they might face.

Easy to Build

Pre-engineered and pre-fabricated steel buildings are easy to put up on your own or with a few friends and neighbors. Your barn arrives ready to put up – all you supply is labor and power tools. Have an old-fashioned barn-raising with a new-fashioned building and you’ll have your barn up in an afternoon or two.

Avoid Pest Infestation

Pest infestation and rot are no friends to wooden barns. You can spend half your time repairing rotted joists or getting rid of pests like termites. Steel is far less attractive to insect and vermin pests. They can’t chew on it or through it, and if the building is designed and built properly, can’t find their way in. That makes steel buildings the safest and most hygienic option for your grains and livestock.

Low Maintenance

A wooden barn or shed might need repainting every three to four years. Vinyl or plastic siding fades and cracks in the sun and weather. Powder-coated steel retains its color, doesn’t crack and doesn’t need repainting for decades. Your metal building will look just as good in 10 years as it does the day after you put it up – without any more than a good hosing down once or twice a year.

Best of all, steel buildings are among the least expensive choices for storage sheds, garages, barns and other utility structures. Economical, weather-tight and stronger, steel buildings are easily the best choice for all your agricultural storage needs.

The Many Uses of Steel Buildingsof

Steel buildings used to be a synonymous with skyscrapers and big cities, with factory buildings and other industrial uses. Today, however, steel buildings are everywhere and used for so many different things that it’s impossible to enumerate them. Commercially, steel buildings serve as aircraft hangars and boathouses, gymnasiums and recreational facilities, warehouses and commercial storage facilities, retail stores and even restaurants and cafes. In the agricultural belt, you’ll find steel buildings used as barns for animals, riding rings for equestrians, equipment garaging for farms, grain and produce storage, and farm and dairy stores. On a smaller scale, many homeowners choose steel buildings for garages, storage buildings, carports, hobby workshops, home offices and greenhouses.

Historically, some of the most popular styles of steel buildings stem from the Quonset buildings used by the military as dorm and dining facilities on bases and as training centers. The hoop construction of an arch steel building can be erected quickly with minimal equipment. Once up, they stay up for decades, or can be quickly broken down and moved to another location. FEMA and other emergency organizations, in fact, often set up arch steel buildings in various sizes to serve as headquarters, offices, emergency housing and mess halls to help refugees from various natural disasters.

The same thing that makes these buildings the right choice for those emergency and large-scale operations also make them the right choice for your own home or business uses. Steel buildings are fast, easy, portable, flexible and affordable. In most cases, you’ll have the blueprints for your metal building within 7 days of placing your order, and your building ready for occupation within a month from the date you decide to go ahead with construction. With the many options available for colors, models, sizes, trims and finishing, your steel building can easily be completely different from any other steel building in the neighborhood or the country.

The parts of your building will be shipped directly to your location and come with everything you need to put it up other than a few basic power tools and a base to build it on. Your building will come with detailed construction instructions that are so easy to follow you can easily put one up with one or two friends over a weekend. Maintenance is a breeze – no painting, no treating, no sandblasting – nothing but an annual power washing to remove surface dirt.

Steel buildings offer nearly every advantage you’d want for your building projects. No matter what your building project is intended for, you’ll find that a steel building is up among the best possible choices.