Before You Buy Steel Buildings

If you’ve decided that a steel building is the perfect solution for your extra space needs, you may think that you’re ready to start shopping for steel buildings online. Not so fast! There are a few steps you should take before you start looking and risk setting your heart on that adorable white garden house only to find out that you can’t build that. Here are a few steps you should take before you start your window shopping.

Check the Codes

While steel buildings are perfectly welcome in a lot of the best places, there are some neighborhoods that are just too snobby. Before you decide that a metal building is just perfect for you, check with your local zoning department, code department and, if you have one, homeowners’ association to make sure you can erect one on your lot. While you’re checking with them, get their code specifications so you’ll have them ready when the steel buildings manufacturer needs them. You’ll also want to know about things like how much easement you have to allow around your building and how close it can be to the street and to your neighbors’ properties.

Set Your Budget

Determine your overall budget for the project – and remember that you’ll end up paying for a number of things that aren’t included in the price of the building. Those additional costs might include windows and doors, flooring and finishing, and erection costs, plus the cost of your foundation.  In general, figure that you can afford to spend about 60 percent of your total budget on the actual building itself. Steel buildings average about $15 to $20 per square foot before construction. Knowing what you can spend will help you determine the styles and sizes of buildings available to you.

Sketch Out Your Plans

It’s important to be able to visualize what you expect from your new steel building. Grab a sketch pad and draw out a floor plan to help you figure out how much room you need for the interior. Some general figures you might find helpful: a one-car garage should be at least 10 x 10 feet. Most modern two-car garages are at least 24 x 24 feet to provide enough room for parking larger cars. A typical 8 x 10 foot garden shed will hold a lawn mower, a few sets of shelves and your garden furniture for winter storage.

Now that you’ve got some idea of what you’re looking for, and you’re sure that your town allows steel buildings on residential properties, you can start looking for the perfect metal building of your dreams.