The Stages of Buying Steel Buildings

Steel buildings are becoming more and more popular with private homeowners for use as storage buildings, garages, barns, home offices and more. Many of them think that ordering a metal building is an easy process – just pick out the model you want, pay for it and wait for it to be delivered. Unfortunately, ordering steel buildings isn’t as easy as a lot of suppliers’ websites make it sound. There are a number of steps involved in ordering, designing and erecting a custom steel building – and most steel buildings are custom designed and engineered. These are the basics you need to know about the stages of buying and construction steel buildings.

Engineering Considerations

Every steel building must be engineered to meet the standards required by the location where it will be erected. In order to build safely, the engineers who design your building will need information about your building site and the building codes and standards that your city or region requires. Engineering to meet those standards is vitally important. They dictate the amount of wind, snow, rain and other events and factors your building must be able to withstand. You should have those things on hand before you place your order so that you can get an accurate quote on your metal building.

Design

Every steel building is custom engineered to suit your needs – but you have to know what your needs are. If you’re working with an experienced supplier of steel buildings, your sales rep should be able to walk you through the design process and help you make the decisions you have to make. In some cases, you should have precise measurements. In other cases, you can count on the expertise of the supplier. If you’re building a garage, for example, you can expect the supplier/designer to know the standard recommended measurements for garages.

Choosing an Erector

Unless you’re buying a do-it-yourself metal building kit – and you have the skills to do the work – you’ll need a qualified contractor to erect your steel building Many suppliers of steel buildings maintain a list of contractors around the country who have experience working with their building systems. Engage an erector well before the expected delivery date of your steel building components because you’ll need them there to help unload and check all of the delivered items.

Site Preparation

You’ll need to get your site ready to build before your building is delivered. In most cases, that means clearing ground, making sure that trucks have access to a staging area to unload the building components and putting in the building foundation.

Delivery

When you’re building arrives, you’ll be responsible for unloading the building components, inspecting them and accepting them. It’s vital that you or your agent – that’s where your qualified erector comes in – inspects each piece as it comes off the truck, or you’ll be out of luck if you find that you’re missing pieces or that pieces were damaged in transit.