The Planning Process for Steel Buildings

Steel buildings are an affordable, earth-friendly choice for garages, barns, workshops and other small structures you may want to add to your property. Larger steel buildings make great factories, office buildings, warehouses and commercial buildings. No matter the size of your steel building project, however, the planning process is similar.

Budget

Your first consideration is your budget. Figure out how much money you have available for your project before you start shopping. Because steel buildings are easy to expand, it may make sense to start with a smaller metal building and expand when you can afford to do it.

When planning your budget, keep in mind that accessories, such as insulation, doors and windows, are seldom included in the basic price of your steel building. In addition, you may have to pay a contractor to lay a proper foundation and a landscaping company to prepare the land for you before you can build. Finally, count in the costs of any licenses, inspections or permits your city may require you to pay.

Local Building Codes and Ordinances

Before you even start shopping, check with your local code and zoning offices to find out what standards your steel building will need to meet. You may find that local ordinances limit your choices in size, style or placement of your building project. Despite the old saying that it’s easier to get forgiveness than permission, when it comes to erecting steel buildings, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Size

Deciding on the size of your new steel building has two parts – figuring out how much space you have on which to build and deciding how much interior space your plans require. Obviously, the first is the more important one to get right – and it may be partially determined by your local building codes, which may require easements and specific amounts of clearance around your building and between your building and abutting properties.

Once you know how much room you have to build, you can determine the interior footage you require. If possible, most experts recommend that you add about 20 percent to your size estimate to allow for unexpected needs.

Site Preparation

Before your steel building arrives, you’ll need to have the site prepared. Site preparation includes clearing the site and a pathway from the road to the building site, as well as leveling the building site. This is typically done by a landscaping business. In addition, most experts recommend that you have the concrete slab foundation be poured professionally. If the slab is properly poured, the rest of the building construction will be easy to do. If it is uneven, however, it will be difficult to get your building erected properly.

Steel buildings are an excellent choice for most of your storage and expansion needs. If you plan properly, you’ll find that they’re among the easiest types of structures to erect.