Buyers Tips for Steel Buildings

Steel buildings are an investment. If you shop wisely, the metal building you buy will last for decades, so you’ll get a great return on your investment. You can improve that ROI significantly by shopping around for the best deal – but keep in mind that prices shouldn’t differ significantly. If one bid is considerably lower than the others, take a closer look. The company may not be including important components that others are including in their bids, or they may be selling poor quality steel buildings.

Examine the contracts carefully when buying steel buildings, and watch out for substitution clauses that allow the manufacturer to substitute other materials for those specified. Make sure that any substitution clauses specifically state that any materials substituted must be of equal or greater value, or that you must approve the specification. The contract should also specify the brand name and model numbers for components such as doors for garages and barns.

Always research the distributor or manufacturer online before making a final decision. A simple Google search will turn up complaints or any negative reputation the company may have acquired. You can also check the Better Business Bureau in the company’s home region to see their rating with the BBB.

Expect to put down a substantial deposit when you order your metal building. Because every building is custom engineered to meet the codes and standards of the site where it will be erected, a lot of work goes into the building even before any steel is cut. Once you put down the deposit, the engineers will design your building and fabricate the components. When all the pieces are ready, they will be shipped to you.

Discuss your responsibilities for accepting delivery of your steel building at your building site. Among other things, you will probably need to provide access to the work site for a truck and have a foundation poured and ready to build on.

Check your local building codes office to find out if you can erect your steel building yourself. Some local governments require that all steel buildings be erected by professional contractors. If that’s the case – or if you simply prefer to have a professional do the work – your building supplier can recommend local contractors who have experience erecting their building systems. Choosing an experienced contractor can reduce your labor costs significantly by reducing the amount of time and work the contractor has to do.