Buying Steel Buildings: Before You Shop

Steel buildings are a more and more popular choice for garages, barns, workshops, storage buildings and even residential buildings. Pre-engineered steel building kits take a lot of the cost, time and complexity out of erecting a new structure on your property. If you’re considering a metal building for your needs, these are several things you should know before you even start shopping.

Are You Allowed to Erect a Steel Building?

Before you get your hopes up, check with your local building department and code office and tell them that you’d like to put up a pre-engineered metal building on your lot. Give them the location/address of your lot so they can check the zoning and the building codes to be sure that it’s an allowable use of your property. Some towns restrict steel buildings to industrial or commercial areas. Others have no restrictions and still others don’t allow pre-fab or pre-engineered buildings at all.

Check the Building Codes

Even if the local zoning laws allow you to erect a steel building on your lot, you still might not be allowed to do it. Ask about the metal building codes and, more specifically, about setbacks – how far from the street and neighboring properties you must build – and any other codes that may prohibit any type of building on your lot. While you’re at it, get a copy of the building codes for steel buildings. You’ll need it when you’re ready to get estimates for your order.

Don’t Forget the HOA

Your town may be just fine with a steel building on your property, but your Homeowner Association may have their own rules and regulations about structures in the community. Check before ordering to avoid sinking time into something you won’t be allowed to do. Of course, you may be able to get an exception to the zoning or the HOA rules. If you’re committed to a new steel building, find out how to apply for a zoning exception in your city or with your HOA.

Decide What You Need

Once you’re certain you can erect a steel building on your property, you can settle in and start planning. Using the figures you got from the zoning and code offices, figure out the size of the building you can construct and sketch out your basic idea. Figure out exactly how you’ll use your building to help you plan the features you’ll need to look for when you’re shopping for steel buildings – windows, doors, trim and all the rest. The more you’ve decided before you start looking, the less likely you’ll be to overspend on features and accessories you don’t need.