Four Tips for Choosing Steel Buildings

Once you’ve decided that a steel building is the right choice for your building project, you’re still faced with an array of choices to make before you can place your order. Steel buildings come in many different sizes and styles, and are available from dozens of suppliers, manufacturers and brokers. The decisions you make before you place your order for a metal building will make the difference in how well your new building meets your needs. Consider these tips for choosing and ordering steel buildings before you make your final decision.

Check with Your Local Building and Code Office

Every region has its own standards and codes for steel buildings and other structures. Before you set your heart on a specific style or type of steel building, check with your local building and code office to find out what codes and standards your building will have to meet. In fact, some communities don’t allow steel buildings at all. The last thing you want is to put a non-refundable deposit down on a steel building only to find out that you can’t erect it on your site because of local codes.

Measure Your Building Site Carefully

Using the building codes you got from the building and code authority, carefully measure the site where you want to build. Make sure that you take into account any easements or frontage requirements that your city or community requires. Once you’ve deducted the square footage you need to provide between buildings and between properties, you’ll have a good idea of the largest size your new steel building can be.

Decide Between Working with a Fabricator or Broker

You can buy a metal building directly from a fabricator or manufacturer, or you can place your order through a broker or distributor. There are benefits and drawbacks to each choice. If you order directly from the manufacturer, for example, you’ll cut out the costs of the middleman, but you need to be knowledgeable about the manufacturing and ordering process. If you work with a broker who is used to working with inexperienced buyers, you’ll get the benefit of the company’s knowledge and assistance throughout the ordering process.

Get an Experienced Contractor

If you’ve never put up a steel building before, you may do better hiring an experienced contractor to do the work. Even if you plan on doing the actual assembly yourself, consider hiring a contractor to pour the concrete slab for your building. Getting the slab right is essential to getting your metal building erected properly.

Steel buildings are the smart choice for garages, barns, storage buildings, home workshops and nearly any other type of home expansion or construction project. Take advantage of the experience and knowledge of brokers and manufacturers to make sure you get the perfect metal building for your needs.