Questions to Ask About Steel Buildings

Are you in the market for a steel building Congratulations – you’ve already made one important decisions about your project, a decision that will save you money at every stage of ownership and provide a safer, more secure building for your project. Steel buildings are affordable, built to your local safety codes and environmentally better than wood or concrete buildings. Before you make your final decision, you should ask a lot of questions. These are some of the questions you should be asking your metal building supplier.

Are You a Broker or Manufacturer?

Typically, you’ll be purchasing your steel building from either a manufacturer or a broker. There are benefits and drawbacks to each type of vendor. Buying directly from a manufacturer, for example, will probably get you lower prices since there’s no middle man to take a cut. Some manufacturers, on the other hand, are more accustomed to working with commercial buyers and contractors, and may not communicate well with individual private buyers. There are exceptions, of course. Some steel building manufacturers employ consultants who are trained to partner with private buyers and help them make the best decisions for a high-quality project.

Do You Use Recycled U.S. Steel?

Steel buildings that are made with up to 98% recycled steel are among the most environmentally friendly construction today. Choosing a company that only uses recycled U.S. steel for major building components is friendlier to both the environment and the economy.

What Kind of Warranty Do You Offer?

The manufacturer or broker may offer structural warranties, as well as warranties on the exterior coating, on the roof and on many other parts of the steel building The warranties range from 1 to 5 years on some parts to structural warranties of up to 50 years on the entire building.

What Kind of Equipment Will I Need to Erect This Steel Building?

Many manufacturers specialize in steel buildings that you can erect yourself using just light scaffolding and basic power tools. Manufacturers who supply metal building kits for garages and small barns generally offer bolt-together buildings that are reasonable for DIY construction. All of the components will be pre-drilled with holes lined up for precise construction. You won’t need to do any drilling, cutting or welding in the field.

Do You Offer Stamped Drawings?

In many cases, you’ll need to provide engineer drawing and concrete stamped prints for your local building office before you can start construction. Most reputable suppliers of steel buildings will provide the paperwork you need at no additional charge, or as part of your original quote.