Planning ahead and getting all the necessary information about what steps to take in what order can be a big help in cutting through the confusion.

These articles will explain how to find the right type of building for your needs, and how to get a high quality building at an excellent price.

Here are the main points of a steel building purchase:

1. Budget- how much you can afford to spend
2. Types of metal building systems
3. The structural measurements
4. Accessories
5. Finding a supplier
6. Building codes and permits

Budget...

If you’ve shopped around on some steel manufacturers’ websites, you are already aware there is a wide range of prices. The first thing you need to know is how much money you can spend on your steel building purchase. Many people are not aware of all the expenses involved with the project. The purchase price of the structure itself is only the first in a long list of costs.

The quote you receive from a metal building manufacturer is for the building, only. Another thing to note is that the price of a steel building will change as the price of the steel fluctuates. To insure purchasing the building you have chosen at the price you were quoted initially, you need to secure it with a deposit. This amount varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Here are some potential additional expenses to be considered:

• Accessories such as windows, doors, insulation, gutters, vents.
• Outer architectural finishes such as stucco, brick, etc.
• Delivery costs- These should be listed as a separate charge on your contract, so that you know exactly what you are paying for.
• Most parts of the country require building permits for any new construction. The costs of obtaining these permits vary. Be sure that a steel building will be approved for your site location before purchasing it.
• Landscaper/contractor- to clear away trees, underbrush, boulders, etc. along the access route from the road to the site, as well as the site itself. Your construction site needs to be reachable by an18-wheeled truck.
• Foundation- is almost always necessary for the stability of the structure. A concrete foundation costs from $6 to $10 per square foot (as of May, 2006). It is highly recommended to have the concrete poured by a professional; it must be exact, square, and level, with the anchor bolts in precisely the positions shown in the erection manual provided by the building supplier.
• Erection of the building- hiring a professional erector/contractor is a substantial expense, versus doing the job yourself. (If you are hiring an erector, ask your supplier for recommendations. It is wise to hire the erector at the time you purchase the building, as soon as you know the delivery date. If it is prime building season, many qualified erector/contractors may be booked for months in advance. By hiring one as early in the process as possible, you insure that your building can be installed as soon as possible after delivery.)

Steel building kits...

A cost saving option is the “Steel building kit. These are engineered for the simplest assembly possible, and are specifically designed for easy installation by those with little to no construction experience.

A steel building kit is specially designed so that an experienced “do-it-yourselfer” can erect the building, saving a great deal of money on the cost of hiring a professional erector. These kits, typically for smaller buildings such as sheds, garages, carports or small barns, come with an all-inclusive “erection manual” including diagrams and step by step instructions.

Kits are a cheaper alternative than custom designing a building. They come in a wide variety of styles, sizes, and options, and contain everything needed to assemble the building (except tools). The components are designed using advanced computer software with a proven track record of accuracy, so everything fits together easily. A fair amount of work is done before leaving the factory, including sealing and painting the parts, pre-drilling of holes, pre-punching of all parts and any pre-welding necessary.

Trim kits can be purchased with your building to create an appealing, professionally finished look. Other accessories such as vents can also be installed, to reduce the moisture caused by condensation in the building. Ask your supplier for other options and accessories available, if you feel a steel building kit is the best choice to meet your particular needs.

The right metal building for you is the highest quality structure that gives you everything you need, at a price that fits your budget. You might want to consider a smaller building initially if your budget cannot accommodate the size and features that you want. It is relatively simple to expand the building later as you can afford it.

This is probably a better option than buying a cheap, insubstantial “economy” building, usually made from 29 gauge steel- a thin metal not recommended for long lasting construction. These buildings are not known for either stability or low maintenance, as are high quality steel structures. For more info about how to judge the quality of a steel building, see the section entitled: Finding a Supplier.

An experienced metal building supplier can help you find the perfect building that will incorporate everything you need for the price you can afford. Ask enough questions to feel secure in your understanding of the costs involved. Compute the prices of all the different factors involved before signing the contract, and you will be well on your way to a successful completion of the steel building purchase!

Types of metal building systems

Both the size and the purpose for which you will be using the building, will indicate the correct type of construction for you. Again, your building supplier should be quite knowledgeable about these styles of construction, and the best applications for each one.

If the purpose of the building is such that you cannot have columns inside the structure, (such as an ice rink) you need a type of construction called “clear span.” The only drawback to clear span construction is, if you need the building to be extremely wide, say, more than 150 feet, it can be quite expensive.

If interior support columns pose no problem to your use of the building, you can use “multi span,” which tends to be a less expensive type.

While steel buildings are of varied sizes, shapes, and types, the basic elements of the metal building system are always the same- rigid frames, wall girts and roof purlins, cladding and bracing. Here are some of the most popular types of metal building systems currently in use today:

Beam & Column (BC)
The beam-and-Column system is ideal in situations when a vast area of floor space is necessary. The flexibility of the Beam and Column design allows it to be utilized for any industrial or warehouse purpose.
Straight Column (SC)
Straight Column systems are utilized when a clear interior space up to seventy feet wide is needed. The column-free interior allows the total amount of floor space to be put to use. This design is often in small offices or other commercial applications.
Rigid Frame (RF)
The clear, unobstructed working space that the Rigid Frame system provides makes it ideal for many commercial and recreational applications. The wide, column-free environment permits the complete utilization of the interior floor space. Recreational rooms, aircraft hangers, and warehouse are often designed as rigid frame systems due to the interference or inconvenience of interior columns.
Lean-To (LT)
Selecting a Lean-To system is a quick and economical way to expand to a building. More space can be added to the building without interrupting the internal operations. This easy method of expansion makes the Lean-To system ideal for additional storage and office buildings.

Structural Measurements ...

You need to know basic measurements such as length, width, height, roof pitch, door sizes, etc. to be able to get a quote for a metal building.

To get the height requirement, measure the clearance height you’ll need on the inside; then add at least two feet. This measurement is called the “eave height,” and will be the outer height of the building. Do you need doors for tall vehicles or heavy machinery to move through? The eave height must be at least two feet higher than any door height.

The “Roof Pitch” is measured in what is called the “rise: run” format. Figure this measurement as follows: If the roof measures twelve feet from the center of the roof (called the peak) to the outer edge (called the eave), and it rises three feet from the eave to the peak, the pitch will be 3:12.

Accessories...

Do you need vents, gutters and drain spouts, or extras to enhance the outer appearance of the building, such as wainscoting, overhangs and stucco panels?

Depending on its use, your steel building might require insulation. The proper insulation can be a huge money saver, keeping the steel structure cooler in summer and warmer in winter.

Click here for more info about insulating a steel building.

Finding a supplier...

Three things you definitely will want from your metal building supplier are quality, competitive price, and excellent service. Out of the hundreds of companies advertising on the Internet, how do you pick one?

Here are some suggestions:

• Choose an experienced supplier, who is knowledgeable about all the details of the project from design to erection.

• High quality steel building companies provide expert technical support and will assign an individual to work with you as a project consultant, to help with the design of your building

• Get references from previous customers.

• Check for any complaints against the firm with the Better Business Bureau.

• Use a supplier who engineers, details and manufactures 100% of the standard steel building components required for their buildings.

• Look for a company that can “lock in” your price quote with a small deposit.

• Be wary of aggressive sales tactics, or being pressured to put down a deposit before you know exactly what you need.

• Choose a supplier who can help you with building code requirements, and manufactures the building above minimum code requirements.

• Check prices with several manufacturers, but, make sure you’re comparing buildings with the exact same specifications. Take detailed notes while doing your price comparisons.

• If you have been looking at prices on the Web, it is obvious that there are dramatic differences in the costs of what “seem” to be similar buildings. Some suppliers might give a cheaper estimate, but they might not be offering all the same features and quality materials.

A high quality steel building should include these ten features:

1. structural warranty- minimum 50 years

2. paint warranty – at least 20 years, with minimal maintenance

3. 26 gauge 80,000 psi. strength sheeting is high quality construction, 29 gauge is flimsy

4. pre-welded clips for ease of erection

5. girts and purlins should overlap, for additional structural integrity

6. C-section jambs and headers for easy installation of over-head doors

7. fully trimmed at gable, corners and eaves for a finished look and protection from dust and wind seepage

8. all necessary columns, beams, rafters, girts, purling, sheeting, nuts and bolts

9. approval drawings and building plans stamped by an engineer certified for your state, if necessary

10. solid I- beam construction for columns used in sidewalls and roof rafters, minimum 50,000 and 36,000 psi. (35,000 psi. is not as high quality)

Building codes and permits...

These vary around the country, so begin by getting in touch with your local building department. Building codes vary based on the weather patterns in your area. There will be live load, wind load, exposure, seismic and design code requirements. The basic information they will need from you is:

The building’s basic size and height
The exact location of the building
The building’s purpose

NOTE: You must work with your local building authority and know what code/loads and what type of documentation are required from the supplier, before signing a contract to purchase! Also, find about contractor licensing requirements, so you know what to look for when hiring an erector.

Definitions of building code terms:

• Roof Load: Any temporary load imposed on a prefabricated steel building other than wind load, snow load, seismic load or dead load. Examples of a roof load are workers, equipment, and materials.
• Wind Load: The forces imposed by the wind blowing from any direction.
• Exposure: How exposed the prefabricated steel building is to wind.
• Seismic Load: The load or loads acting in any direction on a structural system due to the action of an earth quake.

In Conclusion…

Metal building construction has advanced considerably in the past 50 years. Steel buildings are becoming more and more popular in the new construction industry, for a variety of reasons including: lower cost, energy saving, sustainable “green” construction, and much more rapid assembly.

Computer based technologies are used for precise designing, measuring and development. In this way, the cost of the building is accurately predicted, and the construction process is highly streamlined and efficient.

There are no surprises when assembling a pre-fabricated steel building, unless it’s the pleased surprise at how smoothly the entire process unfolds. The delays and setbacks associated with traditional types of construction are eliminated by the inherent pre-engineered status of the building components themselves.

Steel buildings are not affected by termites or other insect infestation, or by rotting, warping, or cracking. Their track record in both earthquakes and hurricanes is outstanding. Steel Galvalume® roof systems are almost maintenance free, lasting at least three times longer than traditional roofing materials.

Steel, the most recycled material on the planet, may be an unconventional choice, but it is a choice guaranteed to provide you with a modern, resilient building that will suit your needs for many years to come.

Unlike the ugly, utilitarian looking square box buildings that one remembers from years ago, today’s computer engineered steel structures can be quite stylish, and look so much like traditional types of buildings that no one would guess they were actually prefabricated steel!

Beautiful finishes such as brick, stucco, synthetic “stone” as well as new types of long lasting paints make steel the perfect choice for an ever expanding variety of construction needs.

Prefabricated steel buildings are now used for everything from garages and barns to churches, recreation centers and airplane hangers. With the proper planning, facts, and education, you can move confidently ahead in purchasing of one of these multi-purpose, modern structures.

Hopefully, these articles have given you enough information to make your purchase of a steel building easy and rewarding.

References:

Steel Building Guide, http://www.steelbuildingguide.com/purchasing_steel_buildings.htm

About Steel Buildings, http://www.aboutsteelbuildings.com/how-to-start-your-metal-building-project/, http://www.aboutsteelbuildings.com/steel-building-kits/

Steel Building Quote, http://www.steelbuildingquote.com/building-with-steel-the-costs/

Rigid Building Systems, http://www.rigidbuilding.com/buildingtypes.asp

Premier Steel http://www.premiersteel.org/BuildingCodes.htm

The Steel Recycling Institute, http://www.recycleroom.org/