4 Questions to Ask a Builder about Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings
Pre-engineered steel buildings can suit a number of commercial building purposes.
Perhaps you run an auto body shop and need more space for your welding area, or you have a storage business and are running out of lockers.
It’s a dilemma many successful businesses face as they get busier – that need for space.
A pre-engineered steel building may be the solution you are looking for, but you first want to make an educated and informed decision.
Here are 4 questions to ask a builder about pre-engineered steel buildings:
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Will My Steel Building Come Within Budget?
Pre-engineered steel buildings tend to have lower initial costs due to the fact that less labour is required to erect them. Many of the components as well as cutting and welding are done in the factory, so that the pieces arrive at the job site basically ready to be assembled.
Other cost saving factors include:
- Less time and money to design
- Minimal construction waste
- Ability to make changes before structure is erected as well as after
- Construction doesn’t need to be halted due to bad weather
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Will My Steel Building Be Built on Time?
Same as the costs to build them, pre-engineered steel buildings tend to take less time to construct as much of the work is done in the factory before installation. Although it can be expanded upon, the simpler design is another factor that saves time as everything is streamlined.
Other time saving factors include:
- Production lines are usually used to make the parts
- Foundations and floor slabs are based on weight so are not as complicated to install
- Factory fabricated and painted columns and beams are pre-manufactured and then bolted together onsite
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Will My Steel Building Be Easy to Maintain?
A pre-engineered steel building tends to last 20-30 years or even longer without major maintenance when it is properly designed and installed.
Steel is rust and corrosion resistant, and can be painted easily. It also stands up to weather, including snow, rain, and heat. In addition, the roofing on a steel building tends to be made from corrugated steel sheets, with vapour barrier insulation, instead of shingles, so is more durable and energy efficient
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Can I customize commercial steel buildings?
The simple answer is yes. A pre-engineered steel building can be embellished with masonry, brickwork, stucco, and other forms of siding. You can also customize floor plans to incorporate a multitude of rooms or have one large clear-span area, as columns are not needed due to the way steel buildings are structured. They can also be easily expanded if more space is needed in the future.
For more information on custom steel buildings, and in particular steel garages, read our blog on 5 Ways to Customize a Steel Garage.
Metal Structure Concept’s design team is qualified to provide pre-engineered steel buildings that are built on time and on budget. We provide structures that are built to last, require minimal maintenance, and can be erected quickly.