Simple, Effective, Fast: How the Steel Building Installation Process Works
Installing a metal building doesn’t have to be complicated. Gain a deeper understanding of the super simple yet highly beneficial process of installing a steel building for your home or business with MSC.
Clouds of dust, unruly noise, and logistical gymnastics preventing customers from using your services—that’s the construction nightmare for some businesses. Unfortunately, that bad dream was a reality for almost seven out of 10 small Canadian businesses in the last five years, according to a new report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
There’s good news, though—installing a metal building for your home or business doesn’t have to be daunting. The right processes and expertise remove the question marks around cost, construction times, or dreaded disruption to operations that can stand in the way of making transformational improvements for your business.
The pitfalls of poor planning
When poorly planned and executed construction, the detriment to businesses can be huge. The report from CFIB cited as much as 22 percent of revenue lost from the businesses they surveyed, on top of up to $10,000 in additional expenses, including repairs and cleaning.
While the report discussed large-scale public construction projects—a far leap from metal building installation—the lessons and concerns ring true for people undertaking building projects at any scale.
Pre-engineered steel buildings: simple installation, huge benefits
Every pre-engineered steel building project requires rigorous planning and project management coupled with clear communication and experienced crews to ensure a quick, successful, and non-disruptive installation process.
The installation process
MSC offers complete metal building services, from idea to design to build. Here’s how it works:
1. Planning
Every project with MSC starts with a conversation. Owners Corey and Steve Ivanitz will speak with you to understand the needs of your business and whether or not a pre-engineered steel building with MSC is the right choice for your vision. Together, we’ll determine vital information such as:
- The purpose of the building(s)
- Any special features or considerations
- The location in which you are building
- Whether or not you own the land
After our initial phone call, we will give you a realistic budget for the cost of the metal building project.
2. Design
Our team will take all of that information, create a design specific to your needs, and build a quote for you to sign off on. Design factors include:
- External factors such as terrain and climate
- Height (we can design buildings tall enough to hold cranes and other large equipment)
- Architectural features
- Roofing
- Insulation
- Doors
- Windows
3. Build
Once you’ve approved your design, MSC’s preferred ground crews take care of the heavy lifting every step of the way. Work is completed efficiently and with clear communication from our teams to yours—minimizing disruption and avoiding surprises.
Here’s what Hua Chunhuacao of Ag-Vision Seeds Ltd. had to say about working with MSC:
“The pricing was very competitive, and there were no surprises at the end of the build. The project was completed efficiently and on time, as per the contract. The staff was very friendly and easy to work with, and at no time did we have trouble contacting Steve with any questions and/or concerns. He was always ready to answer our questions. One important thing to note: when the job was completed, the yard site was left clean and neat—such a welcome surprise!”
Speed of construction
One of the major benefits of pre-engineered steel buildings is how quickly they are installed.
Depending on the complexity of the design, pre-engineered steel buildings can be among the fastest to construct. For example, a 10,000 square feet building typically takes about five months, however, the same size project made with pre-engineered steel will typically be completed in four months—one month shorter.
See for yourself: watch MSC projects come alive from the ground up in these project timelapses.
How we determine the cost of your pre-engineered steel buildings
The cost quoted for your steel building project is determined by a variety of factors that we explore in the planning and design phase. When a quote has been finalized, it is all-inclusive, meaning the number you see includes the materials required and the pieces to erect them. The factors that determine the quote for your building include:
- Size
- The property and placement
- Code requirements
- Insulation needs and types
- Soil and foundation considerations
- Geography (snow, seismic activity, winds, etc.)
- Type of roof (screw down, standing seam/floating, insulated metal panels)
Once your quote has been finalized and a deposit has been placed, you still have wiggle room to make changes to your design.
There are no additional charges for minor updates; however, more significant changes, like adding extensive square footage, may require re-engineering and re-design fees. We will always communicate any additional charges with you beforehand, avoiding unpleasant surprises and staying on budget.
Industries that benefit from pre-engineered steel buildings
Pre-engineered steel buildings are versatile, cost-effective, low maintenance, and highly customizable, making them the best choice for a wide range of applications.
Some of the industries in Western Canada that MSC helps thrive using steel buildings include:
Farms
With over 15,000 farms in B.C. and even more in Alberta, agricultural applications are one of MSC’s specialties. Farm buildings are often held to a higher standard regarding condensation and temperature, and steel buildings step up to the plate when it comes to reliability, insulation, and climate-controlled capabilities. Explore farm building projects.
Commercial steel buildings
Pre-engineered steel buildings can be customized for any commercial application—from simple warehouses to aviation hangars. See our commercial projects.
Retail spaces
Steel buildings are among the best options for retail spaces thanks to their open floor plans, flexible design, and aesthetically pleasing architectural options. See our retail projects.
Storage buildings
MSC’s specific skill set and experience in mini storage units have made us a leading service provider in this sector. This expertise allows us to streamline the process, saving our clients time and money. Our storage building projects.
Industrial steel buildings
With a reputation across Canada for quality, safety, and reliability that’s as strong as our steel, MSC delivers on-time projects for mill sites, oil and gas plants, and other industrial applications. Explore industrial steel buildings.
Mining
When wide, tall spans and extreme weather resistance are needed, steel buildings are ready to answer the call. MSC gets excited by constructing mining steel buildings in remote locations with intimidating climates like Canada’s north. See our mining steel buildings.
Community/multipurpose
The hometown hero solution for many communities, steel buildings are affordable, versatile, and low maintenance, allowing them to serve the community for years to come. See our community buildings.
Home shops
You don’t have to run a business to gain the benefits of steel buildings. Home shop metal buildings have been growing in popularity, whether to store equipment or your classic car collection. Get inspired with home shop projects.
Excellence in service, design, and building
When the time comes to level up your business or home storage, work with professionals in pre-engineered steel who will get the job done right quickly and with minimal disruption to your daily operations. From planning to design to building, MSC puts your needs first.
Metal Structure Concepts has been designing and constructing steel buildings across Western Canada for over 20 years. From retail spaces to warehouses to wineries and more, we are the experts for your next project. Contact us today for a free quote.