Metal Building Buying Process
From design, supply, and installation, discuss your needs with our experts to financially plan your future endeavour.
What to expect regarding project timelines and payment milestones
In our continuing Q&A series with Steve Ivanitz, owner of Metal Structure Concepts, we discuss the stages of the project and when payments are due after purchasing a pre-engineered steel building kit.
James (interviewer):
Once the MSC estimate is approved, what are the project's first steps?
Steve (owner, Metal Structure Concepts):
The first step is clarifying the order details. That could mean just making sure they're happy, or where they've decided where they want their windows and doors.
Options like the colours are discussed with them. A lot of it is a conversation, some of it is in the contract and paperwork. We make sure their financing is in place and that they're happy with their bank.
So the first steps are all about clarification to ensure we're on the same page for timelines and flow of the project.
Our team of professionals takes immense pride in the attention to detail and expertise that go into the preparation and build of your project.
James:
What’s does the project schedule look like?
Steve:
Depending on the time of year, the whole process can be as quick as 3-5 months from placing the order. After clarifying the order details, the project essentially sits quiet for about a month, while the manufacturer and suppliers are doing the drawings and engineering.
MSC has input with the suppliers to get everything confirmed and the information they require. Then we providing the first set of drawings to the clients. Based on the drawings, the owners get their foundation work designed and going.
We speak with the client confirming the timelines and agreeing on everything. The next milestone is when they're going to have the foundation ready for us and when our crews will be there putting the structure up. Metal structures go up rapidly when the prep work is finished.
Building complexity, design, manufacturing availability, permits, financing, ground preparation and feasibility of concrete work due to weather are all factors that affect the overall timeline.
James:
Would you go back to a couple of different manufacturers depending on the building type for the steel package? Are some better at certain styles of buildings?
Steve:
Absolutely yeah. Timing factors also. This manufacturer may be backed up and busy right now if they've just had a couple of big mining projects come in. That'll, in turn, cause us grief because we're waiting too long for the product. If that happens I've got another manufacturer as a backup or a second option.
James:
Are any of the steel building manufacturers Canadian? Or are they American?
Steve:
Yeah, we get many of our buildings from our Canadian supplier, out of Brandon, Manitoba. The other two suppliers are out of the US.
James:
Is the project billed in installments, or is there a big deposit to get the project rolling? How does the financial side of it work?
Steve:
Yeah, so all projects start with a deposit. This is the client's commitment to secure the contract. A deposit is required upfront on all of our contracts. Then there are progress draws on milestones.
Milestones with payments are typically:
- the drawings
- the delivery of the product
- the completion of the frame in the field (building's skeletal structure)
- final draw on completion for roofs and walls
We love having repeat customers! We build the trust of our clients through clear communication and being transparent with the work that needs to be done.
James:
So that’s four payments?
Steve:
Typically it's four. Four to five, and it really depends on the size of the project and what's involved. Four to five draws.
James:
Are the instalments equal amounts?
Steve:
The first one's typically a bit smaller, and then delivery of the product is the biggest one. That's when we need to pay out the suppliers. So the upfront draw is a deposit for a percentage. The 2nd draw is the biggest, and the 3rd, 4th, 5th are smaller depending on milestones.
If you have a project in mind, let's get it started! We have an easy online quote process or get in touch with our team by phone at 1-877-840-4278 and one of our specialists would be happy to help you. Don't take our word for it, our clients are our brand ambassadors.