Steel Buildings Insight: 5 Things to Look for in a Building Company
To erect steel buildings efficiently and properly, it requires a company with experience, skill and professionalism.
There are plenty of companies out there that claim to specialize in steel buildings, but how do you know which one is right for you? Finding a reputable outfit is an important first step if you want a building that:
- Gets completed on schedule and on budget
- Performs as expected
- Is built to endure
Before you settle for your local general contractor because they’re the only game in town, it might be worth your while to look further afield to find companies with the expertise to manage projects for pre-engineered steel buildings. Companies like Metal Structure Concepts, while based in Kelowna, work all over Western Canada.
While on your quest to find a steel building company, here are some things you should consider:
- Range of Services
When it comes to erecting steel buildings, it usually boils down to one of three scenarios:
- You buy the steel building kit and erect it yourself
- You hire a general contractor to build it for you
- You work with a firm that designs, supplies and erects pre-engineered buildings
While you might save money if you handle the build yourself, it will almost certainly take a lot longer than if you were to use a specialized firm that does this for a living. In terms of project management, a steel building company that uses in-house designers and highly-trained ground crews will streamline your project.
For more on this, read our post: Industrial Metal Buildings: Why Choose Firms that Offer Complete Design-and-Erect Services.
- Experience
It’s important to choose a company with experience and a proven track record of delivering projects on time and within the agreed budget. That said, you also want to find a company that has the hunger and ingenuity to tackle challenging projects head-on.
This applies to everyone from project managers to the guys on the ground. Having a veteran team of workers will ensure jobsite proficiency and professionalism every step of the way.
- Health and Safety
Worksite safety is of major importance these days, especially for industrial projects. Proactive companies are utilizing HSE (Health, Safety, Environment) programs to reduce accidents on the jobsite. This is beneficial for clients because work stoppages to accidents:
- Cause delays
- Lower jobsite morale
- Are an indication of poor training and lack of awareness
- References
Word-of-mouth testimonials are a great sign of a company’s trustworthiness. Repeat customers are another strong indicator that a company offers a value-for-dollar service.
Don’t be afraid to ask for contacts of clients the company has worked with in the past. Ask them about their experience. You can also ask the company for examples of steel buildings similar to yours and the challenges they had to overcome to complete them.
- Warranties
Pre-engineered steel buildings are designed to last, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook the warranty.
Looking for a trustworthy company that specializes in steel buildings? Metal Structure Concepts has been designing, supplying and erecting pre-engineered steel buildings all over Western Canada for well over a decade. Call us to discuss your project.