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Steel Building Buying Tips

1. Find out your local code information. This can be done by calling your local building department and telling them that you would like to build a metal building at the given location. Remember that codes can vary from county to county and there is no real rhyme or reason why a code is what it is in any given locality.  It is up to you as the customer to give the metal building supplier the final code information.  Many times the builder or supplier will give code information based upon the standards in the industry.  Again there are no standards that fill the bill across the states.  You might also look into the setbacks and other code information that may prohibit the use of a metal building or any building on a given lot.  In some areas of the country a metal siding is not allowed.  In this situation you may need to go to a pre-cast panel or use a system like "Simple Buildings" to get around the problem.

2. With the information above, put together the dimensions of the building you would like to buy.  Where you would like to have doors and windows and what color walls, roof and trim you may like to have.  In most situations if your roof slope is less than 2:12, galvanized (i.e. steel coated with rust-resistant zinc) would be the economical choice.  For a roof slope above 2:12 you may wish to consider a colored roofing panel.  There is Kynar and then there are silicon polyester finishes. Kynar is the most durable and longest lasting product on the market - yet you pay for that durability.  There is a choice of Standing Seam versus screw down roofing systems.  A mechanically fastened standing seam roofing panel is the best panel  for durability and resistance to leaks. A screw down roofing panel is a commonly used panel for roofing, and if properly installed will give you many years of weather tightness. Now come up with the height.  There is clear height and then there is eave height. You must specify if you need a specific height clear from all obstacles inside your building. You may also want to have point loads in your building if you are going to hang heavy items from the ceiling.  Talk in depth with your supplier about the design you are looking for and make sure you try and keep apples to apples when comparing pricing. Things like panel gauge and finishes can get confusing.

3. Find an erector or make sure that the price includes erection. The way to find a good erector is simple. Lots of work?  Ask questions. How many projects have you built? How many years have you been in business?  What is you policy on safety?  Pin down the availability of the erector and how long their price would be good for.  Ask for references and projects near you that you can visit.  The building that you buy is only as good as the erector that puts it up.  Now here is an important question to ask.  Ask the erector if they would suggest a building manufacturer. Odds are that if you find an erector that you trust, they will give you a better deal on the erection of the building if they are familiar with the building to be erected. Many times a customer will find a great deal on a metal building package only to find out that the erectors in town want a considerable up charge to install it. Don't be fooled by the old saying that all metal buildings are the same. 

4. Make sure that the supplier understands what the final use of the building will be. If You are not on the same page as the supplier there could be extra cost for modification once the building is delivered. It can become very confusing when ordering a metal building, so know what you want before you order and try to hold any changes once you have ordered your building to a bare minimum.

5. Make sure that once your building is delivered that you check your packing list for any shortages. This can be a time consuming process especially on a larger building, but in the long run it will save you time and expense. If you find that the supplier has shorted you material you need to report it immediately. Most suppliers will give you a couple of days to check your inventory but after that you are on your own!!!!