The Do’s and Don’ts When Buying a Steel Construction for Your Business

Steel buildings have a number of advantages that makes them a great option for a number of businesses. They usually have a much lower cost per square foot than the alternatives, are durable, nearly indestructible, and have low property insurance rates. However, it’s easy to make mistakes when buying a steel building or installing it. Here are some of the do’s and don’ts when you’re buying a steel construction for your business.

Do Know When to Do It Yourself or Go with the Pros

When you’re buying a steel construction from a company like SteelMaster Buildings, your structure will be pre-cut and already drilled for easy assembly by yourself or contractors. In that regard, they are ideal for those who want to buy and assemble a small steel building themselves. Don’t, however, try to install plumbing or electrical connections yourself unless you have the necessary expertise and licenses to do so yourself.

Don’t Buy Without Research

You need to do your research before buying a steel building. Steel buildings may be restricted to industrial areas or rural areas in your jurisdiction. Don’t install a steel building without knowing whether or not you’ll need to paint it a certain way or put a façade over it. And know what type of foundation, if any, needs to be under the building before you plan on putting it up.

Do Understand the Cost of Changes

One mistake people make is looking at the low cost per square foot for the average steel building and then assume this carries over even as they ask for literally costly changes. The low base rate of a Quonset hut will usually count for a basic shell. Every alteration in this design be it windows, doors, ventilation holes, extensions or other modifications adds to the cost.

Sometimes people run into problems because they don’t follow the drawings. If you make aesthetic changes or structural changes during construction for any reason, you’ll probably have to call for help to make it work or literally fill in the gaps. Changes to your worksite like alterations to the foundation or grading could cause major problems when you’re ready to install the building.

In order to avoid these problems, don’t buy a steel building until you know exactly what you want and where it will go.

Don’t Go with the First Good Bid

Don’t make the mistake of going with the first person to bid on your project instead of doing research regarding the market rate for a project like yours. And don’t go with the cheapest bidder either. Note that some fly by night operations will lowball the bid and then leave with your money, while others will issue an incredibly low bid and then tack on extra fees. Make certain you understand your contract, and never sign a blank contract.

And don’t work with a contractor who asks for the entire payment up front. Nor should you let anyone work on your project who says they’re working with leftover materials.

Steel buildings are cost-effective and quick to assemble. As long as you do your research and work with a reputable contractor, you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits they have to offer.