Metal Buildings | How-to Guides for running your business from Business.com

Metal and steel buildings were once primarily home to storage facilities and aircraft hangars. But today their business uses range from workshops to retail stores and much more. Record numbers of small businesses are opting for prefabricated steel buildings because they provide an affordable alternative to traditional construction.

These durable, virtually maintenance-free structures cost up to 60 percent less than traditional building construction. In addition, they're customizable and can be erected far more quickly than conventional buildings. Metal buildings can be an affordable solution for many types of businesses, including:

Retail stores.
Storage facilities and warehouses.
Distribution centers.
Commercial offices.
Automotive shops or car dealerships.
Manufacturing facilities.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider all the costs of a prefab steel kit

If you buy a steel building "kit", be aware that the kit is only one part of your total cost. Be sure to calculate expenses like permits and land preparation.

I recommend: OlympiaBuildings.com offers customizable and modular buildings for retail stores, storage buildings, warehouses, offices, automotive buildings and more.

Design your building

A key benefit of steel buildings is that they can be designed to fit the specific needs of your business. Whether you need car bays for an automotive repair center or cubicles for an office environment, your building can be designed with those needs in mind.

I recommend: Many steel building suppliers also offer design services. Prices at SteelBuilding.com include the design, drawings and materials for the basic structure. View sample drawings by downloading "steel building sample drawings" from AmericanSteelMfg.com under the "steel building construction info" heading.

Accessorize to make your building just right

Steel building kits may not come with insulation, doors, windows, skylights or vents.

I recommend: Find accessories to complete your steel building at Steelwise.com or HeritageBuildings.com. Both are major suppliers of steel buildings.

Avoid the tin can look

Just because you're using steel doesn't mean your building has to look like a tin shed. Steel panels come in a number of colors, and your building's façade can be outfitted with a different exterior finish, including brick, wood, stucco, block, concrete and more.

I recommend: Allied Steel Buildings provides a number of exterior finishes as well as custom designs that can give your building a unique look.

Snag a building on sale

Many suppliers offer specials and sales from time to time. If cost-cutting is your goal, these specials may be the best option.

I recommend: USBuildingsDirect.com offers weekly specials on its Web site.

Erect your building

Even if you choose a prefab metal building kit, you'll still need the expertise of a general contractor to put it up. Look for one who has experience with steel buildings.

I recommend: Small businesses and individual business owners make up more than half of the clientele at Bob Moore Construction Inc., which has worked extensively with steel buildings, including prefabricated types.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

When two dealers present bids for similar buildings that are thousands of dollars difference in price, investigate the details. One may not include everything you need.
Verify the building codes. Contact your local building inspector once you have the specifications from your supplier, before you sign the contract.
The best times to buy steel buildings are in winter and summer; that's when sales are slow and you're likely to get a better deal.

The official source of Metal Buildings is the Steel Buildings page at Business.com

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