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“You get what you pay for.” Those words are so true today, particularly in the world of steel buildings. Consumers frequently encounter what seems to be the same size and quality of steel building with prices that vary radically. Most purchasers’ inclination is to choose the lowest priced building in the mix. The question is ““ is this a good decision?
You may want to purchase a steel building based on price alone. Keep in mind that most steel buildings do not come insulated. Your steel building project budget may skyrocket if you don’t consider the price of wall and roof insulation, especially if you are in a part of the country with considerable weather extremes, both heat and cold. You need to consider the amount and cost of the insulation, unless you are not going to insulate because your building will be unoccupied.
Some steel building manufacturers and supplier provide so-called steel “economy” buildings. These buildings are usually fabricated of thinner gauged 29-gauge steel, rather than the preferred heavy-duty 26-gauge steel. Using a thin metal makes this “economy” building questionable for strength and durability even in the most temperate of climates. The price of an “economy” building does not include it being painted. The use of a siliconized polyester paint is an added expense.
The price of shipping is another factor to consider when purchasing a steel building. The price of freight is sometimes hidden because the price for a steel building is quoted as a “delivered” price. Determine if you are getting a fair rate by having the steel building company isolate shipping costs and quote this price. A number of companies use a “shared load” approach to shipping in which more than one building is shipped in a load. This saves the company money but heightens the probability of your shipment arriving with parts that are mixed or lost. Insist on your building being shipped separately or make arrangements to pick up the building at the factory yourself if you have the resources.
What is portrayed as an “economy” building may be nothing more than an unpainted and unattractive metal box. The expenses add up when you purchase accessories such as doors, windows, ridge vents etc. If you are purchasing a 30×40×12 building, for example, and you need one window, a roll-up door, and a walk door, you should find out the costs of these options prior to purchasing the building. It may save you money to buy these components locally.
Make sure that needed documentation such as Anchor Bolt Plans and Engineer Certified Drawings are included with the purchase of your steel building and not as an expensive add-on at the back end of your design process. This documentation is normally required in obtaining a local building permit and giving your foundation engineer the correct specifications in order to lay a proper concrete foundation for your structure. Use of a third party for this paperwork can be expensive. Always be aware that the “cheapest” steel building at the outset can turn out to be an expensive “nightmare” in the long run.
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