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Archive for June, 2010

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Precautions When Buying Prefabricated Steel Buildings

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

The previous post gave you some information on the different types of prefabricated steel building suppliers who have been attracted to do business, due to the phenomenal growth of the steel industry. A word of warning for potential buyers: there are some not-so-reputable steel building suppliers, who are engaged in fraudulent practices that take advantage of unsuspecting customers.

Here are some misleading practices, of some steel building suppliers, that you should be aware of:

· Misleading Sales Tactics

To attract potential customers, some less-than-reputable steel building suppliers rely on marketing tactics that are both aggressive and misleading. These companies mostly rely on sales people who are telephone-based and are trained to use persuasive techniques to force you to buy their product.

Beware of the following pronouncements: “Grab this opportunity now, because there’s only one building left in the lot. “ or “You’re very lucky because someone just canceled an order and we’re giving it away at a discounted price. However, the offer is good only for today.”

Buy a steel building only when you feet that you are ready and prepared to spend time, effort, and precious dollars to make your project succeed.

· Misleading Building Specifications

It is a good idea to make comparisons of prefabricated steel buildings from different suppliers, based on estimated costs. However, beware of deals that are too good to be true because most probably, they are not.

Make sure that you are comparing buildings with exactly the same specifications. Some suppliers use cheaper brands of components that are poor in quality that’s why their steel buildings cost less.

Still on the subject of choosing a reputable supplier of your prefabricated steel building, it is a wise move to do some research before you make your choice. The Better Business Bureau is for your local plumber so they won’t be much help. When it comes to national or international suppliers, check to see if they’re a Dun & Bradstreet member and ask for some feedback regarding your potential supplier.

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Different Types of Prefabricated Steel Building Suppliers

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Before affixing your signature to the order documents of your prefabricated steel building, make sure that the supplier you are dealing with is the one who will really take care of your specific needs.

Nowadays, the steel building industry is enjoying robust sales due to the numerous benefits and advantages that metal structures offer. This phenomenal growth has attracted many companies who engage in the supply of prefabricated steel buildings.

In order to understand if you are dealing with the right kind of company, you must first know the different types of prefabricated steel buildings suppliers and how they can help you make your steel building project a success.

1) Private Label Manufacturers. Reputable private label manufacturers have the engineering capabilities to produce the steel building that suits   your needs. They provide the steel framing systems, the panels for the roof and the walls, and the steel building accessories.

Most of these suppliers are involved in the three phases of your building project – the designing, the costing, and the engineering. However, some private label manufacturers extend their services up to the construction phase.

2) Steel Building Brokers. Generally, prefabricated steel building brokers work with multiple manufacturers. They can offer you a lower price for your prefabricated steel building because they purchase materials that are cheaper and lesser in quality.

Aside from that, you have to erect the building yourself or find a contractor to do it for you. Most importantly, brokers do not provide after-sales service, meaning they don’t have the qualified personnel to provide answers to your questions and problems during the construction of your steel building.

3) General Contractors. This type of suppliers will sell the steel building and erect it for you. They have aligned themselves with prefabricated steel building manufacturers who will engineer your steel building, based on the specifications gathered from you by the general contractor.

Deciding on which type of prefabricated steel building supplier to deal with, really depends on your situation and your budget.

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Steel Buildings – Steel Agricultural Buildings

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Storage for crops, livestock, and equipment, is very important for people in the agricultural sector. Both farmers and ranchers know too well, that all their hard work would go to waste if they do not provide sufficient shelter for their crops and livestock. Precious equipments, as well as other farm implements, also need protection from the elements.

Investing in agricultural steel buildings to provide storage for your crops, livestock, and equipment, offer a lot of advantages:

· Steel agricultural buildings are made of high quality steel, which is both lightweight and strong. They are pre-engineered to be structurally sound, ensuring that your crops, livestock, and equipments are totally protected.

· Steel agricultural buildings have demonstrated durability and long-life. They are resistant to mold, mildew, termites, and other pests associated with wooden structures. A pre-engineered steel building is tight, preventing water leaks, which can damage crops and equipment.

· Steel agricultural buildings are fire-resistant unlike wooden structures, minimizing potential damage to crops, livestock, and property. You can also save a lot on insurance premiums if you choose to build with steel.

· Prefabricated steel agricultural buildings offer fast and easy construction because they are pre-welded, pre-drilled, and pre-punched at the factory. The savings in time means that your precious investments will be protected right away. You also save money on construction and building costs.

· Expansion and renovation will not be a problem in the future. Steel can be easily reinforced to handle additional loads that need to be added to the structure.

· Steel agricultural buildings offer large clear spans and small columns, providing you with more usable space because of less obstructions.

· Your steel agricultural building can be fitted with decorative features such as brick, wood, stone, or stucco panels to give the metal structure more style and appeal.

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Steel Building Aircraft Hangars

Friday, June 25th, 2010

If you have already decided on buying a single engine aircraft, it is a wise decision to order your storage building first, before your precious investment arrives. Steel is the material of choice for aircraft hangars due to the fact that steel buildings are structurally sound, sturdy, easy to maintain, and customizable.

Before you order your steel aircraft hangar, it is very important to determine the dimensions of the airplane you plan to buy, to ensure that it would fit the door and the building.

The following are sample specifications of single engine airplanes, manufactured by well know companies.

· CESSNA SKYCATCHER

Overall Height – 7 feet 4 inches
Overall Length - 22 feet 1 inch
Wing Span - 30 feet 5 inches
Maximum Sitting Capacity - 2

· CESSNA SKYHAWK 172

Overall Height - 8 feet 11 inches
Overall Length - 27 feet 2 inches
Wing Span - 36 feet 1 inch
Maximum Sitting Capacity - 4

· CESSNA SKYLANE 182

Overall Height - 9 feet 2 inches
Overall Length - 25 feet 2 inches
Wing Span - 36 feet
Maximum Sitting Capacity - 4

· BEECHCRAFT BONANZA G36

Overall Height - 8 feet 7 inches
Overall Length - 27 feet 6 inches
Wing Span - 33 feet 6 inches
Maximum Sitting Capacity - 5

· PIPER MERIDIAN

Overall Height - 11.3 feet
Overall Length - 29.6 feet
Wing Span - 43 feet
Maximum Sitting Capacity - 6

Another factor that should be considered in determining the size of your steel aircraft hangar, is the fact that aside from housing your airplane, you also need some room to move around. This is true, especially if you plan to do some maintenance activities inside the hangar. Of course, you can do these things outside, but there are times when the maintenance must be done inside the building especially during bad weather.

Consider also the need for storing your tools and other maintenance equipment. Preferably, these should be stored inside the steel building so that they are protected from the elements.

Steel building aircraft hangars have come a long way when it comes to style and design. Today’s steel buildings come in various designs with unlimited finishing options to help achieve the desired appearance.

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Tips for First-Time Buyers of Steel Buildings III

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

By now, you should have a clearer picture on how your steel building would look like – the kind of roof system, the roof pitch, and the color of the sidewalls and the roof. Still, there are some things to avoid and there is one more responsibility that rests on your shoulders.

Here are additional reminders:

· Don’t settle for “leftover” or “clearance” buildings that some suppliers offer on sale. More often than not, they do not really suit your needs. A reputable supplier will only provide you with the steel buildings based on your specific requirements and suited for your specific needs.

· If you did a thorough research and in-depth planning of your steel building project before you place your order, there is a very slim chance of making any changes thereafter. However, if they are really necessary, keep it to a bare minimum because whatever changes you would like to make after your building has been engineered, will be costly and may delay the construction.

· You are responsible for the erection of your steel building, not the supplier. Ask for referrals and choose a steel building erector who is licensed and experienced in building various types of steel buildings, specifically, the kind of steel building that you have.

· NOT ALL STEEL BUILDINGS ARE THE SAME. Keep this in mind when comparing steel building packages from different suppliers. If you really want to make an evaluation, compare the details because more often than not, a lower priced steel building is not really what you want.

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Tips for First-Time Buyers of Steel Buildings II

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

If you are a first-time buyer of a steel building, you should be aware of your responsibilities to ensure the success of your steel building project.

The first part discussed the initial steps that you need to undertake such as, visiting the local building department, deciding on your building’s design, and doing some research about your prospective supplier.

Here are some more tips:

· Decide on the kind of roof system you want installed. You can choose between a standing seam roof and a screw down roofing system. A screw down roofing system is most commonly used for prefabricated steel buildings, which when properly installed will provide years of protection from the elements.

· Steel panels come in a variety of colors to choose from. Steel building roofs are made of Galvalume steel, that comes in a standard silver color. Choosing this may qualify you for energy credits under the Federal Tax Code. Colored roof panels are energy efficient due to their siliconized polyester coating, which allows you to save on energy costs.

· Decide on the kind of roof pitch or roof slope that you prefer. This determines how steep the angle of your roof is. This measures the ratio of the rise over the run. The standard for pre-engineered steel buildings is 1:12 because this is the most economical in terms of energy efficiency. However, you can opt for a steeper roof pitch for aesthetic reasons of or if you just want the more traditional look of a steeper pitch.

· Consider your options for your building’s sidewalls. Some areas of the country do not allow metal sidings. This is the reason why steel building suppliers provide pre-cast panels or other materials that give the look of wood, stone, or brick to blend with pre-existing construction and satisfy building code requirements.

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Tips for First-Time Buyers of Steel Buildings I

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

Whether you’re expanding or building a new one, choosing steel over other construction materials, is a wise investment. Pre-engineered steel buildings are cost-effective, easily constructed with no surprises, and flexible. If you’re a first-time buyer, here are a few tips, to make you feel confident and make your experience worthwhile.

· Visit your local building department and ask for building codes that would apply to your steel building project. It’s important that you provide them the exact location of your building. The building codes are necessary for your building’s design and engineering.

· Don’t make the mistake of assuming that building codes are standard. A reputable supplier of prefabricated steel buildings will ensure that all applicable building codes are included in the price quote of your building.

· Spend time researching on the reputation of your steel building supplier. Check with Dun & Bradstreet.

· Your discussions with the supplier’s representative must be in-depth, focusing on how you intend to use your steel building. This information is very vital in the design of the building and its price.

· It is very important that you know exactly what you want before you order. Do some research so that you can have a detailed plan before you even start looking for possible suppliers. Decide on the building’s configuration – the width, height, length, color, accessories, insulation, and the location of the doors and windows.

· Check with your supplier, what is included in the basic price quote of your steel building. It is a mistake to assume that doors, windows, gutters, and downspouts are included in the price quote. Oftentimes, only the framed openings for doors and windows are included.

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BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL PRE-ENGINEERED STEEL BUILDINGS

Monday, June 21st, 2010

Pre-fabricated and pre-engineered steel building systems have become popular choices for business and commercial applications. This is mainly due to their durability and the state of the art engineering methods employed by metal building suppliers. Almost any conceivable design for steel buildings can now be engineered and produced by today’s steel manufacturing plants.

When steel building systems are delivered, they are packaged as kits, already pre-punched, pre-drilled, and pre-welded, ready for construction. An all steel structure is flexible and can put up as clear span, requiring no support columns. This characteristic is important for applications that require a lot of indoor space.

Basically, there are three categories of steel buildings for commercial and business use.

The first choice is the steel-framed system. Only the structural frame is fabricated using high-grade steel. The building’s exterior can be finished with other construction materials such as brick, stone, or stucco. This type of approach is most often seen in small office buildings, insurance agencies, and houses.

A steel pole building system is the next option. This configuration utilizes steel for the building’s poles and trusses, where the roof and walls are attached. Also known as pole barns, these metal structures are often used for farming and ranching applications.

The last category is the steel arch structure system. This is the easiest to erect amongst all systems. The metal structure is made up of steel panels and is often the choice for agricultural and fabrication applications. The steel panels are formed in the contour of an arch and serve not only as the building’s roof but the walls, as well.

Today’s business market is turning to steel as the choice of construction material because steel buildings are sturdy, durable, long lasting, environment friendly, low maintenance, inexpensive, and offers no surprises during construction. So, whichever steel building style is preferred, STEEL is still, the best choice.

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Responsibilities of the Steel Building Erector

Friday, June 18th, 2010

The building erector’s role is critical to the success or failure of your steel building project. That’s why it is very important to hire a building erector who is knowledgeable and experienced in erecting various steel building systems.

Make sure that you finalize your choice of building erector, months before the scheduled delivery of your steel building. The best time to do this is after securing your copy of the erection drawings from the building supplier.

You should have a written contract with the building erector detailing his responsibilities in completing the construction of your steel building. Unless otherwise specified in the contract documents, steel building erectors adopt a standard procedure during the construction of steel buildings.

The usual responsibilities of the building erector include the following:

· Providing all the necessary tools and equipment needed for unloading your steel building components safely and without untoward incidents.

· Completing the erection of your steel building on schedule.

· Providing all the manpower needed to complete the construction on time.

· Providing the electricity and compressed air necessary to power the tools and equipment to be used in the construction process.

· Providing the insulation and insulation accessories needed

· Installing the insulation on the exterior walls and roof of the building

· Removing all temporary structures and bracings that were used in the construction of the building

· Removing all trash resulting from the construction of the steel building.

Obviously, the job of steel building erectors is usually confined to the construction of your steel building. For your steel building’s plumbing system, electrical system, and other finishing work, you have to get in touch with other contractors.

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How To Choose Your Steel Building Erector

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

The steel building supplier is not responsible for the erection of your steel building system. It is your responsibility to find a qualified and competent building erector who will ensure that your building is built correctly. Most of the post-construction problems associated with steel buildings are caused by improper erection.

A qualified erector has encountered much of the challenges that occur during the construction process, being in the business for many years. With this kind of experience, the builder is sure to complete the project within the specified time frame.

A competent erector should be familiar with various types of steel building systems. More importantly, he should have the necessary experience in constructing the specific type of metal structure at hand.

Research

Doing some research on a prospective erector is a good start. Sometimes, your supplier may make a referral. Still, you have to do your homework and make sure that the builder is qualified and competent to erect your particular steel building.

Ask for References/Past Projects

Check the builder’s claim of building many steel buildings. Demand for a list of past projects and verify if these structures were built satisfactorily. Ask for references and talk to previous clients. Ask them to describe their experience while working with the builder.

Check Licenses

When checking on your building codes, it is also a good idea to ask about licensing requirements for erectors of steel buildings. Your state might be one of those who require that an erector should secure a license first, before he can practice in your area.

Check for certifications and training

Ask your erector for certifications from building suppliers. Determine what particular training, members of the whole construction team, have undergone.

Watch out for low bids

Be suspicious, when you encounter a bid that is much lower than the others. Most probably, this bid comes from an inexperienced builder, who will give you headaches during and after the erection process. In the end, you could be spending more to correct the problems brought about by the initial construction of your steel building.

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