Questions that Need Answering:
You may have noticed quite a bit of publicity recently if you are in the market for a pre-engineered steel structure. Perhaps you saw television ads, noticed deals on web sites or heard about it on your car radio. Some of these ads insist, “Call now!” or “These deals won’t last long!” Are these companies offering durable pre-engineered steel buildings or are they trying to offload cheaper models?
Careful before You Purchase:
There are fairly priced high grade steel buildings offered by good steel building fabricators and dealers generally at a fraction of the cost of a more traditional building. Commercial grade pre-fabricated, pre-engineered steel structures use a strong 26 gauge steel. For the most part, “economy” steel buildings will be made of lower caliber steel, usually 29 gauge steel, which is a sub-standard grade. These budget structures will encounter maintenance problems that are rarely seen in buildings made from 26 gauge steel.
Quonset huts are one example of budget offerings advertised at low prices, but the cost of adequate insulation for these steel structures can be shockingly high. Without extra insulation, a Quonset hut is a faulty structure that will end up wasting significant cooling and heating expenses over the functional life of the building. Your choice is: pay (and pay and pay) for temperature control or spend more money on additional labor and supplies to add enough insulation to reduce energy expenditures. Either way, the total cost of the building ends up way over the original promised “deal.”
Tips for Making the Final Decision:
The process to determine which pre-engineered steel building system is the best investment can be compared to an upcoming essential surgical procedure. Which is more important – using the cheapest doctor or finding one, who will successfully and safely perform your operation? Obviously, most people do not bargain hunt when selecting doctors. Likewise, when shopping for a building, you should consider the best building manufacturer that your budget allows.
A quality steel building company takes you from early planning to final rigging of your structure. They should use quality, commercial grade components, and you should not find any extra “middleman” costs buried in the contract. Plus, you can deal with a single company from start to finish. You won’t find a “budget priced” structure at these manufacturers or suppliers, but they will furnish the best quality product for a reasonable price.
Don’t fall for false advertising. Do some advance research before you sign a contract: make sure the company has been in business for several years, ask for and check out references, check with various metal building organizations or the Better Business Bureau. A little homework up front can save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
