When considering any new construction project, money obviously comes into it, and choosing a material to use is key to this. If you are thinking about using steel, you need to get a clear understanding of the cost factors in prefabricated steel buildings. Many of these will be the same no matter what material you use, but others are unique to metal buildings, so let’s look at the most significant categories.
Location and Site Suitability
Location is usually determined by logistical considerations. You’ve got to build in a convenient part of the world, perhaps because that’s where your customers are or it’s close to transport hubs – seaports, airports, freeways, etc.
But within that area, the precise location may be a matter for thought and discussion. Virgin land? Redeveloped land? Green field site? Brown field site? Local road capacity? Permissions? Neighbors? You could find yourself pushed toward one choice by the pressures of others. If there is an appealing location from a development point of view, where you can get the project up and running without too much preparation, but there are legal obstacles to negotiate, the appeal can quickly wane. Maybe you’d be better off a couple of miles away, where there is a bit of land clearing to deal with, but nobody is throwing objections at you.
Bear in mind that because we are talking about prefabricated steel buildings, there are going to be many truckloads of parts rolling up at your site, so access needs to be wide enough and strong enough.
There are plus points for steel here: the construction will be quicker and probably quieter than the local objectors may fear.
The speed can also be good for you in terms of how long you’re going to be paying the workers who are putting the structure together. A pre-engineered steel building can go up incredibly quickly due to its prefabricated nature, with interlocking panels turning into walls and roofs in a matter of days. Once you’ve got your frame and base in place, the guys can forge ahead with what amounts to filling in the gaps.
Size and Design of the Building
Greater size means more material, more deliveries, and possibly more people working on it, but not necessarily. Talk to your chosen steel buildings contractor for guidance on this. One great thing about metal buildings is that you won’t need the pillars to support the roof, which may be a factor in your choice because it means clear floor space; it also means less construction work inside.
The design will depend largely on what you’re going to use the building for, so it could be quite straightforward, or it could be more complex. That leads us to the next category.
Customization and Extras
This is another thing to talk to your steel building contractor about. If what you are doing is basically creating a big open space with walls and a roof, you may only need a couple of offices and some restrooms. On the other hand, if you’ll be receiving large numbers of people as customers, for example in a furniture warehouse, or for spectators to watch sport, you will have to consider their comfort and create areas accordingly.
Steel Quality and Gauge
With any material, there are different grades, different special qualities, and suitability to consider. You will want an excellent standard of material for the sake of safety and longevity, but within that, there is room for maneuver. Steel that’s coated with red oxide for resistance to the elements, for instance, is not essential in every case, so do your research and ask your questions.
Get what you need, but economize where possible. This can depend on the climate where you’re building. Factors such as insulation can vary substantially depending on what you have to contend with as regards temperature, because you’ll be thinking about keeping fuel bills as low as possible. And don’t forget the sound of the building. Whether you’re building a factory or an equestrian center, nobody wants to work or participate in any activity if it’s a cacophonous, nerve-shredding experience. Acoustic science has vastly improved conditions in recent years, so you can achieve the ambience you want.
Price Fluctuations in the Steel Market
The enemy of the ballpark figure is the variable cost of materials, fuel, labor, and so on. If things are good in that respect, you may want to seize the moment and get it done while the going is good. If you’re playing a longer game anyhow, you may want to hold your fire for a few months to see if things improve.
