Buying prefabricated steel buildings at any time is a great investment. Compared to buildings constructed from traditional materials, steel buildings are cheaper, quicker to construct, require less maintenance, are more sustainable and have greater stability and durability so they have a longer useful life.
Steel buildings do not burn, resist pest infestations and, with the correct protective coating, will not corrode. As a result, they are generally cheaper to insure and have a higher resale value. They can also be fitted with the highest quality of insulation and so have lower heating and cooling costs.
Taking everything together, steel buildings are terrific value whatever time of the year you buy them. However, by buying in Q4 of the year, you will take advantage of even more benefits.
1. Reduced Cost
Q4 is the start of the winter season when construction is at its lowest level of the year. As a result, every steel structure company has reduced activity and is keen to increase business in any way that it can.
Many suppliers and manufacturers are willing to run end of year sales as a means of moving inventory and so generous discounts may be available. Companies often have year end sales targets to meet and so may be willing to offer deals to boost their performance figures. This gives you the opportunity to obtain your steel structure building at a price that will not be possible in peak season when demand is high and prices reflect this.
2. Predictable Pricing
The cost of a steel building is significantly affected by the price of the main raw material. Steel prices often fluctuate wildly throughout the year and are particularly volatile in peak season, which makes it difficult to predict the final costs of a building.
Pricing is affected by global supply and demand, with demand being highest in the peak season of summer and spring when prices are correspondingly higher. Supply and therefore prices can also be affected by government action, such as import restrictions and the application of tariffs, so predicting the price is almost impossible.
Although pricing trends do vary, prices often stabilize towards the end of the year when demand is at its lowest. This gives you more certainty in your ordering and means you can set a budget with a lot more confidence.
3. Tax Incentives
Section 179 of the IRS tax code provides an incentive for businesses to buy qualifying assets, which will include steel structures. This incentive is to allow a 100% write-off of the cost of the asset for tax purposes, which can be a significant item in the year end accounts.
If you still have unspent money in your capital budget when approaching the end of the tax year, this may give you the opportunity to place an order for a steel building knowing that the tax write-off will offset some of the cost. The limit for Section 179 write-offs is $1 million and this will be enough to purchase and install a substantial steel building that can generate revenue for your business.
A bonus write-off is also available under Section 179 but can only be claimed for the year when the asset comes into service, which may obviously run into the following tax year due to construction timescales. A spending cap of $2.5 million has been introduced with a 100% bonus write-off, although this is for a limited time only so you may need to act quickly to take advantage.
4. Scheduled Deliveries
When ordering during peak season, production schedules will be very busy and you may have to wait your turn. This means that delivery may be much later than you hope for and so will impact on production schedules, causing delays and possible late completion of the building.
Orders in Q4, however, will be at a time when production levels are lower due to reduced construction activity. Lead times are therefore much shorter and you will be given an earlier delivery date, so avoiding delays. This makes it much easier to plan for construction and you can be confident your plans are less likely to be disrupted.
5. Spring Construction
If you order your building in Q4, the kit of parts will be manufactured in factory conditions and will be unaffected by any bad weather that winter may bring. The fabrication process can also be timed to deliver your building at a time you specify.
Whilst fabrication is underway, you can spend the time organizing the installation and preparing the site. This means you will be fully prepared when your building arrives and can make a prompt start on construction and finishing during the spring period.
6. Customer Service
Although most companies claim to offer excellent customer service and many try their best to do so at all times, service levels sometimes dip during peak season. That’s because service personnel are so busy dealing with many orders and customers that they just do not have the time to be as attentive as they might wish to be.
During Q4, there will tend to be far fewer orders and customers so service staff have more time available. They can devote plenty of time to your order, keep you informed of any possible problems and ensure everything is progressing smoothly.
Professional Treatment at any Time of Year
Whatever time of year you place your order, a steel building is a great investment that can pay dividends over the years in terms of increased efficiency and cost savings. However, a Q4 order will give you that little bit extra.
At Atlantic Steel Structures, we value any order, whenever it is placed and by whom. We treat every customer as an individual, give every order our full attention and always ensure that each metal building gives complete satisfaction.
Order whenever is convenient for you by completing our enquiry form or giving us a call. We will deal with it promptly and professionally, whatever the time of year.
