 |
 |
  |
 |
 |
 |
The right preparation is important when buying commercial steel buildings – there are key questions you'll need to answer before you start talking to potential suppliers. Here are a few of the most important.
What is your building for?
It may seem like an obvious question, but understanding exactly how your commercial steel building will be used is an important first step in the planning process. Think through all the uses and users of your building to decide what extras you need.
For example, a steel storage building doesn't have to have much in the way of employee comforts at all: your staff can enter the building, get what they need, and leave. But a metal office building has to provide for employee comfort year-round.
The biggest change necessitated by the staffing question is environmental. To keep employees comfortable (and therefore productive), you'll have to install HVAC systems to maintain temperatures in a reasonable range.
In fact, you may need HVAC equipment anyway. Commercial steel buildings are prone to extremes of temperature, from baking hot during sunny summer days to below freezing during the winter. If you plan on storing inventory or equipment that needs protection against freezing or heat, you may need a basic HVAC system despite the lack of employees in the building.
The other important consideration is building access. The number and type of doors your building needs will have a big impact on the design. Think about the vehicles and people that will need to come and go: do you want a garage-style rollup door to allow cars and small trucks? Do you need a loading dock to handle tractor-trailers, or and extra-high overhead door for large equipment?
Buying commercial steel buildings
Thinking though these questions before you contact dealers can simplify your purchasing process. Once you have the answers, you should contact at least 4 or 5 different commercial steel building suppliers to get quotes and designs. You'll find that the best dealers will ask for the information described here – those that have "just the building for you" before they even understand your needs are probably not the best choice.