What Homeowners Should Know Before Hiring Steel Building Constructors
Thinking about purchasing a steel building?
Every year thousands of homeowners buy portable storage buildings, garages, workshops, and barns. They provide value, they’re durable and most offer low maintenance.
The Problem?
Not all builders can hold up their end of the bargain. Poor contractors will leave you waiting months for something you don’t even want. Or they’ll sky-rocket your budget!
The Solution?
If you know what questions to ask before hiring a builder, you can avoid these issues altogether.
In this article we’ll cover:
- Why People Are Buying Steel Buildings
- Questions To Ask Before Hiring
- Red Flags To Avoid
- How To Get The Most Value For Your Money
Why Are Homeowners Buying Steel Buildings?
Prefabricated steel buildings are taking the residential building market by storm. And customers aren’t going wrong.
Need a portable storage building? Shop around and you’ll find steel buildings to fit any budget.
Want a garage? There are workshop garage options and simple “driveway garages” to park your car.
Need extra space for hobbies? Metal buildings can be easily modified to fit your needs.
It doesn’t matter if you need a structure to fill a certain purpose or just add square footage. Here are some of the benefits of steel.
Steel Buildings Pros:
- They last much longer than wood – Steel won’t rot, be eaten by termites, or warp due to weather
- They go up faster – Purchasing a pre-engineered steel building is quicker than traditional building methods
- Steel can save you money – Less wasted material and labour hours means more money in your pocket
- Easy to add-on to later
That’s just the beginning. In 2024 the US pre-engineered metal building market hit $12.98 billion. The demand for these types of structures is growing exponentially as homeowners realize what commercial builders have known for years.
When looking for trusted steel building constructors focus on companies that specialize in portable storage buildings. Pre-engineered structures that go up quickly.
Questions Homeowners Should Ask Before Hiring
No matter who you end up hiring to build your steel structure, there are questions you should ask every contractor. People try to skip this step and quickly end up with problems.
Here are the questions we recommend asking:
Do They Specialize In Residential Steel Buildings?
This is probably the most important question.
Just because some random company lists portable storage buildings on their website, doesn’t mean they’re any good.
Many contractors focus on commercial buildings like warehouses. Those guys may know nothing about residential zoning permits and what homeowners are looking for.
You want a company that:
- Specializes in building homes additions, garages, workshops and storage buildings.
- Understands local building codes and can get the proper permits.
- Can provide you with references from other homeowners.
What Does The Quote Include?
If a price seems too good to be true… chances are it is.
Many contractors low-ball a quote to get your business then sneak things into the final bill.
Ask for a full itemized list of what the quote includes. Every. Last. Thing.
A detailed quote should outline:
- Costs for the foundation and any site prep work.
- All costs for the building materials
- Doors, windows, insulation, etc.
- Includes delivery and installation.
- Price of permits and required inspections.
How Long Will It Take?
One of the biggest advantages of metal buildings is how quickly they can go up.
When done right, you could have your storage building in less time than a traditional build.
Keep in mind, that time frame will fluctuate depending on building size, weather conditions, and contractor workload. Just make sure you get a written estimate of how long the build will take.
Red Flags to Avoid When Hiring Contractors
Here are a couple things to avoid when looking for steel building constructors.
No Physical Address Or Portfolio
Any professional contractor should have past jobs they can show you. Don’t be afraid to ask.
If a company has no physical address or can’t provide pictures of previous work… run.
High Pressure Sales
If you’re not comfortable with the contractor or they try to rush you into making a decision on the spot. Walk away!
Deals and coupons aren’t needed when you’re working with a reputable builder.
Too Cheap
You get what you pay for.
While everyone likes saving money, cheap quotes often mean subpar materials and workmanship.
No Written Contract
Don’t ever pay a contractor who won’t give you a written contract. Period.
Tips for Getting The Most Value
Paying attention to the above tips will ensure you hire a quality contractor but there’s more you can do.
Get Multiple Quotes
Always get quotes from at least 3 different builders. That way you know what the going rate is for your dream building.
Read Reviews, Call References
Online reviews aren’t always 100% accurate. Whenever possible, call the references and ask questions.
How did they communicate with the contractor? Was it completed on budget? Would they use them again?
Know Your Warranty
Steel buildings should come with strong warranties from the manufacturer as well as the contractor.
A good warranty will cover the structural integrity for 20+ years. Paint should last 5-10 years. There should also be a guarantee on workmanship.
Think About The Future
Think about what you’ll need in the future.
Steel buildings can be easily expanded. If you think you may need more space down the road.
Having a larger building now could save you thousands over trying to expand later.
Steel Building Construction Is Here To Stay
The trend towards pre-engineered and prefab buildings is just getting started. The prefabricated buildings market is expected to reach $381.8 billion by 2034. That’s a compound annual growth rate of 8.2%.
Commercial and residential buildings have realized the many benefits of prefab construction.
Not only are they cost-effective and durable. They go up quicker than traditional methods too.
Another huge bonus? Sustainability.
Metal buildings produce almost zero construction waste and the steel can be recycled at the end of it’s life.
Final Thoughts
Hiring a contractor to build your steel building should be simple. As long as you know what questions to ask and what to look out for.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Do your research and focus on companies that specialize in residential steel buildings.
- Get written quotes that include EVERYTHING.
- Read online reviews and call references.
- Know what your warranty covers.
- Look ahead at your future needs.
And that’s it!
Don’t let hiring a building contractor stress you out. Take your time, do your homework, and you’ll end up with a quality storage building you can enjoy for years to come.
