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The steel workshop you’ve been building is finally complete. Most likely it was a simple process that, with the help of your project manager, went smoothly with no headaches. Since your steel workshop is erected, it’s time to enjoy it. If you’re a car guy, you probably spend a majority of your free time in the ol’ garage tinkering with a “fixer upper” or putting a fresh coat of wax on your classic muscle car.

To keep a car looking like it is brand new, you need to keep up on routine maintenance. Vacuuming your car can easily be overlooked, but I’m sure you know it’s an essential task. If you’re taking suggestions, may I suggest the ArmorAll AA255 Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum.

The ArmorAll AA255 Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum, as the name suggests, can suck up both liquid and solids. This vacuum runs on a two horsepower motor and come with an automatic shut off when it reaches 2.5 gallon capacity. When you run this vacuum, there is no need to worry about overflow. The ArmorAll AA255 Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum, also comes equipped with a blower. The ArmorAll AA255 Vacuum has multiple attachments for its six foot long hose that includes a crevice tool, blower nozzle, and car nozzle. Do you need to get down in the nooks and crannies of your car? Attach the crevice tool. Want to simply blow some dust off your classic beauty after a long winter? There’s a blower nozzle for any job. Use the car nozzle to lift any dirt or pet hair that may have been left behind. Is flooding a problem in your area? This vac could be a saving grace.

The biggest selling point in my eyes is the price. This vacuum isn’t a giant industrial sized vacuum, but you won’t pay like it’s one either. With a base price averaging around $40, you certainly get your money’s worth. The fact that it isn’t an industrial sized vacuum also means it isn’t big and bulky. This compact vacuum can be stored out of sight in your steel workshop when it isn’t needed and isn’t a hassle to carry around when it is needed.

On the down side, this wet vac can only hold 2.5 gallons of liquid, according to the specs I previously mentioned. I wonder if it’s enough for a bigger emergency. I’ve read plenty of other reviews on other sites claiming the suction wasn’t up to snuff the older the vacuum got older. Some have even said it doesn’t last long or dies very quickly.

I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. When I say it isn’t an industrial vacuum, I’m not trying to downplay the vacuum’s effectiveness. In fact, I think this vacuum can perform, and then some, as an entire garage vacuum. Blow off work benches or suck up spilled liquids without worry because, from my experience, the ArmorAll AA225 can handle it. You want to make sure your steel workshop is clean and accessible because it houses your cars and we all know, outside of your family, those cars are your pride and joy, right?

Shop around and find a vacuum for your steel workshop that best suits you. I’ll most likely be adding the ArmorAll AA255 Utility Wet/Dry Vacuum to my arsenal of cleaning supplies. It seems like the perfect combination to protect your car, steel workshop and your wallet.

Looking for more tool reviews? Visit our Contractor Central section for more tips and advice.

Photo courtesy: ArmorAll

Search Results for: project manager

It seems like everybody has one great foe in their life they must eventually overcome. Peyton Manning (among others) must battle Tom Brady (again, among others) every year for the MVP award. Dusty Rhodes battled Ric Flair for the world wrestling championship countless times. The great foe for a new metal building might not be a future hall of fame athlete, but it is something formidable: moisture. However, if you adequately prepare with a project manager in the building process, you’ll be able to protect your new metal building and extend its life.

The appearance of moisture can come from a poorly maintained roof, cracks in the foundation, or from condensation. Water drops formed on a ceiling are a probable sign of condensation in your new metal building. Condensation forms when there is more moisture in the air than the air can hold and can cause damage to your insulation and other parts of your building. A properly insulated building will typically fight against condensation by preventing airflow between your building and the outside world, thus regulating temperature. Insulation can be damaged by moisture and may need to be replaced periodically. HVAC systems can be installed in your steel building and are able to automatically regulate temperature. An HVAC system can help fight against condensation as well as save you money when it comes to energy conservation too.

Let’s say dealing with a moisture problem just plain scares you. If the threat of moisture and its consequences forces you to look at other building materials, you’re already going down the wrong path. No matter what type of building material you decide to use for your next building project, you’re going to have to deal with precipitation and all different forms of moisture.

Should the threat of moisture force you to build a wooden pole barn, understand moisture can cause wood to rot or warp. Rot occurs when moist conditions provide a breeding ground for fungus and cause the timber to decay. Moist conditions could also cause the wood to twist, and move out of its footings. Naturally this decay or twist in your wood will weaken your structure and could cause you to spend money on multiple replacement parts in the future. While steel is susceptible to moisture, there are preventative measures to protect it. The most important fact of the matter – you’ll never have to worry about steel rotting or warping due to moisture.

Condensation can hurt your building, but there are things you can do to prevent it. For example, you should ensure there is proper ventilation and circulation in your building. Ceiling vents will allow the moist air to leave your building and adding fans could easily allow moisture to evaporate and not hang around. A strategically placed air tight lighting fixture will not leak warm air into your building and could help prevent condensation. Be sure to include a vapor barrier with your insulation to further protect against moisture.

Rust is also caused by moisture and can appear on both the outside of your building or on the inside. If rust appears on the outside of your building, it could lower your property value if you wanted to sell your building in the future. The appearance of rust obviously isn’t aesthetically pleasing, and it’s an ugly truth in our society that we judge by appearance. Rust on the inside of your building can be even worse than outside rust. The inside rust can lower the structural integrity of your building and, in turn, shorten your building’s life. You can fight rust and maybe even prevent it with the proper decisions in the design process. Decisions like incorporating galvanized secondary framing and ordering through a steel building provider that provides structural, paint, roof and wall panel warranties will protect your building from rust. Ask your steel building provider about the proper coatings to prevent rust and extend the life of the structure.

Moisture can be the enemy for a new steel building, but if you do your research and plan properly, you can defeat that foe and be the hero your steel building deserves.

Search Results for: project manager

Family is the most important thing in life to many, if not all people. The typical scenarios repeat themselves in almost every family. Children are born, and then begin to make friends. Later in life, more relationships form. Soon, people move in together and develop families of their own. Parents become elderly and you must make the hard decision between a nursing home or inviting them to move in with you.

Change is difficult no matter the circumstances. But change isn’t tough if you have a steel building.

You probably weren’t thinking of family or business expansion and the inevitable space problem when you decided to search different building materials. You might have just been tired of paying rent and wanted to own your building. Maybe your circumstances changed, and you needed something different. Maybe you already own a pre-engineered steel building, and you weren’t aware you could grow the building according to your needs.

So you need to go bigger. Expanding the length of your building requires a clear spanning moment-resistant frame. If your original building was fabricated with post and beam construction, you will need to install a clear spanning moment-resistant frame to continue your expansion. Once you have this installed, you are free to add to your building as you wish. Naturally, you are able to design your building with the intention of future expansion and you can add the proper framing to make it easier and more affordable to expand when the time comes.

Adding width to your pre-engineered steel building is also a possibility. This type of expansion could require a lean-to. A lean-to is a smaller building that shares a wall with a larger building and a roof that leans against that wall. You must be sure that your roof line will accommodate your new expansion by meeting the necessary height. Be sure to take into consideration your climate because a snow load should be accounted for when expanding in this manner.

If you’re considering a steel building purchase, and you think you might expand in the future, tell your project manager. They’ll work with detailers and engineers to ensure expansion down the road is even easier.

If you can’t expand outward, building a second story is always an option. You’ll probably need to make some adjustments to your existing building, but you should still be able to erect the addition you desire. Instead of being supported by the original frame, your second story can be designed to allow the vertical parts of your frame to be supported by the foundation. Of course, this means you will need a sufficient foundation. Adding a mezzanine is always an option, to expand, and efficiently use all of the space in your building and not just the ground.

When you are expanding, be sure to check your local building codes. Your original building may be out of compliance due to the changing of codes and you may have to address this issue before you can expand. Knowledge of your local municipality’s building codes will also allow your addition to be designed in the safest and most efficient way possible.

Life happens. The original building you purchased all those years ago might not be big enough to hold your family anymore. Your steel building provider can help you expand your building to accommodate your needs.

Photo courtesy: Skeeze

Search Results for: project manager

As a contractor, a major concern is acquiring jobs. That’s how you make a living to support your family and pay bills. To win a job, you must present the most attractive bid to a potential customer. Ensuring you have an acceptable bid can be done by eliminating mistakes such as math or clerical errors and double checking you included all of your required licenses in your bid. What if a technically sound bid just isn’t enough? That’s when you must pull out your secret weapon. The ability to erect a pre-engineered steel building.

The benefits of pre-engineered steel buildings are incredible and should impress your potential customer. Steel’s most impressive quality is its strength. Steel is the strongest building material available and according to the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the increase alone in standard steel strength from 10 years ago to today is greater than the total strength of competing materials. A quality steel building should come with warranties that allow you and your customer to rest assured that this building won’t come tumbling down any time soon.

A pre-engineered steel building will usually have lower project costs. Think about a pole barn for a moment. Every few years, you might have to replace rotting or warped wood, or fix sagging members. That’s an extra cost. Labor costs are significantly decreased because a pre-engineered is easy to erect. The building comes bolt-together, with no welding or field fabrication necessary.

Speed of construction is a huge factor when it comes to the building erection process. That’s another factor which could have a huge impact on whether or not your bid is chosen. A pre-engineered steel building will allow you to complete the erection in days or weeks, compared to months, like other building materials. This is a benefit to you as a contractor and the customer. The customer is one step closer to finishing their building and you can move on to your next job quicker and earn more income!

Another benefit of a pre-engineered steel building for both you and your customer is the ability to make modifications to the original building in the future if desired. These buildings can be expanded easily in the future. This benefit doesn’t lock the customer into long term design commitment for the rest of their life and it also allows you to have the possibility of future work down the road.

Your customer will also be interested in the nearly limitless design potential. Pre-engineered steel building are utilized as residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial applications, and come in every shape and size. These buildings are built to handle the local weather and climate according to building codes. When a customer decides to purchase a pre-engineered steel building, they’re building with a fire resistant material as well. If your customer is interested in saving energy and protecting the environment, a steel building can be designed to incorporate solar panels, HVAC systems and other energy saving systems. When you place an order for a pre-engineered steel building for your customer, they’ll receive the services of a project manager. A project manager will be able to help you or your customer through the design process and will be available if you have any questions or concerns in the erection process. You’re not alone in this process.

You might already erect pre-engineered steel buildings based on the customer benefits. You don’t have to tell them it’s your secret weapon too.

Photo courtesy: Elvert Barnes

Search Results for: project manager

It might be one of your worst fears coming true as a small business owner. Your competition is expanding and you have to deal with it everyday. The only thing your customers want to talk about is the future of “that other company” and how excited they are to visit it. The construction crew has been there for weeks cutting lumber and building a new addition for the competition. They’ll be ready for a grand opening in a matter of months. It may have you down in the dumps, but why don’t you build yourself an addition and harness some of that excitement for your company. Better yet, you might be able to finish your project in a short amount of time, and be able to better compete with your business rivals.

The best improvement you can make: build a custom pre-engineered steel building. Your competitors may have chosen wood because maybe they saw a lower upfront price tag, but they’re shortsighted and obviously aren’t planning for the future. A quality custom pre-engineered steel building comes with a 50-year structural warranty, 40-year wall panel and paint warranty, and a 35-year roof panel warranty. When it comes down to it, traditional timber just isn’t as durable as steel and could require major maintenance in the future. We all know constant payments for improvement can hurt your bottom line. Speaking of maintenance, steel buildings require very little maintenance, especially when you take the proper precautions in the design process. Rust, weather, moisture, and other issues aren’t a concern when you plan ahead with a project manager.

Whenever I talk about this subject, you’ll hear me talk about the long term ramifications of a pre-engineered steel building. That’s exactly what you’re doing by choosing a steel building over a pole barn or wood framed building – planning for the long term. Apart from less maintenance, strength and versatility, another benefit stands out. Steel buildings are considered permanent structures by most permitting offices because they usually require a foundation. Wood buildings or pole barns might not require a foundation, therefore are not considered permanent structures. Any building not considered permanent will most likely cause the land it sits on to depreciate in value over time, while land with a permanent structure will often times appreciate.

So you look into a custom pre-engineered steel building, and the benefits of steel. Not only will a steel building save you money with its durability, you can easily expand in the future. Steel buildings can be expanded by adding side walls or end walls. A pre-engineered steel building is designed to bolt together – there is no field fabrication or welding on the job site. You shouldn’t be afraid to add on in the future, because expansion is ultimately success. Sure the competition got the jump on you this time by expanding first, but your steel building expansion will allow you to catch up quickly due to short erection time and less delay. Most likely it will last longer, as well. You plan on being around for a long time, right?

A custom pre-engineered steel building is designed to fit your specifications and the steel components are shipped ready to be assembled. A small crew and your construction drawings are all you may need to erect your building in an efficient manner. This efficient erection time usually will allow you to minimize any downtime and save on labor costs!

In the future, don’t wait for your competitor to make the first move and don’t wait “for the perfect moment.” There is usually never a perfect moment to build. You have to take the initiative. Of course, you need to make the proper preparations when choosing to build, but expanding your business will give you the momentum with your competition. You may be able to build in a new market or offer a new feature that he or she can’t. A new market will usually mean new customers, and that means more employees. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, since 1990, small businesses have added 8 million new jobs to our economy. With your expansion, you could add more jobs to the list as well.

What are you waiting for? Find yourself a reputable steel building company and get to work on your future.

Photo courtesy: Peter Craven, USACE

Search Results for: project manager

It’s important to be prepared when you’re planning to buy a pre-engineered steel building and one of the best ways to guarantee a smooth project is to create a timeline. It’s true, the actual erection of a pre-engineered steel building can be done in as little as a few weeks with the proper conditions, but the erection process is only one step in the overall journey of your project. Before you’re able to erect your pre-engineered steel building, you must place your order, engineers and project managers need a little time to help you with designs and accessories, and you can’t forget about permits and delivery. Even with the most efficient steel building provider and client, this whole process requires some time. You’re dealing with an engineered structure, designed to last for more than 50 years! So, with this information, many customers begin to ask “When should I officially start looking for a pre-engineered steel building?” The secret to getting the best price is to purchase your steel building in the winter, and build in the summer.

First off, I’m sure you’re aware steel prices are on the rise. In fact, the prices of all individual metals are influenced by a variety of factors like supply and demand, globalization, and the manufacturing process. Experts forecast steel prices will constantly escalate over the next four years. What does that mean for your steel building project? The barn, workshop, or garage will be more expensive, no matter who you decide to buy from.

Secondly, It’s obviously easier to build in the summer. The simple process of purchasing, designing, engineering can be saved for the winter time. In an effort to save the customer money, steel building providers and contractors might offer sales or deals to accommodate builders and encourage summer building. It’s possible to erect a pre-engineered steel building in the winter, but you could end up spending more due to possible setbacks and challenges the winter season may present.

Frost Heaving and other concrete problems

If you pour cement for your foundation on frozen ground or frost, moisture may become trapped under your foundation. This moisture likely will freeze and cause your foundation to raise which could lead to cracks in your foundation, causing damage. If you erect a pre-engineered steel building on frozen land, your foundation may be uneven once the land thaws causing damage to the structural integrity of the building.

Once you lay concrete, it’s necessary for it to dry for at least 72 hours. This process is called ‘curing’. In the winter, there’s always the chance of your concrete freezing if you don’t take the proper precautions such as heating your concrete. If your concrete freezes within the first 24 hours, the curation process is stalled, and that means the chemicals in the concrete can’t react and bind with the water and the mixture together. If this happens, you could lose up to 50% of your foundation’s strength and could be forced to make costly repairs down the line once your building is erected.

Some blogs and articles suggest to add the aggregate calcium chloride to your foundation mix to accelerate the curing process, but before you do anything to your concrete, you should contact a proper foundation engineer. They’ll be able to assist you and answer all your foundation questions, as well as provide a separate quote for your steel building foundation.

Added costs to steel building construction

If you’re going to hire a contractor to erect your pre-engineered steel building, you may see longer projects and higher prices due to the winter weather. The cold weather doesn’t just affect concrete. Laborers will bundle up to stay warm too! If you couple a slower laborer with shorter days, you’re likely to see a longer project. This can put an extra dent in your wallet because we all know time is money. If you live in an area which traditionally receives an ample amount of snow, you may see even less work done since the laborers will need to shovel snow before they can resume their normal tasks. This assumes a contractor will even take on your project in the winter. In some parts of the country, contractors look for other work in the winter months because the demand to erect a pre-engineered building is so low.

The work site is also likely to need heaters to keep the laborers warm and lights to allow them to see once evening hits. This could increase the energy costs of your project, as contractors could factor this into your final bill. Electricity prices have risen in the past winters and will only cost you more money to heat a job site. According to the Boston Globe, electric rates jumped $20 last September in Beantown. That may not seem to be too much on its own, but if you’re responsible to heat yourself and your jobsite at the same time, it certainly can add up. If you must build in the winter, keep an eye on your local energy rates.

Moisture

Pre-engineered steel buildings are very durable, but you must do your part to protect your building from moisture. Moisture can cause rust on your pre-engineered steel building and if your insulation becomes moist, you could be spending more on energy bills and replacement insulation once you’re pre-engineered steel building is finished. Why even expose your pre-engineered steel building erection process to the snow when you can build in the warm weather of summer?

We’re in the heart of winter and there really is no better time to begin your journey to owning a pre-engineered steel building. The secret is out! Start your planning now, and build during the warm months!

Photo courtesy: Rick Kimpel, TYFVMP

Search Results for: project manager

When you’re looking to build a steel building, it’s quite obvious you have choices. You have the freedom to choose who to buy from, when to buy and what to buy. Simple decisions like choosing between Pepsi or Coke, McDonald’s or Burger King, and Chevy or Ford is really just a matter of preference. Each previous choice is relatively similar to each other. But don’t put a steel building purchase in the same category. There is a big difference between steel building manufacturers and brokers – and the difference could cost you.

A broker might refer to themselves as a “contract manufacturer,” but they don’t actually manufacture anything! They are simply in the business of outsourcing. Brokers don’t employ personnel to design, engineer and fabricate a pre-engineered steel building. Instead, the main function of a broker is to take your desired dimensions and shop them around to manufacturers. Think of it like this – Brokers are only working as ‘middle-men’ who want to sell you the cheapest building. They are essentially mediators between contractors, manufacturers, companies, and the customer. They’ll arrange for only the purchase and delivery of the building for you, but might not give you vast options on price. Basically, you’re married to the decisions of a broker. In fact, that’s all some steel building companies can do. They’ll send out for all of the other important aspects that manufacturers can do in-house. You want windows, maybe a roll-up door, an awning or a canopy. You want to put your individual flair into every bit of the design process.

A broker tends to look for the cheapest price, regardless of quality, and that often translates to poorly designed steel buildings, with little or no attention to detail. Brokers rarely concern themselves with anything beyond finding the cheapest structure, and outsource the engineering and design to others. Whether it’s your home, church or place of business, your pre-engineered steel building shouldn’t be afterthought – it should be the only thought. The last thing you need to worry about is the hidden danger of the cheapest price, and whether your building could collapse or need costly repairs in the near future. A broker won’t concern themselves with your long term needs. What happens when your building shows up with missing pieces? Will a broker be able to help? Not at all.

Steel building manufacturers are able to design, engineer and fabricate a pre-engineered steel building because they have their own engineers, detailers and an actual manufacturing facility or factory to fabricate your pre-engineered steel building according to your exact specifications. Manufacturers sell directly to the public – no expensive middleman necessary! Steel building manufacturers have much more control over the entire process of a steel building project, and can assist a customer from conception to completion.

Your project is essentially in your hands when you purchase from pre-engineered steel building manufacturers, because you can have input every step of the way. Once you’re content with a manufacturer who will design, engineer and fabricate the highest quality steel building, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your dream building with a project manager. Do you have a specific design in mind? A manufacturer can accommodate your design wishes. With a broker, you might be stuck with a building they suggest, because they are exclusively an expensive ‘go-between.’ You’re not picking your building. They are.

In addition, a manufacturer will let you choose your own doors, windows, insulation and other building extras. Don’t let anyone “include” those accessories! There’s a reason why contractors and brokers insist on maintaining control over every aspect of the costs associated with any given project, right? That’s where they hide the markups! Letting someone choose your doors and windows for you is like letting someone choose the floors, paint colors, and finishes in your home – sight unseen. You don’t know what you’re getting beforehand because the choice has already been made for you. Pre-engineered steel building manufacturers, like Armstrong Steel, will let you pick your accessories and add-on’s from a catalog. You’ll know exact costs on those extras before you add them to your building.

A helping hand isn’t the only benefit steel building manufacturers can provide. You’ll be able to review plans throughout the process and make changes if you deem them necessary. Engineers, designers, project managers, and the rest of the staff is usually all in one building. You won’t be routed overseas to talk to different people in charge of your project. There is only one place to go, one group of people to handle your project. This is your dream building, you should have the choice to change aspects of it. You still want a choice, right? Don’t downplay the access to engineers and designers either. These steel building experts aren’t all in one place to only to assist customers; they’re always focused on improving and staying up to date with metal building technologies and techniques.

A steel building manufacturer will also offer structural, roof, wall panel and paint warranties for its buildings. A broker may not offer a warranty, and if they do, it may be a minimal warranty. A warranty tells you how much trust a provider has in their product and a limited or short warranty doesn’t exactly elicit a lot of trust.

Buying a steel building is a once in a lifetime purchase, and you want to make sure you do it right the first time. When you look for steel building quotes – be upfront with the company and ask if they manufacture their own product or not. Don’t risk your steel building project to an unknown source! When it comes to YOUR steel building project, you deserve the right to make choices!

Photo courtesy: US Naval Forces Europe

Search Results for: project manager

Nobody ever wants to walk into a purchase blindfolded. Why enter any endeavor without all, or most of the facts? At least gather enough information to make an informed decision. The same can easily and obviously be said when it comes to a pre-engineered steel building purchase. If you’re thinking about purchasing a pre-engineered steel building, you’ve taken the first step. However, are you truly equipped to dive into the steel building world? Knowing the benefits of steel is nice, but I think you should be able to swim through the steel building conversation effortlessly. If you can’t, you may end up paying for a lower quality product. I understand many of you might be first time or novice builders. Don’t drown in the unknown. Understand the words and phrases a building expert might use, so you can talk intelligently about your steel building project.

Let’s start at the beginning, shall we? What is a ‘pre-engineered steel building?’ A pre-engineered steel building is a durable, flexible and versatile structure designed and fabricated according to specific lengths, determined by you and your steel building provider. Steel buildings are extremely cost efficient, energy efficient, and offer speedy construction times, especially compared to traditional construction methods. When we say ‘fabricated,’ we mean the manufacturing process of converting raw material into finished steel building system components. The thickness of steel is commonly specified by a measurement known as ‘gauge.’ Plus, when talking about the steel itself, you might come across the words ‘galvanized’ or ‘pre-galvanized’ steel. Galvanized steel is able to protect your building from corrosion because it’s coated with zinc. This is a much better option than red iron steel, which is usually cheaper and has little to no rust protection.

You may hear the terms ‘manufacturer’ and ‘broker’ when you’re looking for a steel building provider. If they both serve the function of providing you with a pre-engineered steel building, what’s the difference? Actually, there is a HUGE difference, and it could cost you down the road. The main function of a Broker is to research different manufacturers to find the best proposal, and arrange purchase and delivery. Brokers are usually referred to as ‘contract manufacturers,’ but they don’t actually manufacture anything associated with your building. A Manufacturer is a party who designs and fabricates steel building systems. While it’s true you can go through either option to purchase a pre-engineered steel building, you should be aware a broker doesn’t actually own their own factory and a broker could hand your project over to the cheapest bidder while pocketing the difference and leaving you with a low quality building. When purchasing through a manufacturer, you know you’re working with the company directly responsible for designing and fabricating a steel building.

Maybe you’ve made your decision and chosen a manufacturer to design and fabricate your pre-engineered steel building, but what kind of help are you entitled to, and what will it end up costing you? A Project Manager is your official contact with a manufacturer like Armstrong Steel, and these steel building experts will guide you through the pre-erection process and specialize in answering all of your questions. But be careful! Make sure your steel building supplier includes a project manager at no extra cost to you. The assistance of a project manager should never come at a price.

Once you’ve committed to purchasing a pre-engineered steel building, you may be able to lock in your steel order. Your payment covers the cost of building drawings, and any costs associated with detailing and engineering a building. This isn’t a separate charge for your pre-engineered steel building, it’s more like a down payment.

If you’re comfortable taking control and managing certain aspects of your own project, and you’re prepared for your purchase with financing and land ready, you might be able to take advantage of the Direct Buy Process. The Direct Buy process starts when you fill out a contact form and speak to a building consultant. Your building consultant will guide you through the process of the steel building purchase, and educate you on what to expect. The Direct Buy process is a nine step program, designed to assist the first time and experienced builder alike save money on a steel building purchase by buying directly from the manufacturer. To further assist the manufacturer, it’s also a great idea to know and provide your county’s building codes, or set of rules that specify minimum structural standards, and loads, which are forces that are exerted on a structural member of a steel building system.

Do you know what a purlin is? What about a girt, or wainscot? You don’t need to be an expert on the parts of the steel building at this very moment, but a general understanding is necessary when it comes to building erection. Our virtual steel building outlines each part and piece in steel building construction, and is a very handy tool, especially if you plan on erecting a steel building yourself.

Just like jumping into the deep end of a pool can be intimidating for an inexperienced swimmer, purchasing a steel building without knowing the lingo can be just as startling. If you’re interested in learning more about steel buildings, or the steel building process, check out the glossary section to educate yourself on various steel building terms. You’ll be a pro in no time.

Photo courtesy: bluefield photos bp

Search Results for: project manager

We all know the story of the three little pigs. Three pigs built houses with different materials and the big bad wolf comes and blows the weaker houses down. Eventually, the third pig’s house is just too strong to be blown down. The last little pig put the time and effort into building a structure and was safe. We often think of this as just a fairy tale for children, but the moral of the story is just as important, if not more important to small business owners. When you think about expanding your business, you have many options, but it’s necessary to do your research and find your best option. Let’s take a look at three business owners who are considering expansion and see who learned from our “little” fable.

Business Owner Case Study #1: Ted

Ted has decided to not expand his business. Profits are good right now and he doesn’t want to spend more money when everything is working out fine at the current time. Ted’s decision seems to make sense, but only if when thinking about the present. This decision doesn’t factor in the long term ramifications of his small business. Right now, Ted may be able to compete with his competition, but choosing not to expand is gambling on the idea the competition won’t expand. If the competition expands, they will create a buzz and it will most likely lead to more curious customers. Eventually, it’s possible Ted could lose his standing in the economy and his position isn’t so comfortable anymore. Now, expansion isn’t a decision to be made on his own; it’s a necessity to survive.

Ted’s decision to not expand turned what should be an easy process into a stressful situation down the road. Even if you have put off expansion, but want to expand now, it doesn’t have to be complicated. You just have to do your research and you’ll find a steel building provider to help you achieve your goal.

Business Owner Case Study #2: Calvin

Like Ted, Calvin’s car repair business has reached a crossroads. After hours of research and personal reflection, he comes to the decision that expansion is the only way his business will grow. Taking his profit into consideration, Calvin notices that traditional timber has a relatively low upfront cost and decides to utilize a wood framed building. Calvin places his order for traditional timber, understanding the wood will have to be measured and cut on the job site. Calvin also has to work with and pay his architect if any adjustments need to be made on the job site. He understands his new shop is susceptible to mold, termites, and fire. Wood isn’t as durable as other building materials and boards, planks and parts will most likely need to be replaced every few years.

Once Calvin’s building was erected, he ran into another problem. Wood buildings often require truss systems. When he tried to install car lifts in his auto shop, he realized he could only raise the car halfway to the anticipated height. If he would have looked into the clear span framing option and thought to buy a steel building, he wouldn’t be running into this issue.

Consider what material with which to build. Weigh the pro’s and cons of a steel building and a pole barn.

Business Owner Case Study #3: Derek

Derek is always thinking about the future, and he wants to take his small business to the next level. He understands that a steel building is an investment in his business and, naturally, wants to get a good return on his investment. Derek took the time to do as much research as he could, reading every blog and article he could find on the subject. He found several resources and made his decision to buy a steel building. Derek ordered his pre-engineered steel building from Armstrong Steel, through the Direct Buy process. He decided to buy directly from the manufacturer, so he could pick out his accessories and manage his project down to the last detail. Derek worked with a dedicated project manager, and ordered a building with pre-galvanized secondary framing to protect his building from the elements.

This pre-engineered steel building, like all pre-engineered steel buildings manufactured by Armstrong Steel, came with a 50-year structural warranty. Derek doesn’t have to worry about termites, fire, or the elements either due to steel’s natural resistance to such things. On top of it all, Derek’s shop is pre-engineered, meaning it’s designed specifically for his land and his location.

While there is no tangible big bad wolf in our example, the antagonist is still present, just in the form of a true challenge. Life has a funny way of testing you and your choices. The first two little pigs didn’t think about the future. They only planned for the present. When a challenge rolled around (the wolf), these pigs weren’t in a position to handle it.

Ted and Calvin were the same way. I’m not saying a wolf, or anything else will come and knock down Calvin’s wood frame structure, or Ted’s business. But the inability to forecast changes in the business landscape, and not plan for future problems could leave two of our small business owners with problems down the road.

Building expansion is a necessity when it comes to growing your business. When you decide to expand your business, take a lesson from these three business owners. Do your research and build a building that even the big bad wolf couldn’t blow down.

Photo courtesy: Enokson

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According to the Metal Building Manufacturer’s Association, “Metal building systems now account for over 50% of new low-rise, non-residential buildings in the U.S.” If you’re reading this, I assume you have noticed this trend – and maybe that means you’re interested in making your next building a metal building.

Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: when I talk about metal buildings, I am usually referencing a pre-engineered metal building. A pre-engineered metal building is the most flexible, versatile and durable solutions on the market today for contractors, first time builders, small business owners and more. A pre-engineered metal building is designed to your personal specifications and arrives to your job site ready to be assembled, with no field fabrication necessary. This assembly process comes with instructions and in most cases, you won’t need any special tools to erect the building. There are other types of metal buildings, such as a quonset hut and a steel/wood combination. A quonset hut incorporates an arch frame design from the World War II era, and a steel/wood combination incorporates both building materials.

Steel is extremely durable and quality steel will last for decades. When you purchase your metal building, be sure to ask about the company’s structural, paint, and roof warranties. For instance, Armstrong Steel offers a 50-year structural warranty, tops in the industry. With proper planning in the design process, your steel building will be resistant to wind, fire, rain, snow, and even the sun. When you decide to build a pre-engineered metal building, your local municipality’s building codes and guidelines are taken into consideration. You don’t want a building engineered to withstand the intense winds off the Florida coast if you live in Minnesota. By the same token, a building engineered to endure the snow of a Minnesota winter isn’t best suited for Florida either. You get the idea!

A pre-engineered steel building usually doesn’t incorporate intrusive poles into its design. They can be designed to utilize clear span framing, which allows the maximum amount of space in a building. It’s the perfect option to store airplanes or some of your other large equipment. In a clear span building, every square foot of the building can be used, and you won’t have to navigate around poles, obstructions, interior columns or internal truss systems. Think about all the room in the roof area for storage! Should you not have the need to erect a large building now, but will need to in the future, don’t worry because steel buildings can be expanded just as easily as they can be erected.

There are tons of ways to save money on your steel building. Keep in mind, sacrificing quality shouldn’t be one of them. Sometimes the lowest priced steel building is your best option, but often times, it could end up being a trap. Most of the time, a steel building that has a low price tag won’t come with the benefits, warranties, or assistance of a project manager. How do you know if you’re buying from a broker, or a steel building manufacturer? What’s the difference?

A steel building broker quotes you a price, and then finds the cheapest supplier in order to find the largest profit margin. Brokers will order a building, and subcontract the design somewhere else, sometimes going out of the country. The steel building broker isn’t invested in your project, and this is evident by them shopping for the least expensive manufacturer and not offering to fully manage your project. If there are erection problems, it’s your problem. If the building doesn’t fit together, it’s your problem. There could be a lot of problems.

Buying directly from a manufacturer is a smarter option. For instance, Armstrong Steel owns and operates our very own manufacturing facility in Denver, CO. Manufacturers control every step in the steel fabrication process, from conception to completion. In addition, accountability and improvement are among a steel building manufacturer’s core objectives and, in our case, we hold our products and processes to the highest standards. The ability to focus on quality, and ensure tight deadlines are met make manufacturers superior. In addition, at Armstrong Steel, we also have a full engineering and detailing team in-house, not overseas. Isn’t that what you would expect for your steel building purchase? Be sure to do your research when you shop around understand what you’re actually buying.

A successful and headache-free purchase process also depends on the proper preparation. When you lock in your order with an engineering payment, you’ll get your drawings and you’ll be contacted by a project manager (maybe me!) I’ll be glad to guide you through your first metal building purchase. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and tips to ensure your building project is a success.

The building design and erection process comes with a lot of responsibility, but if you do your research, I’m confident that you will have no problem getting through it.

Want more help? Try checking out other Future First Time Builder blogs to further your understanding.

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Your business is your livelihood. It’s probably the reason you can afford the house you live in and provide for your family. With so much riding on the business, I’m sure you analyze and even overanalyze every decision. You wouldn’t be the first to admit it. Nothing should be left up to chance because, frankly, your livelihood is too important to gamble with short sighted savings. When it comes to safety, in every meaning of the word, you’ll want to investigate a move into a pre-engineered steel building.

No Long Term Costs

Pre-engineered steel buildings are cost effective in the long run. You may look at wood buildings and think, “These are cheap and I need to save as much money as possible right now.” However, choosing the cheaper alternative can burn you down the road. Honestly, it’s short sighted and unrealistic. A quality pre-engineered steel building will last for multiple decades without having to replace parts. A wood building can rot, warp, buckle and twist. Insects and termites feed on wood, but can’t harm an inorganic pre-engineered steel building. This resistance to nature tends to result in lower overall maintenance costs. Save your company’s hard earned money, and don’t dip into the business emergency fun to replace panels and boards every couple of years. That’s the safest route you can go with your money.

A pre-engineered steel building is also compatible with green technologies to harvest solar, wind and geothermal energy to lower your energy bill. In fact, if going green is in your plans, it requires zero trees to manufacture a steel building, not to mention the steel is recyclable. A pre-engineered steel building is compatible with HVAC systems, motion sensor lights and skylights to take full advantage of natural light and reduce the time and money allocated to unoccupied rooms. These features will provide future financial safety by reducing your energy bills.

Easy to Expand

I’m sure you have plans to expand your business as expansion usually translates to growth and success. When you have a pre-engineered steel building, expansion is easy. If your current building was constructed with post and beam construction, you’ll need to install a clear-spanning moment resistant frame. If you’re purchasing a new pre-engineered steel building, ask your project manager about the potential for future expansion.

While we’re on the topic of space, did you know a pre-engineered steel building utilizes a clear span frame? A clear span frame supports the load without incorporating any intrusive poles. This allows you to efficiently use all of the space under your roof. It doesn’t matter if you run a feed store, an airplane school or even a renovated hotel, you’ll have room to store your inventory, products and house people safely. We’re talking about an engineered system here. Your pre-engineered steel building is your safety net for your business and can house whatever you may need. If a bigger piece of farm equipment is introduced, and you need to have it, you’ll have the space to store it and keep it out of the elements. When success finds its way to your business, you should feel safe because you have a building compatible enough to adapt to your needs.

Steel Building Durability

I’ve saved the best for last. Steel buildings are some of the most durable building solutions on the planet. They are engineered to withstand the heavy snow in the northwest, the gale force winds in hurricane prone areas, and even strong seismic activity of southern California. The high quality steel isn’t combustible or weak against fire, and some companies, like Armstrong Steel offer 50-year structural warranties to back up the durability claim. Steel buildings are like a grown up Erector set, with bolt together connections and pre-punched holes. You’ll be able to protect your belongings, your business, and your employees.

Still, all metal buildings are not created equal. Do your research, because you ‘get what you pay for’ in construction. Cheaper usually doesn’t mean better. Ask your steel building supplier where they will get their buildings. Will they manufacture them themselves? Or are they a steel building broker? Brokers are simply ‘middlemen’ who call an actual manufacturer and order you a marked up building without letting you make your own selections. It’s much safer to do business with a manufacturer, make your own accessory selections, and customize the building you want, not the building you’re told to buy.

Running a business is hard and taking care of your family and bills can be even harder. Bottomline: Take advantage of the safest option for your business, and almost always, the safest option is a pre-engineered steel building.

Photo courtesy: Roberts Riverwalk Hotel