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Are you witnessing a decrease in your attendance on Sunday? Are people leaving your community to explore bigger and better opportunities? Does there seem to be just a general lack of interest in going to church? All of these options can be discomforting, but there are a couple of ways you can do to return your church to prominence.

Change up your sermon

Sometimes all it takes to reignite interest in your church is changing your sermon up. The classical lectures are important and need to be told, but you could tell them in a more modern context. For example, you could relate the tale of David and Goliath to a contemporary underdog story. Come up with a song or a catchphrase. Don’t be afraid to be a little goofy or gimmicky and have fun. You want your congregation to be engaged and have a good time. Try scheduling a guest speaker to give a sermon. The congregation at your steel church building may love you, but change is always exciting. If your congregation is having a good time, they’ll want to come back.

Market your church

Whether you know it or not, your church has its own brand image already. Come up with a logo for your church and get it out into the community or online. Do you have a website, one that lists service times? Sponsor a little league baseball team, purchase a small stretch of highway or convert an unused area into a park and make sure your church’s name and logo is well displayed. Your church will be in the public’s mind and that should spark interest and familiarity. If a young family enjoys spending their evenings in the park next to your steel church building, maybe they’ll stop in on Sunday.

Community outreach

Many feel the church has a responsibility to perform good deeds and spread goodwill in its community. You can organize members of your congregation to volunteer in the community or at local food banks. Raking leaves, painting houses, picking up trash, and walking dogs are all simple tasks that can be done to help out the community and put your church’s name into the minds of possible new attendees.

Host events

If you have the ability to host events at your steel church building, you’re bringing people into your church, which usually translates to new members. They can come in and checkout your setup and hopefully make some memories. It almost guarantees they’ll want to come back, so be sure you have your meeting times prominently displayed to newcomers. Set up a pancake breakfast, a Shakespearean play, a concert, or be open to host weddings and receptions. The more events you host can only help your attendance numbers.

Involve the congregation

All of these suggestions require a lot of work and preparation. The good news is that you don’t have to do all of the work on your own. You can involve your congregation with planning committees. This will lighten your workload and it will give your congregation a sense of duty in your church. This involvement can keep long term members interested and excite new members too. Remember, it’s the congregation’s church and, to a certain extent, they should help run it.

Expand or add on with a steel church building

Maybe the reason your attendance is dwindling is just because your old church building is past its prime. Have you thought about building a new church with a pre-engineered steel building? Pre-engineered steel buildings are easy to erect and can be erected in as little as a few days to a few weeks depending on your crew and time schedule. Should you decide to erect a new pre-engineered steel building on your current site, the quick turnaround time means you should have a relatively easy transfer experience. Ever hear a story about a church meeting outdoors, or in the basement of another church while they go through the construction process? This won’t have to happen to you.

Steel buildings are durable and will last decades. By building a new steel church building, you are ensuring generations will have a place to worship and grow. Adding on to your current building is just as easy and can give you a multitude of options. Remember, a church isn’t just a sanctuary and chapel. Add a fellowship hall, recreation center, gym, or youth center. Just determine what your community need is and you can almost certainly build it with steel. Construction is sure to get a buzz about your church going and once it is finished, be sure to impress your guests with a grand sermon in your new pre-engineered steel building.

More good news: You don’t have to go about this project alone either. Once you lock in your steel order with an engineering payment, you’ll be assigned to a project manager. Project managers are in place to assist you throughout the design process, answer questions and get you the steel church building of your congregation’s dreams.

Take these tips and get to work on raising your attendance numbers. After all, what is a church without its congregation?

Photo courtesy: Ricardo Camacho

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We often talk about the benefits of a steel building as it relates to a business or a storage warehouse, but did you know a pre-engineered metal building can be a great home as well? Modern home buyers want to get the most value for their money and it’s understandable since we’ve slowly been climbing out of a recession. A pre-engineered steel building can give modern home buyers more bang for their buck – and so much more.

Steel is used in several applications, ranging from agricultural buildings to residential structures. A pre-engineered metal building is capable of incorporating everything you’re accustomed to seeing in a wood home like windows, electricity and traditional doors. Plus, remember this rule of thumb about metal buildings: they are typically half the cost of traditional construction methods, and can be erected in half the time. A pre-engineered metal building isn’t just a primitive shed or storage facility anymore, thanks to a big advance in construction technology.

A pre-engineered metal building is capable of non-traditional designs since, unlike wood, you aren’t required to use load bearing walls inside the home. Loads are transferred from the roof, down the walls and to the engineered foundation. The result is an open floor plan, generally referred to as ‘clear span.’ This usually isn’t possible in wood buildings, without the aid of truss and cord systems or internal columns.

Will you need an architect?

Any home builder will tell you it’s important to settle on a design before you decide to build. Your first thought might be to call an architect for a design or drawings, but many steel building home builders only need the talent of an in-house engineer at a steel building supplier. Architects are usually only needed for designs like multi-level office building or structures with complex interior designs. Plus, architects are rarely concerned about cost and even simple designs can be expensive. Generally, if an architect is needed, have them design around the metal building design rather than have the steel building supplier design around architectural plans. Some architects aren’t familiar with the engineering or design criteria of specific steel building suppliers.

Once you’ve designed your dream home, you want to make sure it’s going to remain structurally sound for decades. Pre-engineered steel buildings are extremely durable and strong, and come with specific coatings to protect the building for decades.

Energy Efficient metal building

The proper insulation in your steel home can help you regulate the temperature without raising your energy costs. Be sure to investigate proper insulation, not just a vapor barrier. Vapor barriers are great for a workshop or garage, but this is your home! Take special note not to use insulation with a vapor barrier if there is an existing vapor barrier already in place. If you do, there is a chance moisture can be trapped in between vapor barriers and damage your insulation. Temperature regulation can protect your home from moisture, which in turn could also prevent rust. The threat of rust is further reduced when you incorporate pre-galvanized secondary framing. To further lower your energy costs (other than investing in a ‘green’ product) pre-engineered metal buildings can utilize solar energy to power your home and can incorporate skylights into your design to take advantage of natural light.

It’s possible you could save money on your taxes and raise your property value with a pre-engineered steel building, because your purchase fits the definition of a capital improvement. A capital improvement is a structure added to your property which lasts at least a year and is evident if you decide to sell in the future. If you install green energy, you could investigate the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit and the savings associated with it. Make sure you talk to a financial professional to see if you are eligible for any of these credits or savings. Plus, metal buildings are generally classified as permanent structures – which tend to appreciate over time. Nonpermanent structures, such as pole barns, don’t usually require a foundation and don’t cause property values to increase.

If you love your property and don’t want to move, but plan on growing your family, a pre-engineered metal building can be expanded easily. 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 metal 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 still accounted for when expanding in this manner.

Aesthetically yours

Of course, you want your home to have curb appeal! Did you know your metal building doesn’t have to look like a metal building? Sure, you might envision a boxy warehouse or a commercial building, but the aesthetic possibilities of metal buildings are virtually endless, and you can customize your structure to look exactly the way you want it to look. Take the time to research different finishing materials, and how it will impact the structural integrity, engineering and overall cost of your steel building project. You’ll be able to design your metal building and plan ahead with the help of a project manager like me.

Many people have chosen to create their own steel building home. Take a look at how others have taken advantage of residential steel buildings, and feel free to share photos of your steel building home in the comments below!

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I hate it when I make a mistake. Yeah, I know, everybody makes ‘em. I’ve been told that before, but it still doesn’t make me feel any better. I’ve found it’s important to learn from your mistakes and take care to not repeat them. This is especially true in the pre-engineered metal building industry.

Purchasing any kind of building is an opportunity and and should also be an investment in your future. A new building on your property could raise the property value, and a properly erected pre-engineered metal building will give you the comfort of knowing that your family and possessions are safe and inside it. After you purchase your building, you don’t want to view the entire experience as a mistake.

Are you afraid of ‘pulling the trigger?’ With any big purchase, you want to make sure you get the most for your money, but you also need to know your money is spent wisely. The first step of a building purchase is to decide on your building material. There is a selection of materials to choose from – wood, brick and steel. Steel is durable and resistant to almost all weather conditions. You have the ability to counter the affects of heavy rain, intense heat, snow, and even the sun when you design your steel building. Yep, you get to customize a pre-engineered metal building and you can make it look any way you want it to look.

Nobody wants to go about this process alone, or be subject to someone who isn’t looking out for their best interests. At Armstrong Steel, once you lock in your order, you’ll be assigned to project manager that can work with you through the design process. Project managers are your official guide throughout your pre-engineered metal building project. If you have any questions, they will be there to assist you before, during, and even after you’ve erected your building. Worried about hiring an expensive architect? Often times, an in-house steel building engineer or designer at a steel building company is all you’ll need – and it comes at no extra cost.

If energy efficiency is important to you, a steel building can be designed to include green energies such as solar power. You can further lower your energy cost by regulating you building’s temperature properly. Rigid frame steel buildings are easy to insulate and are compatible with HVAC systems. But the actual material – the steel itself – is also considered “green.” Steel is 100% recyclable and inorganic. Plus, your steel building won’t rot or decay like a wood building and that means you won’t have to worry about intense maintenance. Don’t settle for a building material that can warp or split after a few years, and contains parts which constantly needs to be replaced. Honestly, it can be a dangerous health hazard. You can rest assured that a pre-engineered metal building won’t become an eyesore that hurts your property value, violates HOA rules or injures your reputation in the community.

Erection times are greatly reduced with pre-engineered metal buildings. A pre-engineered metal building is designed for easy and quick assembly. A 5-7 man erection crew can erect a building in days or weeks, as compared to wood buildings, which could take months. All parts are bolt together, pre-welded and pre cut. If you’re thinking long term, these bolt together parts allow for easy expansion in the future.

Pre-engineered steel building systems are extremely flexible. With clear span framing, there are no interior poles or columns to navigate around. Plus every inch of space is at your disposal, making steel buildings ideal storage facilities for farm equipment, hay, or even expensive aircraft.

Simply stated, when you decide to build, the biggest mistake you can make is deciding not to build a pre-engineered metal building.

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I wish there were more hours in the day. Don’t you? When it comes to the steel building job site, every hour wasted equates to a potential of lost money. As a contractor, money isn’t the only thing you could lose by wasting the . Your brand image or internet persona could take a hit if you’re wasting time on a job site. Clients are happier when their project is on schedule and a happy client will speak highly of you and your team. On the other side, your reputation could be at stake if a project isn’t completed on time.

Every contractor I speak to is always looking to improve efficiency when they’re on the job. Check out these 4 time saving tips – which translates to keeping your customers and profits, but might help to gain customers and profits if you play your cards right.

Structure

Set up a timeline to to stay on schedule. This will keep your team focused on your current project and will allow them to enter new projects confidently. Nothing looks worse to a client than a team standing around with confused faces. If your team is prepared before they begin work on a job site, they’ll be able to get to work quicker – and finish quicker – which allows you to keep the client’s project on schedule and as the contractor, move onto your next job sooner. That’s the beauty of a pre-engineered steel building: materials arrive to the job site ready to be erected. Holes are pre-punched and the building bolts together, with little to no field fabrication necessary. Talk about quick construction!

Before you begin work on your current steel building job site, you should assign levels of responsibility and delegate. Assign your most trusted team member as an assistant manager or superintendent. If you’re busy talking with the client, your assistant can guide the rest of your team. Think of it this way: If you’re not on top of the job, the job will be on top of you! Learn to manage smarter, not harder.

Incorporate Current Technology

Don’t be afraid of incorporating the most popular mobile apps to communicate with your team, create contracts, or to solve on site problems. Tablets and smartphones can be lifesavers when you need to communicate with your team quickly as they eliminate legwork or the need to leave notes or messages. I’m not advocating to get ride of your traditional construction tools though. Those are your old standbys. Still, if possible, purchase the most modern tools. It’s hard to be the most efficient contractor if you’re using technology your competitors threw out years ago.

Keep the lines of communication open

Communication is vital in all aspects of life. This is especially true when it’s time to erect a pre-engineered steel building. If your client doesn’t tell you exactly what they want or if you don’t tell your client everything they need to know, you’ll typically find delays in your future. Delays lead to unhappy customers and possibly lost money. Sit down with your client before you start work and give them the opportunity to express their thoughts and explain what your team can and can’t do to help them. If you’re able to communicate with the client during the planning and engineering process, all the better. Communication between all parties during a building project can prepare everybody for an efficient erection. That’s why project managers can be so beneficial. A project manager, especially at a steel building supplier, will help you ‘from conception to completion.’ It’s important to have a friend in the steel building process, and if you ever need assistance with the erection process, they are ready to help!

Erect A Steel Building

A pre-engineered steel building is a smart building option because it can save you and your client money. When you order a pre-engineered steel building for your client, it arrives at the job site ready to erect. Steel buildings typically can be erected in days or weeks as opposed to conventional construction methods, which could take months. This will allow you and your crew to move efficiently from one job site to another, but not at the expense of quality and commitment. With minimal down time in between jobs and a quick erection process, there’s a ton of potential for you to take on several jobs at a time and increase your profit margins. Of course, your potential client isn’t going to be concerned with your overall profit. They’re going to be concerned with their savings, and they should be. Let your clients know steel buildings aren’t usually affected by delays like traditional construction methods, and since the building simply bolts together, these types of projects aren’t generally subject to surprise cost increases in the construction process. If your client is a small business owner or a church pastor, delays and cost increases are a huge inconvenience. They’ve got a business to run, and a congregation to lead. As you well know, it can flat out be unacceptable to wait or displace a group of people depending on you. Aside from the quick erection time, pre-engineered steel buildings are extremely durable and require little maintenance. A pre-engineered steel building is fire resistant, wind resistant, and can even incorporate specific coatings to protect the exterior. Pre-engineered steel buildings are also resistant to insects and termites. Some people worry moisture will affect a steel building negatively, but with galvanized steel, proper ventilation, and temperature regulation, you can practically eliminate the moisture problem. Sell your customers on the benefits of steel buildings and how they are designed to last for decades.

Take advantage of these tips now and improve your efficiency on the job site and see your profits and stock rise in the construction community!

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As a small business owner, you might know better than anybody demands and requirements are necessary. When you are interested in expanding your business, you must meet requirements in a timely manner to uphold your customer’s satisfaction and ensure you minimize any loss. This isn’t demanding; it’s a fact of life. Small businesses might need the extra space to store equipment, operate equipment, or accommodate their guests.

That was the case for Hawaiian Falls Waterpark, located in Waco, Texas. Hawaiian Falls, like many other waterparks across the country, is a popular spot for the residents of Waco to cool off during the summer months. Management at Hawaiian Falls had a desire to add a unique structure to their property, and after hours and hours of research, finally settled on a food pavilion. The structure had to be able to take a beating from the sun, accommodate thousands of adults and kids each day, plus withstand high winds in the spring, summer and fall, and even endure high temperatures, often in the triple digits. They also needed the structure delivered in time for the grand opening – already set in stone.

The owners of the Hawaiian Falls Waterpark made the decision to erect a pre-engineered steel building. Steel is durable and can withstand the force of high winds and high temperatures. If you select the proper paint in the design process, you can greatly reduce the effect the sun has on a structure’s roof.

Steel won’t rot when it comes into repeated contact with water like wood. That was a huge sticking point for Hawaiian Falls! Just imagine a packed house of hungry, wet swimmers rushing to enjoy a meal in a wood pavilion. Children are hurrying to get in and out so they can get back out into the pool quickly. Even adults need to squeeze past each other, armed with strollers, pool noodles and a full bag packed with pool essentials. It is inevitable that people will brush against the wood structure and each ‘wet’ contact could wear down the wood. This slow destruction of wood can add up over time in costly repairs and could be dangerous for park guests. Something as little as a splinter could ruin a family’s entire trip and could cost you money down the road, and maybe hurt your brand image.

Steel buildings are engineered to last and a quality pre-engineered steel building supplier, like Armstrong Steel, will offer industry-leading structural, paint, panel and roof warranties. These warranties should give you the confidence that your pre-engineered steel building will last for decades and won’t hurt or injure any of your customers. Rust won’t typically be an issue if you choose to incorporate pre-galvanized steel in your design with a project manager.

A wood structure greatly increases the chances of growing fungus and mold. Fungus lives, breathes, and multiplies on organic materials and would be a real ‘turn off’ anywhere, but especially in a pavilion where families eat. Steel won’t encourage the growth of fungus, because it’s inorganic. In addition, by adding a pre-engineered steel building to the water park, the owners of the Hawaiian Falls may have increased their property by adding a permanent structure. Unlike most wood buildings, pre-engineered steel buildings are considered permanent structures because they require a foundation. If the time should come when they want to retire from the water park business, the owners may be looking at a bigger pay day when they decide to sell.

The only problem left for Hawaiian Falls? Getting the structure erected in time for the grand opening. The heat was on. Literally.

Armstrong came through in the clutch. It helps to have an in-house engineering and detailing department. An in-house engineering team is more efficient and can make changes to the design of a project on the spot or in the clutch if necessary. Compare this to an organization that outsources orders to foreign engineering teams. It also helps that pre-engineered steel buildings usually only require simple tools and instructions, and can be erected in a matter of days or weeks, as compared to pole barns, which require months and a good amount of field fabrication.

The Hawaiian Falls Waterpark was able to get their pavilion delivered, erected, and decorated in time for their grand opening. Did they have demands and requirements to be met? Sure did. As a small business owner, you’ll need to make demands and set requirements to achieve your goals. You shouldn’t have to throw a fit to get your goose to lay golden eggs. The right company will be able to listen to your requests and meet your requirements when you want to expand. It’s your job to find them.

It’s about that time to start thinking about an expansion for next summer! Start your research by visiting more Small Business Owner blogs here, or you can read more about Hawaiian Falls Waterpark here.

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If you’ve been on the Armstrong Steel website, the Armstrong Network, or recently spoken with one of our building consultants, you’ve probably seen or heard about the Direct Buy Process. It’s the easiest way to get a steel building factory direct from the manufacturer. You can qualify for this 9 step procedure by having your financing in place, land ready, and/or you’re prepared to place an engineering payment to obtain drawings. This isn’t the best option for everyone, but many people can take advantage of significant cost savings through this simple procedure.

To begin the Direct Buy Process simply fill out a quick and secure contact form. A building expert will contact you and discuss your needs and dreams when it comes to a pre-engineered steel building. This is when the building expert will evaluate what you want and help you understand how a pre-engineered building can fit your needs. The flexible design of a pre-engineered steel building, a clear span frame, versatile applications and the luxury of being compatible with different energy saving technologies like solar panels are obvious benefits and reasons a pre-engineered steel building could be the right choice for your upcoming project.

During this first step, you’ll receive a building quote, which allows you to get an idea on just how you need to budget your project. Do you know how to calculate the total price of a metal building project? This is the time to establish a working financial plan, and your building expert may be able to find a good fit based on your willingness to manage certain aspects of your project yourself. If buying a steel building factory direct isn’t the right fit for you, a building consultant can help you find several other options.

The second step requires you to make a small engineering payment to lock in your steel order. Steel prices are low right now, but experts are forecasting a rise in prices based off a variety of factors. Right now is the perfect time to begin your steel building project because prices are low for the time being. Once you make your engineering payment, you’ll obtain steel building drawings.

Once your steel order is locked in, the Armstrong engineering and detailing/drafting team will begin to work on your approval drawings. You’re one step closer to customizing your steel building.

Once these drawings arrive, it’s your job to go over them and make changes with a project manager. Steel buildings are completely flexible, and like snowflakes, no two are ever the same! It is best to use red ink for writing and drawing on the plans that are to be revised, this way your project manager will be less likely to miss a desired change. You may make openings, or add accessories like doors or windows. You can change eave extensions, building dimensions, bay spacing, really whatever you want. This is your building! You may also add insulation, cupolas, ridge vents, or anything that is offered in the Armstrong Steel Dealer Catalog. Just tell your project manager! If you need to make any other changes to the drawings but cannot mark up the drawings yourself, you can always contact your project manager and we’ll help you over the phone. Dedicated project managers, like me, are your official guide throughout the process and stand at the ready to help you get the building you want.

The next step deals with permit drawings. After the approval process is complete, you’ll receive your permit drawings. You’ll need to check with your local municipality, county or homeowners association in advance to be sure you can erect your building on your property. Along with your permit drawings, you’ll receive a fabrication release form. Your project can’t move along to the manufacturing facility until you sign this form. This is an important step and requires your direct attention. Now is the time to choose your building’s color if you haven’t yet.

Next, you’ll be sent construction drawings once your fabrication release form is received. Construction drawings are used by the shop to fabricate your building and a building erector to build the building. It’s very possible you are the building erector, because pre-engineered metal buildings bolt together and fit together seamlessly. It’s like a grown up erector set!

Once your ship date is determined, you’ll receive delivery documents. Now you’ll have a better idea of when building erection can commence. Don’t forget to have a forklift on site to unload your building when it arrives!

I won’t say the next part is the ‘fun part,’ because it’s ALL the fun part. However, now it’s delivery day! The building components will arrive banded in bundles. The driver will give you a load list that you will use to account for all the bundles that belong to you while you’re off-loading. You’ll give your cashier’s’ check for the balance owed to the driver prior to unloading the building. After the driver is on his way, you will have a week to go through all the material, item by item, according to the inventory list that we emailed to you previously. Unload the building with the assistance of a forklift or different type of machinery that you arranged to have on your job site.

Once the building is off the truck, you’re ready to erect your building! If you have any questions, be sure to let us know! We’re here to help.

It’s never been easier to buy a building factory direct. If you need space and are considering a steel building, watch this short video to see if the Direct Buy Process is right for you!

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Customers. Employees. Profits. Losses. Bills. Competition. These are just some of the things you must be concerned about when you’re in charge of a small business. Even success can be a concern. If you’re successful, you might have to expand – and it’s ok to admit that poses some potential for some stress! You could finally buy a building to call your own, or maybe you need to simply expand your current building. You might think, “this expansion will take forever and cost me a lot of time and money.” In fact, if you decide to build a pre-engineered steel building, you’ll see how easy it is to improve your business without missing a step. You want to get back to work quickly, right?

Project Managers

When you shop for a new steel building, you don’t need to be an expert. Once you lock in your order with an engineering payment, you will be assigned a project manager. A project manager will guide you through the design process and will be available to talk to you throughout the process, should you have any questions. You can also find a local contractor if you need help erecting your pre-engineered steel building. You might not need one, because you might be able to erect a pre-engineered building on your own without a contractor! At the end of the day, you have to be the one to dictate what you want and pay for the building itself, and other services like land grading and foundations. Doing a little research will typically ensure you’re making the right decisions. Plus, there are plenty of blogs on the Armstrong Steel Network you can use to familiarize yourself with the steel building purchase process.

Speed of Erection and a Seamless Transition

A pre-engineered steel building is just what it’s name implies and will arrive to your build site ready to be erected. Since it’s pre-engineered and personally designed to your specifications, you usually won’t have to make any on site alterations. This typically means your building can be erected in as little time as a few days and not usually longer than a few weeks with a recommended 5-7 man erection crew. A speedy erection time means that you can move into your new building quicker compared to constructions made with wood or brick. if you build with wood, you more than likely will have a fair share of field fabrication ahead of you. The possibility of mold being present on your lumber is a threat you’ll avoid with steel buildings. Steel is inorganic, and doesn’t encourage the growth of mold or fungi. A brick building requires you to replace whole walls if there is damage to a small section. Once your building is up and ready to go, you can continue your business practices from your new building as planned – or maybe even sooner!

Durability

We believe a quality pre-engineered steel building will come with a 50-year structural warranty, a 40-year paint and wall panel warranty, and a 35-year roof panel warranty. As a small business owner, you understand warranties like this imply strong confidence in a product and you should share that confidence when you make a purchase. A pre-engineered steel building is custom built to withstand the elements and seismic factors in your area. Did you know a steel building is designed differently based on your location? Remember our catchy title? You want to work in your building, not on it. Pay attention to your repeat customers and conduct business as usual without having to worry about replacing wood boards or chipped brick every few years. Your concentration should be on your company, not your building! Steel buildings require little to no maintenance and last for decades.

Plan for the Future

Expansion is success. Talk with your project managers in the design process. Even if you aren’t thinking about a future expansion, pre-engineered steel buildings are bolt together and easily expandable. Don’t just keep up with the competition, surpass them build a pre-engineered steel building.

Your small business is important to you and it also requires a lot of attention. Don’t neglect your business just because you want to expand. A pre-engineered steel building will allow you to expand and grow while you give your small business the attention it deserves.

Photo courtesy: Steven Depolo

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When it comes to pre-engineered steel buildings, there are many things non-industry folks don’t know. You’re a first time builder, and that’s OK! But it’s my job to help you gain an understanding so you can make an informed decision. You may know about the durability of steel buildings or the ease of erection, but let me give you some of the lesser known facts to soak up as you begin your project.

1. Plans aren’t just important – they’re everything

Whether you obtain them from a steel building supplier or an architect, one fact remains: you need drawings to start your steel building project, and those drawings aren’t free. A pre-engineered steel building is an engineered system, and drawings (or blueprints, as they used to be called) are made to ensure a building is in complete compliance with the all the correct zoning codes and loads in your area. Remember to consult your county or local municipality to obtain the right codes and loads! You’re responsible for verifying this information, and communicating it to your steel building supplier. Once you receive your drawings by locking in your steel order, you have the option to mark up those drawings, and customize your steel building with accessories such as doors, windows and insulation. After your markup, you’ll receive permit drawings to take back to your county or municipality. Finally, you’ll also receive another set of drawings, construction drawings, when it comes time to erect your building.

2. Educated customers usually make better purchase decisions

If you want the best purchase experience possible, you should take time to educate yourself about pre-engineered steel buildings. Do you know what tools you need to erect a pre-engineered building or what purpose your building will fulfill? In case you’re wondering, it usually only requires some simple tools. There are plenty of resources on the internet to educate you before you make a purchase.

3. Steel prices are low…for now

The price of steel, like oil and other commodities, is volatile. In general, steel prices are on a steady rise, but the good news is prices are low right now. It’s projected for the price of steel to rise in 2016. Unfortunately, due to current market conditions, you cannot lock in a steel price.

4. No architect needed

The specialized knowledge of a structural engineer is all you’ll need to design your pre-engineered steel building. A few fancy lines from an architect on your designs can quickly drive the price up. A structural engineer at a steel building provider has the ability to make any changes to your building design – the same changes an architect can make – for possibly much less. Generally, if an architect is needed, have them design around the steel building design rather than have the steel building supplier design around architectural plans. Some architects aren’t familiar with the engineering or design criteria of specific steel building suppliers.

5. Steel buildings are flexible

Steel buildings aren’t only used for storage buildings. Sure, they make great barns for livestock, feed and other farm supplies. They are amazing garages if you’re a car guy, but they also are suitable as storefronts for small business owners, churches for a pastor and their congregation, and even resident homes. A structural engineer and project manager can design your steel building according to your aesthetic needs too. A pre-engineered steel building can be added onto in the future should the need arise as well. Purchasing a pre-engineered steel building is purchasing the freedom to live out your building dreams.

6. A Broker and a Manufacturer aren’t the same

When you purchase a pre-engineered steel building, who are you buying from? For the best quality building and experience, it’s a good idea to buy from a manufacturer. What is the difference between a manufacturer and broker? A manufacturer has the ability to produce its own pre-engineered steel buildings. A broker doesn’t manufacture their own steel buildings and will take your order and shop it around to the lowest bidder. When you choose to purchase a pre-engineered steel building from a broker, you’re giving up all of the control you have over your building project. You’re forced to wait on a manufacturer they choose, to produce and ship your building to you. Good luck making changes to your design or dealing with missing pieces when your building delivers. Feel free to ask the company you’re working with if it manufactures its own buildings or not.

7. Turnkey Buildings aren’t always helpful

When a contractor or steel building company hears turnkey, they see dollar signs. How can a building salesman give you an honest turnkey price? Have they seen your site? Do they know where you plan to build? Do they know the price of concrete or labor in your area? Any steel building provider who offers turnkey pricing is setting you up for two things – disappointment and unforeseen overages.

8. There’s only a few steps, and less effort for you

The steel building pre-erection process only has about nine steps. We call it the Direct Buy Process. The big steps you’re responsible for are locking in your steel order with a small engineering payment, reviewing your approval drawings, scheduling a delivery time, unloading your building from the truck, and finally doing inventory. While I listed the big parts to be completed by you, it’s a good idea to know all of the steps. You can take a closer look at buying a steel building factory direct here.

9. Steel buildings take time, but…

It takes time to engineer, fabricate and deliver a pre-engineered steel building. Still, most folks don’t know that a steel building usually is half the cost and can be erected in half the time, compared to traditional construction methods. You can help this process by reviewing and signing any documents in an efficient timeframe and by keeping your expectations reasonable. A pre-engineered steel building is engineered to meet the specific conditions of your job site, and engineers must look at snow loads, wind loads and seismic activity in your area. When you’re ready to purchase a pre-engineered steel building, work with your building supplier to establish a proper timeline for your project. A rushed building project is almost always a bad idea.

10. Savvy consumers purchase in the winter

A savvy consumer will purchase their pre-engineered steel building in the winter with the intention to build once the weather warms up. It’s possible to erect a pre-engineered steel building in the winter, but you may end up spending more money due to various setbacks and added expenses like site maintenance, heat sources for workers and longer projects, due to less daylight. Laying a foundation in winter is another unnecessary challenge because moisture from frost or frozen ground can crack your foundation and sabotage your entire building project. The concrete for your foundation needs to be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit for three to seven days to ensure the concrete maintains its strength and form. Of course, there are ways to lay concrete in the winter, but they just add up to more labor costs and more money out of your pocket. The best way to plan your steel building project is to purchase in the winter and build in the spring or summer. You might even get a break on the price.

Want to learn more about steel buildings, or find out how to begin your own project? Check out more First Time Builder resources!

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As we move into the future, our society has the ability to make informed decisions. We’ve become aware that alternatives exist for just about everything. From green energy to vegan diets, you can move away from the status quo and traditional choices if you want. The same can be done when it’s time to build a new steel garage, workshop or shelter.

There are several options when it comes time to pay for a steel building. Whether you finance it through your bank, or pay for it with cash, a loan or credit, you have options. As you know, pre-engineered steel buildings are extremely affordable – but there are so many ways you can save money over the lifetime of the building, especially if you’re going to be using this steel building in a residential setting.

Let’s get one thing straight right now. A pre-engineered steel building is an investment. I figure you already understand this concept. You’re investing your money and future into a steel building and you expect a good return on your investment. Whether it’s the almost non-existent maintenance, the high resistance that will protect your building from fire, wind, heavy rain, and termites, or just the durability that allows the best companies to offer 50-year structural warranties, your pre-engineered steel building will typically allow you to invest your funds in other ventures in your life. You won’t have to worry about your steel building rotting and collapsing like wood structures are known for over time, and you more than likely won’t have to replace any steel columns or rafters after you erect your pre-engineered steel building. That’s all long term savings. Want more short term savings? Apart from being a tax break itself, your steel building could offer you more tax benefits and raise your property value.

By incorporating alternative energy technologies like solar energy, geothermal heat pumps, and small wind energy into your pre-engineered steel building, you could save money on your energy bill and a pre-engineered steel building is a perfect fit for green technologies. Steel itself is considered ‘green’ because it’s inorganic and recyclable. There are also numerous tax credits like the Residential Energy Property Credit that you can research. It’s possible to take advantage of the Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit by installing select water heaters, exterior windows, doors, or skylights, and the proper insulation to reduce heat loss or gain. Check to see if those accessories are Energy Star rated because some federal tax credits might be available with regard to specific product categories.

If you add a permanent structure to your property, such as a steel garage building, it can raise your property value. This is called a capital improvement and could save you on your taxes if you decide to sell your property in the future. A capital improvement must last at least a year and be evident when you decide to sell. Should you build a pre-engineered steel building, you’re covered; quality steel buildings are designed to last decades.

You may not have to spend any money up front to add green energy alternatives to your pre-engineered steel building because there are financing options such as the PACE programs. PACE stands for Property Assessed Clean Energy and allows residential and commercial property owners to pay back their project overtime as a voluntary property tax assessment through their existing property tax bill. You have the option to amortize or reduce your payments for up to 20 years and this can keep your payments low enough that your energy savings may actually be more than your payment. When you finance through a PACE program, the interest on your loan may be tax deductible. You won’t be tied down by your PACE loan either because the loan is attached to the property and will transfer if you decide to sell your property before you repay the loan. Generally, you can add insulation, heating, ventilation, air conditioning replacements, solar photovoltaic and thermal systems, and low flow toilets. You can search here to see if your local municipality has a PACE program.

Should you opt to install alternative energy equipment in your new pre-engineered steel building, you could qualify for the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit. The credit is generally 30% of qualified property such as solar hot water heaters, solar electricity equipment, wind turbines, and fuel cell property installed on or in connection to your home.

When designing your residential steel building, you may need a home office. This designated work space could save you on your taxes as you might be able to deduct expenses for the business use of your home. Should you want to add an office to your pre-engineered steel building, all you have to do is talk to your project manager in design phase of your pre-engineered steel building, and make sure you’re meeting local building codes and energy efficient standards

You can’t take advantage of any of these tax breaks if you decide to rent. Whether you are a small business owner, a church pastor or first time builder, paying rent is holding you back from saving a ton of money. According to The Wall Street Journal, rent has been rising by 15.2% for the past 5 years. If you purchase a pre-engineered steel building, you won’t become a victim of this rising cost of rent and you can take advantage of all of the tax breaks allocated to a building owner.

Remember, tax allocation money is always changing based off the way our Congress votes year to year. In some instances, it might be legally required to build with green materials. For more information on energy, efficiency and federal tax credits, click here. Take advantage of these tax breaks and get the most out of your investment.

Got any more savings to share? List them here to help out your fellow consumers.

Photo courtesy: Alan Cleaver

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If you’re interested in a steel building for your home, property or business, chances are you’ll have to talk to a steel building provider at some point. Naturally, in order to get pricing, you’ll need to look at a quote or spec sheet. Do you have one, or a few in front of you now? Take a look, and read through your steel building quotes. What do you see?

Your steel building quote isn’t written in a different language, but for some first time builders, it may as well be. You don’t have to be a steel building expert to understand your steel building quote, but you do want to be able to decipher it well enough so you can understand exactly what you’re purchasing.

International Building Codes

Are you an expert on the International Building Code? No? It’s okay. You don’t have to be, but it’s important to have a working knowledge of the IBC when you undertake a steel building project. Steel building companies do their best to ensure everything is correct, but ultimately this is your project and the responsibility falls on you.

IBC 15 is the current set of standards a building must meet to be deemed a safe and legal structure. Before 2015, the last time the IBC was updated was in 2012 and the changes from 2012 to 2015 include the topics of administration, fire protection, means of egress, accessibility, structural systems and more. As you can see, typically there are many changes to the IBC whenever there’s an update. As with any revision, these usually help ensure buildings are as safe and efficient as possible with updates to load requirements. A snow load is the load induced by the weight of snow on your building and a wind load is the load caused by the wind blowing from any horizontal direction. Again, it’s common practice for the end user to contact their local county or municipality and obtain the correct wind loads, snow loads, seismic loads and permitting information. Do your correct research, and get your steel building provider the correct information so you can obtain an accurate quote.

Exposure rating

You should be aware of the exposure rating on steel building quotes. A large chunk of customers purchasing pre-engineered steel buildings will need either an ‘Exposure B’ or ‘Exposure C’ rating. According to the International Code Council, an ‘Exposure B’ rating is assigned to buildings in urban and suburban areas, wooded areas, or other terrain with numerous closely spaced obstructions having the size of single-family dwellings or larger. The ICC also says ‘Exposure C’ ratings are assigned to buildings in open terrain with scattered obstructions. The obstructions include surface undulations or other irregularities with heights less than 30 feet extending more than 1,500 feet from the building site in any quadrant. If your building fits into the ‘Exposure B’ rating, but you’re next to an open area like flat open country, grasslands and shores prone to hurricanes, your building will most likely earn the ‘Exposure C rating’. Metal building manufacturers work to ensure your building is up to date with all of the terms I just discussed, but brokers may try to pass off pre-engineered steel buildings with outdated codes or insufficient exposure ratings without checking them for accuracy. That’s not always the case, but will they ask you about it, or just assume?

Collateral loads

What are collateral loads? Metal building collateral loads are added dead loads hung from the building system, or any interior weight of permanent materials other than the actual metal building system. Electrical systems hanging from the ceiling, or an internal sprinkler system are both in the collateral load category. Pay attention to the collateral load number with respect to the size of your proposed building.

One of the best ways to ensure you’ll get a quality building with the right ratings and codes is to purchase directly from a manufacturer. Furthermore, if you’re in direct contact with your manufacturer, and you can communicate to ensure your building’s designs are compatible and meet all structural requirements. You’ll work with a dedicated project manager, who can talk to an engineer or detailer should there be any issues with your project. It’s all in-house communications, no outsourcing to a company overseas.

Don’t forget that steel prices, like many other commodities, are influenced heavily by supply and demand. Steel prices are projected to rise in 2016 due to that demand, China’s appetite for steel and the shifting market.

What is included?

Lastly, look and see what is included on your steel building quotes, and pay attention to what isn’t included. We get it – you’re looking to make the right decision for you, your family or your business. You’re probably looking at quotes from multiple companies. Your spec sheet or quote will describe exactly what you’re buying. Be sure to pay close attention to certain important words and phrases on the sheet. Are the columns and secondaries galvanized, or are they cheap red iron? Is a 50-year structural warranty offered? Will the building be made by a US manufacturer? These choices matter! They could be the difference between a building that lasts for a few years versus a quality building that lasts for generations.

Because pre-engineered steel buildings are designed for your exact location, we need to know your exact location! Keep in mind there can be a drastic change in elevations, even in the same county, so do your due diligence before you attempt to obtain a quote. Assuming the company will find the right information on their own, or for you, is a huge red flag. When it comes to your safety, don’t leave it up to chance.

Photo courtesy: Alan Levine

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I don’t have to tell you money doesn’t grow on trees. You already know it takes hard work, smart budgeting, and a special kind of savviness to have wealth in your life. When you plan to build a steel building on a budget, you want to get the most for your money. That usually won’t change when it comes to any purchase. If you’re in the market for a pre-engineered metal building, you need to know your project doesn’t have to break the bank.

First, realize that there is a difference between saving money at the time of purchase, and saving money over a product’s lifetime. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times and my colleagues have reiterated the same: you get what you pay for when it comes to construction, and a cheaper building upfront doesn’t mean you’re saving more money. Cheap buildings come with holes that don’t line up or missing parts and become a wildly expensive headache. Many contractors say those cheap buildings end up being the most expensive when all is said and done. What is the point of saving money today if you have to pay later to correct mistakes?

So you’re not going to go the cheap route. How else can you build a steel building on a budget?

Take advantage of low steel prices

Steel prices are low right now, which is great news for everybody interested in purchasing a pre-engineered metal building. This isn’t supposed to last, since steel prices are projected to rise in 2016. If you qualify by having financing in place, knowing what you want or your land is ready, you’ll be contacted by a building expert. After you discuss your building project with a building consultant, you’ll need to make a small engineering payment to lock in your order. This engineering payment is akin to a down payment for your building and goes towards the overall cost of your building. As you build a steel building on a budget, you’ll be free to take care of any other responsibilities like permits and foundations.

Be flexible with your design

Oftentimes, customers who are flexible with design might be eligible for discount pricing. We’re not talking about sacrificing quality materials by any means. Say you’re interested in a 40×60 building and only a 40×60 building. You can and will be accommodated. But if you can be adaptable to the building’s framing dimensions, there might be opportunities for substantial savings on the building itself. Talk to a building consultant to see what options are available to you.

Ask about the Direct Buy Process

Sure, you could buy a steel building anywhere. But for big cost savings, take advantage of the Direct Buy process and get the highest quality steel building directly from a manufacturer. Purchase directly from the source! Beware steel building brokers as well. Brokers like to call themselves ‘contract manufacturers,’ but the truth is, brokers don’t manufacture anything. A broker will shop your proposed building around to the lowest bidder and saddle it with markups. Brokers only add another expense, an expensive middleman, to your project. Plus, don’t you want the opportunity to select your own doors, windows, and other accessories? Would you like to pick them out yourself, or let someone do it for you without knowing individual costs? You have the power to make your own choices. Don’t let a company pick them out for you!

Project Managers work for you

Your steel building supplier should provide a project manager at no extra cost to help you throughout your steel building project. A project manager comes in handy when the time comes to choose accessories for your pre-engineered steel building because they can help you add all the bells and whistles you request. This is extremely important if you intend to build a steel building on a budget. Project managers can give you cost-saving tips and advice when it comes to drawings, the engineering process, or what colors to pick!

Erect the building yourself

A quality pre-engineered metal building is engineered to your exact location. Wood buildings arrive at the job site as raw lumber, and require quite a bit of field fabrication. Steel building parts arrive at the job site ready to be erected. The parts bolt together, holes line up and there are little to no onsite alterations necessary. In truth, steel buildings are usually half the cost and take half the time to erect compared to traditional construction methods. This means you’ll spend less money on labor and avoid costly construction delays. If you can follow easy directions and you have a basic tool set and a couple of friends, you can absolutely erect a steel building yourself.

Just by choosing to build a steel building, you’ve already committed yourself to significant cost savings. This might be a project you’ve dreamt about for years. It’s important to do it right the first and only time.

Photo courtesy: 401(K) 2012