- Page 6 of 20 - Armstrong Steel

Search Results for: project manager

Wouldn’t it be great if every time you were about to make a purchase, someone stepped in and told you about all the things that you could do wrong when making it – especially when making a large purchase like a steel building?

The Steel Building Insider is that resource, and, believe me when I say, there are some things that you can do wrong when buying a steel building.

Granted, trained Building Experts and the Project Management Teams like the ones you’re going to encounter at Armstrong Steel are certainly going to help you avoid problems, but sometimes we come across customers who decide to start the process before consulting a professional. Occasionally, these customers find themselves in a situation that becomes very hard to correct, even for the trained professionals at Armstrong Steel.

So, before you embark on your steel building project without speaking to a professional, I wanted to detail three of the most common blunders customers make, so hopefully you don’t follow suit.

1. Pouring the foundation before you get the plans.

I can’t tell you how many times customers decide they want a building of a certain size and decide that they are going to speed up the process by pouring concrete before engineered drawings have been provided.

Frankly, this is one of the most useless things you can do. Your steel building isn’t a typical box that just sits on top of a concrete slab. Remember, this building is going to be subjected to wind and weather loads. Engineers and detailers consider your specific geographic area when they finalize foundation and building designs.

In addition, preliminary anchor bolts patterns shouldn’t be used to pour with!

Don’t pour your concrete before you have your plans, it’s a HUGE blunder!

2. Taking delivery of a steel building before you have the proper permits.

I am going to tell you a story to illustrate this. We once had a customer who wanted to build a church addition on to his home. Problem was, he led us to believe that he had already pulled his permit so we had no reason to think he’d run into an issue with the city or county officials. This was a great goal, bringing the faithful closer to his home seemed like something that would really benefit the flock.

The building was designed and the customer gave us the OK to put the order into the fabrication schedule. The building was delivered (and engineered SPECIFICALLY for that location as every Armstrong Steel building is), the customer went to pull his permit and discovered his neighborhood wasn’t zoned for such a structure.

OOPS! HUGE blunder!

Once the building gets to the fabrication phase, there’s no turning back. Although Project Managers will help you with permitting, ultimately, the permitting process is the responsibility of the buyer. When a customer tells us that they’ve already pulled their permit we adopt a hands off approach. Indeed, countless customers are familiar with the process and don’t need our help.

But when several tons of pre-engineered steel arrives at your doorstep, you take delivery and then realize after the fact that you can’t pull a permit, you’re kind of stuck. Remember, each steel building is engineered specifically for it’s job site location, so it’s not like you can just erect it somewhere else.

The way to avoid this is to pay for permit drawings ahead of time – a small percentage of the total cost of the building. Pull your building permit with professional DRAWINGS. It is significantly less expensive to make changes which will pass the permitting process at the drawing stage.

If you wait until you’re at the fabrication and delivery stage, you run the risk of making a HUGE blunder!

3. Buying from a company without an in-house engineering or detailing department.

OK, so, maybe you’ve actually waited and have consulted with a company you consider to be professional. Maybe they are. But maybe their engineering or detailing is done overseas by engineers and detailers you may never have the opportunity to speak with or maybe they’re individuals your salesman has never even met.

Sounds crazy, right? But it happens. The benefit of an in-house detailing team is two-fold. First, it allows you to make changes to your plan, or adjustments to your plan based on your changing needs or wants, or a change in the structural code of your area, or even because of budget – and it allows you to make these changes in hours or days rather than weeks. In the construction process, time is of the essence. Steel prices may change, seasons change (allowing you only certain times to build), and contractors may change their quotes based on how long it takes you to complete your project. Time IS money.

The other benefit is that when it comes time for erection, you’re going to want a professional to speak with in case you have problems or questions. Who better to speak with than the person who actually engineered the building. No one knows your building as intimately. An in-house engineering department allows you access to speak with the detailer or engineer directly.

Deciding to go with over-seas engineers with no real accountability is a HUGE blunder!

I don’t want to scare you. The steel building process is relatively easy – when you do it the right way. That means, you speak to a Building Expert first, then work with a Project Manager through the process. When you do it that way, the only HUGE blunder you can make is thinking you CAN’T do it! Because, you can!

Photo courtesy: hobvias sudoneighm, Life of Pix

Search Results for: project manager

The process for choosing and buying a steel building may seem daunting, but the fact is, it’s really rather simple; easier than buying a car or even a piece of complicated electronic equipment. While it takes some preparation and research, the right company, like Armstrong Steel, will do most of the work for you. Choosing someone like Armstrong Steel makes your job easy, leaving you to be creative in the design process.

Some customers don’t know what to ask, or may feel embarrassed to ask certain questions. It’s important to feel comfortable through this process; your building is a big deal. To help open a dialogue of communication, we’ve put together a list of some of the most common questions and answers you need to ask as you begin the exciting process of building your dream garage, workshop, barn, sports facility, home for your growing small business, etc.

1. How can I get the cheapest steel building?

There are two main factors to help you get the best possible price. Flexibility on your part with regard to timelines for delivery and design is a huge way to help keep your costs down. While most times we can work within your deadlines, giving us the option to ship your building with other buildings heading to your area, not requiring your Project Managers to research permits and codes by a certain deadline and giving our designers and engineers time to build in efficiencies will lower costs.

Certainly, having a prepared job site will also keep costs low and speed up the process. When your job site is ready in advance to receive your building, and your building can be delivered at any time, you will lower the over-all cost of your steel building. Don’t let a building salesman select your doors and windows for you. Selecting your doors and windows from a direct pricing catalog is smarter!

But cheaper is not better. In construction, you get what you pay for, and many times the cheapest building is cheapest because the component pieces are not fitted properly. Many companies design for minimum standards to save production cost, which may include minimum load requirements in your area, when your building could be much bigger and stronger. Design and engineering aspects may not be planned out properly. And, if you do not know enough about the steel building company you buy from, you may wind up with shoddy building materials for the price of top-notch ones!

2. Do I need an architect to design my steel building?

The conservative talents of a structural engineer are likely all you will need. A fancy roof or an intricate door frame looks great on paper but can cost thousands of dollars in engineering and construction. A few design lines here or there will quickly add up. These are the types of creative options that will take your easily erected project from the affordable category of ‘pre-engineered’ – to the high-cost category of ‘custom-design.’ We always remind people that a good structural engineer can make all the design changes you’ll ever need.

Indeed, if you can imagine it, a structural engineer can do it.

That doesn’t mean that you need to skimp on aesthetics. Ask your project manager about adding beauty elements once the important part of the process – locking in your steel order – has been completed.

Armstrong employs a team of detailers and engineers who are experienced in the design process for creating a sound steel building. Your Project Manager can help you through the ‘finishing’ process (where you can choose colors, custom finishes like polyurethane stone, stucco, brick or slate finishes or even alternate roofing options). Additionally, your Project Manager will help you keep the cost of finishing low but delivering aesthetic value. You see a lot of steel buildings every day but may not know they’re metal because they’ve been finished, creatively.

3. How can I get a price on a steel building?

Have you considered all the factors that go into constructing a steel building? The design, engineering and logistics required for purchasing a pre-engineered metal building can add up. Pre-engineered metal buildings cost a bit more than a tuff shed or a lumber package at the hardware store. There are no set prices on sizes like you’d be accustomed to at Home Depot.

There are snow loads, wind loads, and seismic factors unique to every job site which in turn affects how the building is engineered, fabricated and ultimately how much the building will weigh. Weight equals cost! For this reason, our building pros do quite a bit of leg work on your behalf contacting your city and/or county building officials to make sure we provide you with an accurate proposal.

This also means that we need to speak to you directly to ask a series of questions specific to your property and location. Many customers want to do this part of the process online or through email, but in order to be completely accurate and expedite the process of providing you steel building prices, a short phone call is always our best option.

4. Who will build my metal building?

A quality steel building is delivered pre-cut and pre-drilled, so there is no on-site modification required. Every building comes with a complete set of erection instructions and erection drawings and they are designed to be easily read – by even a novice in construction. Most customers choose to erect their building themselves and other than a fork lift or cherry picker, no special tools are required. In fact, most times you can get everything you need at your neighborhood hardware store.

Some customers don’t feel comfortable with completing the erection process on their own – you have the ability to choose your own contractor.

5. What kind of steel is used in my steel building?

When it comes to steel, thicker doesn’t mean stronger – in fact – it only means more expensive. Some steel is designed for building use, other steel is poured for component pieces (like railroad ties and I-Beam or H-Beam) used in large building projects. Some steel is cast to provide rigidity, as in rebar or as a skeleton for concrete, like in dams.

There is no reason to pay for that kind of steel. In fact, you actually want your building to have some ‘give’ as that provides for better long-term integrity in the wind, when your building ‘settles’ or if you live in an area with seismic activity.

Optimal steel panels are 26 gauge, full-hard, high yield strength panels with close rib spacing. Most steel building companies only provide little over half this quality. It is important to get the right kind of steel to ensure your building weathers the test of time.

6. What if I have questions while I am building my metal building?

Give us a holler! While you are building your metal building, you can ask as many questions as you’d like. The most important part of the process is getting your building erected. Naturally, you may have questions during this time.

Is it possible to speak to the person who designed my building? Am I doing this right? How is that corner supposed to fit together? Walls don’t stand up on their own, how do I even get started?

Make sure that you ask any and all questions that may arise. Erecting your metal building is a big task and you want to make sure you get it right the first time. Don’t be afraid to ask the questions that may seem silly or dumb. Oftentimes, these questions are the most important and aren’t dumb at all. If you have never erected a building before, you are not an expert on the subject. It is perfectly reasonable to ask the experts questions!

At Armstrong Steel, our Project Managers, literally, have to walk only a few feet to reach the detailing & engineering department, which means you will get immediate attention for your issue. Our logistics and freight teams are steps away as well in case you have questions like where to store your building if you are not ready to build and the cheapest way to get your building shipped to you.

We understand that time is money, and we don’t want to waste yours.

The process isn’t complicated at all. As we mentioned, you probably have to make more decisions and take more risk when you buy a car. Most of the legwork is done by a team of experts who are trained and equipped to make the process remarkably easy. For more information and more questions and answers that you should be asking before you buy your steel building, download the 9 things you absolutely need to know about steel buildings.

Photo courtesy: Tiffany Terry, Wonderlane, pilostic

Search Results for: project manager

I’m not going to blabber about global warming. I’m not going to talk about pollution and the carbon footprint of your first time building project. You’re a first time builder – you have enough to think about without factoring in the way your pre-engineered steel building is going to impact the globe. Instead, I’m going to discuss energy efficiency because what really matters to a first time builder is MONEY!

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy, small buildings of less than 6000 square feet are responsible for 57 percent of the structural energy consumption in the nation. That includes skyscrapers. When you figure that Americans spend about $2,400 on average per 1000 feet of space for energy consumption per year, without an energy efficiency plan, your backyard workspace can cost you a significant amount.

Despite all the function, affordability and the ease of erecting a steel structure, the truth is, the one downside (probably the only downside) is that it really lacks a natural ability to maintain heat or cool air. Temperatures can climb very high in the summer and it can be colder than an igloo in the winter depending on where you’re located. For all its functional appeal, steel lacks any real thermal quality.

You need to ask yourself two questions. First, what am I going to use this building for now, and second, what will I be using this building for in the future. If even the slightest possibility exists that you may EVENTUALLY want to heat and/or cool your steel building, install insulation when you erect the building! It’s much easier to install insulation during the erection process rather than after.

Insulate Your Pockets As Well As Your Walls

Obviously, you’re going to want to spend time in your new building. Unless your pre-engineered steel building is used for storage – as a warehouse or a barn – you need to invest in insulation.

Insulation is rated in ‘R-Value.’ This is a measurement of thermal resistance. In industry terms, it’s expressed as the thickness of the material divided by the thermal conductivity. For example, if you have the unit thermal resistance of a wall, divide it by the cross-sectional area of the depth of the wall to compute the thermal resistance.

Yea, WHAT?! You’re a first time builder!

Look, it’s simple, R-value measures how efficient your insulation is. The higher the R-value, the more efficient it is. Often it means it will be more expensive (and you CAN over-do it) but in the long run, it’s worth it to pay for more expensive, higher R-value insulation in the beginning because you will save money over time.

I always recommend fiberglass insulation packages, especially for a pre-engineered steel building. At one time, it was trendy to spray the heck out of building with foam insulation. Sure, foam gets into every crack and crevice, but it has two huge drawbacks.

The first is that it adheres to the ceiling and wall panels. Should you ever need to replace a wall panel, you’ve got a real mess on your hands. The second reason I advise against spray foam insulation is a very important one, especially when erecting a pre-engineered steel building. If, while erecting the building, you miss the mastic tape with one of your self tapping wall or roof fasteners, you’ll have a small leak. (this is why Armstrong Steel provides a mastic tape more than twice as wide as the industry standard! Armstrong’s mastic tape is 1” thick! Tough to miss, right? Industry standard? A dangerously skinny 3/8”!) When moisture gets trapped between the insulation and the wall panel, you’ve got a potential rust issue on your hands. When you use fiberglass insulation, you’re able to easily identify and repair a potential leak from missing the mastic tape and this will help save your building from the caustic effects of rust.

You Have Choices

Does this mean that you’ve only got two choices in your pre-engineered steel structure?

Absolutely not! There’s a third alternative.

Pre-engineered steel buildings lend themselves very well to vapor barriers. The vapor barrier protects your structure from the damaging effects of moisture – there is little in the way of heat or cooling cost reduction -although you will see some benefit because it does have a (very) low R-value.

The advantage is that this barrier is inexpensive, adaptable to any building design, and provides a barrier between temperatures outside and those inside. In other words, it isn’t the temperature ‘lock’ that insulation can be, but it’s a fairly sturdy buffer which keeps moisture manageable and temperature regulated for short periods of time; like the few hours each weekend you might be in your structure to tinker with your classic cars, for instance.

Choosing the right insulation at the onset is important because it may determine things like screw length and how you plan on finishing the interior of your pre-engineered metal building. All Armstrong Steel buildings come with a standard one pound collateral load to support things like light fixtures and insulation, but if you want dry wall inside or stucco outside, the load will need to be adjusted.

In terms of efficiency, the other thing you should know is that the vast majority of heat transfer happens in the roof. You really need to examine the efficiencies of your roof finish and interior insulation to minimize costly temperature exchanges of heat and cold. It’s better to have higher R-value in the roof and lower R-value in the walls. There’s no reason that your walls need to have the same high R-value insulation as your ceiling.

Energy Efficiency May Be Legally Required

Another thing to consider when building that many people overlook! Your county or local building department might also have its own set of required energy efficiency regulations. It may be tempting, especially in a do-it-yourself work shed construction project, to avoid adhering to your local energy efficiency standards and save money during your first time building project; but counties are wise to this sort of thing and they’ll monitor your consumption. I don’t know why you’d want to do that anyway – in the long run, not having adequate energy efficiencies in your steel building is just going to cost you money.

Work with your Armstrong Steel project manager to ensure you’re meeting your local building code efficiency standards.

Doors and windows can also be purchased with R-values assigned to them. Your Armstrong Steel building will be designed with your requirements in mind.

And while much of this seems somewhat intuitive – you don’t want water to leak, you don’t want drafts, you don’t want thin walls when you’re planning on spending any amount of time inside the structure – there is still one more thing you need to consider.

What Color Is Energy Efficiency

You need to consider color, or more specifically, paint. That’s right. Think about it, your structure’s going to sit out in the elements for decades or more. It’s going to be subjected to temperature variations and weather conditions 24/7. Your first line of exterior defense is paint.

The panels on Armstrong Steel buildings are Energy Star rated. Reputable companies like Armstrong Steel believe that value is determined by more than the initial price – value is determined by non-tangible things like enjoyment of the structure, pride in ownership and building something you’ve always wanted.

Something many customers overlook initially though is that value is also affected by how much money your pre-engineered steel building is going to save you. You get what you pay for. Benjamin Franklin once said, “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten”. One reason you chose a pre-engineered steel structure is the cost savings but beware of buying the cheapest!

Anyhow, opting for solar reflective paint on your panels will increase your building’s ability to reflect inefficient effects from the sun – it’s sunscreen for your building. Think about what happens with a black car and a white car in the summer months. A white car reflects the hot rays of the sun, helping to reduce temperature elevations. Does this mean you have to opt for a white building?

Again, absolutely not!

Modern technology has brought us a rainbow of color options which perform very well. Solar reflective paint is one of the simplest ways to increase your overall energy efficiency with something you’re going to buy anyway!

The Science of Saving Money

None of this is rocket science. It’s not meant to be. Reducing your carbon footprint is a good thing, saving the planet is also a pretty good thing, but SAVING MONEY – Well, that’s a GREAT THING! With a little thought in the beginning of your first time building project, and spending a little more money initially, you’re going to find that you save thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your steel building.

I am curious, though, do you think Federal energy mandates are positive? Do you think they have any real effect on the environment?

If you decide to opt for increased energy efficiency, is it because you want to help save the planet, conserve national resources, or save money – or a combination of all of these things? Why do you do it? Have you looked into energy efficiency savings beyond your structural design – like lighting, plumbing, and electricity? Let’s talk about it.

Search Results for: project manager

Your steel building project doesn’t have to break the bank. Though steel building prices vary throughout the year, there are ways to prevent overspending on your first steel building. You’ve already saved yourself money by choosing a steel building over a brick and mortar constructed building. These tips will help you avoid construction setbacks to keep your building process on schedule and on budget.

1. Make Sure You’re Serious About A Steel Building

Make the most out of your first call to a steel building representative by being prepared. The better idea you have about what you want to build, the better your representative and Project Manager will be able to get you set up more efficiently, saving you money. Do you know what your ideal timeline is? Do you know how much you’d like to spend? The answers to these questions will help you and your project manager effectively get your steel building project underway.

3. Buy From A Company with An In-House Engineering and Detailing Department

Are you prepared to deal with an Engineering and Detailing Department that is overseas? Hopefully not, because you don’t have to. Choose a company that does engineering and detailing in house! In-house Engineering and Design teams ensure that your building is created exactly the way you want it. Communication is easier with in-house teams, there is no waiting out incredible time differences or third-party emailing. With an in-house engineering and detailing department, you are in close contact with your building designers at all times. If you have a question during erection, in-house detailers will be available to answer. If your detailer is overseas, your questions may not be answered right away, causing delays in construction.

3. DO NOT Pour Your Slab Early

Do not, and I repeat, do not pour your foundation slab before you receive your complete set of permit drawings. You will waste hundreds of dollars and possibly end up having to jackhammer chunks out of it (which can cause damage to the integrity of the existing structure), or you will waste money having to take the whole thing up and re-pour. Anchor bolts must be secured into the slab in order to keep your steel building properly secured to the foundation. Your project will be seriously delayed, costing you money, If you pour your slab before you get your permit drawings. Trust me, we’ve seen enough people pour their foundation early, hoping to get a head start on the building only to be highly disappointed when they are forced to redo the entire thing.

We want your steel building experience to be as pleasurable as possible. The entire lifespan of the project should be easy and manageable. Don’t make it harder for yourself and your wallet with unnecessary overspending.

Photo courtesy: Tax Credits, Linus Bohman

Search Results for: project manager

Whether you are storing your everyday SUV, an old classic or working on a stock car to race at your local circle track, your garage is a direct reflection of your commitment to cars. Are you organized? Do each one of your tools have a specific place on the wall? Do you wish your garage was outfitted by official NASCAR builders to your specifications? Your dream NASCAR garage can become a reality. First, build a steel garage. Next, trick out that steel garage so Jimmie Johnson will feel right at home. First things first. Your NASCAR steel garage needs a bathroom, plenty of storage and plenty of room to work. When you’re knee deep in a new carburetor, you aren’t going to want to run inside the house to use the toilet. Who knows what your lady will try to rope you into if you show your face inside the house. A bathroom should be your first priority when designing your garage.

Insider tip: Raise your cabinetry for easy floor cleaning without ruining your cabinets.

While you’re thinking about storage cabinets, give yourself enough space to store all your things–golf clubs, coolers, hunting gear, winter gear, snowboards, etc. The more storage space you have, the more organized you are. Get OCD inside your garage! Do you think NASCAR professionals have their tools lying helter skelter inside their garage? No, each wrench, extra lug nut and can of glass cleaner has its own place. Powder coated stainless steel cabinetry is a staple of the real deal NASCAR garage. When you build your steel garage, make sure you design your ceilings tall enough fit your car lift. When you’re working underneath the hood, you need to lift that bad boy up to get a good look. If your car lift reaches 12 feet, make your ceilings 20 feet high. Consider having one of your garage walls painted by an artist. A mural of your favorite driver or even a mural of a NASCAR track on the inside of your garage will add a unique atmosphere–it will make your garage the only garage like it in the nation.

Insider Tip: Let in some natural light with windows and skylights to really show of your cars.

The interior of your NASCAR garage has to be just right. Where do you start when designing the inside? A classic checkered flag floor. Throw down a false floor to keep your garage floor gleaming–no oil spills here, just pristine, good-looking black and white squares. Decorate the walls! Remember, this place is as functional as it is good looking. Hang your tools neatly on glossy red tool racks. Hang some NASCAR Memorabilia on the walls. Are you a Ford or Chevy man? Hang vintage manufacturer’s signs. That poster of Dale Earnhardt you bought that your wife wouldn’t let you hang in the house? Get that puppy in a frame. Your NASCAR garage is a perfect place to hang the memory of Dale. Find a vintage gas station neon sign to really impress your buds. Add a kegerator! Buy some extra stools so your friends have a place to sit when they come to see your cool new garage. Design the garage with some extra space for shootin’ the breeze and having a beer. The key to building your dream NASCAR garage is making sure that is embodies both form and function. It needs to look so awesome, you only want to hang out in your garage. It also needs to function as a real garage so you can get down and dirty restoring your cars and motorcycles. The NASCAR garage of your dreams all starts by building a steel garage. Once your steel garage is erected, the possibilities are endless.

Senior Project Manager Bennett Hietbrink knows a thing or two about outfitting steel buildings. Learn more about Bennett and his contribution to Armstrong Steel by clicking here.

Photo courtesy: Royal Broil, Paul Smith, Adithya Anand

Search Results for: project manager

“It was the nicest little horse house you ever saw!” Texans love to ride horses, it’s part of their blood. But whether you’re in Texas or any other state in the U.S., your horses need a place to sleep, eat and play. Why not give your horses a metal building to live and play in? Metal buildings are more reliable when it comes to construction and they last longer than a traditional wooden barn.

What Does A Metal Horse House Look Like?

A metal barn looks however you’d like it to! Whether you need a large or small barn, a green or red barn or even a tall or short barn, a metal building will give you exactly what you need. Choosing a metal building means you have endless options for design, both inside and outside the structure. The best part? You choose what your best little horse house looks like. Metal buildings are entirely customizable.

Why Would I Want A Metal Building for my Horse House?

A metal building will last longer than a wooden barn or pole barn by design. Metal buildings require foundations, and pouring a foundation ensures that your building lasts longer and looks better. If you’re worried about concrete floors hurting your horses, there are several options for flooring that can cover the concrete to protect them.Steel buildings also help protect your horse’s health. Insects and pests such as ticks and termites are less likely to invade your barn space with a metal building–they have less to eat!

Since a metal building doesn’t use the same support poles that a wooden structure does, there is a lot more room to work with inside the space. Ceilings can be made higher without the need for an intricate support system inside a metal building.

Metal barns are also easier to keep up with in the long run. There is very little maintenance associated with a metal building. A sturdy and durable commercial grade steel building system often holds it’s value longer and definitely requires less maintenance.

How Do You Build The Best Little Horse House?

Would you like a place for your house guests to sleep that’s detached from the house and need a horse house? You’re looking for a barndominium–horse stables on the first floor, with living quarters on a second story.

Customize your horse house by formulating an estimate of how much space you will need, how many horse stalls, and horse stall size. Will you need a tack room inside your barn? Do you need sleeping quarters in your barn? Will you need to build a riding arena so that you can work out with your horses year round?

If you’re building a small personal barn or a large traditional riding facility, Armstrong Steel can help you make your horse house dreams come true.

The best little horse house in Texas (in any state, really) is a metal building. Build something that would make Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds proud, and that will last for generations.

Jeremy Bjork is one of our Senior Level Project Managers who will work with you to great length to ensure your metal horse house is exactly what you want. Find out more about Jeremy’s expertise and exactly what his job entails by clicking here.

Photo courtesy: singh, Serge Melki, Paul Sableman

Search Results for: project manager

Ingredients:

1 job site

1 contact form

1 pen

1 phone

1 computer/laptop/tablet

2 payments

1 or 2 toolboxes

3 sets of drawings

1 project manager

1 cherry picker or forklift

5-7 friends

A sprinkle of determination

A heap of elbow grease*

1 Erection Safety Manual

Prep time: 5 minutes

Ready: On your schedule

Directions:

Preheat your thought process, and look through your predetermined job site. Temper your expectations with your budget, and whip up an idea of how big your steel building will be. Let your ideas marinate.
Peel yourself off of your easy chair, pick up the phone, and call Armstrong Steel.
Don’t sweat through the phone call with an Armstrong building expert. You’ll grind out one engineering payment to secure in your steel price. Once you have pounded out the steel price, Armstrong’s detailing team will begin whipping up approval drawings for you to adjust.
Let your project rest for 5-7 days. Store in cool environment.
A project manager will contact you once your plans rise to their desk. Dredge up your email, or blend your ideas on paper with your project manager. Drizzle on accessories like windows, doors, paint or insulation. At this time, ask about the Armstrong Dealer catalog (only available for chefs at this stage of the cooking process) for a more extensive accessory list. Once changes are basted on, you’ll get a revised approval drawing of your steel building. Infuse with the final details and send in to your project manager.
Armstrong Steel provides permit drawings for your specific area’s permitting offices. Once the correct permit is obtained, sign your fabrication release forms and reduce your workload.
Review and sign off on your account summary. Simmer while your steel building is fabricated.
Your steel building components will be delivered to your job site. Combine forklift, erection manual, construction drawings, friends, a sprinkle of determination and a heap of elbow grease. Mix well.

*If you don’t want to use elbow grease, or the store has run out of forklifts, then a local builder is an acceptable substitute to erect your building. They will provide several ingredients from the list (especially the elbow grease).

Bake for several days depending on the size of the steel building. After erection, make sure your steel building is al dente. Firm to the touch, and put together perfectly.

Add this to your recipe box, check out the reviews, and get cooking today!

Photo courtesy: Shimelle Laine

Search Results for: project manager

Right now, it’s your tomorrow. Right now, it’s everything.

Right now, catch that magic moment. Right now, it means everything.

It’s enlightened me, right now. What are you waiting for?

Van Halen had to have known these words would become popular when they put pen to paper more than 23 years ago. Their lyrics and this song have become an anthem for athletes, celebrities, and people all over the world. Even if you don’t like this kind of music, the message is one to which I can relate. When I talk to customers, I tell them that they can easily go find a run-of-the-mill steel building anywhere. But at Armstrong Steel, they get a steel building on their terms. The way they want it. Customized to fit their lifestyle. And they can get it right now.

When it comes to our pre-engineered metal buildings, we like to tell people about the Armstrong Advantage. It’s not just a couple of words, or a phrase to remember. It’s a belief. It is the very reason why we do business in the first place.

Right now. It’s your tomorrow. Right now, it’s everything.

It’s easy to compare our materials to other building suppliers. Our building systems offer the best competitive advantage in the marketplace today, and our structural warranties and framing are tops in the industry. An incredible amount of craftsmanship goes into every building, from each bolt to each connection plate and fastener. That’s certainly enough to make us proud. But we hang our hat on our process.

Nobody else does what we do. And that’s why we do it. It starts with our CEO, and trickles down the chain. From the beginning, when you talk to a steel building expert, you’ll communicate with someone who’s looking out for you. Our standard isn’t to make a building as quickly as possible, ship it as quickly as possible, and then wash our hands of the experience. We’ll work with you every step of the way.

You deserve to have a steel building based on your conditions. Right now.

From there, our unique process continues. You’ll be assigned a project manager. He or she will work on the design of your steel building, determining its load bearing capabilities, aesthetics and many more aspects of your project. The reason why we call this a process is a credit to our designers. When we say custom steel building, we mean it. Every building is fabricated specifically the way you want. Once you get your approval drawings (which is your first set of plans), you might go to your jobsite and picture your building standing tall, and want to make a change. What’s working for you one day, might not be exactly what you want two weeks later. As long as the project hasn’t gone to fabrication, we can make that possible. It’s effort from both sides of this relationship you’ll see twice: once when you go through the progression of planning, and a second time after you erect your building.

That’s the Armstrong Advantage.

It’s the foundation on which we started this business. There will be improvements and additions, just like a steel building. But our main goal never changes.

Right now. It’s your tomorrow.

Take advantage of the world on your terms. Now is not the time to wait for the next best deal to come around. We’re ready to put you on the path to owning your steel building today.

What are you waiting for?

Search Results for: project manager

Put yourself in the Holiday spirit. You know the words to, ‘Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,’ right? It doesn’t matter if you’re on Santa’s naughty list this year, Armstrong Steel will help you with every step of your steel building purchase. Ready to relocate your small or home-based business? Now is the perfect time to add that metal building to your Holiday Wish List. Here’s why:

Peak Season

As your small business becomes more successful, your customer and inventory needs will grow, so too will your space needs. Whether you are storing equipment or erecting a workshop for more employees, a steel building should be on your radar. Now is the ideal time to buy. Smart builders will order their building in the fall/early winter and be ready to have their metal building delivered in the spring. We take orders year round, but we consistently see people act during the winter. There is a natural sequence of steps you must take and precautions to follow before your steel building arrives. The timeline is pretty much up to you – take your time and work with your project manager to perfect your approval drawings before we release the building into our fabrication schedule. Once you’ve approved your drawings, you can begin the permitting or loan process during the winter months. It’s ideal to schedule your delivery for the spring time and be ready for move-in with ideal weather building conditions.

A Local Builder Network

Our pre-engineered steel buildings don’t come from the North Pole! Working with local professionals gives your the peace of mind of working with builders who are familiar with our buildings. If working with a local builder isn’t what you’re looking for, there are other options that might be right for you.

Tax Benefits

It’s all about saving money this holiday season. With all the cash you’ll be spending on gifts for your family, wouldn’t it be nice to get something back for you? When buying a steel building, you might be eligible for tax incentives and rebates. You might qualify for these rebates, available to building owners, homeowners and contractors if you follow specific energy efficiency standards for instance, or meet other criteria for commercial use. Ask your project manager to assist you in finding these tax credits or rebates.

Talk to a Steel Building Expert this holiday season. Would you really want a bunch of elves putting your prefabricated steel building together? We didn’t think so.

Photo courtesy: Bob Jagendorf

Search Results for: project manager

If you watch TV or listen to the radio long enough, or even pay attention to politics, chances are you’re going to hear about renewable energy. It’s clean, affordable, and unlimited. More and more, people are looking for ways to make the world a better place to live. Americans put an emphasis on ‘building green’ as they say, and it’s caught on in the construction industry. This push is coming at a great time in our history. Do you know how much American businesses, alone, spend on energy? At an estimated cost of $38 billion a year, lighting represents the largest source of electricity consumption in U.S. commercial buildings, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. That doesn’t even account for homes or some residential steel buildings with lighting. Now, a tremendous growth in the U.S. solar power industry is helping to pave a way for a more sustainable energy future.

Can solar energy work on steel buildings? Of course! Armstrong Steel customers who want solar power to be a part of their building just need to speak with a project manager during the design phase of their building development. During the design phase, when loads are established prior to engineering drawings, its important to communicate with your project manager your intention to add alternate energy sources. This will impact the weight and design of the structure significantly. So exactly what type of solar energy system is right for you?

Photovoltaic System

A photovoltaic system, also called a solar PV system or solar array, is a solar power system designed to convert sunlight into electricity, usually with the help of solar panels. In fact, the process of converting light into voltage or electricity is called the ‘photovoltaic effect.’ This is the most popular system people use on their steel building. Most rooftop solar panels are connected into a buildings electrical grid, and don’t typically use battery storage.

It’s not a complicated process. These PV systems generate power during the day and provide energy to the grid. The building in turn, uses that energy from the grid. Building owners can even push power back into the electrical grid, which generates energy credits. These solar power systems can also add property value to your steel building without adding any tax liability and they also reduce CO2 and pollution emissions that generally come from electrical plants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency works with the federal government and certain states to offer renewable energy production incentives, rebates and tax credits. Hybrid solar shingles are also becoming available, and are an aesthetically pleasing, albeit an expensive alternative to panels.

Solar Water Heating System

Solar water-heating systems don’t generate electricity. First you’ll need a solar collector, which is generally mounted on the roof. The collector catches heat from the sun and transfers the heat to the liquid. Remember learning about the ‘greenhouse effect’ in high school? It’s the same process at work here. Solar radiation is trapped in the collector and converted to heat, and warms your water. A solar water heating system will heat all the water in your building used for washing, cooking and cleaning. These systems require a little more set up. Some need a high efficiency pump, while some involve vacuum and heat exchange equipment. Research from the U.S. Department of Energy states that a solar water heater will cost more to purchase and install than a conventional heating system, but can save you an estimated 50% on your heating bill. Of course, the numbers are different for everyone, depending on water consumption and other small factors.

Solar Air Heating Systems

Solar Air Heating Systems are another thermal solution that converts the sun’s energy into heat. Like the solar water heating system, this requires a collector of some sort, typically built into the roof or walls of a steel building during the initial erection process. The other main elements needed are some insulated piping and a hot water storage tank. The system uses energy from the sun, warms the air, and then works in conjunction with HVAC equipment inside your steel building for even circulation.

As you work with a project manager to design your steel building, find out if a solar energy system is right for you. Get started by pricing a steel building online now!

Photo courtesy: Bart Speelman, Living Off Grid, gmourits, US Army Environmental Command

Search Results for: project manager

First of all, let me be the first to congratulate you on buying your new pre-engineered metal building. At Armstrong Steel, we realize this purchase is the culmination of years of thought, planning and saving. Now it’s a reality, and we’re ready to help you along the way. Remember, it’s not everyday that you buy a steel building! We want to make this experience as painless as possible.

Since you utilized the Direct Buy process, you are assigned a project manager to help you along the way. That’s me! This service is included with steel building purchases, and we’re here to assist you. It doesn’t matter if you’re a building novice or expert, we handle every single customer the same: with meticulous care and precision.

Once the order for your building is placed, it’s time to unwind. This is your chance to relax and let Armstrong Steel detailers and engineers begin work on your approval drawings. Project Managers like me don’t receive those drawings until engineers are finished with the drafting process. It generally takes a week for our in-house engineering department to submit approval drawings to me, depending on the size and complexity of the project. After those drawings are complete, then we can get started on the specifics of your pre-engineered metal building.

In this entire process, you’ll hear us reference several different kinds of drawings. Think of your “approval drawings” as the first step in your building’s life. It’s a detailed set of drawings of exactly what you ordered.

That’s when you’ll experience the unique advantage of Armstrong Steel Building systems. We’ll send you a set of approval drawing (which eventually need to be approved by you) and a project manager assigned to your specific situation will contact you. Don’t sign the approval drawings as soon as you receive them, unless you want the building fabricated as is. Most people want a hand in customizing their new purchase.

You’ll need a way to get in and out of your building, so now is the time to position the doors, windows and all openings. Even if you don’t have any idea, we’ll discuss every detail from the prospect of insulation, different door types and what your plans are for the building itself. You can pick anything in the Armstrong Steel Dealer catalog. We want to know everything about your individual project so we can best serve your needs and maximize the use of your building for decades. This is the exciting part of the process!

You have a blank canvas, and it’s time to create a masterpiece.

Now is the time where I like to listen to every customer’s story. This is where projects cease being lines on paper, and begin to take actual shape. I just completed a project with a customer who recently built a new barn. His dream finally came true after he saved up for 20 years. So often, we get emotionally attached to a project and the narrative behind every customer. The customer is excited to get a building, are we’re personally excited and invested in making that happen.

OK, back to our drawings. When you make changes to your approval drawings, you enter the revised approvals phase. Revised approvals are an even more detailed version of what a project manager designed. Any type of addition will increase the cost of the pre-engineered metal building, so make sure you budget for add-ons if you require them. Some changes in the revised approval drawings could cause a change in the building’s structure, and if I see that, I usually will make a call to you and see if we can come to a compromise and ultimately avoid any unnecessary cost increases.

If you are satisfied with your design, and you sign-off on your approval drawings, we enter the permit phase. We will get your permit drawings, but it is your responsibility to take them to the county. We’ll double check with your county to verify all the design and load bearing capabilities as well, so you are set up for success. Then we’ll determine a fabrication schedule for you once your permits are approved. Don’t release your building for fabrication before you hear from your specific county! Also, don’t pour your anchor bolts until the permit drawing phase. Until we do permit drawings, the anchor bolt pattern isn’t considered final. Even though you think you’re getting a head start, it’s smarter to wait and get your exact dimensions perfectly fitted.

During fabrication, you’ll receive your final set of drawings: construction drawings. They include the official design loads, a building description, an anchor bolt plan and where to begin. Keep in mind; the amount of time in this unique process varies for each customer’s project. While this process itself might be a little lengthy, it’s in place to guarantee you get exactly what you want.

Now all that’s left is the erection process. We’re here to assist you through the entire pre-engineered metal building process, or as we like to say,” from conception to completion.” Just let me know how I can help!

Photo courtesy: USACE HQ