As you will quickly discover, a wide variety of steel building manufacturers and vendors will tell you they have your best offer. This article is aimed at guiding you through the buying process by supplying you with tips to remember for dealing with companies that you are considering for your pre-engineered steel building.

Ask for references. This is critical. Satisfied clients who have used the company you are considering should be contacted to determine if they were dealt with fairly. Look at buildings these companies have completed to find pre-engineered steel structure project results, and to determine their credibility.

Ask for an itemized purchase order. You cannot assume that you will get everything that you are expecting. The building contract needs to itemize the dollar amount of each option and item. Line item costs need to be listed for all accessories, such as structural insulation. The agreement should state the vendor and model number for any selected walk doors. If these elements are only expressed in general terms you will more than likely get the most inexpensive component that the company can provide.

You need to obtain a comprehensive set of assembly designs for your pre-engineered steel building that consists of detailed diagrams of every fastening. Warranties for all affected products (paint, roof, framing) need to be provided.

A UL90, at a minimum, pre-engineered steel roof should come with the building. This is the highest wind uplift rating awarded and could reduce your building’s insurance costs. Lifetime building roof fasteners are also recommended.

The gauge of commercial grade steel that will be used for your project needs to be itemized on your purchase agreement. It is strongly recommended that 26 gauge high quality steel be used instead of thinner 29 gauge metal. Building sections should employ purlin bearing legs for speedier assembly, enhanced stability, and enhanced quality.

Welded-on clips should be supplied with your pre-engineered steel structure. These clips are necessary to join all building components. Main frames, flange braces, girts, purlins, and framed opening headers and jambs are also required. Before delivery to the erection site all parts should be pre-welded at the fabrication plant so you can begin assembling pieces once they arrive at your site. This will keep you from wasting time detecting and grouping bolt-on clips or pausing to find lost clips.

To conclude, any framed openings should be pre-designed into the steel structure at specific locations. All of the major components need to be pre-cut and pre-punched for bolt-together set up, this will help you avoid any need to measure, notch, weld, and connect components at the site.