Metal building companies love to highlight the speed of construction of pre-engineered metal buildings, and rightfully so. Metal building kits are safer and provide a quicker construction process.
But how long does it take to erect a metal building?
The length of time it takes to design, build, and erect a metal building depends on various factors, some of which are out of human control.
Everything from redesigns to building complications can all affect how long it takes to erect your metal building.
[Check out our article about the Advantages Of Metal Buildings For Government Buildings.]
In the article below, we will discuss a few factors that will influence how long it takes to erect your steel building.
There are a few main variables to consider during the construction phase that can impact how long it takes your metal building to be erected.
First, the building size has an obvious impact on the speed of construction.
A larger structure will take longer to erect than a structure that is smaller in size.
Simple structures also go up much faster than metal buildings with more intricate designs.
Highly customized designs will require more time to erect than a basic rectangle-shaped building with a low gable roof and steel panel exterior.
A clear span or an exceptionally wide structure over 80' will need additional construction time to handle the heavier rafter beams.
Your crew will also affect how long it takes to erect your steel building.
A large, experienced crew can erect a building much faster than a smaller, less-experienced team.
The equipment and building materials used will also slow down or speed up construction times.
The availability of rental equipment is another factor that can slow down projects.
Inclement or extreme weather often delays construction, throwing off a carefully planned building schedule.
Fortunately, most of pre-engineered metal buildings are able to be erected quickly and the weather isn't as much of a hinderance as when using traditional building materials.
A pre-engineered metal building system generally cuts construction time by about 33% compared to other building methods.
Prefabrication eliminates much of the measuring, cutting, and welding at the job site.
Once you have designs for your building, you will start gathering the materials.
The more materials you have in stock, the less time it will take to get to fabrication.
Custom materials typically require more time to obtain.
Your choice of colors may also impact the time to production.
Panels are usually stocked in popular colors, but custom colors will require pre-coating before you can begin construction.
Once you have your materials, you can begin fabrication.
Again, the building size and complexity will either prolong or shorten the fabrication time.
Anything that isn't in stock has to be created or purchased from a third-party vendor, adding to your erection time.
Let's say you're opening a franchised business with custom trademarked colors.
The coating and paint colors are created according to the trademarked requirements.
After that, all the panels will go through the coating and finishing process before being cut and readied for shipment.
Your shipping time will depend on the distance from the manufacturer to your building site, the weather, and the traffic to the site.
Remote sites take longer for deliveries than a site in a nearby suburb.
Weather, particularly during harsh winters, can create shipping delays due to ice and snow impacting the roadways.
Heavy rains and flooding can also create delays and add hours to your shipping times.
The accuracy of your initial drawings will impact the time it takes to create the engineered blueprints you need for approvals.
The more details you provide and the clearer the picture you have for your structure, the easier and quicker the blueprints will come together.
Reducing the amount of times your drawings must be changed before being finalized will get you through the approval process more quickly.
In your drawings, be sure to include the geometry and layout of your building.
Also include details like the trim you want, how many doors you need and their location, and how many windows you need.
You will need engineered drawings to get approvals for your metal building design and get your building permit.
Your drawing should be as close to your vision as possible so your vendor can give you an accurate quote.
Just like with any other construction project, precise planning can make a huge difference in production and construction time.
Another factor influencing steel building construction and erection times is the company you work with.
And the key to getting your job completed on time is working with a company that will communicate.
Generally, pre-manufactured steel building erectors don't have much contact with the building architects and designers.
This is the main reason why late-stage changes can cause both delays and higher costs to occur.
STEVENS has decades of experience on both the manufacturer and the building sides of the process, and they can handle your entire project from start to finish.
This allows us to troubleshoot potential site issues while the building is still in the planning phase rather than discovering and dealing with those issues on site.
Getting a quality metal building kit delivered and erected on time requires a company with the know-how to get the job done.
These are just a few things that impact how long it will take your steel building kit to be erected.
However, no matter how long it takes to erect steel structures, it is still a quicker and more efficient process than constructing traditional buildings.
Working with a quality metal builder with experience who uses quality materials, you will benefit from an attractive and well-designed prefab metal building that is durable and quick to erect.
The prefabricated steel building systems team at STEVENS can provide advanced Metal Building Kits to streamline your next steel building project.
The STEVENS building systems team uses customizable, high-quality pre-engineered metal buildings with industry-leading capabilities and are constructed with American-made, recyclable Nucor steel.
Their expertise and experience alone can reduce your metal building construction schedule.
The team at STEVENS is ready to provide you with the highest-quality pre-fabricated metal building with long-lasting steel that suit your needs.
Contact STEVENS today for an estimate and allow us to make your next building project a success.