Steel Building Construction Costs Much Less Than Other Building Options
In commercial applications, pre-engineered
metal and
steel buildings provide cost savings across the board. By implementing these
structures in new construction and retrofit projects, developers and property
owners are realizing cost reductions from the planning and permit phase through
construction and completion. Project managers have found that construction
schedules can be noticeably compressed, which translates to reductions in
contractor's overhead, as well as any down time that might affect the tenant of
a new or retrofit building.
Typical pre-construction costs that are associated with conventional
buildings can be substantial in terms of the project management needed to
compile bids and submit items for pricing. Wood famed construction systems
demand extensive hours for these activities, and even though concrete block
structures reduce the typical pre-construction time somewhat, the pricing of
materials and coordination of continuous inspections require project management
that is all but eliminated with steel building construction.
In addition, the numerous trades that are involved with conventional wood and
concrete block construction require project management in order to finalize
contracts for each of the sub contractors. Many of these project management
costs are all but eliminated with steel buildings, since the fabrication
combines the services of framing, roofing, and window and door installations
within the scope of work. By reducing project management, the initial on-site
activities can begin once the contracts are complete and the construction plans
have been approved.
With any commercial project, generating the construction plans begins with a
design that is tailored to suit the intended use of the building. Even the most
straightforward structures, such as a service building or storage facility
require approved plans with structural and mechanical engineering in order to
obtain permits. With conventional systems, the architectural fees and mechanical
engineering costs can be extremely costly.
However,
fabricators of steel buildings offer a number of pre-approved designs that
require no architectural involvement or building department plan check. Plans,
plan check and permits for pre-engineered building projects are most often
limited to the concrete foundation and the mechanical trades. Initial on-site
activities, such as footing excavations and the installation of underground
utilities are consistent with the construction of all new commercial buildings,
and this remains the case with steel buildings as well. The cost savings in this
phase are often realized in the omission of structural pads and extensive
footings that are required to support wood framed and concrete block
load-bearing walls.
Designs for pre-engineered metal building employ steel I-beams as clear span
headers and interior vertical support columns. This system eliminates the need
for wood or poured in place concrete support systems that are substantially
heavier and more time consuming with regard to installation. In addition, steel
web trusses are used as the roof support system, which is far more efficient
than wood trusses or a panelized roof in terms of the installation time.
Further, the lighter load ratios of sheet metal siding and metal roofing will
reduce the size of the required concrete footing. This translates to a marked
reduction in costs that are associated with the concrete footing materials,
man-hours, footing excavation and hauling of footing spoils. By eliminating the
need for conventional structural systems and those related activities, the
construction completion schedule requires less time, and this in turn, reduces
the general contractor's overhead costs.
The process of erecting steel buildings on site is relatively uncomplicated
when compared to typical commercial or residential construction. Once the
concrete footings and underground stub-ups are in place, the structural
components are transported to the site, off-loaded and erected without
interruption. Following this assembly, electrical circuits, plumbing connections
and air conditioning units can be installed without the need for intensive
coordination on the part of the job site supervisor.
Any additional equipment or systems, such as compressors, mechanical lifts or
pressurized air lines can be easily installed without inconvenience to those
particular vendors. These installations can be clearly defined and coordinated
with a minimum of project management, and the contractor's supervision needed to
oversee these activities is often reduced to a portion of the standard
involvement.
Finally, off-site activities and costs that are usually associated with the
construction of commercial buildings are greatly reduced. Monthly street use
permits for roll-off dumpsters are not required since there is very little
debris associated with steel building construction. Additional permits for
material drops, along with the cost for traffic control, are not required over
the complete term of the project. Annoying inconveniences to neighbors, such as
the use of pumping equipment to install stucco, and kettles for hot application
roofing are eliminated.
Once the steel building components have been shipped to the site, a crane is
employed to off-load and place the structural members. In most instances, this
activity is completed within a matter of days. Following the erection of the
structure, the metal siding and roofing are shipped and installed. This minimum
of street use greatly reduces off-site costs, inconveniences and completion of
the project.
Steel
buildings are a cost effective solution for
commercial and
residential storage, as well as commercial service businesses.
Delta has spent almost every spare minute of the last
couple years in his garage. He built it himself from a prefabricated
steel buildings kit and couldn't be
happier. The wife really likes it too because it keeps the garage where she
keeps her car clean.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Delta_Cooper