Paperwork is NOT a Four-lettered Word

            If you want to finish your next pre-engineered steel building project with minimal problems, then listen up. This is a little reminder of the basics that make a successful building project: Know your applicable codes and carefully review your engineered certified drawings. Before construction on any prefab steel building can begin, a building permit is needed in most (if not all) cases. There is one exception to the rule. In certain remote or rural areas, a building permit may not be needed if the building is to be assembled outside of local zoning laws. Nevertheless, in a majority of cases you will have to gain permission to build from local officials.
            Just meeting building code requirements are not enough reason to purchase a new building. Find out if the manufacturer and/or supplier has just met the minimum amount or if they have surpassed them. If it has just barely met the code requirements, then it still may not be approved to be built per local standards. Here’s an important fact worth highlighting. Just because a building manufacturer has designated one of its buildings as “meeting code” does not mean that the building will meet ALL of the building codes for your particular area. There are certain basic codes that a manufacturer may meet at a minimum level. However, you want more than that. You want your new steel building to not only meet these building codes, but surpass them. This is an indication that you are dealing with a reputable manufacturer which will stand behind its product. However, you will be responsible to find out if the building meets the codes of the designated area where construction will begin.
            What else do you need to do before you purchase your new building? It is recommended that you get a copy of the purchase contract. What if you do not know if the structure you will purchase will satisfy code? Talk to the code office. He will be qualified and knowledgeable in serving you.
            An additional item that is widely required from the building code office is a permit drawing. In other words, this will almost certainly be essential in order for your new pre-fab building to be cleared for construction. Which dealer/supplier are you dealing with? Find out from it if these drawings are available.
            Engineer stamped drawings are required by a lot of building inspectors. Fortunately, a majority of professional suppliers (and manufacturers) will give them to you. Design calculations can be obtained, too. Most steel building manufacturers will require an engineering deposit from you before complete standard erection drawings can be handed over. Anchor bolt plans should provide your local foundation engineer with all the necessary information to design a solid foundation for your pre-engineered building. A good number of manufacturers will utilize a computer generated drawing program in order to accomplish this. The drawings provided by the steel building supplier should also include diagrams of each connection that will be used in your building as well as cross-section diagrams for every part of your building. Acquiring the necessary paperwork approvals is your job.
 Be extremely thorough by asking all the smart questions of the steel building provider you are thinking about working with along with communicating with your local building code office.  Are you not the one responsible for the success of your project? Haste makes waste. Hence, if you do everything right from the start you can possibly prevent higher costs and long delays.