A Guide to Ensuring Smooth Delivery of Your Pre-Engineered Steel Building If you have purchased a steel building from a manufacture or supplier there are several details that need to be addressed before you are in receipt of your structure. This will guarantee that your project will go smoothly and result in the successful completion of your building project.
The first consideration is to be available to the steel building manufacturer by phone anytime during the business day in case any questions arise. A correct shipping address for your building’s destination needs to be provided along with directions if the site is in a remote or hard-to-find area. Your steel building company should make arrangements with you to contact you seven to ten days before the scheduled delivery date to confirm all shipping details. Once you place an engineering deposit with a manufacturer or supplier, a set of erection drawings should be forwarded to you in a matter of weeks. These erection drawings are the guide to be used in all facets of your project and should be studied by your erector thoroughly before beginning construction. There should be an anchor bolt plan for the foundation included along with the correct reactions. Each steel building erection drawing package is different and only the plans specified for your building should be used. Provide the anchor bolt plan and reactions to your foundation engineer so he can design a suitable foundation. An erection and safety manual should also be included along with a materials list.Delivery of a steel building should be scheduled for the morning. This will allow ample time for any unforeseen issues to be resolved. The route to your jobsite should be accessible by an 18-wheeler semi. Cashier’s checks are usually required to satisfy the amount due on your building once it is delivered. The truck driver takes this payment.
You are responsible for unloading your building from the delivery carrier. Extra manpower and lifting equipment, such as a forklift with a spreader bar, or a boom or crane for larger loads, may be required. Check with your shipper for the longest and heaviest component to ascertain what removal equipment you will need to have ready. It may take up to three hours to unload and take inventory of the entire building shipment. Prior to shipment, make sure that the shipper does not combine your order with someone else’s building.
All shortages and damages must be reported immediately to the supplier once inventory is complete. Most manufactures or suppliers will reject shortage or damage claims after one week so it is very important to make claims promptly.
Most manufactures and suppliers have no way of ascertaining whether any customer is skilled enough to erect a steel building. It is always recommended that a qualified erector be employed even for the smallest of structures.
Review the guidelines and suggestions above, and ensure you are familiar with them before embarking on your steel building project. You may find that adhering to such advice will save you money and time during the process of construction.