The benefits in purchasing a steel building come largely from the strength of the construction material itself–steel–and also from the sound construction processes used to erect an I-Beam system. Adding together the steel construction processes and the pre-fabricated components chosen provides three main advantages to choosing a steel building. First, the cost of a steel building is considerably less than traditional building methods and can save you 30% or more on the steel structure alone compared to a similar sized conventional structure. Labor costs are also substantially reduced because most steel buildings are pre-welded, pre-punched, and pre-drilled at the factory. A steel building can be erected fast, another major advantage, and the building can be operating for business in 45 to 90 days instead of the many months involved in conventional construction. The durability of a steel building is another advantage and the low maintenance required along with no need for repainting year after year can minimize upkeep costs for the 20 to 50 year life of the building. This, of course, is dependant on the quality of the steel building chosen in the first instance.

A steel building project will proceed, generally, with the following schedule. The design of the building comes first. The dimensions of the building (length, height, and width) need to be determined and then the type of roof and any interior walls need to be selected. Along with these considerations come the door and window placements and any exterior enhancements such as facades.

Engineering is the next phase in the steel building project process, following receipt by the supplier of a deposit for the building. An engineer will plan the blueprints and specifications. This process will specify what materials are to be used, along with the loads (wind, snow, seismic, etc.) to satisfy the particular building codes where the steel building will be erected.

The fabrication or production of the steel building begins once the blueprints have been signed off on by the buyer. The entire building is created at the factory. All parts are pre-drilled, pre-punched, and pre-welded at the factory to exact specifications. The steel building is then shipped to the construction site and is ready to be bolted together. This process can take from four to seven weeks.

The steel building site work should be carried out while the building is still being fabricated in order to allow the erection process to proceed immediately once the building is delivered. It is highly recommended that a poured concrete foundation be used under any steel building. As soon as the foundation is ready and the building materials arrive, the building can be constructed.

All finishing processes such as the installation of insulation, exterior facades, doors, windows, and suchlike are now added to fully detail your building to the specific design. The process for your steel building project is completed by a building inspector walkthrough for final approval.