How to Prepare a Metal Building Site
2 months ago
Can I do It Myself?
You can absolutely handle building site preparation yourself! However, it is a big responsibility, and you will need to do the research on codes and required permits. If you have any concerns, you may want to make the process easier and hire a certified professional. After all, your peace of mind is valuable! Hiring a general contractor with an excavator will make the process far less stressful.There are many professionals in the modern market, and you can spend your time shopping for the best reviews. Get the estimates from at least three licensed contractors before you choose the one you like best.
How to Prepare Your Own Site
When you have picked the perfect site for your new metal building, you are ready to begin the preparation process. It is vital to the structure’s long-term structural integrity that your building has a correctly prepared site. You’ll be happy to discover that following a series of simple steps will ensure building success!
Choose the Location
You can stake out the perfect place for your new metal building by choosing a slightly elevated area. This will allow for drainage and keep stormwater away from your building. Clear more space than the building will occupy so that your crew will have plenty of space to work, and maintenance will be easy.Stay aware of easements and property lines, especially if you plan to pour concrete.
Get Permission to Build
You should always begin a project with a call to your local building office. Your inspector will guide you through the list of necessary permits. You may discover that it is cheaper and easier to choose a smaller structure. Researching zoning requirements can save you a lot of headaches in the long run.
Remove Brush and Other Debris
Whether you have a professionally installed concrete pad or a gravel foundation, you will need a clear site for metal building installation. The site must be completely cleared of vegetation and debris before your building can be installed. Even the simplest tufts of grass and rock could disrupt the foundation of your new building! You should be sure that everything is cleared from the site before delivery day.
Grade the Soil
You will probably need the help of a licensed professional with a backhoe for this task. “Grading” is the process by which the soil is leveled and sloped around the edges of the installation site.
Install Utilities
Your building can be as luxurious and elegant as you want! If you are planning to have electricity and plumbing in your new metal building, be sure to have underground connections run to the site before your concrete foundation is laid. Underground utility lines are far more weather-resistant and aesthetically appealing, but they should be installed before the building is installed.
Build a Foundation
You’ve spoken to your local inspector, you’ve graded the soil, and you’ve run your utilities. Now, it’s time to lay the foundation! This last step is vitally important to the long-term strength of your building. If you’ve chosen to use concrete, it’s important to give the concrete time to cure before building installation. You may want to hire a professional to install it, as they can make allowances for temperature and humidity. If you’ve chosen a ground foundation, you can skip this step.
Get Your Metal Building Today!
You’ve done it! With the right site preparation, your building will last for a lifetime, providing durable shelter for a wide variety of applications. Your custom structure can be used for everything from storage to a luxury workshop, and thanks to the careful preparation you put in, it will stand for decades. Purchase your metal building with confidence today! Call us at (800) 440-7309.
You Should Know Better
At Liberty Metal Structures, we believe that we are building more than a structure - we are building a relationship! We want our customers to be well informed about the benefits of high-quality steel, eco-friendly construction, and the customizable options that make metal buildings the best choice for you. The expert articles provided here are for your information and enjoyment; we know that, soon, you will love metal buildings as much as we do!
As climate change alters the global landscape, savvy consumers are turning to sustainable methods for their modern lifestyles. Cleverly designed reusable items, methods for composting, and other green initiatives are increasingly popular with the average citizen as we all search for ways to care for the Earth. Eco-friendly designs can even be found in the construction industry. Metal buildings are environmentally friendly in many ways. The U.S. Green Building Council created the LEED® rating system to evaluate and certify buildings. Now in its fourth iteration, the LEEDv4 system is used to rate “green” buildings on a variety of factors, from materials to sustainability to indoor environmental quality.
Steel buildings by Liberty Metal Structures are expertly sealed to reduce air leakage and comply with the LEED Energy and Atmosphere category. Metal buildings reduce energy usage through heat reflection and by accommodating high-performance insulation. Another LEED factor is construction material, its reduction, and waste management. Metal buildings are prized for their engineering and total recyclability. LEED also evaluates interior air quality; since metal buildings are shop painted, VOCs are not leeched into the air over time, which is a concern with wood structures. The combination of scores in all these categories is used to certify buildings as “green” or sustainable.
When you’re considering the purchase of a custom building, you may not think of metal buildings right away. Traditional methods often favor wood or brick and leave metal for skyscrapers and industrial plants. However, as metal buildings prove to be versatile and affordable, the savvy consumer is choosing to value energyefficiency and durability. Metal structures enjoy lower insurance premiums than their timber competitors due to their safety ratings. Metal buildings can be installed in half the time for a far lower price. The benefits of owning a metal building are short-term, long-term, financial, and environmental. There’s an incredible world of metal buildings for you to explore!
Your new metal building needs proper building site preparation because the long-term structural integrity of the project depends on it! If your structure is built on an incorrectly prepared site, the building may be fined or cited by a building inspector. Worse, a shift in the soil may compromise the strength of the building. If your building is not properly certified, you may not be able to sell the property in the future. For all these reasons and more, it is imperative that you correctly prepare your building site before your new metal building arrives. The good news is that you will find this relatively easy to do!
