If you’re thinking about buying a pre-engineered steel building, you may choose to work with a contract manufacturer or a broker. Before you decide, there are some key differences of which you should be aware.

A “no service” broker will usually provide the lowest price on fundamental materials. Unfortunately, since their primary goal is to boost their bottom line, they may obtain the cheapest supplies to offer the best price. They use advertising (”Bargain Buildings!”) to woo prospective buyers. Unscrupulous brokers are concerned with meeting your building requirements at the lowest cost ““ and often lowest caliber ““ building materials. They offer minimal, if any, engineering or assembly support to the potential customer, beyond delivery of the building components and an assembly manual. In some instances, the buyer ends up with poorly engineered buildings requiring a longer time to assemble.

Windows and doors, for instance, are required elements to complete a steel building. Steel building brokers have been known to include lower grade accessories in building packages. Verify whether the doors and windows or other accessories are of a commercial level value or if inexpensive brands are substituted.

Once your order is complete, many steel structure brokers charge for certified blueprints and anchor bolt patterns, which are normally included in the cost of the building purchased from quality brokers or manufacturers. Steel building brokers often operate from a phone room. They may not be familiar with the buildings they are advertising ““ their goal is to sell you a building, any building.

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) authorized the inclusion of cost escalation provisions in steel building contracts because steel prices climbed recently. Manufacturing delays necessitated this, as steel prices rose faster than the buildings could be built. To offset rising steel prices, the building broker could levy a balance due if there was a time lag between the day the contract was signed and the date the building was scheduled for fabrication. Get the total cost in writing, understand what (if any) impact the manufacturing schedule will have on the price, and be sure to include the time required to obtain certified drawings.

Another alternative is an experienced contract manufacturer. A professional contract manufacturer lists their structural requirements with various steel building producers, as contrasted to brokers. Design details and requirements are pre-determined and constructed at the most cost efficient and nearby sites. Contract manufacturers market meticulously pre-engineered steel building offerings, which eliminate the need for field welding. The consumer provides input to the rigging and design of their base building. Contract manufacturers commonly furnish extras at a direct cost and do not pre-assign or determine the added components for the pre-engineered steel structure. Normally, a project contact is assigned to give advice about building code requirements, help with the project site design approvals, suggest construction companies, and secure architectural building drawings to help ensure building code approvals.

Contract manufacturers are focused on helping the customer and keeping the lines of communication open. The building project should be driven by the customer, who manages expenditures, defines building dimensions, chooses the desired additions, and selects the builder. With a qualified contract manufacturer, there aren’t any hidden charges, and a customer can expect that their brand new steel building to be delivered and assembled in the most economical and efficient manner.

While legitimate brokers certainly do exist, they are neither subject to the various regulations nor belong to the organizations as that of contract manufacturers. These organizations exist to protect the consumer and ensure access to the best technology, materials and construction methods. Your qualified contract manufacturer will gladly point out any affiliations of which the company is a member.