Steel homes are becoming more popular for so many reasons today. From cost savings to durability, these metal homes offer the consumer many advantages with very few drawbacks. Despite those advantages, it can still be difficult to choose from all the steel buildings available. It’s important when you’re looking for a manufacturer that you examine the things they offer and compare them with other companies. And never go by cost savings alone as sometimes you really do get only what you pay for.
One of the best ways to find a great steel homes manufacturer is through word-of-mouth. Because many areas don’t have a large number of these homes, it’s not always easy to find someone locally who has purchased one. If you can find someone who’s purchased commercial steel buildings from a company you’re considering, that can help you. But bear in mind that there are big differences between commercial and residential metal buildings. One that might be all right for an out building or a warehouse might not be all right for your home.
Finding someone who’s purchased a commercial building from a manufacturer that also offers a steel homes at least helps you to know how easy the company is to deal with and how well they keep their promises as far as things like quality and delivery times. But don’t neglect to look into the details that the manufacturer offers as far as finishing touches that are going to be important to you on your home.
You’ll also want to make sure they offer a good warranty. Steel buildings are durable and long-lasting so a manufacturer should have no problem giving you a 50 year warranty on the structure. Anything that’s painted should have at least 15 to 20 years on the painted surface and be considered maintenance-free. With steel building homes, chances are that you’re going to frame the outside in some other material. But any painted surface in the construction needs to have such warranty so that you know it’s quality.
You’ll also want to make sure that steel buildings don’t require any special work on your part when it comes to getting a building permit. Every area has special building codes that account for things like roof construction, foundation construction and even things like how steep stairs can be and how many doors and windows you need. Check with your local authorities to make sure that the steel building plans you have meet local codes. Most manufacturers will guarantee that they can do this and will offer the drawings you need to present to your local authorities either in your package or as extras.
One other thing you may want to check on is how the company transports steel. Some work hard to save you money by transporting as much as possible in one load. So pieces of steel building homes that are going to several locations in a certain part of the country may be sent on the same shipment to cut costs for you.