A Simple Process for the Best Prices on Prefab Buildings

          We’ve helped thousands of Americans save money and time adding extra space and vehicle storage. This step-by-step guide outlines our simple process to quickly and affordably adding a new steel building to your land.  It’s full of the questions you should ask before ordering a steel building from anyone, to make sure you’re fully prepared and are getting everything you need.

TIANYING supply professional and honest service.

Of course, we’re available to answer you questions directly as well. Our building advisers are on hand to help you find the perfect car port, garage, or steel barn, and would be delighted to help. Get started by calling us at 877-707- or scheduling a time for a free consultation.

You should go ahead and choose your colors at this point too. Carport.com offers a variety of colors to make your walls, roof, and trim match your home or other surroundings for your new steel building.

You can change the color of your building’s roof, sides or ends, and trim metal at any time prior to the manufacturing stage of your building. Some colors may require an additional premium fee. Once your building enters into manufacturing, no changes can be made to the building without additional charges.

         Our buildings require a level surface to be installed on. We can install on just about any level surface: dirt, grass, gravel, concrete, or asphalt. We can hold your order until your site is ready and then we’ll show up and construct the building for you. Our installation crews are also able to level your site, for an additional fee.

We do recommend concrete, and that is what the most of our buildings are installed on. You’ll need to hire a local contractor pour a level concrete pad at the build site prior to the date scheduled with your building adviser.

All states except for Florida require that the concrete pad be the exact dimensions of your building’s frame(Florida law requires the pad to be .75 inches wider, but the same length).
Please contact your local planning and zoning office to find the requirements in your area. Each county has different requirements, and it is the customers responsibility to verify what type of footer is required and comply with all applicable laws and codes.

Modular construction is an excellent choice in a wide variety of situations. Here are a few of the most common reasons your organization might turn to modular:

• Your organization is growing and you need additional space.
• You have old buildings that need to be replaced.
• You need swing space during renovation projects.
• You need workspace for on-site contractors.
• You have temporary buildings, but need permanent ones.
• You’re a new organization.

What Are the Benefits of Modular Buildings?

The biggest advantage of modular construction over traditional construction is the accelerated building schedule and occupancy. Additional benefits of modular buildings include:

• Off-site construction is a cost-effective option for organizations of all sizes.
• Off-site construction is often more environmentally-friendly than traditional construction.
• There’s less disruption to operations and job sites, making modular a more convenient option.
• You can choose between temporary or permanent structures, which isn’t possible with traditional construction.
• Modular buildings meet applicable construction codes, including the International Building Code (IBC) and other applicable federal and state building codes and regulations.
• Modular buildings can be built to look like existing structures.
• Modular buildings minimize the use of internal resources and keep upfront capital expenses low.

What Are the Differences Between Temporary and Permanent Modular Buildings?

There are two main types of modular construction: temporary buildings and permanent buildings. Let’s take a closer look at each kind.

Temporary Modular Buildings

Temporary modular buildings are defined by their intended use, foundation design, and how they’re affixed to that foundation, not their structural design. In other words, a temporary building designed for relocation can still be affixed as a permanent building.

In most cases, temporary modular buildings are used as leased space for a predetermined period of time. Temporary buildings of any size can be delivered to a property, installed, and removed when no longer needed. Because they’re engineered and designed for relocation, temporary buildings can be repurposed and redeployed for use several times during their lifespan.

Temporary modular building foundations are specifically engineered so the modules can be disconnected and demounted easily. These concrete pier foundations are also relatively easy to disassemble and remove. They can be installed on a parking lot or plot of grass, and typically rise 2-3 feet above ground. Decks and ramps are installed at the entrance of temporary modular buildings for easy access.

With proper maintenance, temporary buildings can have a useful life of 20-30 years. The limit on useful life is primarily due to them being set up, disassembled, and relocated numerous times to various locations.

Permanent Modular Buildings

Permanent modular buildings are installed and affixed to foundations that are engineered and designed for long-term use. They’re often built as II-A, II-B, and V-B structures and can be framed in wood, steel, or concrete. With proper maintenance, they can have the same lifespan as traditional construction.

Because they’re most often set at grade level, permanent modular buildings require full perimeter foundation walls and interior concrete piers. While this option is more expensive, it eliminates the need for decking to exterior doors. Permanent modular structures are typically accompanied by ground-level accessibility, extensive stormwater management systems, sidewalks, and landscaping.

Depending on your individual needs and situation, you may decide to lease your modular building. Leasing is your best option if:

Want more information on Custom Prefab Buildings? Feel free to contact us.

• You don’t want to own the building for business reasons
• You intend to use the building temporarily
• You don’t want to spend the capital upfront to purchase a building

In most cases, you’ll want to lease a used building as opposed to a new one. This is because they’re already built and can be installed and occupied more quickly. They’re also more affordable than new buildings.

The customization level, structure type, and project complexity dictates modular building pricing. Each modular building has its own set of specifications, so prices can vary widely.

Sale prices for new V-B-type standard temporary modular buildings generally range from $75-130 per square foot. Custom buildings have a much wider price range, which can be anywhere from $150-400+ per square foot. This is due to the nearly endless customization options, from the engineered support structure to final finishes. Costs beyond the building itself can include permits, site work, foundations, delivery, installation, access systems, utility runs, and more.

If you’re looking to lease a standard temporary modular building, you’ll generally pay $1.20-1.75 per square foot per month. The lease term length and building size are the primary drivers behind the monthly rate you pay.

What Are the Steps Involved in Getting a Modular Building?

The ten steps below make up the process of getting a modular building from start to finish.

1. Property Identification

The site you choose is very important, as it directly impacts many other aspects of the process. Be sure to consider the grade (slope), soil compaction, site accessibility, and proximity to water, sewer, utilities, and existing structures. These considerations can have a significant bearing on the cost of your project, but they can be controlled in advance by selecting the right property.

You’ll also want to have a clear understanding of the municipality or local governing body and how easy or difficult they’ll be to work with. The permitting process and project inspections can impact the project schedule, sometimes substantially.

2. Building Design

Project owners typically partner directly with modular building dealers that have the ability to perform complete design-build projects. In other cases, they work directly with an architect to design their building. Both routes generally result in a high-quality structure built to your exact modular building specifications.

3. Formal Proposal

The formal proposal allows you to see everything in one place before signing a contract. A typical proposal may include delineation of responsibilities, pricing, project schedules, terms, drawings, and building specifications.

4. Permits & Approvals

In most cases, you’ll need to obtain the proper permits and approvals. However, these can also be secured by the modular dealer for an additional fee. It’s important to find out what local officials require as early in the process as possible, since permit application approval can take a significant amount of time. The length of the approval process typically depends on where your building will be located.

5. Contracts

There are as many different types of contracts as there are designs for modular buildings. Your contract form is typically determined by the size and scope of your project. Other than monthly rental invoices, most projects are billed either based on milestone achievements or monthly percentage of project completion.

6. Site Preparation

As your modular building is being built at an off-site factory, crews will work to prepare the job site for building delivery. This can include surveying, demolition, excavation, foundation work, utility installation, and more.

7. Plant Fabrication

Once your building design is approved, it will be constructed at your dealer’s modular building factory. The support structure, plumbing, electric, data, mechanicals, ductwork, insulation, doors, windows, interior finishes, and exterior finishes are often completed within the factory.

8. Modular Building Delivery

Once your modules are completed, the individual sections are transported to the job site by over-the-road truck in a predetermined order.

There are a few things you should consider — but not necessarily have all the answers for — before requesting a modular building quote. Having more answers ahead of time can help move your project along more efficiently, though.

Here are a few things you might want to determine before contacting a modular building dealer:

• Your land availability (owned or leased)
• How much space you need (both occupancy and layout)
• Requirements of your project (aesthetics and security)
• Occupancy time frame and/or length of need
• Whether you plan to rent or own the facility
• Your budget and funding source

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Steel Construction Engineering. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.