Your Complete Guide To Ordering & Installing A Metal Building With Us

Maybe you need a storage shed for your bikes or a big garage for your truck. Whatever the reason, a metal building is strong, long-lasting, and easy to set up. But you might be wondering, ‘How to get started?’ Don’t worry! Buying and installing a steel structure might seem daunting, but with Carports Advisor, it is surprisingly simple.

In this guide, we will walk you through every step, starting from your first idea of using your new space every day. You will learn about designing, ordering, delivery, and installation. So, let’s begin.

Step-By-Step Guide – Ordering Your Metal Building

We will start with the basic guide on how to place an order for a steel carport, a metal outdoor shed, a farm barn, a metal 2-car garage, or a commercial building, and walk you through the entire process stepwise for a clear idea. So, let’s begin –

Step 1: Choosing The Right Metal Prefab Building For Your Needs

Before you start designing, you must have a clear vision of what you will use the steel building for –

• Storage
• Workshop
• Garage
• RV cover
• Farm barn
• Commercial use

Next is size. What do you want to store inside? The best trick is to measure your biggest vehicle. For example, if it’s a truck, make sure to have enough space inside the metal garage to open doors, move comfortability, and have some space for storage.

Pick a location on your property that is –

• Accessible and leaves room for future expansion.
• Leveled and does not flood when it rains.

We have a range of products, from metal carports and garages to farm barns and industrial buildings [Figure 1]. If you need any assistance in choosing the structure, you can talk with our experts.

Step 2: Checking Local Permits And Regulations

Once you have decided what building you want, the next thing you need to check is your local building codes, zoning laws, and HOA rules [if any], along with limitations of size, design, height, and other features. You will also need to secure a permit (legal permission for construction on your property). But what happens if you don’t secure a permit?

These permits are meant for security and safety during strong weather events, and they keep your land value high. By not following building codes, you may end up with a flimsy structure that may not be safe to use after a while.

Here are some common construction rules to check –

• Setbacks (distance from street, property line, and your home)
• Height limits (usually up to 20 ft. for ADUs)
• Wind and snow loads (especially for tough weather regions)

At Carports Advisor, we provide wind ratings of up to 180 mph and snow load ratings of up to 80 PSF on certified 12-gauge steel buildings.

Your Role In Permit: You can contact your local planning office to ask about zoning laws and what types of permits are needed to begin the construction.

Note: We don’t handle permits, but we provide all the building-related documents needed for approval.

Step 3: Designing Your Metal ‘Dream’ Building With Us

Now is the fun part of designing your metal ‘custom’ building.

Customization Options For A Steel Structure:

1. Size (width, length, height) – pick what fits your needs.

2. Roof Style

• Regular (most budget-friendly, rounded edges)
• Horizontal (sleek, A-frame look)
• Vertical (best for durability, great for snowy and windy areas)

3. Frame Gauge (14-gauge industry-standard or 12-gauge for extra strength.)

4. Doors And Windows (Add custom size roll-up and walk-in doors, frameouts, and windows)

5. Anchoring Options (we provide extra mobile home anchors and concrete brackets)

6. Colors (over 15+ colors to choose from for roof, sidewalls, end walls, wainscoting, and doors)

7. Insulation (we provide single/ double bubble and woven R17 insulation options)

Want to visualize your building? Check out our free and easy-to-use 3D designing online tool [Figure 3]. You can pick a basic structure, add doors, walls, etc., and save it/ request a quote. Just enter your zip code and start drawing. No login or setup is needed!

Getting A Quote And Understanding The Pricing Of Steel Structure

Once you have chosen the design, you can request a quote. Our free quote includes the cost of shipping and installation services, so you don’t have to wander around looking for a reliable construction crew.

The cost of a residential garage, a steel Carolina barn, or other structures will depend on the –

• Size
• Design complexity
• Location of installation
• Certification and gauge selection
• Demand
• Supply

Step 4: Placing Your Order And Payment

Now that your design is ready and you have got the pricing (quote) on your steel ‘dream’ building, you can –

1. Finalize Your Design (double-check everything)

2. Make A Deposit (secure your order with a small upfront payment)

3. Review The Contract (check your order details carefully before committing)

4. Choose Payment Options (you can opt to make full payment or choose monthly easy payments)

At Carports Advisor, we understand not everyone is comfortable with the full payment at once. That’s why we have Rent-To-Own building and metal building financing with transparent pricing and no hidden fees.

Step-By-Step Guide For Site Preparation And Installation

Now that you have placed your favorite metal structure order and it’s under construction, what should you do next? Here are your responsibilities and the method of the installation process by our pro team –

Step 5: Preparing Your Site

Here are some vital tips to prepare the site for metal structure installation that you must do –

1. Level Ground: Your ground must be leveled properly (no more than 3 inches off). If it is uneven, it can cause issues with stability.

2. Types Of Foundations: You can pick from the following steel structure foundation options –

• Bare Ground/ Gravel (simplest)
• Concrete Slab (for heavy use and large buildings, Figure 5)
• Asphalt (less common, mostly for parking)

3. Clearance: Make sure the site is free from obstacles, debris, trees, and power lines running underneath.

4. Access: Ensure the installation crew has easy access to the site to carry machinery (if any) and move modular parts of your metal outdoor shed or building.

Your Role: You must clear the site and make sure the place is easily accessible to delivery crews.

Our Role: We provide foundation guidelines so you can prepare correctly.

Step 6: Delivery And Scheduling Your Installation

Your building is on its way! What happens next?

Lead Times: Manufacturing lead time varies with location, season, and building design.

Scheduling: We will coordinate with you to set a delivery date that works best.

What To Expect On Delivery Day: The truck will arrive and deliver the raw materials (modular components) of your building. Check to ensure nothing is missing.

Our Role: We will keep you updated through each step.

Step 7: The Installation Day(s)

Since we provide installation services, our expert crew will handle installation quickly and professionally.

What To Expect: Here’s what is going to happen during installation –

• Frame setup (the basic skeleton of the building is assembled first)
• Anchoring (securing the frame with the foundation that you have already prepared)
• Adding walls and roof panels (completing the structure)
• Final Touches (installing trim, doors, windows, and insulation, if any)

Typical Installation Time: Most standard buildings are installed within a day or two. For complex designs or sudden weather problems, it may take longer.

Your Role: We suggest being available for any questions during installation.

Final Walkthrough: Once the installation is complete, take a look at the building with our team to ensure everything looks great.

Our Role: We stand behind you at all times to ensure you get the building of your dreams ready.

After Steel Building Installation And Maintenance Tips

Immediate Use: Your building is standing tall and ready for action. No waiting is required. You can start using it right away.

Maintenance: What are the best things about steel buildings? They are super low maintenance. But how long will your metal garage last? It depends on climatic factors and regular cleaning and checks. Don’t worry, it’s not that tough! You can do the following to make it last long –

• Keep it clean
• Check for debris (including gutters)
• Spot-check for rust or damage
• Keep standing water away
• Perform a routine inspection (doors, windows, roof, walls, bolts, and fasteners)
• Do weatherproofing (for extra protection against wind, snow, and hot summers)

If you find any minor issues, fix them promptly to avoid repairs or replacements.

Future: Over time, you may want to upgrade the structure with electricity, insulation, or even an extended section to fit more storage or your evolving lifestyle.

Ready To Get Started? Have Questions About Your Project? Call Now!

As you can see, ordering and installing a metal structure is simple with Carports Advisor. You can pick the perfect size and features, and we will guide you through every step and handle the hard parts so you don’t have to. So, are you ready to enjoy a smooth delivery and setup from concept to completion? We are making owning a metal structure effortless. Call us today at (336)-914-1654.

Let’s build your amazing steel building together.