Comparing Metal Building Manufacturers: A Checklist For Buyers

Are you excited about your new metal garage, workshop, barn, or storage space? It’s strong, durable, and meets your specific needs, but which manufacturer you pick is a big deal! That’s because not all metal buildings are made the same. With the right manufacturer, you get:

• Strong, quality material that won’t wear out soon.
• Fare pricing so you don’t end up spending more.
• Good customer service that makes the whole process easy.

If you choose the wrong company, you may end up with a flimsy metal, a bad installation, and surprising costs. You don’t want that, do you?!

This checklist will help you compare manufacturers to ensure you get the best value for money deal and the structure lasts for years. So, let’s begin.

Key Factors To Consider When Comparing Metal Structure Manufacturers

Let’s discuss some crucial things you must check when investing in a metal prefab building, whether it is for your home, farm, or business needs.

1. Material Quality And Durability

1.1. Steel Thickness: It is usually measured in ‘Gauge,’ where a lower gauge number means thicker steel. What thickness is ideal for a steel carport or garage? Unfortunately, there is no ‘one correct answer’. The answer will depend on the different types of structural loads that your steel building has to bear over time. This load can be due to the size, roof, wind, snow, or severe weather.

• You can choose 12-gauge steel frames for large buildings and heavy loads.
• You can choose 14-gauge steel frames for small buildings in moderate weather.

1.2. Certifications And Building Codes: Check if your steel structure is engineer-certified. This ensures safety standards, especially in areas prone to high-speed winds and heavy snow loads. Also, it is important to check the metal 2 car garage permit requirements, local zoning, and building regulations before ordering one.

1.3. Rust Protection: Opt for 100% galvanized steel. It has a protective layer of zinc that helps resist rusting. You can apply epoxy/ clear coatings to add protection against water damage or moisture, especially in areas prone to heavy downpours and flooding.

1.4. Foundation Needs: Some builders may need a concrete slab, gravel bed, or dirt base to work on. So, it is always a good idea to ask the manufacturer about what type of metal structure foundation will be best for the garage or shed you want to install.

Note: You will have to prepare the site and lay the foundation before the construction team arrives to avoid any delays.

2. Customization Options

Before you delve into adding features and design, it is important to know what type of steel structure you want – a carport, a garage, an outdoor shed, or a commercial unit. Once you have selected, you can choose:

Size – pick the height, width, and length of the steel structure.

Roof Style – You can choose between

• Regular (curved edges, budget-friendly)
• Boxed eave (modern, stronger than regular)
• Vertical (strongest, best for harsh weather)

Doors And Windows – You can choose roll-up doors, walk-in doors, and frame-outs for easy entry and exit. Correct windows’ placement will bring cool air and natural lighting inside, reducing your energy bills.

Insulation – Pick single, double, or woven R17 types of insulators for roof, side, and end walls that help regulate the temperature inside the livestock barn and other steel buildings.

Colors And Finishes – Finally, you can select colors and styles (printed walls, corrugated panels, horizontal or vertical design) to get a finished look.

We also offer a free and easy-to-use 3D metal building designing tool, using which you can create a metal carport, barn, garage, or shed of your choice and add custom features to view it on your property using AR. You can also request a free quote on the design you have created.

3. Pricing And Transparency

Does the final quote include everything? Some companies may hide fees or charges, such as delivery fees or installation service costs. So, always check for costs like shipping, installation, and extra anchors before finalizing the deal.

Make sure to know about deposits and payment terms, such as:

• How much do you need to pay upfront?
• What are the interest rates? (when choosing financing)
• Are there any hidden fees?

At Carports Advisor, we provide two financing choices, i.e., rent-to-own and metal building financing, for steel buildings that cost up to $50k, to our customers, so you don’t have to pay all at once. However, it is always best to understand the basics of metal building financing and do due diligence to land the best deal.

4. Delivery And Installation

Ask about how long it will take to get your building delivered. We generally deliver 50% of our orders in less than 60 days, and only 1% of our buildings take more than 100 days. You can ask about the delivery logistics, such as whether you will get it delivered to your address, will get help unloading the parts, whether you will get installation service, whether you will get instruction and support, etc.

By choosing Carports Advisor, you get shipping and construction service costs included in the final quote, so you pay once, and we handle the rest.

Tip: Don’t forget to ask about post-installation care and maintenance tips for metal structures to get the most out of them.

5. Reputation And Experience

You can inquiry about the following details when choosing a manufacturer selling steel structures:

• How long have they been in business? Older companies have more experience and better service.
• What do past customers have to say? You can check reviews on 3rd-party websites to learn about customer service, delivery, installation work, and product quality.
• What quality materials is the manufacturer selling? Are they selling directly?

6. Warranty And Customer Support

The following are the questions you must look out for when buying a metal barn or a commercial garage for the workshop:

Warranty Coverage: What parts are covered under warranty – frames, roof, rusting, etc.? How long does the warranty last? What voids warranty services?

Customer Service: How easy is it to reach them (phone, mail, chat)? Do they offer post-purchase help if you need repairs or replacements?

Quick Checklist For Buyers To Compare Steel Building Manufacturers

• Material Quality
• Material Gauge
• Steel Certifications
• Design Options
• Customization
• Pricing
• Double-Check Hidden Fees
• Delivery
• Installation
• Manufacturer’s Reputation
• Warranty Offers
• Customer Support

Ensure to do all research on different manufacturers, compare pricing, quality, what’s included in their quote, custom features, after-sales support, and warranty details.

For your convenience, the final quote on all our metal garages and buildings includes delivery and installation charges. We suggest you avoid metal building mistakes and save money by giving full details upfront on what you want, such as door size, no. of windows, any specific finishing, etc.

Examples And Comparisons Of Different Manufacturers

Here are some of the top manufacturers who deliver high-quality, American-manufactured steel to customers for long-lasting building and hassle-free, low maintenance:

1. Carolina Carports Inc.

They have been a well-known name in the carport space since 1997 and are committed to manufacturing high-quality products and delivering them in the shortest lead time. From carports to commercial buildings, they have a wide range of building you can choose from, along with financing options.

Their limited warranty details include the following:

• 20-year limited rust through warranty (on 12-gauge framing, vertical roof style up to any length, and a limited lifetime warranty on all certified units for wind and snow loads)
• 10-year limited rust-through warranty (on 14-gauge framing and 1-year workmanship warranty from the date of installation)

Learn more about Carolina Carports Inc. here >>

2. Steel Buildings And Structures, Inc.

They offer the best customer service for their American-manufactured steel structures, with fast delivery and fully insured professional contractors and installers. You can choose clear span buildings, custom steel structures, enclosed garages, metal carports, and steel barns with 14 colors to choose from.

They offer buildings:

• Certified for up to 140 mph wind
• Certified for up to 35 PSF snow load
• Certified anchoring

Learn more about Steel Buildings And Structures, Inc. here >>

3. North Carolina Carports And Garages

The NCCG is a family-owned business that has been serving customers for more than 15 years and is fully committed to providing a premium customer experience at highly competitive prices. They offer metal structures from carports and RV covers to barns and commercial storage.

Their custom steel buildings come with the following:

• 20-year limited rust-through warranty

This covers the repairs of your metal structure for decades to come.

Learn more about North Carolina Carports And Garages here >>

Compare Top Manufacturers And Get The Best Deal!

By following this checklist, you will be able to avoid common mistakes and build a reliable building of your dreams. Choosing the right manufacturer means fewer headaches and years of hassle-free use. So, do your homework, compare options, and invest wisely. For prefab and custom metal carports and buildings, you can call (336)-914-1654 today and talk with our metal building experts.