SEVERAL STATES ADOPT NEW BUILDING CODE

Last year, the International Congress of Building Officials (ICBO) released its 2006 revision of the International Building and Residential Codes (IBC/IRC 2006), which contains many changes from earlier versions. Although a handful of states adopted the new code last year, as of January 1, 2008 it takes effect in much of the country. Even the California Building Code has been revised to conform to the new IBC 2006. In order to comply with this code, we will have to slightly modify some of our designs, and these changes could increase our delivery times by two or three weeks in some cases. We appreciate your understanding as we work as hard as we can to provide you the most up-to-date, cost-effective, and secure pre-engineered building available.

THE BEST TIME IN RECENT HISTORY TO BUILD

If you were erecting a steel building two years ago, you were in for a struggle.

Because of the overheated housing market, plumbers, electricians, and other subcontractors were overbooked and hard to find. Building materials were in high demand, so home centers could sell their plumbing fixtures, appliances, drywall and everything else at a premium price. Building a structure took forever and cost a fortune.

Nowadays, the building industry is in a slump. Subcontractors are looking for work and bidding jobs lower. Material prices are down too. Many suppliers have lowered prices, and the big retailers are heavily discounting most materials. At the same time, a variety of economic conditions are pushing steel prices higher, but the big increases are several weeks away.

Even with the increases, our prices are still lower than they were in 2004.

Financing is cheaper as well. The Federal Reserve has lowered interest rates several times in the last few months, and the cost of mortgage and construction loans has begun to follow. Rates are now as low as they have been in the past two years, and you can expect them to fall even farther before this trend reverses.

So now is a great time to build! You will be able to save money on most of the materials that go into a building. You will be able to pick and choose sub-contractors, instead of the other way around. A strong, affordable and easy to build Advanced Steel Concepts building has never been more practical.

Call Advanced Steel Concepts today, we can help you get started on the steel building of your dreams.

Choosing a Contractor

When erecting your steel building, nothing is more important than hiring a good contractor. Follow these tips for choosing the right person for the job.

1. Ask for recommendations. About three-quarters of all homeowners find their contractors through friends and family. Others find them through professional associations.
2. Conduct phone interviews. Once you've compiled your list of contractors, ask them the following questions: Do they take on projects of your size? Are they able to provide financial references? Are they willing to give you a list of previous clients? How many other projects would they be working on at the same time? Are they properly licensed or bonded, and do they have liability insurance and workers' compensation certificates?
3. Do some research. Check your local Better Business Bureau for any complaints filed against a contractor. Call former clients to see if they were satisfied with their project. Most importantly, visit a current job site to see for yourself how the contractor works. Is the job safe and neat? Are workers careful with the homeowner's property?
4. Collect plans and bids. To compare bids, ask everyone to break down the cost of materials, labor, profit margins and other expenses. Materials usually account for 40 percent of the total cost. The rest covers overhead and the typical profit margin, which is 15 to 20 percent.
5. Establish a payment plan. You can tell a lot about a contractor's financial status and work ethic from his payment plan. For large projects, never work with someone who demands half or more up front, or who will only accept cash. Work out a fair system of milestones, generally 10 percent upon contract signing, three payments of 25 percent, and the final 15 percent when every item on the punch list is completed.
6. Be wary of the lowest bid. Contractors who low-ball are probably cutting corners or may not be properly insured. The most critical factor in choosing a contractor is how well you and he communicate. All things being equal, it's better to spend more and get someone you're comfortable with.
7. Draw up a contract. Make sure the contract details every step of the project: payment plan, proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation certificates; a start and end date; specific materials to be used; and a stipulation that the contractor obtain lien releases (which protect you if he doesn't pay his bills) from subcontractors and suppliers. Remember, a clear contract is the best way to ensure a successful project.

The Benefits of Engineered Steel Buildings

Steel buildings are being used for more and more agricultural, commercial and industrial applications. Steel buildings are becoming more and more popular because of their ease of assembly along with their durability. Steel has become the building material of choice for many consumers, businesses, and organizations because it is strong and versatile and offers excellent economic value.

Steel buildings are compatible in technology processes with more conventional building construction methods, but are less expensive to construct. Steel building systems are easily assimilated with wood, glass, or masonry facades, utilizing the inherent strength of a steel building along with the more aesthetically pleasing exteriors formerly reserved for more traditional building processes. The availability of more sophisticated looks for steel buildings has seen their employment as fellowship halls, industrial design centers, warehousing, schools, furniture showrooms, offices and many other uses.

Steel building processes are distinguished from other building methods with the long-term durability inherent in steel, the less expensive processes involved in fabrication, and the ease and cost-efficiency of the erection procedures. Steel buildings feature precise, computer-generated engineered components in all of the primary and secondary framing elements, wall components, and steel roof system. All pieces bolt together and will be designed for any local building code requirements. Steel buildings can provide expansion at a later date without unnecessary huge price tags or interruption of daily business services.

Steel buildings, as a whole, enjoy shorter construction time. A steel building can be erected in half the time it would take other building types to be completed. Most of the work (pre-cutting, pre-welding) is done at the factory to reduce construction time and the impact of weather interruptions.

Steel buildings can provide lower construction costs. On-site labor hours are reduced. Specialists used for conventional building processes are not necessary. Cutting and fitting during the assembly process is eliminated because the steel was pre-formed at the factory. The steel walls can be fabricated and factory assembled in sections to further ease the construction process.

Finally, steel buildings provide for greater ease of expansion when compared to other building styles. Steel building systems are able to be modified quickly and economically at any point in the life of the building. Removal of end or sidewalls, erecting new framework, and adding additional wall and roof panels are all uncomplicated procedures that can be accomplished in a short period of time and a minimum of money investment. For more information click here.