Metal Buildings Ideal For Fast-Track Construction
April 13, 2012
Today's tip is about how metal buildings may be good options for facility managers interested in a fast-track construction. As Chuck Praeger, assistant general manager of the Metal Building Manufacturers Association, says, "When owners decides to build, they want it yesterday."
Modern metal buildings have the flexibility to meet the needs for just about any type of one or two-story building. The buildings are manufactured at a plant and erected on site by a qualified contractor or erector. The process of design and programming can typically be complete in fewer than 10 weeks, says Praeger. This has benefits beyond the fact that it's much quicker than a traditional construction process. For one, says Praeger, once the metal building is designed, the rest of the building elements - façade, HVAC, etc. - can be costed out and scheduled much more accurately. That means there are fewer change orders later, and again, a more cost-effective, efficient construction process.
One of the keys to the process, though, is to be sure to collaborate with a reputable manufacturer. How do you tell? The best way, says Praeger, is to only work with metal building manufactures that have an AC472 accreditation. This is an accreditation that ensures the manufacturer meets certain quality assurance benchmarks. It's also a requirement for membership in the Metal Building Manufacturers Association.
Finally, Praeger offers one last piece of advice for the fast-track metal building construction process: Simply be sure you know what you want before you start. Nothing can lengthen and add cost to a project like an owner who keeps changing his mind or has non-specific goals for the project.
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