Planning a garage, workshop, agricultural building or commercial space? Here’s what Missouri property owners should consider before investing in a metal building.

Buying a metal building is a little different from buying most things.

You can’t put it in your cart, take it home and decide later whether it works.

Once the building goes up, you want to know you made the right decisions.

The right size. The right doors. The right materials. The right location. And, perhaps most importantly, enough room for whatever you intend to do five or ten years from now.

Metal buildings have become an attractive option for Missouri homeowners, farmers, contractors and businesses because they combine strength, flexibility, relatively low maintenance and long-term usefulness.

But before you start requesting prices, there are a few things worth thinking about.

1. Decide What the Building Really Needs to Do

Start with the obvious question:

What are you going to use it for?

A building designed to store a tractor has very different requirements from a workshop, commercial warehouse or residential garage.

Think about what will happen inside.

Will you need electricity? Heating? Insulation? Vehicle lifts? Large machinery? Shelving? Office space? Multiple overhead doors?

Don’t simply plan for what you own today.

Plan for what you’re likely to own tomorrow.

One of the most common regrets with storage buildings is remarkably predictable:

“I wish we’d built it bigger.”

2. Choose Your Size Carefully

Once you’ve established the purpose, you can start thinking about dimensions.

Measure vehicles and equipment rather than guessing.

Then allow space around them.

If you’re planning a workshop, consider benches, tools, storage cabinets and enough room to actually work. For agricultural buildings, think about turning space and how machinery will enter and leave.

For commercial applications, consider future inventory, equipment and employees.

Adding a little extra space during the planning stage can be considerably easier than discovering two years later that you’ve outgrown the building.

3. Think About Your Missouri Site

Where the building sits on your property matters.

Access matters.

Drainage matters.

Ground conditions matter.

And delivery and construction equipment need enough room to reach the site.

You should also consider how water moves across the property during heavy Missouri rain. A beautiful new building sitting in exactly the wrong place is not much of an achievement.

Before construction begins, understand what site preparation will be required and whether grading, excavation or additional drainage work may be necessary.

4. Check Local Building Requirements

Do this before you become emotionally attached to a particular design.

Building requirements in Missouri can vary depending on the county or city. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recommends checking with the relevant local jurisdiction for the most current code information and any local amendments.

Depending on your location and proposed use, you may need to consider zoning, setbacks, permits and inspections.

A phone call at the beginning of the project can prevent a much less enjoyable conversation later.

5. Don’t Treat Doors and Windows as an Afterthought

The building itself may be excellent.

But if you can’t comfortably get your truck, tractor or equipment through the door, you have a very expensive problem.

Consider the width and height of overhead doors carefully.

Think about where personnel doors should be positioned. Decide whether natural light from windows would improve the building. Consider how doors affect the flow of vehicles and equipment around the property.

Your building should work around you.

Not the other way around.

6. Consider Insulation Before You Build

Will the building simply provide storage?

Or will people regularly work inside it?

That distinction matters.

If you’re planning a Missouri workshop, office, retail space or frequently used garage, insulation and ventilation deserve serious consideration.

Missouri experiences both hot summers and cold winters, so think about year-round use rather than how comfortable the building feels on the pleasant spring afternoon when you order it.

Discuss insulation options early.

It is usually much easier to plan these details before construction than retrofit them later.

7. Pay Attention to Roofing, Siding and Components

A metal building is a system.

The roof matters.

The siding matters.

But so do the trim, flashing, fasteners, doors, windows and accessories holding everything together.

Saving a few dollars on materials can quickly become irrelevant if you spend years dealing with leaks, premature deterioration or unnecessary repairs.

Look beyond the initial price.

Ask about material quality, coatings, warranties and the components included in your estimate.

At Byler Steel, metal building materials are supplied for residential, agricultural and commercial applications throughout Missouri, with buildings that can be configured for garages, workshops, warehouses and agricultural use.

8. Set a Realistic Budget

There is more to your total project cost than the building package.

Depending on your project, you may also need to budget for:

• Site preparation
• Concrete
• Construction labor
• Permits
• Electrical work
• Plumbing
• Insulation
• Interior finishing
• Doors and windows
• Drainage and access

Before comparing quotes, make sure you’re comparing the same things.

The lowest estimate isn’t much of a bargain if half the things you need aren’t included.

9. Choose a Supplier You Can Depend On

Steel is important.

Service is too.

A building project involves measurements, specifications, components, timing and coordination. You want a supplier who understands the materials and can help you get the order right.

Ask questions.

What exactly are you getting?

When will it be available?

Are all trims and accessories included?

What happens if you need help?

Byler Steel is based in Winston, Missouri and supplies metal roofing, siding, building materials, garage doors, trim, doors, windows and accessories. The company also offers free estimates for customers planning projects.

Build It Right the First Time

A good metal building can serve you for decades.

It can protect equipment, create room for a growing business, give you the workshop you’ve always wanted or finally provide enough storage to get everything under one roof.

But the best results usually begin long before construction starts.

Think about how you’ll use it.

Think about how your needs may change.

Choose quality materials.

And work with people who understand what you’re trying to build.

If you’re considering a metal building in Missouri, talk to Byler Steel about your project and request an estimate.

Because the smartest time to get the details right is before the first piece of steel ever goes up.