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Locating a qualified steel building manufacturer/supplier will involve more than just picking up your phone or clicking your mouse. If you are fortunate enough to have access to a local company, visit their location and ask the following questions:
How long have they been in business?
Do they provide references?
How heavy or light is their production schedule?
Is their availability to other specialists within the company? Designers, architects, engineers, contractors?
Do they maintain a list of qualified erectors? Are there any in your immediate area familiar and skilled with the type of steel structure you are needing?
Would they take you on a tour of their facility?
How do they handle customer concerns? Is their customer service department staffed with more than two representatives?
Do they offer any other services besides steel buildings? (If their answer is yes, you will need to walk away.) You want them to specialize in only one service or type of product.
How tight do they keep their delivery schedules?
Do they use a third party carrier to deliver the finished product?
Ask to see a copy of their warranty or guarantee. How extensive is it? What does it cover and for how long
Sign nothing until you have read all paperwork and smoothed out all the details
As you communicate with the company, take note of the following details:
How hard do they come at you? If they are desperate for your money, you will know it right away
How are their prices? Be certain to shop around and find the best price for you. Remember, the cheapest price isn’t always a guarantee you will get quality workmanship and customer service
If you call the company and ask for customer service, do you talk to the same person all the time?
Does their literature appeal to you? Does it consist of professional brochures or catalogs, or is it just copies faxed directly to you?
During the factory tour watch the workers. Are they busy with the job in front of them? How many employees do you see? Are there several who just seem to be a on a long smoking break?
Check the company with the Better Business Bureau. You can also go to a major search engine and type in Complaints about (insert name of company here) then click submit. Sometimes, you can be surprised by what you find
Is there an erection manual available for the style of steel building you are interested in?
How detailed is this manual? Ask to see a sample of one that would cover the type of building you wish to purchase
Will the steel components arrive clearly labeled for ease of assembly?
Are they familiar with your local building codes?
After you have researched several companies, choose the one who you are most comfortable with talking to. Ask yourself:
Did they answer all my questions in a timely manner?
Did they supply all the requested information?
Did they follow-through with phone calls to keep in touch with me?
Did I speak to more than one person?
Do their prices fall within my budget considerations?
Do I feel they are the best man for the job?
Asking these questions before choosing the company that will best handle your project will allow you to weed out the “fly by night” operations and go with the legitimate ones.
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