05 Sep Can I Erect My Building Myself? How Will I Know What to Do?
People often wonder if it’s possible for someone with no experience to erect their own steel building. The quick answer is, “Yes, it is!” Of course, the ease with which you can do this will depend on a few factors such as your level of experience with construction projects and access to friends who may be able to lend a hand. But if you’re going to do it yourself, using prefabricated steel is a great choice, even if (and maybe especially if) this is your first building project.
Let’s take a look at what advantages prefabricated steel has to offer over other materials for the (novice) do-it-yourselfer.
You just follow the instructions
This is a good answer to the question, “How will I know what to do if I choose to erect my building myself?’ Our design engineers draw up plans for your steel building based on your needs, specifications, and personal requests. You can begin the design process by comparing building layouts using our online interactive design tool or start off by speaking directly with one of our customer service representatives. Either way, we create a set of plans and instructions that show exactly how everything fits together. When you’re ready to build, you really can just follow the manual! There’s no guesswork. And because your success is so important to us, if you do encounter a problem, we’ll be available to answer any questions you may have anywhere along the way.
Your building kit comes with all the parts you need
Another way that a prefabricated steel building makes for a better project than a wooden or brick building is that you don’t have to make list of all the construction materials you might need—lumber, nails, bricks, mortar, etc.—and then hope that your estimates are somewhat close to the mark. When you design and order a prefabricated steel building from Matador, we send all your building’s parts right to your erection site. This includes not just the steel beams, and the wall and roof panels. We also send all the bolts and screws you need as well. There’s no more running to the hardware store in the middle of a job to pick up more nails.
Your building’s parts are ready to be put together
All the parts arrive at your site ready for you to assemble them. Yes, it’s steel, but you don’t have to weld anything. And you don’t have to cut anything either. We take care of that part for you. Our design engineers ensure that every component—every beam, every panel, every piece of trim—is built according to your building’s plans. Everything is specially designed to fit together exactly. It’s like an erector set or a jigsaw puzzle. All the pieces are the correct size and shape. There’s no extra sawing or sanding to get beams to fit. We already measured twice and cut once, so you don’t have to!
And because steel is forged in a mill, you can count on it to have consistent integrity through and through. You may not have the same guarantee if you’re creating your own mortar for a masonry project or mixing your own concrete.
Steel construction fits your timeline
Here’s another great thing about steel: it won’t warp or bend because of changes in the environment. If the temperature or the humidity goes up or down, your steel beams aren’t going to change size or shape the way that wooden beams might. You can work on constructing your steel building in practically any type of weather, at almost any time of the year. This is especially great for the home hobbyist (like you) who might be building your steel structure as a weekend project. Even if you have to stretch your building’s construction out over a period of weeks or months, your materials will still fit together just as easily as they were designed to in Matador’s facility.
Of course, if you’re going to be pouring a concrete foundation for your building, you will have to take the weather into consideration, since concrete won’t set properly if the temperature is too high or too low. But that is simply not an issue when it comes to steel.
Less mess
If you’ve ever purchased lumber for any kind of wooden building project, you know that there’s often a lot left over. You’ve got to cut the beams to make sure they fit properly, and then you have to sand various parts down until they’re smooth. What about using brick or concrete? There’s almost always going to be some left over. More mess means more cleanup and more cleanup means more time spent on the less enjoyable parts of the job. The build can be really thrilling. Picking up wood scraps and piles of concrete? Not so much.
So, all of these are advantages that work in your favor. That said, you will still need to have access to some tools (and maybe some equipment) that won’t come with your building kit.
Safety first
Whether you’re working alone or as part of a team, it pays to protect yourself. Be sure to invest in heavy-duty boots, work gloves, safety goggles, and a hard hat before you start working on your steel building.
Basic tools
What your building requires may depend on its particular design, but the tools you will definitely need include wrenches (for the bolts to hold the structural beams together), a power drill (for tightening self-tapping screws), a spud wrench or a long screwdriver (for lining up bolt holes), and a long level.
Equipment
You may want to rent some equipment to facilitate the construction of your steel building. You could use a crane lift for offloading your building kit’s components. In addition, you may want a scissor lift to help you during construction depending on the size and height of your building.
A prefabricated steel building is not just a great investment. Building it can also be a great experience. That said, if you want a large building, you may need to hire a contractor no matter what. Even if you just want a small building, you may still choose to hire one. If you aren’t sure, just ask! The Matador team will be more than happy to help you figure it out.