Woofter Construction is proud to offer steel building construction in Kansas and the Tristate area including Nebraska and Colorado. Our team will help you with the erection of metal buildings throughout the entire process from planning and preparation to design and installation. If you are in the market for a new steel building and have questions, this article covers some of the building basics to help get you started on the right path for new steel frame construction.
Are the steel buildings from Woofter prefabricated?
Every building is a custom order so there really is no such thing as “prefab” but they are “pre-engineered” in the factory with each unique design created to meet our customer’s exact needs. To accomplish this, we meet with the client to determine the specifications for the building. Then, the manufacturer develops a scope of work that meets those requirements, and the building is ordered, designed, and manufactured per the scope of work. It’s a very collaborative process and requires a high level of participation with the owner.
What size ranges do steel buildings come in?
The metal building manufacturers Woofter partners with do not offer standard size “kit” buildings. Each building is individually engineered and designed per the exact specs as needed, so the size can vary dramatically. The widths usually start at 30-0” but can be built as wide as a few hundred feet. The length of a building has less limitations than the width. Building lengths can be a short as 40’-0” and over 1,000’-0” long. We can handle sizes anywhere from a small residential garage to the largest indoor football facilities, hangers, and warehouses. There really are very few limitations, especially when using steel. Fun facts: We’ve done quite a few mini storage/storage unit buildings – and we often use a metal building as a shell and frame inside to make offices!
What kind of plot prep is required before erecting a metal building?
We essentially just need a clear and level site ready for when the building arrives for erection. Woofter Construction handles the necessary concrete and foundation work – in-house or in combination with subcontractors if/when needed – as part of the complete building project.
What are some of the pre-purchase options for new buildings to consider?
There are many decisions to be made before ordering a custom steel building. Planning and measurement for the layout/size, eave height, slope of the roof, sizes and placement of doors and windows, insulation packages, and accessories will need to be part of the order to begin the process. There also many options that can be added on to the building. Some of the more common options are interior liner panels, wainscot, gutters and downspouts, concrete flooring, and roof overhangs.
Contact us to begin designing your new custom steel building today!
How long does it take to get a steel building ordered and installed?
There are several factors involved in timelines. Schedules in the metal building world are constantly changing and can vary throughout the year. There are a lot of factors that go into determining when a metal building can land on the jobsite. Size and complexity are the largest factors; options, supply chain issues, material shortages, and time of year/weather also add to the equation. Less complex and smaller projects can ship from the manufacturing plants as early as a few months. The very large and highly complex projects obviously take longer than that. Woofter works closely with the manufacturers and the customers during the order process to develop a schedule so commitments can be made up front.
Why is steel the material of choice for buildings?
- Steel framing improves design efficiency, saves time, and reduces costs.
- Steel is one of the strongest building materials available, many times stronger than wood, so steel framing provides a significantly greater strength-to-weight ratio than wood.
- Steel framing allows for larger bays and wider frame spacing than wood construction.
- Steel buildings have a better track record in earthquakes, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
- Steel is non-flammable – it will actually contain a fire and keep it from spreading.
- Steel is safe from termites, rot, mold and drying out – steel won’t shrink, warp or swell.
- Because steel is a manufactured commodity, product quality is assured. Steel has no knots, twists, splits or other defects often associated with wood.
- Steel is the most recycled building material available today. Metal building construction creates virtually no job site waste. 98% of structural steel is recycled at a buildings end of life.
- Most insurance companies actually label steel framing as “Superior Construction” and offer discounts on insurance. Check with your insurance carrier for more details.
- Metal buildings appraise higher and hold that value longer.
What is the best steel building company?
At Woofter, we know that there is no single answer to that question. There are a small handful of tried-and-true companies that we’ve been partnering with for decades and each offer the highest quality metal buildings with outstanding customer service – AGI Sentinel, Chief Buildings, and American Buildings. You may want to explore the offerings from each company as there can be variations in pricing and options, or you may have a trusted relationship with a specific company already. Either way, Woofter is here to help design, order, and erect the buildings that best fits your specific needs!
Woofter is an authorized dealer for these trusted building providers:
| AGI Sentinel Buildings | Chief Buildings | American Buildings |
| AGI Sentinel has been in business for 35 years and their buildings are designed and fabricated according to AISI and AISC specifications. This reputable company closely follows guidelines provided by the Metal Building Systems Manual which outlines recommended industry practices from building sales through the entire erection process. Additionally, Sentinel engineers are registered professionals and Sentinel welders are AWS certified. AGI is also known to provide excellent service after the sale with fast response times for any issues that may arise. | Chief has been around for 60 years and takes great pride in going above and beyond to exceed expectations on every order. This caliber of service has been essential to their success. Chief is one of just a few remaining family-owned and privately held metal building manufacturers in the country. Their buildings are designed, detailed, and manufactured in the United States and they do not outsource any part of a building project allowing them to maintain an exceptional level of quality. They also own a trucking company to use for all building shipments; helping ensure on-time deliveries. | American Buildings is one of the largest, most experienced manufacturers of custom engineered steel building systems in the world. Their 75 years in the industry gives them an edge on technology, design flexibility, estimating ease and longevity, quality, and value. American Buildings was acquired by Nucor Corporation, a Fortune 500 Company, in 2007. As a division of Nucor, the largest steel producer and steel recycler in North America, American Buildings benefits from unrivaled financial strength and stability. They offer one of the widest arrays of metal building systems and services around. |
| All-Steel Buildings Brochure PDF | Agricultural Brochure PDF Architectural Brochure PDF | Agricultural Brochure PDF Catalog Brochure PDF |
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Let Woofter Facilitate Your Next Steel Structure!
Now that you understand the basics about each of the building manufacturers and a little of what to expect during the planning process, we expect the gears are churning in your head – racing to jump into action! As we mentioned above, it’s a process that can take some time and detailed planning, but we are here to work with you every step of the way.
Take the first step by calling our main office in Colby, KS, at 785-462-7741 or emailing us at Service@Woofter.com. We’ll setup a time to review your needs and go from there!
