FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Steel Buildings

Steel Innovations is a design-to-build contractor with deep experience in creating both residential and commercial structures, including for industrial and agricultural needs. Below are answers to common steel building FAQs we field about the use of steel generally and the types of contractors there are to work with.

We Find Ways To Say Yes

Building owners have a vision of what they want their projects to look like. As experienced design-to-build contractors, we see it as our responsibility to figure out ways to say yes to those goals, rather than coming up with excuses to say no. Everyone on our team works diligently and methodically toward that goal.

We can be contacted by either calling (619) 330-7666 or using our online contact form. We stand by our work with a guarantee of satisfaction.

Steel Buildings
- Is Steel More Affordable Than Wood?
  
  It’s important to emphasize that every project is different, and guaranteeing that a quote on a steel project would always come in lower than a wood quote, would not be responsible. Having said that, steel projects are often more affordable than their wood counterparts in the short term, and steel is almost always better in the long term.
  Steel framing provides a significantly greater strength-to-weight ratio than wood, meaning that it can support larger bays and wider frame spacing. This allows for less material to be used in the construction process. Furthermore, steel frames require fewer pieces than wood structures because they bear less weight at the foundation level.
  Steel also offers design flexibility since it is much stronger than wood. This means that it’s possible to span the entire width of a structure with fewer pieces of steel compared to what would be required with timber frames.
  Thus, the potential for using fewer materials can add up to a lower cost on the project.
  Steel is often easier to install than wood due to its lighter weight and pre-fabricated components which make it simpler to assemble onsite. This reduces labor costs by speeding up the construction process and lowering the number of hours required to complete a project.
  From a longer-term perspective, steel does not warp or expand like wood does and is more resistant to water damage, so there will likely be fewer repairs needed over time, giving a building owner further savings.
- Is Using Steel Environmentally Friendly?
  
  Using steel in construction is an environmentally friendly choice for a variety of reasons. Steel is a highly recyclable material, meaning that it can be reused and repurposed without losing its strength or durability.
  The strength and durability of steel means that it requires less maintenance over time than other materials. This reduces the amount of energy required to maintain the structure, making it more efficient and cost-effective in the long run.
  Steel also has a low carbon footprint compared to other materials used in construction. The production of steel requires significantly less energy than other materials, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
  It’s also worth noting that a steel building continues to be eco-friendly after the construction is complete. Steel buildings are meant to have better insulation than wood, which means less strain on the HVAC system in maintaining desired temperatures and less energy consumption. This is good for the environment and for the energy costs of the building owner.
- What Is a Design-To-Build Contractor?
  
  A design-to-build contractor is a construction project delivery method where the designer and builder work together under a single contract from the beginning of the project. This type of contractor is preferable to working with separate designers and builders because it provides unified project recommendations that fit the owner's schedule and budget.
  Design-to-build contractors are beneficial in that they bring all members of a project team together early on to identify and address issues of cost, schedule, and constructability. They also provide owners with a single point of contact for both the design and construction phases of a project. This eliminates any confusion or miscommunication between different parties, as well as reducing the costs associated with multiple contracts.
  The design-to-build process can be broken down into three main steps: preconstruction, construction, and post-construction.
  During preconstruction, the contractor will assess the scope of work needed for the project and develop an estimate for materials, labor costs, and timeline. During construction, they will manage subcontractors to ensure quality control throughout the building process. During post-construction, they will review all documents related to the job such as warranties or lien releases before handing off the completed project to its owner.