08 Mar 6 Things to Consider When Planning a Steel Frame Building

If you’re working on a construction project, the planning stage is one of the most crucial times of the entire process. Any mistakes made during this time will lead to further issues, which could delay construction, cost you more money, and create health and safety hazards.

When your project revolves around the erection of a steel frame building, this metal’s reliability is reassuring. However, you will still need to ensure you research all the required steps when planning the construction of your metal frame building. 

Baker Steel Trading are experts in custom steel fabrication and have years of experience in helping our clients complete their construction projects so that they can enjoy their new steel building. We’ve used this experience to explain the key areas of your plans that need to be focused on.

The Factors to Consider when Planning a Steel Frame Building

Whilst structural steel is one of the most reliable building materials you can work with, that advantage can quickly diminish if you cut corners on your project to save time. The following six areas are essential to accurately planning the construction of your new steel frame structure.

Choosing the Right Steel Supplier

The contractor that you choose to help complete your project can have a massive impact on the overall result, with a poor choice potentially devaluing your steel frame building. The best way to make this decision is to assess multiple fabrication services and take their experience, references, and product gallery into account to ensure that you’re picking the best contractor available.

Layout & Orientation

It should go without saying, but you need to be satisfied with your steel frame building’s planned layout before construction begins. Included in this includes any communal spaces that are required, as well as entrances, exits and corridors – all of which can be easily forgotten about with all the other decisions that need to be made. Not only does this matter from a practical sense, but also financially, as the size of the structure will play a large part in determining the final cost of the project.

Location

Before structural steel fabricators and any experts from the construction industry travel to your site to erect the steel framing, you need to consider how the site’s location could affect proceedings. If your site is hard to access, you’ll need to speak to any contractors you’re using to organise and confirm travel arrangements.

Depending on your location and the severity of the weather conditions it tends to experience, you may also have to consider whether bracing is required outside the structure.

Planning Permission

For anyone looking to build steel structures on their site, the absolute worst-case scenario would be investing lots of money and resources into a steel frame building, only to have this be ruined due to not following the relevant planning permission requirements. The only way you can be sure you avoid this unfortunate situation is to commit time to research the policies in your area whilst planning the construction schedule.

Budget

As mentioned above, there are plenty of factors that could affect the overall cost of your steel frame building. Most projects will have a set budget that can’t be exceeded, so unless you have a limitless supply of funds, you should confirm your budget and share these requirements with your contractors so that all decisions are made with this in mind.

Future Expansion

When creating metal fabrication drawings and architectural documents, it’s always best to create a design that leaves room for expansion. If your steel frame building is going to be used as a base for a company, it will allow them to expand their business and continue growing without moving premises. This will make your new steel building a much more attractive proposition for many business owners.

Contact Experienced Steel Fabrication Companies

Hopefully, our six recommended factors to consider have been helpful to you, and you now feel more confident about the planning of your construction project. If you want to take advantage of high-quality workshop facilities, why not ask Baker Steel Trading to engineer and fabricate your steel frame building?

Our structural steel fabricators can collaborate with you throughout the construction process, assisting you with creating working fabrication drawings and the fabrication, delivery and erection of the steel frame on your site. We are trusted steel suppliers, supplying a range of rolled steel sections manufactured in the UK with up-to-date UKCA and CE markings. These products include anything from universal beams to steel hollow sections for various domestic, commercial and industrial applications. 

If you’re interested in learning more about our cost-effective options, get in touch with Baker Steel Trading, and we’ll be able to provide a free estimate.