The simplicity of the construction process is one of the main selling points for metal structures. With a shorter timeline to construct than with most wood designs, you can have your building up faster and for a lower cost. However, no matter what kind of building you pick, you are going to need to consider site prep as part of this process. Let’s take a closer look at how site prep for metal buildings works in this article.
Finding the Right Spot
This is where your entire project process should start: finding the perfect spot on your property for the new building. It’s important to start here because details about your chosen site, like the size of the area and how accessible it is, are crucial for the decisions to come.
In some cases, this choice will be an obvious one. On a smaller property, there may only be one viable location on which to build, so that’s the spot you’ll pick. However, if you have more land to work with, you might be looking at several viable building sites, so take your time and weigh the pros and cons of each. You don’t want to find yourself taking down your metal building to move it to a new spot later on, so invest the time now to make the best choice.
The Hard Work of Leveling
When you’ve picked your site, it’s time to level the land the carport will sit on. What leveling looks like will depend on the details of the land you intend to use. If it needs only minor leveling and the ground is easy to work with, hand tools and determination may be all you require. On the other hand, a severely sloped piece of ground with tough soil or overgrowth will demand powerful machines to get the job done in a timely manner. Hiring an excavation contractor to prepare your site is recommended so you’re sure your carport will be sturdy for years to come.
Choosing the Right Foundation
At this point, with the ground leveled, you’ll be ready to prepare it for the installation of your new metal building. While you might want to go ahead with a concrete slab to have a solid, stable foundation on which your building can rest, that is not necessarily a requirement. In some cases, you can leave the ground bare and just use concrete around the posts to secure the structure.
The key here is to think about what you’ll be using this building for and what conditions it will face throughout the year. If you are going to park vehicles under this roof, having a concrete foundation will be far more useful than bare ground that may get wet and soggy during the winter months. Given the modest cost of having a slab poured, that option should be your default choice unless you have a compelling reason to do something else.
Make Sure To Fill Out the Proper Permits
When preparing to install a new carport, always consider zoning laws and if a permit will be required. Contact your local authority and fill out the proper paperwork before constructing your carport. Skipping this step may lead to legal issues down the road.
Get It Right the First Time
Preparing the site and going through the steps can be tedious, but it’s important to get the job done right. Make sure the land is ready to go and then look forward to years of reliable service from your new American Carports, Inc. structure. When building your new carport, consider what features you want to see. Use our free Build & Price tool to experiment with various designs and customization options. Should you need help along the way, just contact us and a member of our team will be glad to assist you!
