Pre-engineered buildings refer to buildings manufactured at the factory and assembled at a construction site. These buildings are usually steel structures. The components of the building are manufactured at the factory and then transported to the site where they are assembled with bolts. This construction process is usually used to build warehouses, Metro stations, and industrial buildings. Since the time builders and architects have adopted pre-engineered buildings concept, it has resulted in various advantages including reduced costs and easier manufacturing.
Pre-Engineered Buildings and Reduced Cost
Choosing a pre-engineered building concept comes with a host of advantages. One of the major advantages of this concept is the reduced cost. Pre-engineered buildings incorporate advanced technology due to which they’re capable of customization. This enables the clients to request modifications even when the project is underway. On the other hand, conventional construction does not allow these kinds of changes.
Moreover, pre-engineering buildings are fabricated off-site. This reduces disturbance on site and also provides more flexibility when it comes to labor. Businesses, offices, schools, etc. are therefore able to carry on their operations for a longer period of time as most of the construction is done off-site. When the construction is complete, the structures are moved to the site and then erected.
All this together leads to a significant reduction in labor costs, and design & manufacturing costs making pre-engineering buildings a cost-effective choice for clients.
Long-term Benefits
In addition to a reduction in costs, Pre-engineered buildings also have various long-term benefits. These buildings keep providing a great return on your investment even after the construction has been completed. The material used in pre-engineered buildings is usually steel which does not require a lot of maintenance as compared to conventionally constructed buildings. Also, it does not lead to costly damages resulting from termites, mold, and various other pests that can damage wooden buildings.
These buildings are highly durable and require low-cost maintenance. In addition to this, clients have to spend less money on insurance of pre-engineered buildings as they’re mostly constructed using steel. The construction of these steel buildings also leads to optimum space inside the walls for the finest insulation, which leads to a reduction in cooling and heating costs over time.
Another long-term benefit of pre-engineered buildings is that they are much easier to expand. This is very helpful for growing organizations and businesses as it enables them to remodel and expand their buildings in a cost-effective way.
Market for Pre-Engineered Buildings
The market for pre-engineered buildings is brighter than ever before. Construction prognosticators expect a huge increase in pre-engineered buildings in 2019. Significant growth in a metal warehouse is also anticipated. Commercial metal buildings have witnessed a growth of up to 3 percent in 2018 and are figure is expected to increase in 2019.
As per steel experts, pre-engineered steel buildings’ market will escalate significantly in the U.S in the coming years.
Pre-Engineered Buildings -Construction Challenges in 2019
Although the construction of pre-engineered buildings looks quite easy, there are still some challenges that the construction industry may have to face in the time to come. These challenges for general contractor calgary include:
- Shortage of construction workforce: Workers are now found to be less interested in building their career in construction. In addition, the immigration policies have become stricter, leading to a dramatic reduction in the available construction labor force.
- Increasing labor costs: As the construction labor force is declining, labor costs are increasing by 3-4 percent.
- Increased material costs: Industry experts predict an increase in the construction material prices over this year. These materials include concrete, softwood lumber, and steel.
Increased labor and material costs and shortage of available construction workforce together may increase the overall cost of pre-engineered buildings, thereby reducing their cost-effectiveness. However, despite this setback, there is good hope for the pre-engineered building industry to flourish in the coming years. The experts also foresee a great increase in spending on pre-engineered construction, which means that more people will be investing in these steel buildings.