Prefab Archives • Page 4 of 4 • Norsteel Buildings

Why Choose Norsteel Buildings?

Posted on March 24, 2020November 21, 2022 by Norsteel Buildings

Looking for a steel building can be an overwhelming process for many customers. There are several different Metal building providers and each has their own way of working with their customers. In today’s world, many of our purchases are made over the telephone or computer, so knowing a company’s reputation is critical: look for testimonials from past customers; delve into the history of each company; don’t be afraid to ask for referrals or for customers you can visit in your area.

Most of all, don’t be pressured. Buying a steel building is no small task. Take your time. You should feel comfortable with your consultant and the knowledge that they have. Before purchasing your building, make sure all your questions have been answered to your complete satisfaction.

Every company has their own etiquette. Every company has their own expectations for their consultants and how they conduct the relationships they have with customers.

Here is a little bit about our culture here at Norsteel.

Norsteel’s Mission Statement

At Norsteel we pride ourselves on maintaining integrity and honesty within our competitive drive to maintain our position as a leader in the steel building industry. Our brand is associated with respect and accountability for our customers, consultants and for our manufacturing partners.

Norsteel is able to maintain its position as an industry leader because we provide customers with a superior product at competitive prices and with exceptional service. Our company-wide mandate is to achieve and maintain the highest level of excellence in customer service experience and industry leading customer satisfaction.

Why Choose Norsteel?

What sets us apart from our competition is a strict adherence to three very important principles:

HONESTY – INTEGRITY – ACCOUNTABILITY

This is the basis of Norsteel’s Customer Satisfaction Service. We have no pitch, no cheesy gimmicks. We don’t apply pressure and we won’t call you 5 times every day.

We actually insist that our customers form a fully educated and comfortable partnership with us. When a customer comes to Norsteel, we want them to realize that we are part of their team, that our service is top-notch and that we will be with them every step of the way…and we are.

No matter the size of the project, customers who come to Norsteel receive access to a team of people. From the consultant who has expert product knowledge, to the engineering team that provides the drawings, to the operations manager who communicates deliveries; our team is available, consistently and conveniently – because your project is as important to us, as it is to you.

Norsteel’s Customer Satisfaction approach to service is a Multi Stage process of interaction that begins when a consultant is appointed to your project.

Our Consultants

Each consultant at Norsteel goes through several interviews and an extensive, intense training period before being offered a position.

When we look for people to join our team, it is essential that they embody the values of our company. We don’t look for hungry sales people. We look for people who will be trusted advisors to our customers; people who can co-ordinate with professionals at all stages in project development; people who form relationships and interactive bonds that are important to them. Trustworthy people.We want our customers to feel comfortable that they are dealing with people who are competent to answer their questions and we want them to feel confident that they are backed by a company rich in steel building knowledge and experience.

Understanding our customer’s needs and specifications is essential in ensuring that we are providing the structure that satisfies your specific project requirements.

We believe that it is a mistake to attempt to sell anyone a steel building until we understand their situation, budget and need for the building. In our experience, this is one of the most common problems encountered by customers. Far too often, we encounter customers who are unhappy with other companies because no one has taken the time required to uncover what they actually need and want before pressuring them to purchase a “clearance sale building”. This is NOT the Norsteel way.

Our consultants don’t use pressure to force a sale. Taking the time to understand as much as possible about our customers and prospects is an absolute must.

Our Relationship with Our Customers

At Norsteel, we provide a service, not just a structure. This is the first lesson that new consultants learn when they begin their training process. And that service begins with the customer’s first inquiry.

When you contact Norsteel, you can expect to be addressed professionally by a consultant who has the experience to discuss your project and site in depth; your consultant will ask questions about soil conditions, wind exposure and the location and proximity of other buildings on your site. Your consultant won’t pitch a clearance building with a generic box design, and they won’t expect you to adapt your needs to a building they have on sale.

Consultants at Norsteel will talk to you about your requirements, not only those of today but also what you may require tomorrow as your family or business evolves, and they will help you to come up with a clear understanding of all the possible options.

Once they have a thorough understanding of everything that you require, your consultant will provide you with a comprehensive design that addresses your specific, unique project. They will provide a complete proposal that clearly outlines all the inclusions for your project. And they will follow-up to go through the proposal and answer any of your questions until you are completely satisfied that you have all the information to make an informed steel building purchase.

Our Customer Satisfaction Service is an educative approach to providing customers with knowledge. But our services don’t stop with the sale.

Customers who purchase a Norsteel building receive correspondence regularly so that they know what is happening each step of the way: during engineering, production, and delivery. They have an entire team of people to work with, so any questions they have can be answered quickly and efficiently. And once the building is delivered, and the erection process begins, customers feel comfortable reaching out with questions and correspondence, often sending us pictures and videos of their finished buildings and sharing the end results.

Once you own a Norsteel Building, you are part of the Norsteel family and we will follow-up with you, year after year.

Satisfied customers are the foundation of our company. At Norsteel, we pride ourselves on maintaining good relationships – past, current and recurring. In fact, many of our current prospects come from customer referrals and recommendations. And there is no greater testimony of a customer’s satisfaction, and no better compliment for our company, then that endorsement.

Let Our Customers Do the Talking

Customer satisfaction is ultimately why we do what we do at Norsteel, but don’t just take our word for it – click here to visit our testimonials page where you can hear firsthand accounts from Norsteel customers about how their building project has added business value, exceeded expectations, or simply made them happy.

An Introduction to Building Foundations

Posted on March 5, 2020November 21, 2022 by Norsteel Buildings

In last month’s blog series, we examined the permit process and the early stages of a new construction project. We looked in detail at what documents and information are required to begin planning for a new steel building project, and how you should get a jump on this stage of the process during the winter months, so your project is ready to break ground during the warmer months. However, now that the worst days of winter are behind us – hopefully – we turn our attention to the next stage of the build process.

From now until the end of Spring, we will focus on the foundation system of metal buildings. We will discuss in detail, what foundations do and what types of foundations are suitable to support a steel building system. The first step is distinguishing where the steel building itself ends, and where the foundation begins.

What is a Foundation?

Simply put – the foundation is the lowest load-bearing part of a building, typically below ground.

Although foundations are not part of the typical metal building package that is shipped to your build-site, all our building systems are built on top of a foundation. For this reason alone, you should have a general understanding of what a foundation is and what role it plays in the overall structure of a building. It’s also important to understand how a foundation will impact the overall cost of your structure.

The foundation required in the erection of a Pre-Engineered building generally involves a concrete slab with concrete footings (see adjacent image). The footing is extra concrete, usually rectangular in shape, poured and formed under a column or some other structural support member of the building. A footing distributes the load carried by the building system support members into the supporting soil.

Connecting Structure to Foundation

When a customer orders a metal building system, the structure is carefully engineered taking into account the appropriate buildings codes and loads of their structure and their particular site location. Careful calculations are made which seek to measure the precise concentrated loads at each spot where a column meets the floor of the foundation.

It is at this connection point on each column that a metal base plate is required. This pre-punched metal plate is the connecting plate that joins the building to the foundation. The metal base plate is pre-punched to fit over the anchor bolts.

Foundation Base Plate — This is an example of a base plate; where a column is connected to the underlying foundation.

Who Designs the Foundation?

Just as your building will be designed and stamped by a structural engineer who is certified to practice in your specific province or state, so too will your foundation be designed and stamped by a foundation engineer who is specialized and certified for your specific area.

Once your building has been engineered, within the permit drawings package, you will be provided with precise locations for the positioning of anchor bolts within the foundation. You will also be provided with building reactions. These are specific to each structure and are important calculations on which your foundation must be based.

Foundation Drawing permit office — The anchor bolt layout drawing above shows exactly where each column will meet the ground.

Metal Base Plate — Each metal base plate connects to the foundation with anchor bolts – this drawing shows the required diameter.

Building Reactions — Calculation are made regarding the precise concentrated loads at each spot where a column meets the floor.

You will take the permit drawings for your building, to a foundation engineer who will design a foundation to meet the requirements of your specific structure and site location.

There are many different choices for your foundation. Together with your foundation engineer, you will determine which foundation suits your soil conditions, specific location and the application for your building.

How To Create a Metal Building Foundation

If you’re considering erecting a metal building, you’ll first need a foundation for the building to rest on. Not only is the foundation a crucial piece of how strong and rigid the metal building will be, but the foundation will also help protect the metal components from corrosion and other damage as a result of excess moisture or water.

That said, while you can certainly try it yourself, it’s often best to hire a concrete contractor to do the work for you. After all, problems with a foundation can jeopardize the integrity of any building that sits on top, and that could be a real danger for the equipment or people inside. In addition to following industry standards and best practices, a contractor experienced in laying foundations will also help you avoid common pitfalls and give your new building the best chance of standing the test of time.

But before any work can start, you’ll need to secure a building permit first. A building permit is what allows you to create that metal building foundation, as well as erecting the building that sits on it. If you neglect this step, you could end up facing fines and other penalties, and you may even be required to tear down your building, or a significant part of it, after it’s all said and done. That’s because inspections and the permitting process can be extensive, and if you just barrel ahead and hope to figure it out later, it can mean significant backtracking, if not an eventual reboot of the entire project.

Once you’ve secured the building permit, the next step is to decide on metal building foundation details like where the building will go and the exact footprint of the building. To keep things simple, and especially if you’re using one of our pre-engineered steel building kits, you’ll want to stick to classic rectangular designs instead of going with something more complicated. Keep in mind that things like soil and drainage are important when it comes to the longevity and integrity of your metal building and its foundation, so make sure you get the opinion of a professional and exhaust all avenues and options before moving forward.

Now it’s time to prep the site for the foundation. Hire surveyors to stake the area and clear away any trees, shrubs or rocks. While you can certainly try to level the ground by hand, it’s often best to hire a professional. They’ll be able to advise you on the type of foundation your metal building needs, whether it’s a ground mount or concrete slab. For longevity, a concrete slab is best, though in instances of metal garages and other storage areas, you may be able to get away with a ground mount foundation.

Depending on the type of metal building foundation you opt for, specialized work will be required to create a foundation that will enhance your metal building’s strength, not detract from it. After the foundation cures, you’ll be able to start assembly up top. However, keep in mind that improper curing can reduce the strength of your foundation by up to 50 percent, jeopardizing the integrity of the building itself.

Get Started Today!

Foundations are a critical component of the full building package. When you engage Norsteel we become your partner throughout the entire construction process. Click here to contact us today for a free, no obligation quote on your next building project!

What to Bring With You To the Permit Office

Posted on February 25, 2020November 21, 2022 by Norsteel Buildings

In this month’s blog series, we’ve outlined some of the benefits of starting your building project in the winter. Cold winter temperatures make it difficult to actually break ground and begin construction on a new building project. However, there are earlier steps in the construction process that you can tackle over the winter which will help you beat the summer rush. Namely, applying for building permits at your municipal permit office.

Consulting with the experts at Norsteel should always be your first step in the building process, but your second step should involve a visit to the permit office. While there are a handful of documents and forms that you’ll almost always require to apply for a building permit, not every municipality is exactly the same. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to visit your local permit office and ask for more information on what documents you’ll need to submit depending on the size, location, and functionality of your building.

However, as stated previously, there are a handful of documents that you can be certain your local permit office will want to see before they can review your application. Let’s examine these documents and look at some examples of what might be included in each.

Structural Drawings

If you want to acquire a building permit, you’ll need to submit a set of structural drawings which detail how your building will be built. Structural drawings are prepared by professional engineers and need to be certified – via an official seal or stamp – by an engineer who has the required certifications from the province or state in which the building is being built.

When you buy a building from Norsteel, we take care of this part for you. You will work with your own personal consultant and design team to produce a set of preliminary drawings. These drawings may change several times as you work through your structure and discuss your specific needs and requirements. Once you are 100% satisfied with the design, the engineering department takes over and produces a customized set of permit drawings for your specific building. These permit drawings are carefully engineered taking into consideration the specific codes/loads for your site location as well as the load requirements for your building’s intended use. No two sets of permit drawings are alike. These drawings, once completed, will be stamped and signed by the engineer who is responsible for your structure. He or she must be licenced to practise in your province or state.

Structural drawings provide a detailed and comprehensive overview of the load-carrying components of a structure, and of how they connect with one another. Structural drawings also provide an overview of the types of materials that will be used in the construction of the building (e.g., types and quantities of structural columns, connectors and support attachments, and fasteners/bolts.)

While structural drawings are required for permit approval, they also include detailed instructions that contractors can use to provide you with an accurate timeline for construction as well as a complete quote for the assembly of your building. These documents can and should also be included in any contract documents you sign with a contractor – this ensures that the scope and size of your building project is clearly outlined beforehand and that both you and your contractor agree on what will be included in the construction of your building.

Structural Drawing permit office — The drawing above offers a detailed overview of the rigid frame of a sample structure. The frame is the basis for a building’s structural support.

Below are some additional samples of drawings that would be included in your project’s package of permit drawings.

Foundation Drawings

In order to have your building project approved by the municipality, your permit office will also request a foundation drawing for your proposed project.

Within the permit drawings for your structure, you will be provided with precise locations for columns and the positioning of anchor bolts within the foundation. You will also be provided with building reactions. These are specific to each structure and are important calculations on which your foundation must be based.

With these structural drawings in hand, you will engage a foundation engineer to design a foundation that will meet the requirements of your specific structure and site location. Just as your permit drawings are stamped by a licensed engineer for your province, so too will your foundation drawings be stamped by a foundation engineer who is certified for your location. Again, Norsteel can assist you in finding and working with a certified foundation engineer.

Additional Documents

The permit office will also need you to provide an updated site plan that includes information on all other structures on the property, along with accurate measurements of current property lines and boundaries. Depending on the location of your site, the permit office may also require that the owner provide things like soil testing and water drainage reports.

Depending on the complexity and intended use of your final building project, the permit office might also request that you provide information on electrical, plumbing, HVAC and insulation. The required complexity and detail of these forms will depend entirely on the specifics of your project, and can range from simple forms, to full architectural and engineered drawings that show precise locations, weights, and dimensions.

For large, complex projects, or small ones in complex locations, the end user typically consults with a general contractor who will be familiar with all the requirements and with the permit office itself. For do-it-yourself (DIY) projects, we always advise the customer to go to their municipal permit office before purchasing any metal building package, so that all the requirements are clear upfront.

Get Started Today!

When you buy a building from Norsteel, we become your partner throughout the construction process. We work with you, or with your general contractor, to ensure that all your building requirements are met. Your project is our project, and we’ll be with you the whole way through.

Occupancy Ratings: What You Need to Know

Posted on February 18, 2020November 21, 2022 by Norsteel Buildings

In a previous blog, we discussed how all steel buildings must be custom engineered taking into consideration the specific building codes and loads for their specific site location. We talked about the importance of understanding the specific Codes and Loads in the design of a metal building system.

Just as there are differences in structural design that correspond to different environmental conditions, there are also differences in design that relate directly to occupancy rating.

What Are Human Occupancy Ratings?

As the name implies, the occupancy rating is a designation given to a structure based on the number of human beings that the structure’s application would typically require or dictate. In general, the more people a building needs to protect, the stronger the building is required to be.

Buildings can fall into one of four occupancy rating categories:

Low Human Occupancy
Normal Human Occupancy
High/Substantial Human Occupancy
Post-Disaster/Essential

The majority of structures are designated as Normal Human Occupancy by the permit office. This is the catch-basin for all structures that do not fit into any of the other categories. Therefore, it is easier to distinguish what is NOT Normal Human Occupancy to understand what that category actually includes. With that said, let’s examine the different human occupancy rating categories and what each requires.

Low Human Occupancy

Buildings designated as Low Human Occupancy are strictly defined as those which have an occupant load of not more than one person per 431 square feet of floor area during normal use.

Examples of Low Human Occupancy buildings include agricultural structures, storage and equipment buildings. Each case is carefully evaluated before changing the occupancy rating.

Produce storage and packing facilities
Livestock and poultry housing
Equipment and machinery storage
Milking and dairy centres
Manure storage
Feed preparation facilities
Grain bins and silos
Farm workshops, farm rental centres
Horse arenas, riding, exercise and training facilities
Greenhouse and grow-op facilities

High Human Occupancy

Buildings designated as High Human Occupancy are those that are likely to be used as post-disaster shelters but whose primary use is characterized by a dense human attendance.

Examples of structures that are typically designated as High Human Occupancy include:

Elementary, middle or secondary schools
Universities and colleges
Auditoriums and stadiums
Places of worship; churches, mosques, etc.
Community centres
Manufacturing and storage facilities containing toxic, explosive, or other hazardous substances in sufficient quantities to be dangerous to the public if released

Restaurants, like the one built by Norsteel here, are examples of high human occupancy buildings.

Post-Disaster

The Post-Disaster designation is given to buildings which are essential to the provision of services in the event of a disaster. As you might expect, this designation carries with it the most intensive construction requirements.

Examples of structures that are typically designated as Post-Disaster Buildings include:

Hospitals, emergency treatment facilities, and blood banks
Telephone exchanges
Power generating stations and electrical substations
Control centres for air, land, and marine transportation
Public water treatment and storage facilities, and pumping stations
Sewage treatment facilities
Buildings with critical national defense functions
Emergency response facilities
Fire, rescue, and police stations, and housing for vehicles, aircraft, or boats used for such purposes
Communications facilities, including radio and television stations

Occupancy Ratings and Norsteel

At Norsteel, we design according to your specific project’s needs and functionality requirements. So, if your building’s function requires a higher or lower human occupancy rating, this is an important discussion that you should have with your building consultant. Determining the proper occupancy rating for your building will have a direct influence on the integrity of your engineered structure and it has an impact on the cost.

In general, more people = more steel = more cost.

At Norsteel, unless you tell us otherwise, we will always default to designing your structure with a Normal Human Occupancy rating. Not all metal building providers default in this way. Some design using a Low Human Occupancy Ratings (category 1). This is important to consider when you are comparing your quotes. Remember that a change in a structure’s occupancy rating will change its strength as well as its cost. So be mindful.

In the end, it is the permit office that will determine the essential rating for your structure, so it is important for you to understand where your building sits on the scale. This way, you can make an informed decision on the rating of your structure from the very beginning of the design process.

Click here to contact us today for a free, no obligation quote on your next building project!

Understanding Building Codes and Loads

Posted on February 12, 2020November 21, 2022 by Norsteel Buildings

All buildings, including Metal Building Systems, must be engineered to meet certain building code and load requirements defined by the municipality or jurisdiction in which the building is located. At Norsteel, all of our buildings are custom-made to order so that our certified engineers can design a building that accommodates your design requirements while still adhering to your local building code and load requirements.

What Are Building Codes and Loads?

Buildings provide shelter for people and property. While a building should have many desirable characteristics, including an attractive appearance, long life, flexibility of use and economy, its basic requirement must be one of protection.

To break this down even further, we can consider two kinds of protection that buildings provide:

1. Protection against forces or loads that may be exerted upon the building

Unless the structure can offer adequate resistance against various loading conditions, the safety of people and the value of property are endangered. This is where sound design considerations must be given as to the strength of the building and particularly, to the structural system.

2. Protection against the elements – rain, wind, heat and cold:

Any of these can contribute to personal discomfort and cause a decrease in the value of contents and property. The degree of protection against the elements is determined by the weather tightness and thermal efficiency of a building. These factors greatly influence the design of a structure’s roof and walls.

Now that we understand the two broad types of load requirements, let’s examine each in detail so we can outline some of the specific loads that are taken into consideration when designing and constructing a new building.

Protection from Loads Exerted on the Building

Dead Load

The Dead Load is the total weight of the metal building system, including elements like the roof, framing, insulation, and covering members. The specific and detailed distribution of a structure’s weight must be taken into consideration when designing a building so that the structural integrity of the building itself isn’t compromised.

Live Load

The Live Load refers to any temporary load imposed on a building (that is not wind load, snow load, seismic load or dead load), that will be present during construction, maintenance, or present at different points throughout the life of the building. A few examples of a live load are workers, equipment and materials. The minimum Live Load per code is 20.89 PSF.

Collateral Load

The Collateral load refers to the weight of additional permanent materials, other than the weight of the metal building system, such as sprinklers, mechanical and electrical systems, and ceilings. Collateral loads in a building are evenly distributed suspended loads inside the building. A normal (minimum) collateral load is 2 PSF, which takes into consideration roof insulation and normal lighting. Sprinkler systems add 3 to 4 PSF, suspended ceilings add another 4 PSF.

At Norsteel we design all structures with a minimum collateral load of 3 PSF – Although lowering the collateral load will decrease the initial cost of a structure, the cost to reinforce the building once it has been manufactured and erected outweighs any initial savings. The collateral load should be clearly indicated on costing sheets.

Concentrated or Point Loads

Concentrated loads, occur either from roof top units or are loads that are suspended inside the building. Roof top units are typically things like air conditioners and make-up air units. Suspended loads can be from heaters, ductwork, cable trays or support strapping, basketball nets, mechanical piping, suspended walkways or conveyors, roof top units. All concentrated loads need to be considered in the building’s design. Although they are technically dynamic live loads (e.g., cranes and material handling systems), Auxiliary Loads also fall under this category and must be given careful consideration in the design of the structure.

Protection from the Elements

Wind Load

Structures must be designed to resist the forces imposed by the wind blowing from any direction. There are 3 specific concerns to be aware of regarding wind: Speed, Exposure and Enclosure.

1. Wind Speed

Wind speeds vary greatly depending on a building’s physical location and surrounding geographic area. As a result, these loads are imposed by the building codes for the building site within the designated municipality.

2. Wind Exposure

Wind exposure is determined by the specific location of the structure itself on the site, and what features are near the building.

Obstructions: Trees, buildings, terrain features
Exposure B: Obstructions within ½ mile zone
Exposure C: No obstructions on any side within ½ mile zone

3. Wind Enclosure

Wind enclosure speaks to the effect of wind as determined by the openings on the building itself.

Enclosed: All openings can be relied on to be closed during a storm
Partially Enclosed: One wall more open than the sum of the others; creates a ballooning effect
Open: Buildings with all walls at least 80% open; openings will remain open during storms

Snow Load

Technically speaking, the snow load refers to and addresses the vertical load induced by the weight of snow, assumed to act on the horizontal projection of the roof of the structure. This environmental load varies greatly depending on locality and site conditions. Note: Very wet snow 6” deep is equal to one inch of water. One inch of water on a square foot of surface weighs five pounds.

Seismic Load

The load or loads acting in any direction on a structural system due to the action of an earthquake.

Who Determines Building Codes and Loads

Building Codes and Loads are determined Nationally and Internationally, and imposed by our local municipal permit offices. When we design a structure, we use the job site location and specifically the postal code to determine the National (or International) Building Code and Loadings for the specific municipality of the job in question. This takes care of mother nature’s influence. But remember that there are particular considerations that will be specific to your site location and where you want to place your building on the site.

When pricing out your steel building, ensure that your building provider is asking the questions that are important in ensuring the integrity of your building and the safety of everything you will be protecting.

Remember that pre-engineered buildings are custom designed and manufactured to your specific requirements. Each component is carefully engineered to ensure that it can withstand the elements for your specific circumstance. This is why there are no genuine clearance buildings and why customers should be very weary of buying a building that was designed for someone else. The design of your building relies on the information that you provide about its purpose, content and about the site itself. At Norsteel, regardless of a job’s location, we always demand a series of minimum requirements for our building projects to ensure a consistent level of quality construction.

Closing Out

The types of loads and their magnitudes are critically important to the design and construction of your steel building. At Norsteel we’ll work with you on your building project from start to finish to ensure the proper building codes and loads are used, without sacrificing on the design elements and functionality that you need from your steel building. From commercial buildings, to agricultural, to even mining facilities, we do it all.

Click here to contact us today for a free quote on your next project!

Plan for Success: 5 Reasons to Start Your Building Project in the Winter

Posted on January 31, 2020November 21, 2022 by Norsteel Buildings

In Canada, we are fortunate to have such variety in our climate throughout the year and across the country – though, I might say otherwise if you asked me about our climate in January. For those involved in construction, this poses a real challenge. Most construction is done when the ground is soft, and the air is warm during the Spring and Summer months – and in Canada, we’re lucky if we get a full 6 months of conditions like these.

The Permit Process

One of the first steps in planning a new building is to make sure you understand your local zoning and municipal bylaws. You need to know what you can build, where you can build it, and what size it can be. All this information can easily be gathered through a quick visit to your municipal permit office.

In fact, in most municipalities if your structure is larger than a certain size you’ll have to receive permit approval for your building before you start construction, so it’s always a good idea to start your construction journey with a visit to your local permit office.

In the off-season, the permit process is usually far faster than during peak construction season. Assuming all your documents are in order and your building plan is up to code, permit approval can take as little as a week during the winter months. However, during the Spring or Summer months, it’s almost a certainty that your local permit office will be backed up with last-minute requests for review. If you submit your plans for review at this time of year, it’s very likely your request will be at the bottom of a backlogged pile of other permit requests – we’ve seen permit office backlogs delay building projects for months, and even up to a year!

Since permit offices are run by the city in which they are located, you’ll have to check with your local office on exactly what documents they require to approve your permit. However, there are a handful of documents you’ll almost certainly need to bring with you, and we’ll cover these in our next blog post.

5 Reasons to Start Your Construction Project During the Winter

Here are five reasons you should start planning for your building project in the winter:

1. Faster Permit Approval

Local permit offices become overloaded with requests during the spring and summer months. By waiting until the summer to file your permit request you could be delaying your construction project by anywhere from a few months to a full year! If you’re planning for a spring, summer, or even fall construction project, do yourself the favour of checking in with your local permit office as early as possible.

2. Faster Engineering Process

Permit drawings that are stamped by a Certified Engineer for your province will be requested from your permit office and required for approval. During the off-season, these drawings can be completed in as little as one week, but in the busier months these drawings can take up to five weeks because of backlog. It is also possible for the permit office to approve a project only after changes to the engineered drawings have been completed and brought back for review. If you’re revising your drawings, this could set you back another three weeks!

3. Faster Material Fabrication

In the summer months manufacturing plants become inundated with orders. It’s not uncommon for a building that would take 4-6 weeks to manufacture off-season, to take double the time to fabricate during the summer – just because of the backlog. By getting your engineered drawings completed and having your building permit approved as early as possible, your building will be first in-line for fabrication. Better yet, organize your time and schedule your delivery date months in advance so you can be totally prepared and in control of your construction schedule.

4. More, and Better, Contractor Options

Most contractors – and certainly the best ones – book their spring and summer construction projects months ahead of time. By waiting until the summer months roll around to begin your search for a contractor, you’ll be missing out on many of the great contractors out there who are already booked solid. In addition, because their time is so valuable in the summer months, many contractors will charge more for jobs they agree to fit in to their already busy schedules.

5. Lower Prices

If none of the time-saving tips outlined here have convinced you, then maybe an appeal to your wallet will! During the winter months, building pricing is often far better than it is during the spring or summer months. Because the goal is to keep manufacturing plants busy year-round, customers can benefit from lower pricing and special offers on accessories. So, by starting your summer construction project in the winter, you’ll save on both time and money!

Final Note

Understanding the impact of seasonality on construction projects will help you plan around the weather and set yourself up for a successful project. At Norsteel, we are committed to working with you throughout the entire project, from design to fabrication, so you can be sure you are getting the best possible building for your needs. Contact us if you have any questions or want to get started on your next project today!

Our Backyard Project

Posted on October 3, 2019November 21, 2022 by Norsteel Buildings

Owners and Customers

As a business owner, being passionate about what you can provide to your customers is a necessary requirement. To me that means understanding each individual customer’s unique requirements and then adapting my product to best suit their specific needs. It means fully recognizing the versatility of my products and thinking outside of the proverbial box, to create solutions that are unique and exciting. As owners of Norsteel Buildings, it was a very important thing for my husband and I to experience our service from our customers’ perspective…so we made ourselves customers. Here’s our story:

Our Backyard Project

In 2007, my husband and I moved into an incredible neighbourhood in the middle of rural Ontario. We were surrounded by the Oak Ridges Moraine and our property was immersed in a beautiful forest of 80 foot high sugar maples, cherry and oak. With 4 children, the house and property became our biggest investment. Instead of looking for a weekend getaway, we became determined to bring the cottage-life, to our home. The key to convincing my husband was that everything, from the landscaping to the building had to be virtually maintenance-free…

We decided to fully landscape the backyard – complete with patios and separate pool area, and I was determined to design my own pool cabana that could easily double as an apartment when relatives came to visit.

That’s when the research began.

I sourced out the pool first. I felt very confident after speaking to a representative of Mayfair Pools in Markham. The owner was very forthcoming with information, incredibly knowledgeable about many aspects of construction and landscaping and he had several referrals for me to look into. For landscaping, we went with a family owned and operated company – Dutch-Style Landscaping. They were in our neighbourhood working on several other yards at the time, so I was able to see their finished projects and speak with other customers.

Lastly (after I went to the permit office to make sure I had all the information I needed in terms of size and distance from the property line), I started to look into possibilities for the pool cabana. It was overwhelming.

How totally ironic that my first thought was to go with wood? Seriously….I have been in the steel building industry almost 40 years, and my first inclination was to build my own pool cabana in wood so it would match with my house.

You see at that time, our building focus at Norsteel was mainly on Industrial, Agricultural and Commercial applications. It took my husband’s adventurous spirit to look at my collection of photos, turn to me and say – “We can do it in steel.”

And so began our experience with Residential Pre-Engineered buildings.

That night Sean and I were up for hours, designing and re-designing, until everything we wanted was on the preliminary drawings. Things like an overhang porch, multiple entrances and bar height windows, side door washroom entrance, and high peaked ceiling. We discussed the inside space optimization and the “clear-span” interior (no posts inside) which would give me a totally open concept to work with and cathedral ceilings

My biggest worry was the look of the exterior. How could we make our typical steel building look like something other than steel? More research….We found steel panels in various colours, some that looked like stucco, some like wood, and some that even looked like brick. The options went on and on. In the end, we chose to put stucco on the back and sides and we called a friend of ours to brick the front of the building so that it matched our house.

Lastly, and most importantly, the concerns I had about the safety issues involved in putting anything up within our forest…were now gone. Trees are constantly falling (keep in mind they are on average, 80 feet tall), and I was worried that any structure could be compromised by a falling tree or the incredible amount of snow we get in the wintertime. With Pre-Eng structures I knew that the building would meet or exceed all building codes for our area. I also knew it would be strong, durable and virtually maintenance-free.

It took almost an entire year to complete our backyard project, but now that it’s complete, we enjoy every moment because the entire thing is as maintenance-free as we wanted – from the landscaping, to the building.

Pushing Our Boundaries

So how did this backyard project change things at Norsteel?

I’m going to say that one of the main reasons that we did this project was to test the boundaries of our own product line and to learn what we could from the customer’s perspective. All true.

I learned a lot from this project. I learned a lot about our buildings. I learned what I needed to teach our consultants so they could think outside the box and think of a pre-engineered building as something more than a square foot measurement.

Pool House Backyard Project Custom Building

It is from our own experience with our pool-house that we created our new product line for backyard shops and garages. And it was our experience with contractors and the permit office that spear-headed our client-centered focus at Norsteel…because sometimes there are frustrations when putting up any building, and sometimes you really need to speak to someone who can help – right away.

I can also, with complete honesty, tell my customers that my building is exactly what my building was supposed to be. That after over 10 years, it still looks great. The stucco panels have not faded and don’t look weathered and I clean them (actually Sean does…), with a power-washer each year. This building is stronger than my house. It holds up to harsh winters and it doesn’t leak.

It is from this experience that I tell our customers that when you are planning your building, make it bigger than what you think you need – because inevitably, you will need more space. And lastly, if my husband would take his old race car out of it, I could FINALLY make the inside what I know it can be (which is likely the reason that car hasn’t moved in a decade) – because I have a clean slate interior to work with and nothing but clear, usable space in which to create. And then I could take some pictures and show you the inside too.

Come to Norsteel – not just because you need a steel building. I hope you come to us because you recognize that we really want to help you create a lifetime of memories, in a building that makes sense for you.

Thanks to everyone who helped make our backyard project happen!

Kind Regards,
Michelle

Steel Building Buyer’s Guide

Posted on September 6, 2019November 21, 2022 by Norsteel Buildings

Why Steel?

Whether you need a building for personal or business use, steel is the solution for you. Steel is one of the most commonly used materials in construction. Its versatility ensures its effectiveness in commercial, industrial, office, warehouse, garage & workshop, airplane hangar, agriculture, riding arena, and mini storage system settings. Combining pre-engineered components with steel construction will provide your building with four clear benefits:

Cost Savings: When compared with conventional building systems, up to 40% in labour costs can be saved when putting up your pre-engineered building.
Fast Construction: Pre-fabrication of steel components means your construction can be done in minimal time – it takes only weeks for simple projects and even large complex jobs can be assembled in 60 to 90 days – compared to 6 months or more for traditional methods.
Remarkable Resilience: The durability of steel helps buildings last 20 to 30 years without requiring painting or other maintenance, outlasting other materials.
Environmental Sustainability: Pre-engineered steel buildings use galvanized steel sheets that are made with 25 to 30% post-consumer recycled content. All steel is 100% recyclable.

While construction takes a short time with pre-engineered steel buildings, it is always important to consider the full project timeline – from planning to finished product. An accurate plan translates to a well-executed project from inception to occupation. Below are the four main steps involved in the production of any building, along with the timelines for the average pre-engineered steel building. This information will help you know what to expect when you approach a steel manufacturer with a project for your new building.

Step 1: Specify the Design

Before any work can start on the project, everyone involved needs to know what it is expected to look like. An initial meeting will be held with your building consultant where you will describe the function that you want your building to serve. If your project is a complicated one, you may need an architect to be involved as part of your design team. Working together, general information about the building will be identified, but before your first discussion, try to consider the following things:

Size;
Shape;
Type of interior walls and roof;
Number and placement of windows and doors;
Any façade or cosmetic enhancement needed.

To help this process go smoothly, it is good to have an idea of each of these characteristics for your building prior to the meeting. It’s also important to discuss the functionality of your structure – what you are using it for and all the requirements it needs to fill. Most companies should have brochures available for you to browse and get familiar with their capabilities.

Based on your criteria, your Building Consultant will work with you to produce preliminary designs for your building. You may go back and forth a few times before you are completely satisfied with the final preliminary design. The engineering of your structure will be based on these, so make sure you are completely happy with them before moving forward.

Timeline: Simple projects can take only hours to design. Complex multi-faceted facilities can take months. How prepared you are for this first step in the building process, dictates how long it will take. It’s one way to cut down on the overall timeline of your project.

Step 2: Engineering

Once you have your preliminary design and have made an initial deposit, the engineers can get to work creating the specifications and blueprints for your building. Every pre-engineered building is individually customized for its specific use and geographical location. This is a very important fact. It means that your specific geography must be taken into consideration in order to secure the integrity of your specific building. The National Building Codes are used in this engineering process. You will receive these structural drawings to take to your permit office. These should be signed, dated and stamped by a licensed engineer from your province or state.

You will also give these drawings to your foundation engineer who will use the anchor bolt locations and the reactions from your structural drawings, to design the proper foundation for your requirements and soil conditions. Like the pre-engineered structural drawings, your foundation engineer will produce certified drawings for you to bring to your local permit office for approval.

Timeline: For simple projects, engineering can take from 6-10 days; for complex projects, engineering can take 2-5 weeks (engineering part), the same may be true for your foundation drawings.

Step 3: Permit Processing

Acquiring the relevant building permits that you will need before beginning construction is the next step. How long it takes will depend on your particular municipality, your site location, and on the complexity of your project, as well as on the time of year that you apply for permit approval.

It is always advisable to take advantage of the lull in construction during the winter months when the permit offices are not overburdened by spring and summer projects. This is one way to cut the timeline – time your permit submission so they can be approved quickly, or any issues can be resolved while the frost is still in the ground. This way you can be ready to break ground as soon as the weather allows.

And remember, any changes that are required at this stage will lengthen the project timeline and can result in surcharges and high re-engineering costs.

Timeline: 3 weeks to 1.5 years for county/city permit processing.

Step 4: Fabrication and Delivery

Once your permits have been approved, your project can then be released to production and at this time, you will likely be asked to provide a second deposit. The detailing team will begin by producing the essential component inventory for your specific building and manufacturing will begin.

In the case of pre-engineered buildings, all these parts are produced and pre-cut to the exact dimensions that you need in a separate facility. They are even pre-drilled so they will be ready to be assembled and bolted together once they arrive at your construction site. This considerably reduces the construction timeline compared to buildings that are not pre-engineered, letting you enjoy your finished building much sooner.

Timeline: 3 – 12 weeks depending on complexity.

Final Thoughts

This 4-step process is the typical sequence of events for most of the customers we work with. And while the timelines we have listed in this blog are averages, it is important to remember that all timelines will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. At Norsteel, for typical projects, we get all the work done within 6-8 weeks. Many of our customers have already received approval from their permit offices and in such cases, we can move very quickly from inception of design to delivery. These projects can take as little as 4-6 weeks to arrive at your site, from the time that you have your initial discussion with your consultant.

The ultimate goal is a smoothly executed timeline so that while we are busy manufacturing, you are preparing your site, pouring your foundation, and getting ready to receive your building.

One last piece of advice – before you start planning your new building, take the time to contact your local permit office so you are aware of any restrictions for your building and specific municipality. It’s also a good time to ask them to send you the current building codes and loads for your area.