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Opening a metal building company

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NewberryAbsolute

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi everyone.
I opened a company that sells metal buildings and I'm trying to learn as much as possible. It's a hard industry to find a lot of info on.
We've got setup with Metal Building Software (MBS) and are procuring individual components from several manufacturers (and producing some of our own, mostly primary framing), but I still feel like there's a lot about this industry that I need to learn.
I've quoted out around 10 customers that have found me from google paid ads - none of which purchased. We submit bids to GCs that are requesting subs for projects that may need a metal building as well (fire stations, large warehouses, etc) with no avail.
I know there's a separate market for "structural framing" as well that are more so used for skyscraper buildings rather than metal buildings. Again, something I wish I was more knowledgeable in.

Wondering if anyone could help provide some knowledge on the industry and perhaps give some pointers on what we could be doing wrong to help close some sales and break into the industry.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Kingcarpenter1 said:
So… you started a biz you knew zilch about. Now you want strangers to tell you how to run it. I’m sitting here grunting really hard but, squeezing out zero


Mike
Click to expand...
I may not have conveyed my knowledge or understanding of the industry properly.
I know an extensive amount about the industry. But, there’s so many complex parts, especially on the engineering side, that I don’t know.
And, particularly, the sales side of the business. For example, should the target market be the end user? What do GCs expect to see when we’re submit a bid for a building to them? We’ve asked these questions of course, but because of the competitiveness of the industry, there’s very few willing the share the knowledge.

A lot of what is seemingly “basics” for the business, but is much more difficult information to obtain than the more complex knowledge that I’ve gained
 
#5 · (Edited)
The thing is, no matter what your experience in any trade working in it, translating that into ownership experience is a different animal altogether, but you're doing the right thing in reaching out to find clarity or a path forward instead of just winging it... there are a lot of unanswered questions within the questions you're asking, but one of the quicker ways to get the information you need is to focus on your target audience... the term metal buildings itself can be any form from garages on up... so once you've decided on your target audience, get in contact with the GC's you're referencing an approach it from a market study perspective in that you're trying to approach things in your industry from their perspective and tailor it to such while at the same time finding those you want to work with...
​
"Mr. Whomever... walk me through your process in how you bid for constructing the project, what common pitfalls bring issues that cause you to lose money, what is some of the information that you expect in a bid but sometimes don't get that you feel are necessary from your POV, what issues from the supply side would you like to see addressed to better scheduling and profitability of a project, etc..."​

I'd even go back to the 10 bids you didn't get and find out why you didn't get the project... if you find a pattern of reasons, that will also give you some insight into how you can tailor things going forward...

If you're having how to run a business issues, there's also your local SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) chapter... and look into any local trade associations related to your industry... there are many people who start a business who run into challenges... the ones who last, don't give up but keep after it... now is not the only time you're not going to NOT know something as every industry changes...

Congrats on the news business...
 
#6 ·
With so many reputable pre-engineered building manufacturers already in business, your only inroad will to be cheaper than them which is not a great business model.
Why should a builder or end user buy off an unproven start up -vs- Butler, Star, American, Nucor, Varco Pruden, Metallic or several others?
 
#7 ·
PEMBs are the 2$ hos of the building world....
Some collapse during erection.....

Carry extra insurance...
Keep personal wealth separated from any pre engineered metal building business.
I.e. get a skilled lawyer then start.
 
#8 ·
3rd4thGEN said:
PEMBs are the 2$ hos of the building world....
Some collapse during erection.....

Carry extra insurance...
Keep personal wealth separated from any pre engineered metal building business.
I.e. get a skilled lawyer then start.
Click to expand...
Total B.S.
Pre-engineered building represent well over half of all low rise commercial buildings constructed in the US.
There's only a couple zillion of them in place, performing everything they were intended to do.
 
#9 · (Edited)
Fishindude said:
Total B.S.
Pre-engineered building represent well over half of all low rise commercial buildings constructed in the US.
There's only a couple zillion of them in place, performing everything they were intended to do.
Click to expand...
There is a market for cheap disposable buildings..
As a mason I serve mostly customers that want a building that is usable 30 to 100 years for its election.
PEMBs have multiple issues such several x the wind drift of most other systems .

And they struggle to meet most E- building codes.

A neighborhood of metal buildings is more likely to economically decline as the units become unusable in the same time frame.
Most 2 $ sex workers are in denial too I find.
 
#10 ·
3rd4thGEN said:
......................................
.............................
........................................................
Most 2 $ sex workers are in senile too I find.
Click to expand...
You find ?

Been doing a lotta' research about that, have ya' ???
:LOL: :ROFLMAO:

Couldn't control m'sef; had to ask ! :LOL:
 
#11 ·
So where are you located? If you are trying to sell to end users, then you need to be a GC with all that that involves. An owner isn't going to buy just the PEMB -- they want a building.

You mentioned you don't have a lot of knowledge of the engineering side. That's kind of what you are selling. My guess is most people, and I'm including GC's, really couldn't tell you the difference between the various buildings just by looking at them. Let's face it, everyone is typically buying based on price.
 
#12 ·
dbbii2 said:
So where are you located? If you are trying to sell to end users, then you need to be a GC with all that that involves. An owner isn't going to buy just the PEMB -- they want a building.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately, many owners do buy PEMB packages direct then try to find someone to put the foundations in and erect them.
This is rather common in the AG community. Not the smartest way to go, but it happens frequently enough.
 
#13 ·
Re reading Original Posts..

The more you learn about PEMBS vs everything else is they Aren't designed to as high of standards as most other biulding systems.....and have inherent thermal bridge issues that make Low energy designs more expensive than most other structural solutions.

The more you learn re PEMBS Engineering will make selling them to a large fraction of your potential customers immoral behavior.....
IMHO.

One could argue selling anything without understanding it's basic properties as immoral activity....

You might ask your attorney if ignorance as a legal strategy will protect you from injured customers.... especially after posting on a national website .....

" side effects may include death, loss of wealth, damaged goods and employees".... but they ARE Cheap per square foot.....
 
#14 ·
3rd4thGEN said:
Re reading Original Posts..

The more you learn about PEMBS vs everything else is they Aren't designed to as high of standards as most other biulding systems.....and have inherent thermal bridge issues that make Low energy designs more expensive than most other structural solutions.

The more you learn re PEMBS Engineering will make selling them to a large fraction of your potential customers immoral behavior.....
IMHO.

One could argue selling anything without understanding it's basic properties as immoral activity....

You might ask your attorney if ignorance as a legal strategy will protect you from injured customers.... especially after posting on a national website .....

" side effects may include death, loss of wealth, damaged goods and employees".... but they ARE Cheap per square foot.....
Click to expand...
Maybe I've missed something.

To me, your statements of opinion appear specious.

Might you edify me as to the specifics of your general indictment of an industry segment.
 
#15 ·
You get what you pay for generally...
Some eat off paper plates....some heirloom china... many pyrex....
Nothing wrong with low end products...just don't pretend they are equivalent to to structures with redundant load load paths and higher safety factor #s...
PEMB design is bare minimum needed....
Most other buildings have 3 and 4 x safety factor engineer + redundant load path design....
For example: PEMB 'barnimunms' generally fail to meet occupied housing building codes wind & energy wise. Ditto emergency service agency buildings....
The fire truck can't respond if the fire station is laying on the apparatus....

Metal buildings have their place...some issues can be mitigated, but at increasing costs.
 
#16 ·
3rd4thGEN said:
You get what you pay for generally...
Some eat off paper plates....some heirloom china... many pyrex....
Nothing wrong with low end products...just don't pretend they are equivalent to to structures with redundant load load paths and higher safety factor #s...
PEMB design is bare minimum needed....
Most other buildings have 3 and 4 x safety factor engineer + redundant load path design....
For example: PEMB 'barnimunms' generally fail to meet occupied housing building codes wind & energy wise. Ditto emergency service agency buildings....
The fire truck can't respond if the fire station is laying on the apparatus....

Metal buildings have their place...some issues can be mitigated, but at increasing costs.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the reply.
Your opinion is noted.

No specific factual basis, eh ? I thought you may have had something more.

Thanks. (y)
 
#17 ·
I gave you engineering and code 'facts'....
If Pembs didn't have some issues why build more expensive building systems.....

Generally in life I recommend studying FIRST then acting....

God loves fools, he makes a lot of them
Bless your❤.
 
#18 ·
3rd4thGEN said:
I gave you engineering and code 'facts'....
If Pembs didn't have some issues why build more expensive building systems.....

Generally in life I recommend studying FIRST then acting....

God loves fools, he makes a lot of them
Bless your❤.
Click to expand...
Again, maybe I missed something.

You cited No facts; only your viewpoint sans such factual basis.
I acknowledged your opinion and your blessing:

God loves fools, he makes a lot of them
Bless your❤.
.
 
#19 ·
As my opinion is based on actual experience....and measured facts..

Why don't you go find out how my opinion differs from your local reality...

Maybe in a low wind low salt dry sub tropical climate and low sesmic risk zoned Pembs offer long term economical building solutions..
Not so much in high wind exposures, salt exposure to steel elements from sea and road . Or where moving any structual elements might be needed for future remodels.

Hey ignore what I know, it won't cost me anything if you carry E&O & liability insurance...
 
#20 ·
@3rd4thGEN

Apparently an interesting conversation will not ensue here.

I'm a GC.
I thank you for your admonition while I will continue to rely moreso upon my own knowledge and experience that spans more than 50 years of business.

aside: in re: PEMB
The only structural problems I have observed occurred when the erector did not follow Professional protocols.

Make yourself a great day.
 
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