Are you in the process of building a new commercial space for car repair or agricultural purposes? Do you know that a commercial metal garage can be affordable for all your garage needs? That’s right! The traditional, timber-built garage space takes a lot of time, effort, and planning and, prior to construction, requires high maintenance. Moreover, timber posts take up a lot of interior space, so you are left with a limited working area. But that is not the case with commercial metal garage buildings. Steel posts are dense and stronger than wood [up to 25 times strength]. You can opt for a clear span for an open floor plan that lets you enjoy an obstruction-free interior.
Smart Saving: Budget-Friendly Ideas For Building Commercial Garage Projects
Go Through Local Building Rules
Local zoning laws and building codes for commercial property vary with location and state. These ensure the safety of human occupants and the environmental impact of commercial garages. With a commercial metal garage, you can easily get LEED certification as metal is eco-friendly and has less footprint.
Tip: It is best to secure the permit for your metal structure before ordering or starting construction work. Any changes can be made easily on paper. However, once designed, shipped, or installed, changes will cost a significant amount of money.
Adhere to all local laws and construction rules to avoid getting penalties.
Assess Your Primary Need & Budget
What is the primary function of your commercial garage space? Is it for storing goods and orders, or is it for a car repair shop? The primary function will give clarity to the design and functionality. Once you have decided on the need, next is the budget.
Set a specific budget aside for commercial garage construction. Consider hard cost and soft cost. Here are some common ones we have listed for you.
Hard Cost [70% Of The Total Cost]
Raw Materials, Finishing, Site Preparation, Foundation, Labor Cost, Contractor, Furniture, Tools, Equipment, etc.
Soft Cost [30% Of The Total Cost]
Architectural Design, Permit Fee, Insurance, Marketing, Legal and Administrative Costs, etc.
Choose Efficient Layout
To maximize efficiency and productivity, select a layout that allows easy workflow flow. For this, you can opt for clear span commercial garages. These are designed without any internal columns, so you get maximum usable space per square foot.
The general size of commercial garages is:
- Small: 20 ft. wide x 40 ft. long
- Medium: 40 ft. wide x 60 ft. long [most common]
- Large: 60 ft. wide x 100 ft. long
When choosing the layout, pay attention to the natural lighting and airflow. Opt for features such as skylights, ridge lights, translucent panels, etc., to let natural light come in. This will reduce dependency on artificial light sources, reducing your energy bills.
Install windows strategically so light and fresh air can enter the garage space. Choose a door size that lets multiple vehicles come in and out easily. A commercial steel garage can easily incorporate roll-up doors, large wide doors, etc., without any extra support.
Choose Durable & Affordable Material
Prefab metal garages are made in the factory. Hence, the assembly is quick on-site and requires less labor. Traditional garage building takes a lot of time and labor, increasing the cost. Moreover, metal is also durable, does not rot or decay, and pest resistant material. So, it will reduce your monthly operational cost.
The average cost of a 40 ft. wide, 72 ft. long, and 12 ft. tall commercial metal garage workshop will be about $16 per square foot. You can renovate it as a commercial rental space very easily. Labor and contractors contribute to a significant part of commercial construction. It can be up to 40% of the total cost. With prefab commercial metal garage buildings, you can reduce this amount.
Include Energy Efficiency Features
Nowadays, businesses seem to be moving towards smart buildings. You can too install IoT devices to improve the security and functionality of the steel garage. With improved insulation, you can control indoor temperature, making indoors comfortable for workers. It also improves the energy efficiency of the building as insulation reduces heat transfer and lowers heat/ cooling costs.
You can integrate big data analytics, such as statistical modeling and data visualization. You can analyze the data collected to know which systems take up more energy and which are inefficient. By adding smart features, you can control lighting, garage doors, and indoor climate remotely.
Tip: Invest in energy-star-rated electrical appliances. They last longer and consume less power than traditional ones.
Maintenance Tips
Though steel garages are made using 100% galvanized steel that is resistant to rust and corrosion, they do need a little care to thrive in the worst situations. For instance, you can monitor your garage roof, side walls, and foundation for any cracks, leaks, or dents. If you notice any issues, fix them promptly.
If any screw is missing or loose, secure them with a new one. You can buy it from the local hardware shop. Clean your metal garage with warm water and mild soap to remove dirt, dust, and debris. You can either use a garden hose with a nozzle or a pressure washer [at the lowest setting].
Check the Safety & Security Of The Structure
Steel garage doors offer high level security against vandalism and deter any unauthorized access. Install a robust lock such as deadbolts or electronic locks to boost security. You can add video surveillance to record any activity around your commercial steel building.
Implement access control systems like key card access, biometrics, or PIN codes, so that only employees can access the building. Moreover, there are other features, such as alarm and motion sensors, that you can include for the garage’s safety.
Future Expansion
Steel garages are easy to expand if planned in advance. The metal building dealer will install removable end walls. When you want to expand, remove this end wall, add more side walls to increase length, and place the end wall back. And you are done!
Tip: Opt for a larger metal building so you don’t have to worry about construction in the near future. When planning for expansion, lay the foundation in advance to save extra cost and time.
Quality Garage That Doesn’t Have To Break The Bank
We understand that building commercial space is a significant investment that must be functional and as per business needs. The above tips will help you design and install a commercial metal garage that fits the bill. Go through all local building codes and guidelines before starting the project to ensure you get the garage building of your dreams.
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