A number of consumers and businesses take the time to compare conventional types of construction (wood, brick) with systems for steel buildings before deciding to buy. Therefore, it is important to make the right decision if a particular type of steel building construction is being favored so as not to question the decision once the purchase has been made.
            The choice of the correct steel building system for a particular project can be lengthy process. If the particular mode of construction is decided upon too early in the deliberative process the maximum parameters of a steel building system may be exceeded. If the decision is made in the very late stages the project demands may not be fully addressed by the steel building system chosen.
            At the beginning stages of any steel building project potential purchasers look to steel building construction when there are problems to be resolved. The problems generally focus around one issue - the need for more space. This initial phase, or programming, calls for all interested parties to look for solutions for the problem. These parties can include the buyers, architects, engineers, and the manufacturer or its representative. This first step analyzes actual space requirements and what the building will be used for.
            The next step is the preliminary design process where a particular floor layout, building size, and cost analysis is put together. Engineers are especially critical in this phase of the process as they can usually point out design and structural problems that may occur with the particular size and shape of the building chosen. The more time spent on the initial design analysis can save on construction costs later.
            Once the particulars of the project design have been decided upon the project can go in one of several directions. The building can be directly purchased with pre-engineered steel construction. A local General Contractor, or a contract manufacturer, or a dealer for a steel building manufacturer, contracts a deal directly with the buyer. This may or may not require the use of an architect as most contract manufacturers, for example, have enough design resources “in house” to help with renderings and final design specifics. Another direction could be the design-build option. This is where the structure is designed and erected by a consortium of designers and builders. The final choice is conventional delivery This involves the use of an outside architect followed by the selection of a General Contractor through negotiations. This is a common practice for those projects requiring a public bidding process.
            The first process is generally recommended as the premise of the discussion is that a high quality steel building system will be used. The last two methods may result in the decision to use a steel structure but only after an intermediate phase called design development. Preliminary drawings, at that time, along with a study of building code parameters, will help engineers to determine if the design load and framing options favor the choice of a steel building for the project.