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Pre-engineered steel systems are the cost-effective solution throughout a building's lifecycle
Construction using metal building solutions are less expensive at the outset and more so as your business grows over decades.
In today's competitive business environment, making smart investments in physical infrastructure is more important than ever. Pre-engineered steel buildings have emerged as the solution of choice for businesses looking to maximize their construction budget while ensuring long-term value. Summit Steel Buildings specializes in providing these cost-effective solutions that provide savings not just on day one, but throughout the entire lifespan of your building.
Find out how long you should expect your new steel building to last.
Lower initial construction costs
When comparing construction options, pre-engineered steel buildings offer immediate financial advantages:
A) Faster construction timelines
Pre-engineered steel buildings can be erected up to 30% faster than conventional construction methods. At Summit Steel Buildings, our components arrive at your site pre-cut, pre-drilled and ready for assembly, dramatically reducing labor hours and associated costs. This speed-to-completion means your facility becomes operational sooner, accelerating your return on investment.
B) Precision manufacturing done domestically
Our controlled manufacturing environments across North America ensure reliable delivery times and perfect component fit, minimizing waste and on-site modifications while eliminating the need for cross-border shipping, unnecessary bureaucratic paperwork and tariff costs. Summit Steel Buildings' precision engineering means you're not paying for excess materials, correction work during assembly or international shipping.
C) Customized design process
Clients get the exact building their business needs require. Using building information modeling (BIM – learn more about this innovative construction technology) and innovative design software, each building is designed with operations and style in mind. Individual components are manufactured in bulk using standardized design elements and engineering expertise, so they can be easily shipped and assembled without complication. The architectural and engineering costs for pre-engineered buildings are considerably lower while still providing a custom-designed structure. Summit Steel Buildings offers professional design services that optimize both functionality and cost-efficiency.

Case study: Client savings
A client in the manufacturing sector can save approximately 20 to 30% on initial construction costs compared to traditional construction methods. A 15,000 square foot facility can be completed in just 14 weeks from foundation to finish, allowing companies to begin or continue operations months ahead of schedule.
Reduced ongoing operating costs
The savings from pre-engineered steel buildings extend well beyond construction:
A) Minimal maintenance requirements
Steel buildings are designed to withstand decades of use with minimal upkeep. Our galvanized and pre-painted steel components resist corrosion, eliminating the costly repainting and treatment requirements common with wood structures. This translates to significant maintenance savings over the building's lifetime.
B) Superior energy efficiency
Modern pre-engineered buildings from Summit Steel Buildings use advanced insulation options and energy-efficient design principles. Our insulated metal panels (IMPs) provide exceptional thermal performance (any R-level of insulation is possible), reducing heating and cooling costs by up to 40% compared to conventional buildings. These temperature-stable environments not only cut utility costs but also ensure optimal working conditions year-round.
C) Insurance advantages
Pre-engineered steel buildings typically qualify for lower insurance premiums due to their superior fire resistance, structural integrity during extreme weather and resistance to pests and rot. Summit Steel Buildings' clients regularly report insurance savings of 10 to 25% compared to traditional construction, creating ongoing annual savings.
D) Extended service life
While conventional buildings may require major renovations after 20 to 30 years, properly maintained steel buildings can remain serviceable for 50+ years. Summit Steel Buildings provides structures engineered to maintain their integrity and appearance for decades, extending the period over which your initial investment is amortized.
Real-world maintenance savings
Agricultural operations using pre-engineered metal structures calculate their annual maintenance costs at less than $0.15 per square foot – approximately 60% lower than a wood-framed facility. These annual savings contribute significantly to the overall return on investment over a farm building's lifetime.
Cost-effective adaptability and expansion
Perhaps the most significant long-term advantage of steel buildings is their inherent adaptability. Pre-engineered systems are design so they can be quickly and easily adapted as needs change.
A) Modular expansion capability
Summit Steel Buildings designs their structures with future growth in mind. The clear-span design and modular nature of our building engineering make expansion straightforward – simply remove an end wall and extend the structure. Building size can be increased in any direction as far as the property allows. This eliminates the need for costly demolition and disruption to existing operations when your business needs additional space.
B) Flexible interior configurations
With wide clear spans up to 300 feet requiring few if any interior columns, pre-engineered steel buildings provide open, versatile spaces that can be reconfigured as needs change. Summit Steel Buildings' structures feature non-load-bearing interior walls that can be relocated without compromising structural integrity, allowing your space to evolve with your business without major reconstruction costs.
C) Easy retrofitting
As building technologies advance, pre-engineered steel buildings can be easily updated. Summit Steel Buildings offers retrofitting services to extend building life while improving performance and insulation. Regardless of who manufactured the original structure, we can renovative the wall systems for a more energy-efficient building.
D) Cost-effective aesthetic updates
When exterior appearances need refreshing, steel buildings can be economically reskinned with new metal panels or IMPs for a better look without affecting the structural framing. Summit Steel Buildings provides reskinning services that can completely transform a building's appearance at a fraction of the cost of new construction.
Building expansion success story
Commercial clients can easily expand their 5,000 square foot facility into 8,000 square feet in just four weeks, with minimal disruption to ongoing operations. The expansion cost is approximately 40% less per square foot than original construction, demonstrating the long-term value of choosing an expandable pre-engineered steel system initially.
The Summit Steel Buildings advantage
When considering the lifetime cost of your building, pre-engineered steel clearly offers the most economical solution from initial construction through decades of operation.
Summit Steel Buildings enhances these inherent advantages through:
- Expert consultation to optimize your building design for both current needs and future expansion
- Premium materials and precision manufacturing for superior structural integrity
- Professional installation services that ensure your building performs as designed
- Comprehensive warranty protection for long-term peace of mind
- Ongoing support for maintenance, expansion, and retrofitting needs
Whether you're considering a new facility or expanding an existing operation, Summit Steel Buildings provides pre-engineered steel solutions that deliver exceptional value throughout your building's entire lifecycle.
Speak with our team today to discover how our cost-effective building systems can benefit your specific project. Receive a complimentary quote suited to your specific location and need by contacting us either by webform or email or by telephone at 877-417-8335. We'll be more than happy to provide you with free preliminary drawings.
About the author
Darren Sperling has specialized in the engineering and delivery of pre-engineered steel buildings for over 15 years and has experience in over 20 countries worldwide. He can be contacted at Summit Steel Buildings at (877) 417-8335, by email at darren.sperling@summitsteelbuildings.com or on LinkedIn.
