There are a number of considerations that will be important for any building you’re involved in the construction of, and steel or other metal buildings are no exception. One good example of an important factor to be thinking about early on in this process is the precise site and location on which the building will be erected.

At Wasatch Steel, we happily provide a huge range of steel products and materials, including steel sheet that’s often used as a foundational element in building construction. If you’re involved in such construction, what are some important site and location selection themes to be keeping in mind? Here are several.

Site Survey

Near the very beginning of your construction project, it’s important to get a full and thorough survey of the site you’ve chosen. This will help you determine exactly how your building will be set up on the land at hand, as well as what needs doing in terms of excavation or preparation beforehand.

As you’re going about your survey, also keep in mind that you’ll be able to learn a lot just by looking around at the site itself. For instance, are there structures or other things on the land that could potentially interfere with your building? If so, can they be easily relocated or otherwise rearranged before construction begins in earnest?

In addition, there may be a number of other considerations not necessarily related to the site itself but that have to do with what’s around it. For example, are there any nearby bodies of water or potential flood zones? Are there any roads or highways that could potentially pose issues for your building as it goes up? You’ll want to make sure you’ve cleared all such potential obstacles ahead of time.

Total Lot Size and Space Requirements

As you’re assessing the site and the surrounding landscape, it’s important to note the total area that will be designated for your building. Is this a lot with adequate space all the way around? If not, you may have to take extra measures when it comes to fencing or other “boundary” considerations.

You’ll also want to determine exactly how much room you’ll have from the building to its edges. If you’re working with a rectangular or square lot, this may not be much of an issue for you. However, if your lot is curb-shaped, for instance, things could potentially get more challenging when it comes to planning out the construction process itself.

Ground Grading

Another key element that you’ll want to be thinking about ahead of time is the ground grading for your construction site. A basic level of grading can actually help provide a good foundation for your building, and it’s something that will need to be considered well before any actual construction begins.

Are there going to be heavy vehicles entering or exiting the property on a regular basis? If so, you’ll want to make sure that the ground is graded in such a way that this movement won’t cause any issues with your building or its foundation.

Additionally, while some sites may already be well-suited to heavy machinery and equipment leading up to construction itself, others may require additional work beforehand. For instance, if the land is fairly steep, you may need to put in graded terraces or provide a large amount of fill before construction can begin.

Soil Conditions

As you’re considering the site itself and its surroundings, it’s also important to keep in mind the soil conditions within and around your building. This can include both the makeup of the soil itself and any moisture or other issues that could potentially arise from this type of material.

It’s especially important to consider things like whether there are high levels of groundwater present, or whether the soil itself is very sandy or has other qualities that could impact your building. Such factors might be more relevant depending on what type of building you’re erecting, so it’s important to keep these things in mind early on.

Accessibility of the Site

Don’t forget to also consider factors related to the site as a whole in terms of accessibility and convenience. Are there any nearby roads or other paths that would be useful for you when it comes to transporting materials or equipment? If not, you may have to plan with this in mind from the very beginning.

It’s also important to think about whether your construction site will be convenient for your team members as well. If you have a wide range of employees who will be involved in the building process, it’s best to consider things like parking availability right from the beginning. This can help avoid any issues that might arise as time goes on and people get ready to do their jobs each day.

Consider Steel Transportation Costs

If your job is especially large and involves using a lot of steel, you’ll also want to keep transportation costs and other factors related to this material in mind as you’re proceeding through the construction process. For instance, if your load is going by truck, it’s important to ensure that there is adequate road access for such vehicles. If not, this could impact how much you end up paying in the long run.

Building Size and Shape

Finally, once you’ve weighed all of these factors and finalized your construction plans, it’s important to keep the size and shape of your building in mind as well. You don’t want to miss out on any potential savings or other benefits by making a decision that doesn’t actually work with the design of the building itself.

For more on this, or to learn about any of our steel products or services, speak to our team at Wasatch Steel today.