8 min read · Updated 2026-07-14
Before You Apply: 10 Things to Do Before Buying a Metal Building
Planning a metal building? Learn the 10 essential steps to complete before ordering your building, including zoning, permits, site preparation, utilities, engineering, and financing.
Key takeaways
- ▸Confirm zoning before selecting a building.
- ▸Verify setbacks and height restrictions early.
- ▸Understand local wind and snow load requirements.
- ▸Don't order your building before site plans are complete.
- ▸Coordinate engineering, utilities, and foundation design together.
1. Verify Zoning
Before choosing a building, confirm that your property is properly zoned for its intended use. Ask your planning department: Is commercial use allowed? Are agricultural buildings permitted? Are there architectural, landscaping, or design review requirements? Zoning restrictions can limit building height, footprint, and use — so resolve this before you invest in drawings or engineering.
2. Understand Setbacks
Every jurisdiction has setback requirements that determine how far a building must sit from property lines, easements, utility buffers, streams, and roads. Confirm front, side, and rear setbacks — plus any easements or utility buffers — before you finalize dimensions. Ignoring setbacks can force a complete redesign later.
3. Determine Building Size
Think beyond today's needs. Consider equipment storage, future expansion, office space, mezzanines, and additional overhead doors. A slightly larger building today often costs far less than expanding later, so size for the next 10–15 years of use.
4. Check Utility Availability
Before finalizing plans, determine water availability, sewer or septic requirements, electrical service, natural gas, internet access, and stormwater management needs. Utility routing can affect building placement, pad size, and total project cost.
5. Understand Site Conditions
Every site is different. Soil conditions, grading, drainage, rock excavation, tree removal, and existing structures can significantly impact project costs. A geotechnical review is often worth the investment for larger commercial or industrial buildings.
6. Coordinate Foundation Design
The building manufacturer designs the steel structure, but your foundation must be designed for local soils, frost depth, structural loads, slab thickness, and anchor bolt placement. Foundation plans are often the final piece needed before permit approval.
7. Know Your Engineering Requirements
Every building is engineered based on wind loads, snow loads, seismic design, occupancy, exposure category, and local building codes. These requirements vary by location and directly affect framing, bracing, and anchor bolt specifications.
8. Plan for Permits
Talk with your local building department early. Ask what permits are required, what drawings must be submitted, how long plan review takes, whether fire department reviews are needed, and whether environmental approvals are required. Knowing the process upfront helps prevent delays.
9. Secure Financing Before Ordering
Lead times can vary. Having financing approved before ordering helps keep your project moving once permits are issued and avoids costly delays between approval and construction.
10. Work With an Experienced Partner
The right building supplier should help you understand the planning process — not simply sell you a building. A knowledgeable partner can help coordinate engineering, manufacturing, permitting, scheduling, and delivery to reduce surprises throughout the project.
Planning Checklist
Before ordering your metal building, confirm that you have completed the following: property zoning verified; setbacks confirmed; building size selected; utilities reviewed; site evaluated; foundation planning started; engineering requirements understood; permit requirements confirmed; financing secured; and a building partner selected.
Ready to Start Planning?
Iron Forge Buildings works with customers throughout the planning process — not just after the order is placed. We help identify potential issues early so your project can move from concept to construction with fewer surprises. Talk with a building specialist today.