50×80 Pre-Engineered Commercial Metal Building in Burleson, TX | WolfSteel Buildings
Planning a commercial metal building project but don’t know where to begin? No worries, we’ve got your back!
Building a commercial space goes far beyond just ordering the structure. From permits and development to contractors and engineering, there’s a lot that goes into getting your project off the ground. In this post, we’ll walk you through the key things you need to know based on our experience here at WolfSteel Buildings.
Permits & Development
Before you even choose your commercial Texas metal building, you need to understand what your local city or county requires when it comes to permits and site development.
Commercial metal building projects often require numerous permits and approvals to ensure safety, compliance and minimal impact on the community and environment.
Urban vs. Rural Areas
The permitting process can be quite different depending on whether your project is located in an urban or rural area.
- Urban areas typically have a much more complex permitting process due to stricter regulations. You may need:
- Architectural plans
- Civil engineering plans
- Structural and foundation engineering
- MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) plans
- Soil tests
- Site plans
- Architectural plans
All of this means working with architects, engineers, and often a general contractor (GC), which adds time and cost to your project.
- Rural areas usually have a more relaxed permitting process. You might only need a simple permit for the structure itself.
Raw Land vs. Developed Land
Another important factor in your project’s timeline is the type of land you purchase. The condition of the land can have a significant impact on how quickly you can move forward with the permitting and construction phases.
- Raw land typically requires full development, including utilities, drainage, and road access.
- Developed land already has these in place, allowing you to move faster into the permitting and construction phases.
Who’s Managing the Project?
Once you understand your city’s permitting requirements, the next step is deciding who will manage the project, you or a general contractor.
Acting as Your Own General Contractor (GC)
If your project is small and the permitting process is minimal, you may be able to handle the coordination yourself. However, for most commercial builds, hiring a professional is the way to go.
Hiring a General Contractor
A general contractor will:
- Coordinate with architects and engineers
- Manage the permitting process
- Oversee construction from start to finish
What does WolfSteel think?
Here at WolfSteel Buildings, we specialize in building foundations and metal buildings but we are not a General Contractor for commercial projects. However, we have great relationships with GCs we can recommend.
If you haven’t bought land yet, ask your realtor to help you find a developed property or one with minimal permit requirements.
If you plan to act as your own general contractor, make sure you understand:
- Zoning rules
- Square footage limits
- Permit and inspection timelines
- Land status (raw vs. developed)
Hiring a qualified GC can relieve you of the day-to-day management responsibilities and ensure that all aspects of the project are handled efficiently and professionally. Plus, most cities prefer having a single point of contact to manage the entire permitting process, so a GC can save you from handling all the details yourself.
By understanding these key components, you’ll be better prepared to navigate your commercial metal building project successfully. Whether you take on the management yourself or enlist the help of a professional, being proactive and informed will set you up for success from start to finish.
Check out the full video as we cover these important factors before you start your commercial metal building journey!
Browse through some of the commercial projects that we have built here.
If you’re planning a commercial metal building for your business, we’d love to help guide you through the early stages. Give us a call, we’re happy to offer advice and point you in the right direction.
Call us 844-941-0999
Or email us anytime at quotes@wolfsteelbuildings.com