Selecting the Best Location for Your Metal Building

The placement of your metal building, whether it's a workshop, garage, or carport, is more important than you think. Simply placing the structure wherever's there is an open space could result in building code violations, difficulties accessing the structure, or a blocked view of your favorite landscaping features. Take some time to consider the following as you select a location for your metal building.

Connection to Your House

If you're interested in building a metal carport or garage, you're likely planning to connect it to your home for easy access as well. Check that there is enough clearance and level space around your home to permit installation. You may need some adding grading, especially if your home was installed on a hill or a slight slope for better drainage.

Zoning and Code Restrictions

Even when you own your property, you only have so much control over where to place new structures on the property. Local building codes and zoning restrictions will determine how close you can place a metal building to the edges of your property, existing features like waterways, and a neighbor's structures or property lines. You may have the perfect spot picked out and then discover you're a foot too close to your property line setback. Check all the code and zoning restrictions first to determine what parts of your property are open game for placement.

Drainage

Proper drainage of storm water is essential to all structures, not just metal buildings. Even if you don't particularly care if the floor of your carport gets a little wet during a storm, putting a structure down in a depression where water accumulates can lead to soil collapses that damage the foundation. Aim to place your new metal on a high point of your property or pay for grading services that cut gentle slopes around the area you prefer to use.

Access

You need good access to the site for both using the finished building and during construction. If the delivery truck can't drive up to the site, you may have additional delivery fees as the materials are carried in by hand manually. Don't set up a garage or metal carport in an area that is difficult to reach with your current driveway or that's located at an angle to existing roadways. This is especially important when you sell your home in the future. You may not mind having to drive up a steep hill or take a tight turn to park in your garage, but will the next owner of the home being willing to do the same?

Utility Connections

Most metal buildings, even those used as basic carports or garage, are eventually connected to at least an electrical line. Metal buildings designed as in-law suites or homes also tend to include plumbing, heating, and other utilities. If you're going to run anything to the structure during installation or years in the future, consider the location of current utilities. The closer you place the building to existing sewage lines or power poles, the cheaper it will be to connect the metal building to those utilities.

Soil Condition

Not all soils can support the weight of a metal building, even with grading and compaction. Some sandy and loose soils are simply too prone to shifting and settling to hold up a building. You can have your soil tested by a local engineer or ask your grading company for help. Soil tests may seem unnecessary if you're installed a home or other structure recently on the same property. However, soil conditions vary greatly even over the course of a few feet. The soil that is currently supporting your home may only extend a few inches beyond its foundation, leaving other areas too unstable for construction. With these tips, you should be ready to pick out the spot for your new metal building. Take your time and check out the area during different weather conditions to see how the sun shines and the rain falls.
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