Real Estate Investor · Springfield, MO · Member since 2017 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
I am looking to purchase a steel building that has 6 bay units. Each unit has an overhead door (12 feet high?) and separate entry doorway. Each bay is about 32W x 50L and my guess is the ceiling height is between 14-16 feet. Currently rented by several businesses, each of which is related to an aspect of automotive repair / customization. The structure was built in 1991. Parking lot is asphalt, in decent condition, and appears to have been sealed recently. The roof slops to the back and there are gutters with good draining out the rear. The parking area is sloped to where water should drain toward the street and not pool up or enter the building itself unless we had an unusual amount of flooding.
How long can one expect a steel building to last, given normal maintenance? Aside from power washing, what other maintenance tasks on the steel structure itself? How often would one expect to need to repaint it?
I have been in functional steel buildings built in the 50's. Depending on your climate, they will need the roof painted every 5 years or so after the first 20 or so years. Sunlight is the enemy of the paint. The more sun and heat, the more often they need paint. The walls typically outlast the roof, so paint them to maintain appearance as needed. Choose the most reflective paint you can find, especially for the roof.
Some metal buildings have rubber washers under each screw. Keep an eye on them if you have them. Potential weak link.
I have been in functional steel buildings built in the 50's. Depending on your climate, they will need the roof painted every 5 years or so after the first 20 or so years. Sunlight is the enemy of the paint. The more sun and heat, the more often they need paint. The walls typically outlast the roof, so paint them to maintain appearance as needed. Choose the most reflective paint you can find, especially for the roof.
Some metal buildings have rubber washers under each screw. Keep an eye on them if you have them. Potential weak link.
I am looking to purchase a steel building that has 6 bay units. Each unit has an overhead door (12 feet high?) and separate entry doorway. Each bay is about 32W x 50L and my guess is the ceiling height is between 14-16 feet. Currently rented by several businesses, each of which is related to an aspect of automotive repair / customization. The structure was built in 1991. Parking lot is asphalt, in decent condition, and appears to have been sealed recently. The roof slops to the back and there are gutters with good draining out the rear. The parking area is sloped to where water should drain toward the street and not pool up or enter the building itself unless we had an unusual amount of flooding.
How long can one expect a steel building to last, given normal maintenance? Aside from power washing, what other maintenance tasks on the steel structure itself? How often would one expect to need to repaint it?
A lot depends on location and the brand and type of the building. I’ve seen them last anywhere from 20-50 years before rusting out and having roof issues etc. Doors and windows may not las as long but that’s another issue.
Definitely depends on the weather and if routine maintenance is performed like cleaning off moss and tree debris and painting when needed. In western Washington I have seen them last as long as 40+ years, but they look pretty ratty at that point. You can reskin them as needed. Usually the roof goes first. You can patch it as it deteriorates, but it becomes a losing battle after a while.
@Erik Whiting
My family owns a metal building manufacturing company and has been in business since 1962. I can assure you that metal buildings last as long as you want them to. Some major maintenance items to consider are as followed:
1.) Roof-Is it screwdown or standing seam? If it is a screwdown, you might have someone check and replace the screws as needed. Overtime they work themselves out due to expansion and contraction of the metal(Leak areas!). If the building was built in 1991, the panels themselves should last for another 15-20 years. If it is a standing seam, you shouldn't have to worry about it unless you spot a leak.
2.) Wall panels. If you have some that are damaged, given the building is fairly young for a steel building, you should be able to find a replacement panel nearby. Standard wall panels are 36" wide. If it is just color fading, you can paint them every 20 years.
3.) Insulation-If insulation is torn on the inside, they make patch tape for that. You can also get a liner panel for the wall to cover up the insulation and framing, which also gives it a nice, clean look.
4.) Primary and Secondary framing members. If you spot areas where metal has been corroded(not rust) please seek a qualified metal building erector or engineer to investigate the area. If you have a tenant that is dealing with corrosive chemicals, it can eventually eat away at framing members so be careful on who you lease to and what their plans are. All metals buildings come with a primer coat on framing members and will fade over time but I would not worry about priming/painting any of the framing members.
My primary focus is purchasing/developing metal buildings for the light industrial market, as the options are almost unlimited as far as what you can do with a metal building. Please let me know if I can help you in anyway.
CB
Industrial broker here. Great post by @Cole Bigbee They can be long lasting buildings with good maintenance, go against tough outside conditions, relatively safe to fire etc. Audit the roof and frame.
@Erik W. They last forever. Look at the northeast (Boston, New York, Pittsburgh. Have s structural engineer look at it if you are concerned at all. They are very versatile as well - can be used for office, res, and retail...and of course warehouse/industrial.