Pre-Engineered Building VS. Custom Build: What’s the Right One for You?

If you’re looking into commercial construction, you might be surprised to find that all approaches to getting the job done aren’t the same. While there are plenty of roads to Rome, so to speak—many ways to achieve a great new build—some are better suited for certain clients over others.

So how do you know what sort of commercial contractor to call without a comprehensive knowledge of their craft? Don’t fret; KBS Companies is here to help. As a provider of both Butler pre-engineered buildings and traditional commercial construction services, we’re experts in two popular methods of this job, and we’d be delighted to share our expertise.

Below, you’ll find brief descriptions of pre-engineered buildings and the more traditional construction approach, along with our take on if each would be right for you.

Pre-Engineered Buildings: What Are They?

Their title is a bit of a mis-nomer, unfortunately! Across industries, it’s commonly thought that pre-engineered buildings are a sort of cookie-cutter approach to building and that it’s impossible to customize your build. It’s a myth, though, that you’re shopping for builds out of a catalogue, or that all pre-engineered buildings look the same; just check out all of Butler’s work!

To call a building pre-engineered simply refers to the way in which it is assembled. Materials are completely made and cut to fit at a seperate manufacturing plant—hence the pre part—before being shipped to the jobsite with all the necessary bolts and application apparatuses. This makes assembly simple and quick and can save money during the construction process.

As a bonus, because Butler has a variety of solutions available, you might even save during the design process.

When Might a Pre-Engineered Building Be Right for Me?

We’re proud of our brand partnership with Butler, and we stand behind their products and craftsmanship. If a pre-engineered building is right for you isn’t a question of quality, but a question of your personal tastes and needs.

If you don’t mind a lot of steel being used, pre-engineered buildings can be a good bet. Not all of them need to have the looks of steel; Butler, for example, offers a wall style that resembles stucco. Steel is a primary material of many pre-engineered buildings thanks to its verifiable strength and its variety of comfort-boosting benefits.

If you’re looking for a simple build, going pre-engineered is a great choice. While, again, it’s not like you’re shopping out of a catalogue, the variety of pre-made parts of your building that you can choose from mean that design becomes a cinch. An agricultural building that houses hogs, for example, might not need to be anything special on the architectural front, and the ability of a pre-engineered building to provide simple solutions would be of great benefit.

If you’re looking for sturdiness in the face of harsh weather, the steel used in pre-engineered buildings could be just what you’re looking for. Metal siding and roofing has been a growing choice in residential applications, but it’s been an old favorite in commercial construction for ages thanks to its tough, low-maintenance nature.

Traditional Construction: What Is it?

In contract to pre-engineered buildings, traditional construction methods involve shipping raw materials to the job site and then cutting them to size and assembling them there. It uses a variety of materials, from masonry to wood, and comes complete with customized HVAC systems, plumbing, and electricity. You’ll be left with a homey space that has everything from the floor lain to the walls painted.

When Is Traditional Construction Right for me?

If you’re looking for a building approach with a long history of great results, traditional construction is it. Having been used for centuries, it’s a tried-and-true method of making the perfect build.

If you’re looking for a truly from-scratch design, you’ll also want to look into more traditional methods. While pre-engineered buildings generally use a variety of pre-made solutions to create a custom result, traditional construction company methods invent new ones from the start. Each method is useful in its own way.

You may also consider this building type if you’re interested in something a little more elaborate and complicated. While pre-engineered buildings can sometimes fulfil this need, traditional buildings require an orchestrated team to develop everything from the foundation to framing. This method, thanks to its versatility, can be used to achieve even the wildest building dreams.

KBS Companies: One Local Construction Company to Satisfy All Your Needs

No matter which building route you take, we pledge to meet you with five-star customer service and a hand ready to help. Give our Plainview location a call today at 507-534-3855, or our Rochester office at 507-287-3264.