Metal Building FAQ

A pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) is a steel-framed structure designed and fabricated in a factory, then shipped to the construction site for erection. The primary frames (columns and rafters), secondary framing (purlins and girts), wall panels, roof panels, and trim are all manufactured to precise specifications based on PE-engineered drawings. This factory fabrication reduces on-site labor, improves quality control, and speeds construction.

Most metal building companies are sales organizations -- they sell you a steel kit and leave you to figure out the rest. Bolt is a licensed general contractor with PE engineers on staff. We handle every phase of construction from site work through final inspection. One contract, one team, one point of accountability. We also self-perform steel erection with our own crews, giving us direct control over quality and schedule.

We are headquartered in Newnan, Georgia (Coweta County), and serve the entire state of Georgia and surrounding areas in the Southeast US. Our core service area includes metro Atlanta, west Georgia (Columbus), middle Georgia (Macon, Warner Robins), and north Georgia. We evaluate projects outside Georgia on a case-by-case basis.

Yes. Bolt Metal Buildings is a division of Bolt Contracting, a Georgia-licensed general contractor. We carry general liability insurance, workers' compensation insurance, and builder's risk insurance. We are also bondable for projects that require performance and payment bonds.

In Georgia, a fully installed metal building costs $20-50 per square foot for the shell, depending on size and complexity. A turnkey building with interior buildout runs $35-75+ per square foot. A 40x60 workshop costs $48,000-$180,000 turnkey. A 50x100 commercial building costs $175,000-$375,000 turnkey. See our detailed cost guide at boltmetalbuildings.com/cost/ for pricing by type and size.

For commercial and industrial buildings, metal construction costs 30-50% less than conventional stick-built construction. A stick-built commercial building runs $80-150+/SF, while a comparable metal building runs $30-75/SF. The savings come from faster construction, less on-site labor, and efficient factory fabrication. See our comparison at boltmetalbuildings.com/guides/metal-vs-wood/.

We do not directly offer financing, but we work with several lenders who specialize in construction loans for metal buildings. Farm Credit, local community banks, and SBA lenders are typically the best options. For barndominiums, construction-to-permanent loans are available from most Georgia lenders. Having PE-stamped plans and a licensed GC significantly improves financing options.

No. Our turnkey quotes include everything: site work, foundation, steel, erection, exterior, insulation, interior buildout, mechanical systems, permits, and inspections. The only items not included are owner-furnished equipment (furniture, racking, process equipment) and items specifically excluded in the scope of work. If we discover unforeseen conditions, we communicate immediately and agree on a path forward before incurring additional cost.

A typical metal building takes 8-20 weeks from contract signing to occupancy. Small workshops (under 2,500 SF) take 8-10 weeks. Medium commercial buildings (5,000-15,000 SF) take 12-16 weeks. Large or complex buildings (15,000+ SF) take 16-20+ weeks. Steel lead time (currently 6-10 weeks) is usually the longest single item on the schedule.

Rain is part of building in Georgia. Site work and foundation phases are most affected by rain. We schedule around weather forecasts and have drainage plans in place for active construction sites. Once the steel is erected and the roof is on (dry-in), interior work proceeds regardless of weather. Rain delays of 1-3 days are normal; we build schedule buffer for weather.

No. We manage the entire project and provide regular progress updates with photos. You are welcome to visit anytime, but we do not require you to manage anything on site. That is the point of hiring a turnkey contractor.

We generally recommend against splitting work on a turnkey project because it creates coordination challenges and blurs accountability. However, for certain items (interior paint, flooring, landscaping, owner-furnished equipment installation), owner-performed work can make sense. We will clearly define the scope boundary if you want to self-perform certain items.

Yes. Every Bolt building includes PE-stamped structural drawings designed by our in-house Professional Engineers. These drawings are required for building permits in virtually all Georgia jurisdictions and ensure your building is properly designed for local wind, snow, and seismic loads.

Absolutely. Every building we design is custom. We engineer to your specific requirements: building dimensions, door locations and sizes, interior layout, mechanical systems, and exterior finish. We are not limited to catalog sizes or standard configurations.

Standard clear-span widths go up to about 200 feet. For wider buildings, multi-span designs with interior columns allow virtually unlimited width. Most commercial and industrial buildings in the 60-150 foot range are clear-span.

For commercial buildings, yes -- a building permit is required in virtually all Georgia jurisdictions. For residential metal buildings, a permit is required in all incorporated areas and most unincorporated areas. Agricultural buildings used exclusively for farming may be exempt in some unincorporated areas. We handle all permitting as part of our turnkey service.

Yes. We prepare all required documentation (PE-stamped plans, site plans, applications), submit permit applications, respond to plan review comments, and coordinate inspections throughout construction. Permitting is included in our turnkey service.

A properly built and maintained metal building lasts 40-60+ years. The steel frame itself is essentially permanent. Exterior panels with Galvalume coatings last 30-40 years. With periodic maintenance (re-coating, sealant replacement, fastener tightening), metal buildings can remain functional for 60-80+ years. See our lifespan guide at boltmetalbuildings.com/guides/lifespan/.

Modern metal buildings use Galvalume-coated steel (aluminum-zinc alloy), which is highly resistant to corrosion. In Georgia's climate, Galvalume panels last 30-40 years with minimal maintenance. Proper drainage and avoiding standing water at the base of the building are the best prevention measures.

Yes, when properly insulated. A metal building with closed-cell spray foam insulation meets or exceeds the energy performance of standard wood frame construction. Light-colored roofs reflect solar heat, reducing cooling costs by 10-25%. We design insulation and HVAC systems to meet Georgia energy code requirements.

Metal buildings are engineered for specific wind speeds based on location. In Georgia, most areas require 115-120 mph wind speed design. Coastal areas require 130+ mph. A PE-engineered metal building meeting these requirements will perform well in high-wind events. No structure is tornado-proof, but properly engineered metal buildings perform as well as or better than conventional construction in severe weather.

Yes. Georgia allows residential construction using metal building framing in most jurisdictions. The residential portion must meet the International Residential Code (IRC), including fire separation from the shop area, egress windows, full MEP systems, and energy code compliance. See our barndominium page at boltmetalbuildings.com/buildings/barndominium/.

Yes. We build all formats: drive-up, climate-controlled, and multi-story self-storage. We can assist with unit mix optimization, site planning, and phased construction. See boltmetalbuildings.com/buildings/self-storage/ for details.

Yes. We regularly design and install buildings with integrated crane systems, including top-running and under-running bridge cranes up to 50+ ton capacity. Crane loads are factored into the structural design from the beginning.

Visit boltmetalbuildings.com/quote/ or call us at (404) 400-7374 or (706) 809-0808. Tell us what you want to build, the approximate size, and the location. We will provide a preliminary estimate and, if you want to proceed, schedule a site visit to develop a detailed proposal.

The basics: what the building will be used for, approximate size, location (city/county or address), and your timeline. Having a site survey, soil report, or preliminary site plan is helpful but not required. We can work with you at any stage of project planning.

Yes. Initial consultations and preliminary estimates are free with no obligation. Once you are ready to proceed with a detailed proposal (site visit, engineered design), we invest significant engineering time into your project. We ask for a design deposit that is credited toward the construction contract if you proceed.