HOW WE BUILD

Our Metal Building Construction Process

We have built our process around one principle: you should never have to wonder what is happening with your project. From the first phone call to the final walkthrough, here is exactly how a Bolt Metal Buildings project works.

8 Steps from Dirt to Done

01
Week 0

Initial Consultation

You tell us what you want to build. We listen, ask questions, and visit your site if you have one. We assess the property for soil conditions, drainage, access, utilities, and zoning. If you are still looking for land, we can evaluate prospective sites.

Deliverable: Preliminary scope of work and budget range.
02
Weeks 1-3

Design & Engineering

Our PE engineers develop structural drawings, foundation design, and site plans based on your requirements. We work through the design iteratively -- you see preliminary plans and provide feedback before we finalize. We also develop the MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) scope.

Deliverable: PE-stamped structural drawings, foundation plan, site plan, and detailed cost proposal.
03
Weeks 2-5

Contract & Permitting

Once you approve the design and cost, we execute a fixed-price contract. We submit permit applications with all required documentation. We handle all plan review comments, revisions, and jurisdictional requirements. We also order the steel package during this phase.

Deliverable: Signed contract, building permit, steel package ordered.
04
Weeks 4-8

Site Preparation

While steel is being fabricated, we prepare the site. This includes clearing, rough grading, erosion control, stormwater management, and utility rough-ins (water, sewer, electrical, gas). In Georgia, this often includes red clay soil stabilization and compaction.

Deliverable: Prepared, graded, compacted building pad ready for foundation.
05
Weeks 6-10

Foundation & Concrete

We install the engineered foundation: forming, rebar placement, anchor bolt layout, and concrete placement. Slab finishing, curing, and protection follow. We verify anchor bolt locations against the steel erection drawings -- precision here prevents problems later.

Deliverable: Cured concrete foundation with anchor bolts placed to engineered tolerances.
06
Weeks 8-12

Steel Erection

Our crews erect the primary frames (columns and rafters), secondary framing (purlins and girts), bracing, and hardware. We self-perform steel erection with our own crews -- no subcontracted erection teams. A 5,000 SF building typically takes 3-5 days to erect. Larger buildings take 1-3 weeks.

Deliverable: Fully erected steel frame, plumb and aligned, ready for panels.
07
Weeks 10-16

Exterior & Interior Buildout

We install wall panels, roof panels, trim, gutters, downspouts, overhead doors, walk doors, and insulation. The building is now weather-tight. Interior work follows: framing, MEP rough-in, insulation, drywall, flooring, paint, fixtures, and finish work. HVAC installation and commissioning. Electrical panel termination and testing.

Deliverable: Completed building interior and exterior, ready for inspection.
08
Week 16+

Inspection & Handoff

We schedule the final building inspection with the local jurisdiction. Once the certificate of occupancy is issued, we conduct a detailed punch list walkthrough with you. We address any items, provide warranty documentation, equipment manuals, and as-built drawings. Then we hand you the keys.

Deliverable: Certificate of occupancy, warranty packet, as-built drawings, keys.

What Sets Our Process Apart

Many contractors follow a similar sequence. What makes the Bolt process different is how we execute it.

PE Engineers In-House

We do not outsource engineering. Our PE engineers design every building, which means faster iterations, better value engineering, and no delays waiting for third-party engineers to respond.

Self-Performed Steel Erection

We erect our own steel with our own crews. This gives us direct control over quality and schedule. We do not depend on subcontracted erection crews that may not show up or meet our standards.

Concurrent Scheduling

We overlap phases wherever possible. Site work and foundation happen while steel is being fabricated. Interior rough-in starts immediately after the building is dried in. This compression saves weeks.

Fixed-Price Contracts

Our contracts are fixed-price based on the engineered design. You know exactly what you are paying before construction starts. Change orders only happen if you change the scope.

Regular Communication

You get a dedicated project manager and regular updates with photos. You should never have to call us to find out what is happening. We proactively communicate progress, issues, and schedule changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the entire process take?
A typical metal building project takes 8-20 weeks from contract signing to occupancy. Small workshops (under 2,500 SF) can be completed in 8-10 weeks. Medium commercial buildings (5,000-15,000 SF) take 12-16 weeks. Large or complex buildings (15,000+ SF) may take 16-20+ weeks. The biggest variable is steel lead time, which currently runs 6-10 weeks.
What do I need to provide to get started?
To provide a meaningful estimate, we need: the intended use of the building, approximate size, building location (city/county), desired timeline, and any specific requirements (overhead doors, crane, climate control, etc.). If you have a site, we will visit it. If you are still looking for land, we can help evaluate sites.
Do I need to have land before contacting you?
No. We work with clients at every stage. If you are evaluating sites, we can assess suitability (zoning, soil, utilities, access, drainage) before you commit to a purchase. If you already own the land, we can visit and begin design immediately.
How do payments work?
We typically structure payments in milestones tied to project progress: a deposit at contract signing, a payment at foundation completion, a payment at steel erection, a payment at dry-in (exterior complete), and final payment at substantial completion. This protects both parties and keeps the project moving.
What happens if something goes wrong during construction?
We are a licensed, bonded, and insured general contractor. Our general liability and builder's risk insurance cover construction-period incidents. Our bond provides financial protection for project completion. If we encounter unforeseen site conditions, we communicate immediately and work with you to find the most cost-effective solution.
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