Thursday, August 7, 2008

Steel Building Erection

Steel building erection is an important part of a steel building project. The steel building supplier is not responsible for the erection of the steel building system, the supply of tools or equipment, or any other field work required. The supplier does not provide any field supervision for the erection of the structure or perform any inspections of the steel building system before or after the erection.

Steel building erectors usually erect the steel building system according to their standard procedures unless otherwise stated on the contract documents. Most steel building erectors only get involved in the actual erection of the building. They do not get involved in any finish work such as electrical, trim work, plumbing, or any other work that may be necessary to complete the building. Steel building erectors are usually responsible for the following:

Tools and Equipment: The erector is usually responsible for providing all of the tools and equipment necessary for unloading and erecting the building safely and properly. Some standard and non-standard components and accessories of a steel building system.

Electric Power and Compressed Air: At the time of erection most buildings do not yet have electricity. The erector is responsible for providing electricity and compressed air needed to power tools and equipment. The compressed air and electric power required for steel building system erection.

Insulation and Insulation Accessories: The erector is usually responsible for any insulation and insulation accessories to be assembled in conjunction with the exterior wall and roof of the steel building system.

And also responsible for removal of temporary buildings or trash resulting from the erection work. Temporary guys and bracing necessary for squaring, plumbing, and securing the structural framing against loads.

Experienced steel building erectors may be booked months in advance during the busiest seasons, so it is wise to secure one as soon as you know the delivery date for your building. Your specific erection manual will contain a complete list of all necessary tools and equipment. It will also contain step by step instructions and diagrams, showing you exactly what to do first, and how to proceed for easy assembly.

Complete erection manuals come with every building. Each plan is prepared specially for that individual building and should be followed exactly.

For further knowledge, go through the following steel building erection manual.

Metal Building Assembly and Steel Building Erection Manual.

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Sunday, August 3, 2008

Free Instant Metal Building Plans Online

A message from Mark, on February 27, 2008.

This year we introduced the World's first and only FREE Steel Building Software, IQS and it is awesome. We designed it completely with the user in mind - and it shows. Designing and pricing a new Steel Building has never been easier, and IQS is heating up the marketplace each and every day. Thousands of people have already used IQS to create metal building plans and specs instantly from their designs. Pricing is a snap, and tapping into the resources you need are instant. Download IQS now!

ALWAYS confirm your Codes and Loads with your local Building Department. DO NOT take a salesman's word for it. This industry in plagued by unscrupulous sellers! By using IQS you will be able to generate the metal building plans and specs you need for your building department to approve. It is easy and free. Utilize IQS to generate as many projects as you want. You can save an endless amount of projects, open them later, modify or create new projects as you desire.

We are passionate about what we do and it shows. We are proud to be the industry leader and the world's number one source for steel buildings online. We are dedicated to pushing every limit to bring the latest technologies to your fingertips. DO NOT BUY A STEEL BUILDING FROM ANYONE WITHOUT USING IQS FIRST!!! We have the best pricing in the industry matched with world-class customer service. Do not throw your money away with another supplier. When you compare our products and services, you will see why we are the NUMBER ONE steel building company in the United States – period.

Thanks for reading..- Mark,
CEO - Icon Building Systems.


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Friday, August 1, 2008

Metal Building – Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters and downspouts are generally not required on steel buildings, but they act as trim to enhance the appearance of a building and control drip, splash and drainage.

The main purpose of gutter and downspout systems is to collect rainwater from the roof and direct it away from the building foundation by means of leader extensions, splash blocks, or underground drain lines. Gutter systems take more abuse from extreme weather conditions, particularly ice and snow, than any other component of the metal building envelope. They are also subject to damage from ladders and being stepped on, as well as from falling treel limbs and debris.

Before 1960, most gutters were made of wood or metal in a half round shape. During the 1960s, roll-formed metal gutter technology was introduced that allowed metal gutters to be made lighter and less expensively. Initially available primarily in galvanized steel, roll-formed gutters are now available in copper, aluminum, galvanized, and painted steel.

Steel gutters and (Downspouts) leaders are available in a variety of styles, including K-style, square (box gutters), and half-round. Available materials include electroplated and hot-dipped galvanized and Galvalume(r). Finishes also include plain galvanized, baked enamel, modified siliconized acrylic and polyester, and fluoropolymer coatings such as Kynar.

Steel gutter and downspout system is stronger than aluminum at equivalent thickness and contracts one-half as much. Some newer coating systems allow limited guarantees up to 50 years. Steel is popular in Northern states with snow and ice conditions. Disadvantage is some galvanized finishes have a limited life span. Hot-dipped galvanized gutters are preferred over other galvanized finishes, but are not recommended for maritime environments unless the coil has been pre-coated. Galvanized finishes are rarely cleaned or primed properly and when field painted, the paint can fail prematurely.

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Friday, July 25, 2008

Letter From CEO of Icon Building Systems

Hello Friends,

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to share with you our website, software, product listings and our business philosophy. In 2008 we are entering into our 12th year in business, and I will tell you it hasn't been easy. Over the past decade ICON Building Systems has proven itself as a market leader in many ways.

This year we introduced the World's first retail Steel Building Software, IQS and it is amazing. We designed it with the user in mind - and it shows. Designing and pricing a new Steel Building has never been easier, and IQS is heating up the marketplace each and every day. Thousands of people have already used IQS to create metal building plans and specs instantly from their designs. Pricing is a snap, and tapping into the resources you need are instant.

Since 2004, ICON Building Systems has been an Active Member of the American Institute of Steel Construction. As a structural fabricator, we have a deep commitment to keeping the quality of our products at the highest of standards. Being an AISC Member is an accomplishment that few experience. We are proud of our heritage, products and services and we are honored to be a part of the AISC team.

In Early 2008 we became one of the elite few steel building companies that were awarded a membership as an ENERGY STAR PARTNER, something that is not handed out to just anyone. We were awarded a membership for our continuing efforts to design and manufacture steel buildings to meet the highest of energy standards. ICON has always made an effort to be a hyper-efficient green-minded company. We did not "go green" to try to look like a concerned organization, we live it every day.

Because of our continuing concern for green building efforts and protecting the world's environment, we joined The U.S. Green Building Council. The USGBC is a non-profit organization that certifies sustainable businesses, homes, hospitals, schools, and neighborhoods. USGBC is dedicated to expanding green building practices and education, and its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System. We are completing the certification to become a LEED Accredited Professional. LEED Accredited Professionals have demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building techniques, the LEED Green Building Rating System, and the certification process. The LEED AP program is administered by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), which was established with the support of USGBC to allow for objective, balanced management of the credentialing program.
These are only a few things that separate us from the rest of the pack. In your research, you will find out that we are the most reputable source for Steel Buildings in the world. No other provider will offer you what we do, it is just that simple. We are smarter, faster, and stronger and care more about you. We are passionate about everything we do - our team has proven itself time and time again.]

As our business grows, so do our hearts. We are grateful and humbled from our unique experience in the Steel Building market. We have experienced a pattern of growth that no other metal building manufacturer has ever seen. ICON Building Systems has grown an average of over 60% annually. This accomplishment, compounded over 8 years, shows a cumulative growth of over 4200%. This is a testament to our will to succeed. Every person working at ICON has a genuine commitment to quality. This is something we don't just say, we are all truly dedicated to getting it right.

ICON was the FIRST Company EVER to bring real time pricing to the Internet, and today we still reign as the premier website for steel buildings. We were the FIRST Company to offer a complete custom quote input wizard to enable customers to input complex Steel Buildings via the web, enabling users 24/7 access to the system. NO OTHER COMPANY can or will give you what we do. Nobody else gives you software to instantly create metal building plans and specs for your building FREE. No other company offers this service because they can't. We have invested many years and millions of dollars developing IQS. Nothing on earth compares to it.

This is what we do, working harder for you each and every day. So while you are comparing suppliers take into consideration these efforts and what they mean to you. After all, we did this for you.

Thanks for your time and consideration.
Mark MooreFounder, Chairman
Icon Building Systems
MetalBuildingDepot.com

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Tuesday, July 22, 2008

An Article from Icon Building Systems CEO

The majority of people shopping are doing so based on one thing – PRICE. I agree you should get the best Value for your dollar; it would be foolish not to try to make your hard-earned money go as far as possible. What concerns me is the amount of questionable businesses there are out there. Specifically there are problems in this industry. It is easy to put up a flashy website and look like a multi-million dollar company. Unfortunately there are way too many of them out there. I can tell you that more than likely 8 out of 10 companies you will find and contact online will be of questionable character. Does that sound like a lot? It is, and if you do your homework you’ll be safe and have a worry free transaction.

There are many ways to fully qualify companies. I like to call and ask to speak to accounting or accounts payable/receivable. If the person answering the phone is the “accountant” then you might consider investigating the rest of the company. Most of the trouble I have seen is from companies with a few people working out of a house and calling themselves a “manufacturer” and this is the reason you should talk to multiple people in the company and ask questions. If you don’t feel right or like you’re being “set-up” you probably are. Now it is true that there are small businesses out there that can and will treat you right. We’re a small business, but everywhere you turn we have a dedicated source of people to help you. We have qualified people here to help you. Is it worth paying more to get good service? Yes, it is. Do you have to? No, with us you get the best service in the industry for less than what others sell for. We have dedicated customer service and account representatives. There are 20+ people here to help you including qualified sales people and account managers backed by degreed Architectural and Engineering Professionals. We have built a great team to serve you.

Our success is your success. We are worth a second look – and if you need references of prior customers, we have them all over the US and internationally. Check out the MAP to see one close to you.

Think before you decide.
Adios!Mark - CEO

Icon Building Systems


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Friday, July 18, 2008

Benefits of Steel Framing

Steel frame buildings are considered as high-quality buildings. Steel framing material characteristics and properties, cold formed steel studs offer great advantages to home owners, builders and consumers. Steel studs and joists are strong, lightweight, and made from uniform-quality material. Steel walls are straight, with square corners, and all but eliminate pops in drywall. This virtually does away with the need for costly callbacks and adjustments. A steel-framed structure has plenty of advantages over the conventional wood-framed building

Steel framing benefits for builders includes, high quality steel buildings, greater design flexibilities, long term price stability, less wastage, dimensionally stable, assured quality, eliminate insect damage, withstands wind and seismic loads caused by hurricanes and earthquakes, no costly call back and adjustments, easy to Panelize offsite under controlled conditions, easy install and reduced risks on job site, pre assembled, and finally a cleaner jobsite.

For building owners steel framing gives the following benefits, such as, healthy durable material, healthier living, non-toxic, allergy free, no wastage, recyclable, fire safety, lower insurance premiums, fire retardant, withstands high winds, more durable in hurricanes and earthquakes.

Steel framing is very strong and will not burn. Steel framing is stronger than wood framing and more resistant to fire, earthquake and tornado damage, and can cost less to insure. Walls, floors and roofs consistently stay straight when built with steel framing. Steel frames can reduce air leakage and energy costs. Construction time is typically reduced, when comparing to the traditional structures. Precutting and prefabrication requires less skilled labor on construction site.

There are various steel framing methods avail using, heavy steel framing, and lighter gauge galvanized steel framing. The major steel-framed building manufacturers offer many standard metal building plans. They can design all the steel framing to match your architects metal building plans. Steel is a strong, durable, and economical building material. Steel framing is a wise choice for your metal building project.


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Saturday, July 12, 2008

Metal Building – Steel Doors

There is a wide range of specialty door items and features available in steel building market to accommodate your custom metal building design. Coz of its various advantages, steel doors is being recognized as a smart choice for your metal building door solution. Steel doors and frames are great for exterior use because they resist many of the problems that can occur with other traditional door models.


Insulated steel doors can offer various advantages including, safety and security, energy efficiency, long term wear, ease of installation, recyclable, fire resistant, impervious to bad weather, environmentally friendly, suitable for all kind of applications, and maintenance free. They are very resistant to many common problems like rotting, warping, shrinking and sagging. Most of the steel door manufacturers have a polyurethane insulation available. This polyurethane insulation makes the steel door even more sturdy, solid and dependable.


Steel doors and frames are a wonderful way to go and are just as beautiful as a wooden door. They provide the homeowner the security, protection and peace of mind. Steel doors have the capability to withstand natural disasters such as earthquake, while comparing to the old tradition door models and they are very much effective against home intruder. They are also more energy efficient. They decrease your heating and cooling costs.


Steel doors are dimensionally stable. Buying this kind of doors is rapidly increasing now a day. Steel doors are very easy to install and maintain when comparing to the wooden doors. Steel garage doors will never chip or erode. They look very natural in embossed wood patterns. Steel doors are available with different styles, designs, options and colors.


Steel doors can be insulated, making them far more energy efficient than wood. Steel doors are recognized for superior security benefits as well as their insulation factor. You can choose your best steel door options from the best metal building manufacturers available.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

BUY BETTER. BUILD BETTER.

The basic requirement to erecting a building is instruction, tools, equipment and manpower. Usually Metal buildings are engineered to bolt together easily. Metal Building Manufacturers will send you an erection manual along with your plans. They start with laying out the foundation, anchor bolts and setting templates. There are general guidelines as to the basic foundation design, but footing sizes need to be designed to work with your soil profile. Additionally, their instruction literature covers many facets of the building process including material handling, storage and most importantly SAFETY.


In most cases most of the metal building manufacturers do not manufacture the products they sell. They play no part whatsoever in the design, detailing, drafting or engineering of your structure. If you have a problem in the field, it will be highly unlikely that you will be able to get adequate help from a Broker. So please be conscious in selecting the product that is controlled and manufactured to exact specifications.


A steel building is the most economical building choice you can make. Steel buildings are long lasting and trouble free. Steel is stronger and more resilient than conventional building materials. LOW COST steel buildings are more economical than conventional methods due to the originating costs and reduced labor. Complete steel buildings are delivered to the jobsite and quickly erected. QUICK CONSTRUCTION On average, a steel building system can be completed in approximately one-third the time required for conventional construction. BETTER APPEARANCE The appearance of steel buildings can easily be enhanced with stucco, stone, brick or glass. Metal building systems can attain a remarkable exterior that will merge with the ambiance of the building's surroundings. LOW ENERGY CONSUMPTION a suitably insulated metal building can drastically decrease heating and cooling expenses. Insulated roof and wall systems preserve and reassure thermal efficiencies. LOW MAINTENANCE extended life materials reduce maintenance, and eliminate troubles such as structural deterioration, rotting and insect damage. EXPANDABILITY It easy to enlarge a building by removing the end walls, erecting new framework and adding matching wall and roof panels. In most situations, the original end wall panels can be reused.



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Friday, June 6, 2008

Prefabricated Steel Buildings Construction:

Prefabricated steel buildings stand for simplicity, durability and stability. No other Building Structures beats the incomparable practical effectiveness of a prefabricated steel building. And Construction of the prefabricated steel buildings is fast and efficient. Prefabricated Steel Building prices are very much affordable and will be constructed in the least time possible. They are the winning combination of business and economics.

Even the walls, windows, doors, ceilings, and every component to the Steel buildings are prefabricated. They are assembled in the construction site itself and built to order. Normally a brick or a wood framed building might take months or even over a year to build. But considering the prefabricated steel buildings, they are created with a modular steel build in the factory itself, and have a much lower on-site construction time. The time of building the individual components is taken by the steel building manufacturer, and the buyer of the building need not worry about it. Prefabricated Steel Buildings are very much time consumable and cost effective.Prefabricated steel buildings are mostly used for storage purpose buildings like sheds, warehouses, and even modular storage units. Construction is very easy in case of steel buildings, the buildings are long last and are completely weatherproof, and they are cheap to purchase and build. So, if you have a need for a building in which to store things or to work in prefabricated steel buildings may be right up your alley.

The requirements and building codes of a steel building is differing from place to place. The first thing we have to do is to find some property which is relevant to your specifications. Make sure that property you are going to buy is properly zoned for the construction of prefab steel buildings. You have to properly check with your local zoning board before purchasing the property.After purchasing the property, you have to think for local building codes. Every state and county has its own standard of building codes. Finding these building codes is usually a part of the application process and it is very simple to find out. Then you have to find out a prefabricated steel production company to build your steel building. If you mention the location in the form provided by the steel building company, they will provide all the details including with the building codes of your place and instruct you in the building construction of your need.

Most important thing is before starting your construction process you might have to go for a rough blueprint. You must have to clear about your steel building requirements and cost estimations. You must certainly know about what sort of dimensions and what kind of windows, walls, doors, etc for your building. Check out your property before you purchasing a prefabricated steel building. And also think about the base condition, trim, rain gutters and space required for your steel building. Make sure you only add the things you want and need.

Before going for a steel building company, it is the time for you to do some research of which one is best amongst the few steel building concerns. It will occupy your precious time but it will helps you to find out the best steel building prices and this careful work will surely worth your time.

The most important thing you must have to analyze is steel buildings prices. Most of the steel building manufacturers provided their steel buildings prices in online to make their clients more comfort. You can design, price and build your steel building online through their websites. And also read the customer testimonials and company offers to opt for a best steel building manufacturer.

Steel Building prices are normally depending on the size of building, location of construction, building codes, and extra features you need for your steel buildings. For that reason it is difficult to provide the confirm estimation on steel buildings prices. The primary factor that influences the steel building prices is the building codes. Sometimes it makes the steel buildings prices more expensive. Some states require extra steps coz of its building code standards.

Insulation – this is another option to consider. They are necessary in case, if you are running a mechanic garage or something similar in a place that has cold winters. In that case, insulation is very much important to keep the place warm and it might very well be worth the extra cost.

If you are very careful in order to select your steel building, you will be able to come up with the best solution for your building every time.

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Thursday, June 5, 2008

Steel Frames – Stands for Strength and Economy:

Steel frames are commonly known as a building technique with a skeleton frame, constructed in a rectangular grid. There are various types of steel frames are available including, clear-span frames, modular frames, single slope frames, etc that are almost applicable for all types of steel and metal buildings.

No extensive framing knowledge is needed for this steel frames. Each Metal Buildings assembly is fastened together with self drilling screws for a steel frame. Steel Frames are stronger, more durable and safer than other framed structures. If you go for a steel building, labor required in the field is cut in half, while the cost is also very less while comparing to other Prefabricated steel buildings.

Steel Frames are flexible in design and easy to assemble. Innovative frame technology in modern building systems now stands for the high quality steel frames for standard building designs which are very much cost effective. Additionally, in case of steel frames there is no need for chemical treatments. Steel frames will never damaged coz of fire.

Steel framing is environmentally friendly and are stronger than wood frames. Steel Frames are now also gaining popularity in residential construction and also available at much more affordable prices.

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Framed Openings:

Framed Openings are normally used to open portions of a wall that are normally used for access. Framed opening refers to the framing members and flashing which surround an opening. Framed Openings includes Jambs, Header or Sill, Trim, and fasteners.

For example, when you move through the framed opening of the door, you will feel inside is very different from the way you felt outside and you experience entirely as a new place. Framed openings can be employed in any location where you want to distinguish one space from another. These techniques are frequently used in residential buildings. It gives each space its own personality.

Framed openings for wall assemblies are available with unlimited geo designs and structures. Recently Building Manufacturers invented a sleeping bag with internal rigid framed opening. The invention relates in general to a sleeping bag having a rigid framework which may be disposed at the front entrance of the sleeping bag to provide a tunnel-like entrance opening.

Usually steel buildings have at least one, or more framed openings, outfitted with some type of overhead door. Framed openings can be ordered in any desired size. Due to engineering restrictions, there will be a restriction to the number and size of framed openings.

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Overhead Doors – Custom Speciality Door Items and Features:

In the modern construction world, a wide range of specialty door items and features that is available to accommodate your custom building design.

Safety-drop bottom brackets will stop the door from falling in the unlikely event of cable failure. They are available for high-lift and vertical-lift doors and not available for low headroom applications and it is not recommended for standard lift applications. Specially designed doors are avail that is helpful to withstand higher windloads. Most of the pre engineered metal building manufacturers supplying doors to accommodate a variety of different windload requirements. Steel doors are wind resistant for a high level.

For some sectional doors with a lot of pedestrian traffic, the pass door provides a means of entry while the sectional door is closed. There are a wide range of sectional door models are available that can accommodate a pass door option. Full vision aluminum sections are available on most of the door models and painted to match the color of the door. These sections are available with numerous glass and plexiglass options.

Special-Lite Removable Mullions will be able to quickly and easily remove in order to allow oversized objects to pass through double doors. Centre mullions can be used for wide openings and multiple door installations. Removable centre mullions are not recommended for large Roller Doors.

To save energy, sectional doors often include insulation with low R-Values. But they are not economical unless the doorway is used frequently or is exposed to cold winds. Larger size doors may require additional sectional reinforcement in order to add strength to the door. For visibility, sectional doors are available with window lites of various sizes. There are Doors available with a keyed lock and an electric opener included with interlock switches.

A wide variety of overhead doors available including, hydraulic doors, bi fold doors, roll up doors, etc, with superior designs and lots of new advanced features to make you more comfortable.

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Roll-Up Doors – For Your Storage Needs:

There is a wide range of roll-up doors are available in the market for your own choice. It is light weighted and easy to install. Roll-up doors are available for storage sheds, commercial buildings, agricultural buildings and for self storage facility. Roll up doors are available at several sizes and it is suitable for many applications. Attractive designs of roll up doors are available for smaller size openings.

Custom Roll-Up Door Products can be designed for many special applications and unique opening conditions. Roll up door is a complete suite of wind load and non-wind load doors that are used for commercial purpose. Roll up doors requires low maintenance. It is a cost effective product. Well engineered high speed roll up doors are easy to operate and they are an excellent productive tool.

Innovative high quality steel roll up doors has been designed to fit virtually any architectural requirements. High speed roll up doors will increase your productivity and improve material handling, reduce energy losses between conditioned environments, and also provide low maintenance costs. Roll up doors will make the distribution, maintenance, and replacement of material in your industry easy.

The common areas of application for roll up doors are Loading Docks, Waste Areas, Plant Overhead Doors, Garages, Food Packaging, and Process Areas. And they are commonly used in industries like General Industrial, Bottling, Food Processing, Wood Working, Pharmaceutical, Aircraft, Defense Contractors, Automotive, Environmental, Medical, Cosmetics/Toiletries, and Chemical.

Roll up Doors are designed to stand up to the harshest of weather. They are the fastest best selling doors in the current market.

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Friday, May 23, 2008

Icon Building Systems - A high-tech metal building supplier with a human touch:

Icon Buildings CEO
ICON Building Systems, Seguin, Texas, is not your typical company. There are no bosses or managers, and many of the employees had no knowledge of the metal building industry prior to working there. The CEO often wears shorts, flip-flops and a baseball cap to work. The unorthodox setup, however, has not hurt business. A technology company (first) that sells metal buildings, ICON has grown 60 percent annually since 2000. It supports hundreds of dealers and private labels and thousands of customers both in the United States and abroad. The company, which claims to be the first pre-engineered metal building supplier to develop a free software system giving customers the ability to design and price virtually any building in minutes, expects to generate $35 to 40 million in sales this year. It’s a far cry from the two-car garage the business started in, where an old Ford tractor was used as a makeshift forklift. It was in the early days of ICON’s existence that 37-year-old founder Mark Moore went on a mission to build an e-commerce system that would design buildings anywhere, at any price. With some help from his brother, a computer programmer who passed away a few years ago, Moore believes the system he created sets the company apart.

At http://metalbuildingdepot.com/, you can download (for free) a software program called IQS, which allows users to design and price an array of PEMB box buildings, including airplane hangars. “Big ones, small ones, 50,000 square feet [4,645 m2], 100,000 square feet [9,290 m2], whatever you want,” Moore said. “Once an order is placed, you go through the design, detailing and the building are delivered to their job site—all the materials needed to build.” Moore says 60 percent of ICON’s customers are contractors and the rest are people who want a building for their backyard. ICON’s biggest projects have been factory applications of more than 100,000 square feet. For larger projects, they also do business outside the U.S. “We are the Google or Microsoft of the metal building [industry],” Moore said. “They don’t have anything that’s better. Most of them don’t even have a system. It’s a lot of paper and Post-it Notes. Our sales guys manage over 500 customers at a time.”

Internally, the 25 to 30 employees at ICON handle everything through an intricate chat system of instant messages, and Moore said customers receive feedback within seconds when they have questions. “Everything is digital, everything is hyper-efficient,” he said. “There’s a ton of stuff that completely makes us totally unique.

ICON believes its free design software is one of a kind. We’re not normal. Take any metal building company out there, and go 180-degrees from what they do and you’ll find us.” Along with its focus on technology (the chief information officer is an MIT graduate), there’s a human side to ICON’s operation. Free lunch is served every day, incentives are given for quitting smoking and losing weight, and there is a history of hiring married couples.

“Every person that works here is part of how much better we are than the next guy. Everybody is very neutral and harmonious. We have the ability to do untold amounts of work,” Moore said. “I look at other businesses and I’ve seen the way that they run them, and they’re militaristic. This may sound stupid or weird, but there’s no love. It’s hard, and it’s cold. I’m the anti-corporate guy, I wear shorts to work. I want people to be comfortable.”

Moore’s philosophy seems to be that if he can help his employees grow as people and give them a work environment they enjoy; the company will run more efficiently and, thus, have more success. He claims he rarely looks at financial statements and instead focuses on the best way to get things done. It may sound a bit touchy-feely, but Moore’s approach is rooted in personal experience. His mother died of lung cancer, and he lost a brother “Because he was overweight and he sat in front of a computer and programmed.” “From that day forward I decided that a person’s health is number one, a person’s happiness is number two, and everything else falls behind that,” he said of the impact his brother’s passing had on him. “Work is 50 percent of everyone’s life. If you’re respected and treated right, you’re going to do what you need to do better and you’re going to want to get things done. My motivation is to help somebody realize they can have more out of life.”

In one instance, Moore was out to eat and he recruited his waitress to come work for the company because she offered him onions and bell peppers for his beef tips. “I said, ‘absolutely not. I would rather eat hair.’” Despite passing on the onions and bell peppers, he said he saw something in that waitress. “When she came back to the table I handed her my business card.” When Moore found out she smoked, he offered her $1,000 to quit, and another $1,000 for every year she didn’t smoke after that. It’s not what you would call standard practice, but ICON likes to “roll our own.” There is a do-it-ourselves mentality to the operation. “We make our own Christmas cards,” Moore noted. “I would rather hire someone to perform a task and then be a part of what we’re doing than to farm it out.”

As the company was growing in the late 1990s, there was a realization that they didn’t have the tools bigger companies had. The company’s solution was to make the tools. According to Moore, the company built jigs, clamps, a CNC plasma cutter from scratch and even a 70-foot- (21-m-) long auto-welder. If there’s anything they can reuse, the people at ICON are “relentless” about recycling. “I have people bring their trash from home,” Moore said. “It’s not about tree-hugger, but why throws it in a landfill? Take two seconds …and it will go somewhere good instead of going somewhere where it’s useless.”

The recycling, the free lunch, the people first philosophy and the high-tech day-to-day operations are all what seem to make ICON more of an overall experience than just a company. Whether or not any of that makes a difference to the customers is up to them. But Moore insists his company is a cut above, both because of what they offer and who they are. “If you download the [IQS] program and go to every other metal building Web site on earth, there’s absolutely nothing else out there like this. Our key customers love this software. We have our own data center, full IT staff. “I ask people what’s your perception of this job, and they say, ‘It’s not a job, it’s my life. I couldn’t stand the thought of not being able to come here.’ It’s the culture, it’s the environment.”

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Is it worth paying for steel buildings and metal building systems?

Yes, it is. Now a day’s people mostly preferred for Steel buildings and metal buildings, a system which is a leading concept in residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and agricultural markets. Steel Buildings are very much beneficial for various factors including economic to functional versatility and flexibility, environmental, safety and even in health factors.

Metal Building systems are growing in popularity every year, and a significant portion of that growth is due to their environmental appeal. Steel Building will never crack or splinter like other buildings made up of wood and it is very strong and lightweight. Steel Building can better withstand earthquakes, high wind blow and fire. Steel Building is easy to install, time consuming, easy to maintain, long lasting, and it’s very much cost effective.

Steel Buildings and Metal Buildings are 100% recyclable. The steel paneling can also be coated with aluminum compounds so that the life of the panels will be increased. These pre-engineered steel buildings are also non-combustible so we need not worry about fire accidents. Pre-engineered steel buildings are very quick and easy to erect. All of the works including drilling, cutting, and welding will be done at the manufacturing unit itself and then to the construction site to be getting assembled.

There are lots of nice things you can do with wood; but do not try building a house on it. Go for steel and/or metal buildings for better durability.

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Thursday, May 15, 2008

Attorney General Salazar Sues General Steel For Deceptive Sales Of Steel Buildings

Attorney General Salazar Sues General Steel For Deceptive Sales Of Steel Buildings

Denver—Attorney General Ken Salazar announced today that his office has filed a consumer protection lawsuit in Jefferson County District Court against General Steel, a Lakewood, Colorado, company, as well as the company’s president, three managers, and a top salesperson, for alleged deceptive advertising and sales of manufactured steel buildings. The State alleges that through their deceptive advertising and marketing tactics, General Steel sold hundreds of buildings ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to numerous ranchers, farmers, churches, and other consumers.


Named in the lawsuit are General Steel Domestic Sales, LLC dba General Steel, General Steel Industries, LLC dba Capital Steel, Jeffrey Wayne Knight, president and CEO of General Steel, Kevin Neal Kissire, general manager for General Steel, managers Bruce Graham and Jordan Blum, and salesman Jeffrey Scott Donelson.

The lawsuit alleges that beginning in 1997, General Steel passed itself off as a manufacturer of buildings and falsely advertised factory-direct clearance sales. The company used numerous deceptive marketing schemes to sell expensive manufactured steel buildings to consumers in Colorado and throughout the United States.

“Consumers looking to make a large purchase must be able to rely upon truthful advertising and accurate sales information, and businesses have no right to use false and deceptive claims in order to make a sale,” Attorney General Salazar said. “The use of abusive sales practices at the expense of honest customers and business competitors is unacceptable in Colorado.”
The lawsuit alleges that General Steel used a combination of national radio, television, direct mail, and other Internet advertising and deceptive telephone sales scripts to sell their buildings. The lawsuit alleges that consumers who called General Steel’s office in response to the advertisements were purposely misled to believe General Steel was a factory or manufacturer of steel buildings, and that some number of previously purchased unclaimed buildings had become available. As explained to consumers by salespeople pretending to be employees of the shipping or production department, a limited number of buildings had become available because of cancelled orders, and that sale-priced “clearance” buildings were available because of unusual circumstances. The sales scripts authorized by the president and managers encouraged such misrepresentations.

The Attorney General’s lawsuit seeks a court order providing refunds to its purchasers, civil penalties of up to $2,000 per violation of the Consumer Protection Act and attorney fees and costs. The lawsuit also seeks a preliminary and permanent injunction preventing defendants from engaging in any future false and deceptive advertising of their merchandise.

The lawsuit alleges more specifically that defendants advertised pre-constructed steel buildings with a toll-free number for consumers to call. General Steel’s salespeople were instructed to pretend that they were not salespeople but were instead from shipping or production or some other department consistent with a manufacturing plan. General Steel’s agents answering the telephone would ask questions about the customer’s building needs and would lead the caller to believe that the "agent" was aware of a clearance building originally purchased by someone else who had cancelled their contract, and that the building may be available at a substantially discounted price. The salespeople would further create a false sense of urgency by claiming that other consumers were considering the same discounted buildings and that in order to get an incredibly discounted price on the leftover buildings, the consumer needed to place a deposit or risk losing the opportunity. The lawsuit further alleges that General Steel did not sell clearance buildings, that excess inventory did not exist, that General Steel is not a manufacturer, and that it is actually a middleman distributor that must order buildings from other manufacturers.

The Attorney General’s office initiated an investigation of this matter in 2003 after receiving numerous consumer complaints from the Colorado BBB, the media, and from law enforcement offices in other states.


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Thursday, May 8, 2008

Pre Engineered Steel Buildings - Highly Ethical in Steel Buildings Construction - A New Era in Metal Building Systems



Pre Engineered Steel Buildings could well be the possible solution in the modern world. According to human nature, a thing constructed can only be loved after it is constructed; but a thing created is loved before it exists. Now-a-days, there are lots of pre engineered steel buildings; metal buildings manufacturers arise, to make the customers to design their own building as per their need.

Pre-engineered buildings, compared to the old steel buildings, metal buildings system, offer numerous advantages especially, easy to install and very much cost effective. Most probably, those pre engineered steel buildings and metal buildings are designed to meet the demand of their customers. Steel Building companies designed it completely with the user in mind.

On average, a steel building system can be completed in approximately two-thirds the time required for conventional construction. Pre engineered steel buildings are an economical choice and will save you money in construction costs. As a conclusion, pre engineered steel buildings are long lasting, less expensive, time consuming and trouble free.

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IQS – Icon Building Systems Comes Up with a New Technological Trend

Whenever an individual or a business decides that success has been attained, progress stops. But Icon Buildings proves their continuous success in each & every steps of their business innovations.

Now, Icon Buildings comes up with a new Metal Building Software, the most advanced metal buildings, steel buildings design & pricing system, in 2008. Here we can build, design & price our own choice of steel buildings & metal buildings online. A real time designing system to build our own choice of pre engineered steel buildings & metal buildings in a fraction of seconds.

Metal Building Software is a Software Program that does the complete design of pre engineered steel buildings & metal buildings. The software does the design based on your inventory and your own choice. Clients who use our software have reduced their design & pricing time.

In modern trend, most of the steel building & metal building customers, wish to design their own choice of metal buildings. IQS, an advanced technology with user friendly functionality, designed to satisfy these kinds of customers. Anyone can build, design & price his or her own choice of steel buildings & metal buildings right from their home computer.

Complete Installation guides & instructions are available in iconbuildings.com.


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