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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The contract you sign with UNIVERSAL METAL BUILDINGS is put in place to protect the Seller and the Buyer.

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Pay close attention to all areas of the contract, any item you wish to be part of our agreement must be on the contract, if it is not there, insist the salesperson write it in somewhere and initial it or it is not part of our agreement. If we don't know your wish we cannot be responsible in making sure you're getting what you planned for. We insist on providing a drawing for our representative and buyer to sign, this is just one more step to ensure your satisfaction with our company, because if we are not sure about the product you're expecting it is not likely you will like the results. For plain talk about building a quality steel carport, contact UNIVERSAL METAL BUILDINGS at 800-636-4700 ask for Susan at ex 502.

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  • What is your service coverage area?

    We cover over a 200 mile radius which includes Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. To see if your within our service area click here.

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  • What materials are used to make the structures?

    The majority of components utilized in our frames are made of 14 gauge 2 1/2" by 2 1/2" galvanized steel tubing with some 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 used for end walls and other framing needs and 2 1/4" by 2 1/4" for 12 gauge buildings. All Sheet metal is 29 ga with a premium 40 year paint. 26 ga sheet metal can be ordered for an additional charge.

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  • What are the frame dimensions for my carport/garage?


    The exact dimensions of the frame are as follows:


    If the carport is a 12'x21', the frame will be 12' outside to outside of the frame, and the length will be 20' end to end.

    If an 18'x31', the width will be 18' outside to outside, length 30' end to end and so forth. The extra foot of length comes from the standard 6" of roof overhang on each end of the structure. Note: Vertical roofs do not overhang on the end!

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  • What sizes are available for carports and garages?

    For most of our carports and garages, the standard sizes are listed below. However, if these standard sizes are not suitable for you, please call us and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

    12x21     12x26     12x31     12x36     12x46     12x41     12x51

    12x21     12x26     12x31     12x36     12x41     12x46     12x51

    18x21     18x26     18x31     18x36     18x41     18x46     18x51

    20x21     20x26     20x31     20x36     20x41     20x46     20x51

    22x21     22x26     22x31     22x36     22x41     22x46     22x51

    24x21     24x26     24x31     24x36     24x41     24x46     24x51

    26x21     26x26     26x31     26x36     26x41     26x46     26x51

    28x21     28x26     28x31     28x36     28x41     28x46     28x51
    30x21     30x26     30x31     30x36     30x41     30x46     30x51

    32x20     32x25     32x30     32x35     32x40     32x45     32x50

    34x20     34x25     34x30     34x35     34x40     34x45     34x50

    36x20     36x25     36x30     36x35     36x40     36x45     36x50

    38x20     38x25     38x30     38x35     38x40     38x45     38x50

    40x20     40x25     40x30     40x35     40x40     40x45     40x50

     

  • Garage Doors - What size garage door will fit in my building?

    If installing garage door centered on the end (Peak/Gable) the leg height must be 1 ft higher than the garage door. If installing two garage doors on the end, or a single door is requested to be offset to one side, the legs need to be 2 foot taller than the doors. If installing a garage door on the side (eave side) the legs need to be 2 foot taller than the door, there will also be additional fees to install a door on the side (eave side) of the building.

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  • How is my building anchored?

    There are three anchoring types. (1). Concrete expansion bolts. (2) Helical mobile home anchor. (3) 30" Rebar anchor. If the structure is to be mounted to a concrete pad or footing, then traditional Concrete expansion bolts would be used. Our crews will drill a hole into the concrete insert the anchors and tighten the bolt, there is a slight chance the concrete side could break out during this procedure UNIVERSAL METAL BUILDINGS accepts no responsibilities if this happens but the repair is simply using some concrete patch on the side of the slab. We offer a 30 inch rebar anchor that is intended for use when a structure is mounted directly to dirt or gravel surface. On our certified buildings, a Helical mobile home anchor is used at the rate of 1 per 100 sq ft. On non-certified structures, these can be purchased as an optional item. All ground anchors are installed at homeowners direction, if the homeowner isn't sure about gas, sewer, water or other subterranean risk he should call ahead for a dig test, (811) UNIVERSAL METAL BUILDINGS accepts no responsibility for unmarked subterranean hazards. If there is rock or other hard surface that will not allow the anchor system you have requested, we cannot accept responsibility for anchoring the building, - if rebar anchors bend when we are trying to drive them in we will cut them off to a length that we can drive them in it will be your responsibility to permanently anchor your building. The best answer for this circumstance is pouring a concrete pad on which the building can be anchored.

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  • How long does it take from the time I place my order until the time the building is installed?

    The majority of our installations are completed in 3-5 weeks! However some areas/seasons could possibly take up to 5-6 weeks depending on factors such as weather, workload, etc...We can't install buildings in rain, threatening weather, high wind or if the mud resulting from rain inhibits our access to the site.

    CARPORT OR RV COVER MOVING IN THE WIND.

    Any structure that does not have either siding, sheeting or framing on all four sides will move or sway in high winds. So, if you buy a carport or RV cover without sides or ends enclosed it will sway in the wind without exception. The taller the structure is the worse it will sway. This is normal, even an entire house can be shaken from one end prior to siding being installed. The answer to this is add sides and ends to the building or bury post in the ground and bolt them to the side of the unit to eliminate movement. Swaying or moving in the wind is not a warranty or recheck issue and does not prevent the use of the building. If a customer does not want any movement in the building they are purchasing the above steps should be taken as a prevention.

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  • What are the tallest legs that can be ordered?

    The tallest legs that can be ordered are 14 feet. Anything taller than 14 feet can be ordered by special approval only (additional cost) Our installation professionals are equipped with the tools to to handle installations of up to 14 feet. Any Building 26'- 30' wide or wider with legs taller than 12 feet will require a telehandler style life on site. Any building over 30 wide will require a lift at any leg height. The cost is usually around $1200.00 for this lift and at the customer's expense.

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  • What preparation should be completed before my building is installed?

    Insure that the site designated for product installation is cleared of debris, level and accessible to our installation team. If you prefer not to pour a concrete slab for your metal structure we will gladly install the carport or other metal building on your level property. Please use a string line bubble level or other means to check your site before we arrive to ensure your site is level. In order to provide you with affordable products, with quick installation, the customer is responsible for any local permits, covenant searches, rights of way, set-back restrictions and site preparation. Our Crews must be able to drive to within 50 ft of the site of the structure or additional labor fees will incur to carry material to the location. Keep this in mind please - Hills, Trees, Mud, Houses, Fences and Outbuildings all can be obstacles that impede our delivery to your site. It is illegal and unsafe to install a metal building under overhead power lines, so please make sure none are close to your building site. Neglecting to notify us of these impediments in writing can result in additional charges.

    Pads sites are an important aspect in building a Plumb, Square Building that looks great, functions right, which means doors work well and overall satisfaction is critical. We can aid you in this matter within an area of about 100 miles circumference from Wills Point, Texas. We recommend crushed concrete or caliche being built up about 8" above grade to create a level pad that water is unlikely to run under or wash out under a concrete pad. If a site is level, building up 8"s above grade in crushed concrete or caliche would cost about $3.00 a sq ft but (rarely, almost never is a site level) so this is just an estimate until one of our contractors has looked at your site. It should be noted that the pad should extend well past the building at least 3' to each side, front and rear. So the pad site for a 20x30 building should measure 26x36. Estimated crushed concrete pad (26x36) cost $2,808.00 or more if your site is not level. Dirt pads cost about $2.00 a sq ft but the homeowner should quickly address erosion control so the pad does not simply wash away after a hard rain. Erosion control mats or laying grass work well. Erosion control is not UNIVERSAL METAL BUILDINGS responsibility - Our goal is provide you with a great building at a great price with the final results being nothing less that a ecstatic customers - a solid foundation is the beginning of that.

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  • Should I consider a vertical roof versus a horizontal roof in my metal building?

    Horizontal roofs run parallel to the sides and ridge or front to back of the carport or garage. Water, snow, etc., will drain to the front and back of the building. On a vertical roof, the ridges of the steel panels run from the top of the carport or garage to the sides. This roof configuration displaces water, snow, etc., much more efficiently. Vertical roof is stronger, better and an upgrade (included on 32 wide and larger clear span buildings).

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  • What are the spacing of the frame legs/bows?

    As a general rule, the spacing of the frame legs/bows are 4 feet or 5 feet on center. 26' wide or wider are all spaced at 4 ft centers unless custom sizes have been chosen.

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  • What is the height in the center of the building?

    The chart below will allow you to approximately calculate this measurement. For example, if the carport / garage is a Standard Style Double unit, 20 feet wide with 7 feet legs, add about 3' 0" to the 7 feet leg height for a total height of 10'.

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Width              Standard Style Double Carport/Garage             Boxed Eave and Vertical Roof Carports/Garage

12'                   2'6"                                                                         2' 0"

18'                   3'0"                                                                         2' 6"

20'                   3'0"                                                                         2' 6"

22'                   3'3"                                                                         2' 9"

24'                   3'6"                                                                         3' 0"

26'                   4' 0"                                                                        3' 6"

28'                   4' 3"                                                                        3' 9"

30'                   4' 6"                                                                        4' 0"

 

  • What if I need to change my order or make a revision?

    If you have already placed your order and you need to make a change, please contact the person you placed your order from to complete a revision. We are happy to make any adjustments, but please be aware you may receive additional charges. Your ability to make changes may depend on where the manufacturer is in the process of filling the order, and will require a signature for the revised order.

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  • If I am buying for business or purchasing multiple units, can I get a discount?

    When purchasing multiple buildings at one time there may be a discount available (4 or more with an average price of $3,500.00 or more).

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  • What is a certified building?

    A certified building is built differently than a non certified building at an additional charge. A certified building has been designed by an engineer to have a ratings for wind and snow load. Please note there is no additional warranty on certified buildings.

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CONCRETE FACTS

  • Your structures frame size is an outside measurement. Frame size is normally 1 ft shorter than call size.

  • As examples a 12x26 frame is 12x25, a 20x21 frame is 20x20 and a 24x31 is frame size 24x30 and so on. If you have questions about this please contact us for more information.

  • A concrete pad should be the same size as the frame of the building, not larger because water can seep under the base rail and into the building.

  • All garage type door should have a door recess in the slab 6" wider than the door and protrude 5-6's in side the building and approximately 1-2"s deep. (a 2x6 works well here.) This will not allow water to enter the building under the door.  Look at the garage door on most modern homes for example.

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  • Can concrete flex enough to damage my steel building?

Yes! Because of our expansive clay soils.This is easier to imagine if you think of gumbo clay as a sponge or an accordion in that it expands significantly as it absorbs water and correspondingly shrinks when that water evaporates or is absorbed by the roots of landscape plants. This process is a very powerful force. As gumbo clay shrinks or swells the resulting movement in the soil moves and flexes the concrete foundation as well. it damages foundations and forms cracks in a lawn many feet deep.

The result of this heaving of the soil can cause concrete to flex resulting is the sheet metal on the sides of the building to wrinkle (distort) but will generally return to normal as moister content in the soil returns to normal, eventually the effects of the flexing ground will take its toil on the concrete in a more permanent form with cracks.

The only known answer to this is 24" deep footings and a 6" thick slab. This is an additional expense that is only done at the request of the customer but should largely keep concrete flex to a minimum. Still no guarantee but should help substantially.

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