What credentials if any do I need for this project?

[enephs]

Hi,
I'm new to the forums and I have a question which i can't seem to find any existing answers to on any google found contractor forums. Basically, my father would like to place a 10-15 unit personal storage building on some land we aren't using. I recently graduated with a B.S. in aerospace engineering with an emphasis on structural analysis so i know i am more than capable of designing, analyzing, and erecting the structure. My question is, what credentials or licenses would i need if any to legally erect this building which would be used for commercial purposes. Could i just erect this thing and have a building inspector come out to OK it and be fine? My fear is that we will start to fill this thing up or have it fully occupied and my father gets hit by some notice or lawsuit that we didn't take the proper steps when building it.

Thanks,
Sean

 

[rmully]

I would check with local code enforcement but I will bet that they tell you you need to be a licensed contractor.

 

[rekees4300]

The first step would be to call your county zoning authorities to determine if your land is zoned to permit such a structure.

 

[wvpolekat]

I would bet for less trouble and money, you can buy them in kit form with an engineers stamp. All the ones I have seen look very cookie cutter.

 

[Bill_C]

As the others wrote, it would be good to first find out if the land is zoned for it.

IMHO, just because you now have an engineering degree, doesn't mean you can design a commercial building. You do not yet have your PE license, and even if you did, if I read your initial post correctly, your discipline still would not be in structural steel design. For example, I am a PE, but my primary discipline is mechanical, secondary mining. Although I have training and experience in steel structures (I have designed and stamped steel mezzanines for example) a complete architectural design for a large commercial building used by the general public, would likely be considered to be far enough outside my area of expertise that the PE licensing board would raise their eyebrows. A small steel shop building (say at a mine, not used by the general public), I'd draw it up with (probably) no problem but that's not what were talking about.

I suspect the Codes folks, who must issue a building permit (a few areas of the country excepted), want to see either an architectural set of prints stamped by a licensed architect or PE, or a building designed and purchased from an outside licensed contractor. These will include little technicalities like the proper lighting fixtures, proper number of receptacles, access doors, fire suppression, roof drainage, etc as well as structural details. Perhaps your area is an earthquake zone, specific methods must be used for joining roof trusses to columns for example. Does the building meet wind load and snow load requirements for your area.

Even with legalities and professional codes aside, it still would almost certainly be cheaper to buy a pre-fabbed unit or something from folks that do these types of structures a lot, versus having something made to a one-off design.

Hate to rain on your parade, but as an engineer, I have responsibilities as well as privileges. I'm responsible to know whan certain areas should be left to others....I'll stop preaching now.

 

[RickB]

Without posting your exact location, you can't possibly get an accurate answer other than some variation on "check with your local authorities".

 

[EddieWalker]

No info on where you are makes it impossible to know if you can do this without permits or not. Some places make you jump through hoops and pay all sorts of fees, other areas of the country let you do pretty much anything you want with your land.

Since you don't have any experience with this, it would be cheaper and faster to hire it done. The buildings themselves are easy eanough to build, but time consuming and tedius. Working with metal in the summer is also something you don't want to do unless you really have to.

With everything, dirt work and utilities are what you really need to be thinking about. Do you have any knowledge or experience with either? You will have to have power to the buildings for security at the very minimum. Here, air conditioned storage buildings are very popular, but not so much out in the country.

Drainage, foundations, roads and fencing are also big parts of what you need to consider.

Lastly, but most importantly, what type of studies have you done on the need for storage buildings on the land you are planning on using? Country people tend to have land and not a big need for renting storage units. Location is very important in this, and having clients with a need for storage units should be the very first thing you need to be able to identify. Then what will they pay and at what level of occupancy do you reach your break even point. Your pro formas should answer this when you do your business plan. Who is paying for this? Every bank will want this, and it's always a very good idea to know your market and expenses before you start building.

The biggest mistake I see in new start ups is building on existing land without taking into consideration of where it's located and if people will drive to it to use it. There are a lot of storage buildlings out there that are empty because of that very reason. I've been pricing them, but it's still cheaper to buy brand new then to buy empty, unused buildings, take them down, transport them, and assemble them again.

Good luck,
Eddie

 

[dave1949]

I'm with Eddie on the market research side of this. There was a boom in self storage several years back that may have saturated the existing market. With the down economy, I'm guessing many people aren't as willing or able to pay the rent now. If you know there is a local shortage where you are, that's different.

How about specialized storage aimed at people with a few bucks? Boats, RV's, antique autos, etc? Or check into becoming a PODS franchisee. I would do a lot of looking around at the business concept.
Dave.

 

[CurlyDave]

1. I also agree on the market research.

2. You need at least an Architect license, possible a P.E. in structural engineering.

Just for example. Since this would be considered a commercial building, I bet you would need fire sprinklers. Do you have any idea how many, how they must be placed, water flow-alarm interface, minimum water flow requirements?

 

[/pine]

To save yourself a lot of leg (phone/e-mail) work...I would contact one (or more) of the major suppliers in the storage building market...

Chances are, they have the capabilities to just run your zip code and tell you what is legally required...plus they can give you a quote on all the required materials...including overhead doors etc...

it is much cheaper to buy a package from a company that has been in the storrage building (material) business than it is to try and design one from scratch... (why re-invent the wheel?)

The slab with door recesses etc are the biggest part of the job really...erecting the building is like putting together a swing set... I've put up a dozen or so multiple storage buildings...