The Planning Process — Step by Step
Define your use and requirements
Start with what goes inside the building, not the building itself. Ask: - What is the largest item that needs to fit (vehicle, equipment, aircraft)? - How many vehicles/items need to fit simultaneously? - Do you need overhead clearance for cranes, lifts, or tall doors? - Will people work in the building? Does it need to be heated? - Do you need office space, restrooms, or mezzanine storage? Your answers drive every dimension. A heated shop for small aircraft needs different dimensions and spec than an unheated storage building.Choose your site (or verify your existing one)
You need to know your building location before engineering can begin — snow and wind loads are site-specific in Alaska. Key site questions: - Is the site zoned appropriately for your intended use? - What are the setback requirements? - What is the ground snow load for this specific location? - Are there access constraints (road, delivery point)? - What is the soil bearing capacity? (Affects foundation design.) - Is there permafrost? (Affects foundation approach significantly.) You don't need a final site plan to start talking to Superstructures, but you need a general location.Contact Superstructures for a preliminary quote
With a rough size and location in hand, call Josh Kingery at 907-215-1927 or fill out the quote form. At this stage, you'll get: - Preliminary building options (package vs. custom) - Rough price range for the materials package - Lead time estimate - Discussion of Alaska-specific considerations for your site This costs you nothing and commits you to nothing. It gives you real numbers to work with as you plan.Confirm financing (if applicable)
Steel building packages require payment in stages — typically a deposit at order, and the balance before shipping. Confirm your financing before placing an order. For commercial projects, many Alaska banks and the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) offer business construction financing. SBA loans can also be used for qualifying commercial building projects.Engage a local foundation engineer
The steel building engineering (provided by Varco Pruden through Superstructures) covers the building structure. The foundation is typically designed by a local licensed engineer who knows your site. Your foundation engineer needs to know: - Column base plate dimensions and anchor bolt patterns (from Superstructures) - Column reaction loads (from the building engineering) - Your site soil conditions Start this process early — it can run in parallel with building design.Review and approve the engineering drawings
Once the building is designed, you'll receive stamped engineering drawings showing: - Building layout and dimensions - Structural framing details - Anchor bolt plan for the foundation - Column reactions and loading Review these carefully for dimension accuracy before approving for manufacturing. Changes after manufacturing begins are expensive.Submit for permits (while building is manufacturing)
Stamped engineering drawings from Varco Pruden are your primary permit submittal document. Most Alaska jurisdictions require: - Completed building permit application - Stamped structural drawings - Site plan showing building placement and setbacks - Energy compliance documentation (for occupied buildings) The manufacturing process takes 8–14 weeks — submit for permits immediately after design approval so permits are ready when the building arrives.Prepare the site and schedule your erector
While the building is manufacturing: - Complete foundation design and pour your concrete - Line up your erection contractor (good erectors book out far in advance) - Confirm site access for the delivery truck - Ensure the site is graded and accessible Nothing slows a project down faster than having a building on-site with no foundation ready and no erector scheduled.Take delivery and begin erection
Pre-engineered steel buildings arrive on flatbed trucks with all components labeled and matched to the engineering drawings. A typical erection crew can put up the structural frame of a 40×60 building in 2–4 days under good conditions. Alaska conditions to plan for: - Spring mud can make site access difficult in April–May - Wind events can delay crane work - Plan for weather delays in your schedule
Information Checklist for Your First Call
Have this ready when you call Josh. It's not required — but it helps us give you a faster, more accurate response.
Need to know
- Approximate size or square footage
- Primary intended use
- Alaska location/community
- Rough target date
Helpful to have
- Eave height requirements
- Door opening sizes/quantities
- Insulation/heating requirements
- Budget range