How long have they been in business? There are a lot of metal building suppliers out there which are start up companies or that go out of business. Many don't last through tough economies. Make sure that your metal building supplier can demonstrate that they will be able to service you and the warranty they offer is long term. With longevity comes experience in knowing the ropes and helping you (the customer) avoid construction delays and cost overages. Ask how many projects they have done to get a feel for their experience.
What is their Better Business Bureau record? Find out how long they have been registered with the Better Business Bureau. If they have an A+ rating, do they even have a BBB page, and how many complaints they have. Also make sure they actually have a website so you can see product details and pictures. If they don't have a website, there is a decent chance they are a lot less organized and that it could be a risky venture.
What is their reputation? Ask around your neighborhood and see if you can gather any information on them. Can the metal building supplier offer references in your area or buildings to go take a look at near by. What is their percentage of repeat and referral business? Do they have a referral program? Can they recommend a reliable erector? If something mistakenly gets left off the truck, will they charge you or take care of you?
How interested are they in your project? Many companies are just out there to sell a metal building and aren't interested in asking the appropriate questions because they just want to be your lowest bidder. How fast a metal building supplier responds to you with a quote or a call back can tell you a lot about your future dealings with them. If they are offering clearance deals or leftover metal buildings you should always be skeptical because each metal building must be designed for your location's specific building codes. Are their quotes misleading? (Triple check quotes.) Does the sales representative tap dance around your questions? In general, does your gut tell you they are trustworthy?
How does their customer service operate? With many metal building companies your customer service IS your salesperson. For a salesperson that can be a conflict of interest because their main interest is usually selling metal buildings over servicing sold customers. Metal building companies with dedicated customer service staff are usually much more effective and responsive. In addition to your sales representative, they also have at least one person assigned to help you with questions that often arise after the sale.
Do they offer a quality product? There are many types of metal buildings out there and different quality materials. Don't make the mistake of simply going for the cheapest quote. Make sure you are getting the best value and the durability you want. Some metal building companies use inferior steel gauges or componentize your order. If you want your warranty to be good you want all the metal building material to come from the same supplier. In order to avoid confusion you also want as many accessories as you can get from that supplier. Make sure they are offering an MBMA or AISC credited product for your protection.
