How to Pour a Concrete Slab for Your New Metal Structure

Metal Buildings Are Smart Solutions

Thinking about going with metal building kits, or a metal building for sale to solve your outdoor storage needs? That’s a good call, especially if you partner with a pro like Carport Central. Our custom-designed steel structures are fantastic solutions for all sorts of residential, agricultural, commercial, and industrial applications.

Some initial things to decide are exactly where you intend to place the new building on your property, and which type of foundation material you’ll require. With a prefab steel structure, you have plenty of flexibility in terms of foundation options. These versatile buildings can be installed and anchored on concrete, asphalt, gravel, or even plain, level ground. But if your particular building application calls for concrete, you’ll need to add pouring a concrete slab to your metal building foundation planning checklist.

Site Preparation Considerations

Most metal building providers don’t provide groundwork or concrete services themselves, so there are a few things you’ll need to do to get your site ready in advance of your scheduled installation:

• Stake out the footprint of your chosen building width and length on your lot. It’s also a good idea to use a simple line level to check just how level your land is. This isn’t hard to do yourself; there are helpful video tutorials like this that can guide you through the process. If your install site is too far out of level, you’ll then need to take steps to address that.
  
  
• Make sure to obtain any applicable building permits that may be required in your local area.
  
  

• Ensure that your site is level. In order to avoid any cut leg fees, additional labor fees, or return trip fees related to metal building installation, your site can’t be more than 3” out of level. And if you’ll be using a poured foundation like concrete, it’s really best to begin with a site that’s true level.
  
  

• Mark any utility lines that run through or around your building site. If you’re not sure about the exact locations, you can call 811 and ask a local official to come mark your lines for you. This is typically a free service offered to property owners.
  
  

• Clear away any trash, debris, or overgrowth from your building install site. Install crews generally need a minimum of 3’ of clearance on all sides in order to have the necessary room to work in putting up your building.
  
  

What Should the Poured Pad Measurements Be for a New Metal Building?

That’s an important question, and it’s also one of the more common questions we get about metal building installations at Carport Central. In most states, your pad will need to match the exact width of the building to be installed, and should measure 1’ shorter than the length of your building’s roof. One key exception to that rule is Florida. The state of Florida requires a concrete pad to be ¾” wider than the building, and the pad length needs to exactly match the length of the building. Got more questions about concrete pad measurements for your new metal building? Just give one of our building specialists a call at (980) 321-9898.

Concrete Considerations – To Pour Yourself, or Not?

Before you decide to pour yourself, just be aware that there are potential concerns that go along with any DIY concrete project. Pouring concrete does require a certain amount of knowledge, tools, and skill. Inexperienced homeowners can inadvertently overlook important details. Without the right type and amount of concrete, the right mixing approach, the right tools, and the ability to set the proper forms, many frustrating headaches can occur. If you’re not confident in your ability to work with concrete, it really might be best to leave the task to a professional. Carport Central regularly installs custom metal buildings in 46 states, so if you’re looking for a reputable concrete contractor, one of our building specialists can probably refer you to someone who serves your local area.

How to Lay a Slab of Concrete

All that being said, if you’ve landed on the design of your new metal building from Carport Central and are ready to proceed, we’re here to help you make it happen! Make sure to communicate your choice of a foundation surface to your building specialist whenever you place your building order, so we can be sure to include the proper concrete anchors.

A quick internet search can yield a number of different DIY concrete slab tutorials, but the basic steps for how to pour a concrete slab are as follows:

• Obtain the proper safety equipment. Since concrete is known to be a skin irritant, it’s best to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, rubber boots, waterproof gloves, and safety goggles.
  
  
• Stake out your slab location.
  
  
• Dig out enough soil for your gravel sub-base.
  
  
• Pack the gravel fill.
  
  
• Prepare your set concrete forms. How thick should your concrete slab be? That really depends on how you intend to use your metal building, but 4-6 inches is generally a good range to shoot for. 4 inches is fine for light loads, while 6 inches is preferred for heavier loads like an RV.
  
  
• Place rebar to reinforce the slab.
  
  
• Mix and pour the concrete.
  
  
• Screed and float the wet concrete.
  
  
• Use a push broom to create texture on the surface of your slab, if desired.
  
  
• Allow concrete to cure, and remove forms.
  
  

Get Your Best Custom Metal Building from Carport Central!

Installing a custom metal building really is the best choice. Make sure you’re getting the best product from the best provider – choose Carport Central! We deliver and install in 46 states at NO extra charge, and we’re also happy to offer precision-engineered metal building kits you can pick up and install yourself for an additional discount on your building purchase. Our metal building kits come with all the materials you need for building installation, including framing, paneling, trim, fasteners, and foundation-specific anchors.

We also happen to offer the best metal building financing and RTO payment plans you’ll find anywhere!

Get in touch with one of our friendly building specialists today at (980) 321-9898, and experience the Carport Central difference! We do more than just sell metal buildings; we’re here to provide shelter for your way of life. At Carport Central, what’s Central to you, is Central to us.