If you are thinking about a metal building, one of the first questions is usually: how long before it is actually standing on my lot? The honest answer is that it depends on a few things, but the process follows the same steps every time. Here is what to expect, from first quote to finished building.
1. Request a quote
This is the starting point, and it is also the fastest step. You tell us the size and style you are thinking about — carport, garage, barn, RV cover — and where it is going. Because pricing varies by ZIP code, we put together a quote for your location rather than posting one-size-fits-all prices on the site. If you already have a size in mind, this step moves quickly. If you are still deciding, our sizing guide can help you narrow it down.
2. Design your building
Once you have a quote, the next step is nailing down the details: width, length, and height, roof style, doors and windows, and any extras like a lean-to. This is the step worth taking your time on, because changing the design later is what causes most delays. Measure your lot, think about what you need to fit inside, and make sure you have room for delivery trucks and the installation crew to work around the site.
3. Put down your deposit
When the design is set, a deposit locks it in. The standard deposit is 17%. For Lease-to-Own buildings, that deposit goes toward a building up to $30,000 with no credit check, and monthly payments run over 24 to 60 months, with 90 days same as cash and no origination fees on 24 to 36 month terms. You can estimate your monthly payment in minutes, plus local tax, with our Lease-to-Own calculator.
4. Manufacturing: typically 3 to 5 weeks
This is the longest stretch of the wait, and it is mostly out of everyone’s hands once the order is in. Your building is custom-built to your specs, and manufacturing typically takes 3 to 5 weeks. This is the part of the timeline that varies most — a standard carport moves faster than a large, customized garage with extra features, and busy seasons can add time.
There is not much you can do to rush manufacturing, but there is plenty you can do during it. Which brings us to the step that actually causes the most delays.
5. Get your site ready while you wait
The number one reason installations get pushed back is that the site is not ready when the building arrives. While your building is being manufactured, take care of:
- Your foundation. Most buildings go on a concrete slab, gravel, or leveled ground, depending on the building and your local requirements. If you are pouring a new concrete slab, it needs time to cure before a building goes up on it — so get the concrete work scheduled early, not the week the building is due.
- Site access. Delivery trucks and the crew need a clear path to the spot. Low branches, soft ground after rain, narrow gates, and steep grades can all cause problems on delivery day.
- Permits. Some localities require a permit before a building goes up, and permit offices move at their own pace. Check with your local office early in the process so a permit is not the thing holding you up at the end.
6. Delivery and installation
Once the building is manufactured and your site is ready, delivery and installation is usually the quickest part of the whole process. The crew brings the materials and puts the building up on your prepared site. Larger or more complex buildings take longer than a basic carport, but for most customers, this is the shortest step — the weeks of waiting are behind you by this point.
What speeds it up, and what slows it down
To sum it up:
Things that keep it on schedule:
- Having your size and design decided before you order
- Getting your site and foundation ready during manufacturing
- Checking permit requirements early
Things that commonly add time:
- Changing the design after the order is placed
- A site that is not level, cleared, or accessible on delivery day
- Concrete that was poured too late to cure in time
- Weather delays during delivery and installation
- Waiting on a permit
The bottom line
For most customers, the realistic timeline is a few weeks from order to installation, with manufacturing taking up most of that time. The best way to keep it short is to have your design settled and your site ready before the building arrives.
If you are ready to start, estimate your monthly payment with the Lease-to-Own calculator, browse our 16 featured buildings in the shop, or see our frequently asked questions for more on how Lease-to-Own works.
