Mini Storage FAQ’s

About Mini Storage Outlet

Who is Regency Steel Buildings?

Regency Steel Buildings is a single source supplier and service center for manufactured products used in the self-storage building industry. Our standard designs are offered via the web, and our site is used nationally as a builder support for estimating mini-storage building projects.

Why buy through Regency Steel Buildings?

We offer the benefits of online pricing, experience, corporate strength and personalized service. Furthermore, your purchase is a major investment. If you go through middlemen elsewhere, you will probably pay higher costs, which can add years to your payback time. By purchasing through Regency Steel Buildings you do receive substantially lower prices for the same materials. It is our experience that it may take a “local” contractor experiencing their first self-storage project up to 40% longer and 40% in additional costs than an experienced mini-storage contractor.

Our professionals will work with you to design and build what you want. By working with more than one manufacturer, we have the advantage of saving freight costs and working with the most qualified entity to meet your specific needs.

How long have you been in business?

We have been in the metal building business since 1984 and have supplied in excess of 10,000 metal buildings throughout Canada and the United States.

Can I contact your company directly?

Yes, our regular office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. mountain standard time, Monday through Friday. You can reach us at (800) 486-8415 for information about our company, the products we offer, or help using our website. You may also email us your requests or inquiries.

How large of a project can you handle?

Regency Steel Buildings has no limitations. Our manufacturers produce in the excess of 250 million dollars in metal buildings components per year.

Building Materials

How can I be assured that I will receive a quality building?

This is probably the most important question you can ask. Regency Steel Buildings firmly believes that it is in our best interest to put the buyer’s interests first. Our buildings are supplied (unless otherwise specified) from manufacturing facilities with complete in-house fabrication and design and that utilize the standard specifications and/or recommendations of professionally recognized agencies such as AISC, AISE, ASTM, MBMA, Federal etc. These standards form the basis of the design, fabrication tolerances and quality criteria. Regency Steel Buildings is the only manufacturer’s outlet that uses brand name suppliers and a written-back charge warranty that reimburses certain costs in the event of fabrication misfits or errors.

Are the colors shown on your site accurate?

Probably not. Colors vary based on the computer you are using. It is likely that the actual color is different than what you see on the site. Upon ordering we will send you a color chart so you can verify that your requested color is as you imagined.

Do you sell standing seam roofs?

Yes. However, it is a special quote item.

What brands of doors do you sell?

We offer doors and accessories by Janus, Clopay, US Doors, Amarr and DBCI.

Do you have trouble with leaky roofs?

No, we do not. Actually we rarely hear of roofs leaking on our customers buildings. When it does happen, it is usually due to poor or improper installation. Our company offers very detailed drawings and information for proper roof installation. Our standard high rib commercial grade 26 gauge roof panels are superior to other building systems. For additional protection you may upgrade your roof panels to a hidden fastener standing seam system with an optional weather-tightness warranty.

Concrete & Erection

Do you supply anchors for the concrete?

Yes, on standard mini storage designs that use light gauge framing. Heavy structural members on custom designs require anchor bolts, which are not included in the purchase price unless otherwise specified in the purchase order documents.

Will my building conform to local building codes?

Yes, if the building is ordered correctly. It is ultimately your responsibility to verify your local code requirements to insure that the order documents contain current and correct design requirements. Zoning issues are your responsibility. We supply engineer certification on every building for the state in which the building is to be erected.

Will I need a building permit for my building?

In most cases yes, but not always. It is important that you verify your design requirements and know your zoning limitations and parameters prior to purchasing a building. Contact your local building department found in the white pages under county government offices.

When I call my building department, what requirements do I need to verify?

The compliance document found here has the code information questions that you can ask your local building department.

Can these buildings be put up without an engineered concrete design?

A foundation plan may not be required by your local building department, but we recommend one.

How deep and what size are the piers, if required?

Your local site-specific soil conditions together with the frame reaction (which changes greatly on building widths and varied snow loads), govern the ultimate design of the footing and piers. This is up to your foundation engineer.

Do you erect the buildings you sell?

We can provide a list of erectors from our national builder database. However, the erection or contracting services are outside the scope of work and responsibility of Regency Steel Buildings or affiliated companies. Regency Steel Buildings receives no profit for referring these services, saving you additional costs.

Are there erectors that you recommend?

We do provide referrals or recommendations for erectors. We cannot address this in detail at this time without knowing your locations. We have worked with erectors in all 50 states and usually can locate one for every job. Supplying you with an erectors list is dependent on completion of an erector name request form and agreement.

Do your buildings require an experienced contractor to erect my building materials?

Many customers erect their own building. All the structural members are numbered and shown on the erection drawings. Customers refer to the process as “a big erectors set”. Heights are dangerous and falls can be fatal, so we recommend fall protection devices and safety equipment, hard hats, and clothing. All OSHA standards should be followed. In any case, your erectors will have an outstanding set of drawings and can call on our technical support staff at (800) 486-8415 for any assistance they need.

What is the cost to erect my building?

The price of erection depends on various elements including: your area, union or nonunion labor, the amount of partitions and the size of your complex.

Ordering

What are your color warranties?

There is a coating (color) limited warranty that is between 20 and 30 years. This varies slightly between different colors and manufacturers. Our customers receive one of the highest quality commercial color coatings available in today’s market.

Do you give my email address or other personal information to others?

Definitely not. We will only provide your email address and/or phone number to those who need it to complete and/or fill your order.

Can I order a building "hold for permit approval?"

Yes. You can choose the “hold for permit approval” option when you purchase your building. Once we have received your deposit or credit card information, we will process the order and prepare and send one or more complete sets of drawings for you to give your inspector, and we will not schedule your job for fabrication until you notify us that you have received the necessary permits and release the job. Understand that engineering deposits are payments for services rendered and are not refundable. The order, if delayed, is subject to the pricing condition found in the purchase order documents.

How does your payment for the building work?

You can pay 100% up front, or a deposit with the balance due upon arrival of the materials. Deposit minimum is 25% of the price for your order. It can be paid by credit card or check. The balance is due on delivery and must be paid with a bank cashier’s check. (we cannot accept company or personal checks). When the materials arrive, you give the funds to the driver.

Can I order without a credit card?

Yes. Print two copies of your purchase order, sign one copy and mail it to us with your check, and keep the other copy for your records. Once we have received your funds, we will begin processing your order.

Do you collect sales tax?

Regency Steel Buildings collects sales, excise, and/or use taxes for products we deliver. We comply fully with all applicable tax laws. Buyers must accept responsibility for any state and local taxes due on their purchases that we are required by law to collect and must agree to remit any taxes, either at the time of purchase or on receipt of an invoice.

Does your company offer financing?

No. We do, however, have a layaway plan. You can make monthly payments with a pre-approved plan.

Can I make changes to my order?

Yes, revisions are possible. However, depending on the status of your order structural changes may be difficult to implement without delays and/or costly charges. In any case, we understand changes are inherent in the construction industry and we work with our customers to supply the final requirements.

What is included in the purchase price?

You get the materials to complete a mini storage building as shown in the layout, together with the options that you have selected. There are no hidden costs.

Price includes:

Two sets of approval and anchor bolt layout drawings

Two sets of engineer certified drawings for your building department

One set of erection drawings

Concrete anchors

Commercial trim package

Commercial wall and roof panels

Color walls, standard galvalume partitions and roof panels

Manufactures limited warranty

Doors, if selected, with manufacturer’s warranties/installation instructions

Delivery

Where will my building come from?

Regency Steel Buildings works with approximately ten manufacturing plants nationwide.

Can we know which plant or company will be manufacturing our materials prior to purchasing?

Absolutely. For warranty purposes you have a right to know.

Can I pick up a building with my own freight carrier?

It is possible. In many cases you may not experience a cost savings with this type of request.

Where do you ship from?

Our buildings are shipped from several manufacturing and distribution points across the continental United States of America. You can view our Shipping Locations on our Shipping Page for more information.

How is it possible that you can ship a building to my location for such a low cost?

Regency Steel Buildings ships small projects utilizing community freight or grouped loads. This often results in a freight cost to ship the products several hundred miles for less than others charge for buildings delivered in the factory area. Your delivery schedule requires a little flexibility when community freight is used.

Do you help unload the building materials?

No. Depending on the carrier, some drivers will assist in the inventory process. Our shipping department will go over the equipment required to unload the materials.

What’s the most important thing I need to know about taking receipt upon delivery of my building materials?

YOU MUST INVENTORY YOUR BUILDING WHEN IT ARRIVES. You need to immediately note any shortages or damage on the bill of lading before signing it, and you have three (3) days to report “hidden damage” or missing or damaged goods that arrived in sealed containers (for example, fasteners that come in boxes). Unfortunately, job sites suffer theft, especially when they are left unattended for days or weeks. We cannot be held responsible for shortages you report after you have taken receipt of the materials and acknowledge completeness on the bill of lading. Most of the problems we deal with after delivery are caused by people not inventorying their building when it arrives. We cannot overemphasize how important a proper inventory is. We cannot collect for a shortage that was on the shipping list and signed for as received.

What if it’s raining when the truck gets there?

This is outside of our control and responsibility. You cannot delay the truck for any reason without incurring down time charges.

What kind of equipment will I need to off-load the materials?

That depends on the size of your building. Our shipping person can answer that and can give you weights of the heaviest bundles.

Does everything come at once?

All the parts of the building should arrive at the same time, but insulation and overhead doors (if you ordered these) will likely arrive in separate shipments. Insulation and overhead doors are shipped by their manufacturers separately, and we have limited control for shipment of these items.

What if we are not ready to put the building up when they are scheduled to arrive?

You can store it, but you need to do two things. Read the instructions that come with your drawings on how to care for and store the wall and roof sheets, and secondly, you must inventory the building when it arrives. You need to immediately note any shortages or damage on the bill of lading before signing it, and you have three days to report “hidden damage” or missing or damaged goods that arrived in sealed containers (for example, screws that come in sealed boxes). Unfortunately, job sites may suffer a high incidence of theft, especially when they are left unattended for days or weeks. We cannot be held responsible for shortages you report days, weeks, or months after a building arrives.

Drawings/Site Design/Feasibility Studies

What if I need permit drawings... do you provide them?

We cannot release complete drawings until you actually buy the building or place a deposit. Upon receipt of your deposit (immediately if you pay by credit card), we will prepare and send one or more sets of “permit and approval drawings” that you can submit to your local building department. You should verify whether your building department requires design calculations with the drawings.

Are your drawings stamped or sealed by an engineer? What if they require design calculations?

We have engineers who will certify the drawings for your state. We also provide design calculations (optional), (sometimes called “calcs”) which some building departments require.

Can you provide a site design?

Yes. We can provide a simple unit layout on your plot plan or if you have a strong commitment to your project we can prepare a comprehensive plan that incorporates items related to changes in the property elevations, recommendations from your feasibility study, unit mixes based on market demand, master planning for future phase expansions and maximum land utilization. Other considerations may include zoning ordinances, set backs, buffering ordinances, landscaping, storm drainage, utility upgrade requirements and fire lane widths.

What does a site design cost?

A simple site design can cost a few hundred dollars while a comprehensive site design may cost several 1000’s of dollars. The price is dependent on the scope of your project together with specific challenges your site may present. Regency Steel Buildings is very familiar with self-storage projects and can produce a plan in a much quicker turn around time at a much lower cost than a design firm that has not been involved in this specialized industry.

Please visit our Site Planning Page for more information.

Can you assist me with a feasibility study?

Yes. Feasibility studies are absolutely critical to the success of a new mini storage project. The study is a “blue print” of your business plan and investment venture. The cost associated with this study can more than pay for itself by reducing or eliminating poor decisions resulting from the lack of accurate information. Furthermore, a feasibility study can help protect your investment by providing valuable information you need to purchase the correct buildings and even prevent you from going forward with a project that has little chance of success. See our feasibility studies page for more information.