Imagine saving nearly 50% on your next building project.
It is possible.
We know the problem with new construction. It is expensive and takes forever. You shouldn’t have to drain your bank account or wait months just to get extra space.
Used steel buildings are the solution. They are tough, affordable, and ready to ship right now. In this article, I will show you how buying used can save you time and money without sacrificing quality.
1. Significant Cost Savings
Let’s talk numbers. The biggest reason most people consider a used steel building is the price tag.
Lower Initial Purchase Price Buying a new steel building in Canada is a major investment. You have to pay for the raw steel, the manufacturing time, and the design fees. With a used or “surplus” building, you bypass much of that. It is common to see savings of 30% to 50% compared to a brand-new order. That is money you can put back into your business, your land, or the interior fit-out.
Reduced Depreciation: Think of a new car. The moment you drive it off the lot, it loses value. New buildings can be similar. However, steel is incredibly resilient. A used steel structure has already taken that initial depreciation hit. Because steel frames don’t rot or warp like wood, they hold their value exceptionally well. If you ever decide to sell the building or the property later, that steel frame is still a valuable asset.
Insurance and Maintenance Wins In Canada, we have to think about snow, ice, and fire. Steel is non-combustible and withstands heavy snow loads better than most materials. Insurance companies often love this. You may find your premiums are lower compared to a wood-framed structure. Plus, you aren’t paying for constant repairs like replacing rotted wood or treating termites, which keeps more money in your pocket year after year.
2. Accelerated Construction Timeline
Time is money. In the construction world, delays can kill a budget. Used steel buildings offer a massive speed advantage that new construction simply cannot match.
Skipping the Manufacturing Line If you order a brand-new steel building today, you are likely looking at a wait time of 8 to 12 weeks just for the factory to make it. That is two or three months of doing nothing but waiting. A used or surplus building sits ready to go. You can often have it loaded onto a truck and shipped to your site within days.
Beating the Canadian Winter In Canada, we have a short building season. You do not want to be pouring concrete or bolting frames together in minus 20-degree weather. Because used buildings are “pre-engineered,” the components are already cut, drilled, and ready to assemble. It is like a giant erector set. A small crew can often erect the frame in just a few weeks, allowing you to get the shell up and enclosed before the snow flies.
Faster Return on Investment (ROI) The math is simple. The sooner your building is up, the sooner you can use it.
- For a business: You start selling products or storing inventory months earlier.
- For a rental: You start collecting rent checks sooner.
- For personal use: You get your expensive equipment out of the elements immediately.
Every month you save on construction is a month of extra value you gain from the building.
3. Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Going “green” isn’t just a buzzword; in Canada, it is a smart business move. Choosing a used steel building is one of the most environmentally responsible construction decisions you can make.
Reuse Beats Recycling We often hear about recycling, but reuse is far superior. Recycling steel requires melting it down in massive furnaces, which consumes a lot of energy.
- The Used Advantage: When you buy a used building, you are bypassing that energy-intensive melting process entirely. You are simply taking existing high-quality steel and giving it a new home. This can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75% compared to manufacturing new steel.
LEED Canada and Green Credits If you are aiming for certification, a used steel building is a goldmine.
- Material Reuse: The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) and LEED systems reward projects that reuse existing building stock. Incorporating salvaged steel can contribute significantly to “Materials and Resources” (MR) credits, specifically for Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction.
- Waste Diversion: By purchasing a used structure, you are directly diverting tons of material from scrap yards or landfills. This aligns perfectly with Canadian targets for reducing Construction, Renovation, and Demolition (CRD) waste.
A “Forever” Material Steel is part of the “circular economy.” Unlike wood, which can rot and eventually end up as waste, steel is 100% recyclable at the end of its life. It can be used, disassembled, moved, and used again decades later. It is a permanent resource that never loses its strength, meaning your building leaves a minimal environmental footprint for generations.
4. Durability and Longevity
Some people worry that “used” means “worn out.” With steel, that is simply not true. Steel does not age like wood or brick.
Built for Canadian Winters A used steel building is just as strong as a new one. Steel frames are engineered to withstand massive snow loads and high winds. Unlike wood, which can warp, crack, or rot after years of freeze-thaw cycles, steel remains rigid. It doesn’t care if it is -30°C or +30°C. When you buy a certified used building, you are getting a structure that can handle the toughest Canadian weather without flinching.
Low Maintenance, High Reliability Wood buildings need constant care. You have to paint them, treat them for pests, and replace rotting boards. Steel is virtually maintenance-free. It is immune to termites, carpenter ants, and mold. It is also fire-resistant, which is a huge safety plus. Once your used steel building is up, you can basically forget about it and focus on your business.
A 50+ Year Lifespan Because of protective coatings like Galvalume, steel panels and frames resist rust for decades. It is not uncommon for these buildings to last 50 to 100 years with minimal upkeep. Even if a building has been standing for ten years before you buy it, it likely has decades of life left. It is a permanent solution at a temporary price.
5. Versatility and Customization
Don’t let the word “used” fool you. You aren’t stuck with someone else’s design. These buildings are like giant Lego sets incredibly easy to adapt, expand, and personalize.
Wide-Open Spaces (Clear-Span Design) One of the biggest perks of steel is the “clear-span” interior. Unlike wood pole barns that need support columns every few feet, steel frames can span huge widths without a single internal column.
- Why this matters: You get 100% usable floor space. This is perfect for driving large tractors and combines in for repair, setting up manufacturing lines, or even creating indoor riding arenas and hockey rinks. There are no poles to dodge.
Scalability: A Building That Grows With Your Business Booming? No problem. Steel buildings are designed to be expandable. Because the frames are modular, you can often remove an end wall and bolt on new “bays” to lengthen the structure. It is far cheaper and faster to extend a steel warehouse than to build a new addition on a wood-framed structure.
Customizable “Skins” Just because the skeleton is used doesn’t mean the skin has to be. You can strip the old metal siding and replace it with whatever fits your brand or neighborhood.
- Modern Look: Add glass fronts for a showroom.
- Rural Charm: Use stone veneers or timber accents for a barndominium or farm shop.
- Branding: Switch to insulated metal panels in your company colors. The frame provides the strength; you provide the style.
6. Important Considerations Before Buying
Buying used is smart, but you have to be careful. A steel building is not like a used car you can just drive away. You need to check a few specific things to make sure you are getting a deal, not a headache.
Check the Snow and Wind Loads This is the number one rule for Canadian buyers. Every steel building is engineered for a specific location.
- The Risk: A building designed for Vancouver (little snow) will likely collapse if you put it up in Ottawa or Northern Quebec (heavy snow).
- The Fix: Before you buy, ask for the original engineering blueprints. Show them to your local building department to confirm the frame can handle the snow and wind in your specific area.
Foundation and Anchor Bolts You cannot just pour a slab and hope for the best. With a used building, the bolt pattern is already set.
- Precision matters: Your foundation must match the steel frame’s “footprint” exactly. If your anchor bolts are off by even an inch, the columns won’t fit.
- The Advice: Always get the “anchor bolt plan” from the seller before you pour any concrete. If the seller doesn’t have it, walk away.
Inspect for Rust and Missing Parts A used building is like a giant puzzle. You need all the pieces.
- Inventory Check: Make sure the seller guarantees that all clips, bolts, and main frames are included. Buying a “mystery pile” of steel is risky.
- Rust Check: Surface rust on red-iron steel is normal and can be painted over. But deep, flaky rust that eats into the metal is a dealbreaker. If possible, inspect the steel in person or ask for detailed photos of the connection plates.
Conclusion
Building smart means maximizing value. Used steel buildings deliver the same industrial strength as new structures but save you up to 50% and months of waiting. You get a durable, eco-friendly asset without the premium price tag.
Ready to start? Get the savings you want without the risk. Contact Metal Pro Buildings today to shop our Clearance and Surplus inventory. Find a frame that fits your budget and local snow load requirements, and get your project off the ground immediately.
