A few specific requirements need to be met when building a new metal auto shop. First and foremost, you need space – and plenty of it. There needs to be room for the vehicles, of course, as well as the people working on those vehicles and all of their tools. The more space, the better when creating an auto repair shop.  

Other considerations for the project include the cost of the building, how quickly it can be constructed, and how much maintenance it will require year after year. Looking at all of these factors, it quickly becomes clear that a metal building makes a ton of sense for the project. If you have been thinking about creating a metal building for your auto repair shop business, this page will have the information you need to get started.  

Start by heading to our Build & Price tool to design your structure. That tool is easy to use, and you can always contact us directly if you have any questions along the way.  

How to Build a Metal Auto Repair Shop

Make a List of Key Features 

Before getting into the design process, it’s smart to figure out what elements will need to be included in the layout of your shop. Once you know exactly what areas you want to create, it becomes pretty easy to put them all together in a building layout that will serve your business properly.  Discover more ideas in this blog on designing your workshop. 

So, what areas are needed in the average auto repair shop? Consider the following – 

• Vehicle bays. This is the starting point for any auto shop, as you will need spots within the building where vehicles can be parked or hoisted up onto a lift.  
• Customer areas. You’ll likely need somewhere for your customers to go when they come in for service. This will probably include a counter where payment can be made and a waiting area with some chairs.  
• Offices. Even if you don’t need a ton of office space, you will want some area in the building that is off-limits for customers to complete paperwork and other admin.  

Pick a Building Site 

One-half of this equation determines what features you want in the building. The other half is identifying how much space you have available to build on. Examine your property and consider any restrictions like set-back laws to determine where the structure can go and how big it can be. It’s always smart to build something a little bigger than you need, if at all possible, so you have room to grow into it later.  

Why a Metal Building is Perfect for an Auto Shop 

You could build your new auto shop using wood construction. However, if you made that choice, you’d be missing out on the many benefits delivered by the kinds of quality metal buildings that American Steel Carports, Inc. offers.  

This conversation naturally starts with cost savings. When running a business, you always want to save money wherever possible, starting with the building you work in each day. Metal buildings almost always cost significantly less than similar wood structures. You will spend less on materials, and there won’t be as much labor needed to construct the building.  

The cost savings are nice, but they are far from the only reason to choose metal over wood. Another big one is the ease of clear-span design available with metal buildings. A clear-span building is free from columns in the middle of the space, allowing you plenty of room to do whatever you would like with the structure. In this case, you won’t have to work around columns when designing your shop and laying out your vehicle bays.  

Finally, and not to be overlooked, is the short construction timeline afforded by a metal building project. You may want to get your business up and running as soon as possible to get the cash flowing, and metal structures are typically completed far faster than wood buildings. So, you’ll be able to create a design, get the right permits in place, and start construction on your new business home right away.  

Build a Custom Metal Auto Repair Shop 

Whether this building will be for a new business or you’ll be replacing your current structure with a new one, American Steel Carports, Inc. is certainly the right partner for the job. Put the wheels in motion today and you will have a quality metal building to serve as a home for your business before you know it. Thanks for stopping by!