Pre-Fabricated Mezzanine vs. Local Steel Fabricator

You have determined that your business needs a steel mezzanine. Whether for additional storage, raising a piece of equipment or conveyor off the floor, additional warehouse office space, or some other reason. 

Now you have two options. You can tap into an experienced pre-fabricated mezzanine distributor and manufacturer to design, fabricate, and install your mezzanine, or you can hire an engineer and a local steel fabricator to create a one-off design.

But before diving into what option is best, it’s essential to understand that pre-engineered mezzanines are not ‘cookie-cutter’ mezzanine designs. At Mezzanine Distributors, despite each mezzanine being prefabricated in our facility, each one of them is custom-designed to fit each of our clients’ needs. 

Working With Local Steel Fabricators

If you decide to work with local steel fabricators, here’s what’s likely going to happen. 

Your company will pay a structural engineering firm to design your mezzanine. What size should the beams and joists be? The columns? The baseplates? Once the design is completed, you’ll take the drawings to a local steel fabricator, and they’ll prepare a cost estimate based on the engineer’s recommendation. 

The next step will be to apply for local permits and wait for approval. If the design is approved, steel fabrication can begin. After materials have been ordered, the steel has been welded, and holes have been punched per the engineer’s drawings, you’ll need an installer to install all of the materials.

Working With Prefabricated Mezzanine Distributors & Manufacturers

When you work with a prefabricated mezzanine distributor and manufacturer, you put your trust in companies and people that specialize in this area of work and do this every day. 

Choosing an experienced distributor with a portfolio of past projects is the best way to know that the company you’re working with knows what they are doing. You can rest assured that your system will be exactly what you need. 

The Advantages Of Pre-Engineered And Prefabricated Mezzanines  

There are many reasons why a pre-fabricated mezzanine can be a better option. 

1. You’re contracting with only one company – the distributor, who works with a manufacturer and installer as a team to provide a turnkey experience with years of experience behind them. The installer should have significant experience with that manufacturer’s product. This will help ensure that the installation goes smoothly.
2. Again, pre-fabricated mezzanine manufacturers specialize in that area of work. Therefore, consistent design allows for a more streamlined, efficient process and outcome of materials. Our experts can optimize the design of your structure so that the cost is most beneficial to your business.
3. Our systems are built specifically to the applicable building codes, whether OSHA, IBC, or something else. So you never have to worry about getting permits.
4. Engineering and fabrication are performed by the same company, which reduces the chance for errors and also provides for a more efficient process. When the mezzanine system is fully fabricated in-house, its structure is assembled on-site, meaning minimal disruption and downtime for the customers.
5. When working with a pre-fabricated mezzanine distributor and manufacturer, you don’t need to spend time and money on engineering. You only need to provide us with the parameters, and we’ll do the work for you.
6. When working with local steel fabricators and going through the process mentioned above, you risk locking yourself into materials that may be harder to source or have longer lead times. Avoid this by choosing a pre-engineered, prefabricated mezzanine.

The combination of a turnkey experience, specialization, code compliance, and product expertise and knowledge provide significant advantages of working with a pre-fabricated mezzanine provider.

At Mezzanine Distributors, we make it a priority to provide top-notch attention to each project and deliver a safe, cost-effective solution that perfectly suits your business needs. Don’t hesitate to contact us to request a quote or ask for additional information.