Two business owners, same industry, same building size. Jim chose pre-engineered. Sarah went custom. Both got exactly what they needed, but their journeys couldn’t have been more different.
Jim runs an equipment rental business and needed a 60×100 storage building fast. His requirements were straightforward: weather protection, vehicle access, and minimal cost. He selected a pre-engineered system, received his building in eight weeks, and came in 20% under budget. Mission accomplished.
Sarah operates a specialty manufacturing facility requiring precise temperature control, overhead crane systems, and future expansion capability. She initially worried that pre-engineered buildings couldn’t handle her specialized needs, but MBMI’s customizable pre-engineered systems delivered exactly the functionality her business demanded while maintaining cost efficiency and faster delivery than fully custom alternatives.
The right choice isn’t always the obvious one. Understanding when each approach delivers better value requires looking beyond initial price tags to examine total project requirements, long-term flexibility, and real-world performance needs.
What’s the difference between pre-engineered and custom steel buildings? Pre-engineered buildings utilize standardized design systems with proven load tables, connection details, and component specifications. These systems can be extensively customized and modified to meet specific site conditions, architectural requirements, and performance needs while maintaining the efficiency of proven engineering approaches.
Fully custom buildings start with blank engineering analysis for every component. However, most projects that appear “custom” actually use modified pre-engineered systems that have been adapted so extensively they seem custom-designed. This approach combines the cost efficiency of pre-engineered systems with the flexibility to meet unique requirements.
At MBMI, our pre-engineered metal buildings can be customized to an extent that they often appear fully custom while maintaining the cost and timeline advantages of proven engineering systems. Our in-house engineering team can modify spans, heights, loads, architectural features, and specialized requirements within our flexible pre-engineered platform.
Pre-engineered buildings typically cost 15-25% less than fully custom alternatives, and this advantage often increases when extensive customization is required. Advanced pre-engineered systems like MBMI’s can accommodate complex modifications while maintaining cost efficiency through proven engineering platforms and streamlined manufacturing processes.
However, upfront costs tell only part of the story. The key is distinguishing between companies that offer limited standard buildings with expensive modification charges versus those that specialize in customizable pre-engineered systems designed for extensive adaptation.
When customizable pre-engineered systems provide better value than fully custom: Projects requiring specialized features often benefit from pre-engineered platforms that have been designed from the ground up to accommodate modifications. This approach delivers custom functionality at pre-engineered pricing.
Hidden costs in basic pre-engineered systems often surface when simple modifications require extensive re-engineering. Standard systems not designed for customization can become expensive quickly when clients need features beyond basic parameters. This explains why choosing a company with robust customization capabilities matters more than initial price comparisons.
MBMI’s customizable pre-engineered approach provides cost predictability because our systems are designed to accommodate modifications efficiently. Our in-house engineering team can evaluate customization requirements upfront and provide accurate pricing without the surprises that often accompany basic pre-engineered systems pushed beyond their intended capabilities.
Long-term value considerations strongly favor customizable pre-engineered buildings that can adapt to changing needs without requiring complete replacement. The ability to modify or expand buildings efficiently provides operational flexibility that justifies any initial investment differences over the building’s lifetime.
Pre-engineered manufacturing typically requires 6-10 weeks from order to delivery, and this timeline advantage often extends to heavily customized pre-engineered buildings. Companies like MBMI with robust customization capabilities can accommodate extensive modifications while maintaining faster delivery than fully custom alternatives.
Fully custom design and manufacturing can extend timelines to 12-20 weeks or more, depending on project complexity and the need for completely original engineering analysis. The additional time reflects the requirement to engineer every component from scratch rather than adapting proven systems.
Why customizable pre-engineered systems maintain timeline advantages relates to their foundation on proven engineering platforms. Even extensive modifications work within established structural frameworks, allowing faster engineering analysis and manufacturing coordination than fully custom approaches.
The AISC Design Guides provide comprehensive resources for structural steel design decisions and help set realistic expectations for both approaches. Understanding these industry standards helps prevent timeline disappointment and allows proper project coordination.
How long does it take to build a customizable pre-engineered steel building? Total project time from order to building completion typically ranges 3-5 months for customized pre-engineered buildings, compared to 5-8 months for fully custom structures. The difference becomes more pronounced as customization requirements increase.
Construction timelines often favor customizable pre-engineered buildings because components arrive precisely manufactured for specific requirements without the extensive field coordination often required for fully custom systems. MBMI’s manufacturing precision reduces construction delays and ensures proper fit of the various components.
Here’s what most people get wrong about pre-engineered buildings: they assume severe limitations. The reality? Modern customizable systems like MBMI’s can handle clear spans over 200 feet, specialized crane loads, and complex architectural features while maintaining the speed and cost advantages that make pre-engineered attractive in the first place.
The question isn’t whether you can get what you need from pre-engineered systems. The question is whether you’re working with a company that has invested in truly flexible platforms or one that sells basic buildings with expensive modification upcharges.
MBMI’s customizable systems accommodate:
Traditional limitations only apply when working with companies offering basic pre-engineered buildings designed decades ago. Modern systems like MBMI’s were engineered from the ground up to handle extensive customization efficiently.
Customizable pre-engineered excels for: Nearly everything. Warehouses, manufacturing facilities, aircraft hangars, retail centers, agricultural buildings, and mixed-use projects all benefit from the flexibility and efficiency of advanced pre-engineered systems.
Fully custom alternatives exist, but rarely provide better value. Some clients prefer the perception of “custom” engineering, but MBMI’s customizable systems deliver the same functionality more efficiently through proven platforms that have been refined over decades.
The bottom line: MBMI’s engineering capabilities can accommodate any project requirement through our flexible pre-engineered systems. The question isn’t whether we can handle your needs – it’s whether you want the efficiency advantages that come with our proven approach.
Start here: Can MBMI’s customizable pre-engineered systems handle your requirements? The answer is yes, even for complex projects that initially require fully custom solutions.
Budget considerations: Customizable pre-engineered delivers custom functionality at pre-engineered pricing. Even heavily modified systems typically cost 20-30% less than fully custom alternatives while completing faster.
Timeline pressure: Customizable pre-engineered maintains 3-5 month project timelines even with extensive modifications. Fully custom projects often extend 6-8 months or longer.
Future flexibility: MBMI’s systems are designed for future expansion and modification, providing operational adaptability without the limitations of basic pre-engineered buildings.
The decision framework is simpler than most people think: customizable, pre-engineered handles projects more efficiently than fully custom alternatives.
Here’s the reality: MBMI’s customizable pre-engineered systems handle virtually any building requirement more efficiently than fully custom alternatives. The decision isn’t really about choosing between approaches – it’s about working with a company that has the engineering capabilities to deliver what you need.
Three questions to ask yourself:
The choice becomes obvious when you understand that modern customizable pre-engineered systems can accommodate any requirement while maintaining significant cost and timeline advantages. The key is choosing the right engineering partner, not the right building category.
Contact MBMI today to explore what’s possible with modern, customizable pre-engineered systems. Our engineering team will evaluate your specific requirements and show you the most efficient path to achieving your project goals.
Don’t let outdated assumptions about pre-engineered limitations prevent you from getting the building you need at a price that makes sense. MBMI’s advanced systems deliver custom results through proven, efficient processes.