Metal building and light steel erection crew

Farmers and ranchers, small business owners, self-storage developers, and builders or dealers who sell metal buildings and need an installer.

A fixed price per building or per square foot, or a contract rate from a dealer or builder. Slab and foundation work is usually done by someone else.

• Construction or steel framing experience
• Operating a lift or telehandler
• Reading erection manuals and plans
• Working at height safely
• Customer communication

• Falls from roofs and frames are the main risk, so check OSHA requirements for fall protection and steel erection
• Check your state's contractor licensing rules, as many states license by job value or building type
• Building permits and engineered plans are normally needed, so confirm who is responsible for them on each job
• Insurance is required by most dealers and builders, so check the cover they expect
• Weather delays and late foundations can stall a job, so write timelines and payment milestones into your contract

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on equipment and insurance. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $10,000 to $45,000, depending on how many buildings you put up.

Check OSHA requirements for fall protection and steel erection, and your state's contractor licensing rules, as many states license by job value or building type. Confirm who handles permits and engineered plans on each job, and what insurance dealers expect.

Helpful skills include construction or steel framing experience, operating a lift or telehandler, reading erection manuals and plans, and working at height safely. The idea assumes at least about 30 hours a week.