By Kirk Stelsel
Photos courtesy J.E. Hill Precast, Leesburg, Fla. (jehillprecast.com)
Do you remember the qualities you were looking for the last time you set out to purchase a house?
For many homeowners, must-haves include curb appeal, move-in ready conditions and solid construction that passes a thorough inspection process. When it comes to utility buildings, engineers, city planners, contractors and DOT personnel should require the same.
Utility buildings that house restrooms, storage, mechanical or electrical equipment, offices and more may not be the flashiest part of a job site, but they can certainly be the easiest and most reliable when precast concrete is used. To construct a building on site requires delivery and storage of materials, days or weeks of construction, and additional work by specialists such as plumbers and electricians. Imagine this instead: When you’re ready for it, a fully constructed precast concrete building is delivered, set in place and ready for use in less than a day. Precast concrete buildings offer this and more.
Looking for curb appeal? Any number of finishes can be applied, including brick, stone, acid-etched, exposed-aggregate, custom colors – and the list goes on. Precast concrete buildings can be made to any size and shape, including custom roofs, and they can be relocated if you need a change of scenery in the future.
Move-in ready conditions? Just as future homeowners don’t want a long delay before the closing date, you don’t want to delay any aspect of your project to take longer than needed. The precast manufacturer can pre-plumb and wire the structure, and interiors can be customized with everything from drop ceilings and drywall to carpeting and HVAC before it even arrives on site. If you opt for a built-in floor, foundations may not be needed either. All of this can save you countless days or weeks of construction costs and site disruption, which adds up to big savings in overall costs.
Solid construction? How about a building that can resist hurricane- and tornado-force winds, fire, floods and earthquakes; has a long service life; and is virtually maintenance free? Precast concrete stands up to natural forces better than any other building material, and your product is made in a controlled environment where it undergoes quality-control protocol throughout the manufacturing process.
With a precast concrete building, you can ensure a quality product, fast installation, savings in construction and logistical costs, and, best of all, you can keep your focus on other aspects of the project.
To learn more, or to find NPCA member precasters in your area, visit www.precast.org.
Kirk Stelsel is assistant director of NPCA’s Communication Department and associate editor of Precast Solutions and Precast Inc. magazines.
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