FAQs

If you have questions? We have answers!

If you're unable to find an answer to your questions please call us at: 888-GEM-BILT (888-436-2458)

HOW DO I EVALUATE A GEM BUILDING AGAINST OTHER TYPES OF CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS?

Contact us directly call: 435-723-5000, ask for Alan Goddard, our National Sales Manager. He will be happy to assist you in any of your needs and will arrange for a salesperson to contact you. GEM has the engineering software to compare side-by-side various construction systems.

HOW WILL I KNOW MY PROJECT COST?

Once you have made an inquiry, a salesperson will contact you and go into detail with you about the scope of your project. Then a quote will be requested and developed. If you want us to Value Engineer your project we can do that with a DESIGN/BUILD project, or can reevaluate your existing plans if it is a Division 5 opportunity. Please let your salesperson know that you are interested in this evaluation.

WOULD I HAVE BETTER CONTROL OF THE PROJECT IF A SEPARATE DESIGN SOURCE WAS USED?

No, not in most cases. There are four controllable elements in any construction project: design, quality, cost, and scheduling. If the building process is fragmented by separating design from construction, you only control quality until a complete design is prepared and bids are taken. You do not know what the building will cost or how long it will take until the low bid contractor gives you his price.

During the design-build planning stage, value/cost/time equations are run constantly to ensure your objectives are met.

WHY SHOULD I CONSIDER AWARDING THE BID TO A CONTRACTOR ON AN OTHER THAN ON A "COMPETITIVE BID" BASIS?

Competitive bidding on a fixed design does permit you to decide who will build that building the cheapest. The competitive bid process "leads" the contractor to do everything as cheap as possible to satisfy the minimum requirements of the plans and specifications. This can hardly be in your best interest.

Conversely, design-build permits and encourages our project team to sincerely seek the best and most economical way to build your building in a manner consistent with your specific objectives. Each member of the team works constructively to provide the best possible solutions. Efforts are not diluted by the necessity of specifying the cheapest options for the project.

WILL MY BUILDING COST MORE WITHOUT COMPETITIVE BIDS?

That's unlikely. Here's why. On design-build projects, 60-70% of the project is "purchased" from others in the form of materials, equipment, and subcontracts. This means the majority of the job is purchased on your behalf and you have the opportunity to choose the elements that best meet your objectives for longest life, best performance, least maintenance, etc. There are then, competitive quotations on 60-70% of your job that can be evaluated by you and the design-builder. Your joint evaluations will permit the selection of the best and, frequently, the lowest cost way to proceed.

WILL THE PROJECT TAKE LONGER USING THE DESIGN-BUILD PROCESS?

No. In fact, it will be faster. When putting a project out for competitive bids, the designer must specify every "nut and bolt" to protect both the owner and himself (from the yet unknown contractor using any construction shortcuts), and to insure the job is completed as specified. This takes time. Nothing can start until plans are complete and bids are taken.

The design-build method only requires plans and specifications adequate for communication between the owner and the design-build team. Detailed working drawings need not be completed to start field work; site work and foundations can be started immediately, while other phases of work are being detailed.

As a result you get occupancy sooner, and early occupancy which is usually extremely valuable.

WHAT IS THE TYPICAL LEAD TIME FROM ORDER TO DELIVERY?

Depending on the complexity and size of the building will determine the delivery time.

Because of our "Build Different" processes we are able to get the building to you faster than almost all other manufacturers. You will be given a firm commitment upon requesting a quote and placing an order. Please ask us for more details.

CAN YOU GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE?

I NEED A QUOTE

I HAVE AN EXISTING BUILDING AND NEED AN EXTENSION

I NEED AN ADDITIONAL BUILDING SIMILAR TO THE ONE I ALREADY HAVE

We are more than happy to assist you with any need you may have, whether it be from a small building, to an extremely large, unique project, we do it all. You can fill out the information in the CONTACT US section of this site, or If you would like to contact us directly, you can call: 435-723-5000, ask for Alan Goddard our National Sales Manager, he will make sure we get you an estimate in a timely manner, and based on your particular requirements.

WHAT ABOUT BUILDING CODES?

GEM designs its buildings for all required codes. We provide drawings stamped and certified by a registered engineer.

WHAT TYPE OF FOUNDATION IS NEEDED FOR A DESIGN/BUILD OR A PRE-ENGINEERED STEEL BUILDING?

The type of foundation depends upon the geographical location of the building, topography of land, frame loads imposed on foundation, local building code requirments and architectural considerations. In areas, non-certified applications, there are general guidelines for a solid foundation that can be applied to most building. The most common foundation type is:

1. Pier, Footing, and Grade Beam: Pier, Footing, and Grade Beam consist of a square or rectangular footing and a grade beam wall. A drilled pier may be utilized in lieu of the square or rectangular footing. Piers and footings carry most of the vertical loads. We'll send your anchor bolt plans two weeks after we receive your pre-engineered steel building order.

WHAT WILL FREIGHT COST?

The cost will depend on the number of loads and the shipping distance. However the freight cost for a GEM building should be substantially less than other manufacturers because we fabricate the building in the region of the project and do not have to transport it thousands of miles. The costs will be part of a quote that we give to you.

HOW DO I FIND JOB OPENINGS AT GEM? WHAT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT GEM ?

GEM, as part of its website offers an online job listing service, and currently lists opportunities are on the site. This is updated as the employment opportunities change.

If you want to contact us directly you can call: 435-723-5000 and ask for Cody McDermott in Human Resources.

I DON'T SEE ANY PRICES LISTED ON YOUR SITE. HOW CAN I GET PRICING INFORMATION?

You can fill in the form in the CONTACT US section of the site, or if you would like to contact us directly, call: 435-723-5000, ask for Alan Goddard our National Sales Manager, he will be happy to assist you in any of your needs and will arrange for a salesperson to contact you.

MY QUESTION ISN'T ANSWERED HERE. WHAT NEXT?

If your question is not answered here, we would welcome an opportunity to answer it for you, as soon as possible. You can send us an email to sales@gembuildings.com or by using the CONTACT US portion of the site, or you can contact us directly, call: 435-723-5000 ask for Alan Goddard in Sales. He will make sure that you get an immediate answer to your questions.

NO QUESTION IS TOO SMALL, CALL US!!

Phone: 888-GEM-BILT (888-436-2458) Email: sales@gembuildings.com