Value Engineering for Self-Storage & Warehouse Steel Buildings

Partner with New Horizon Structures to reduce construction costs by 15-25% without compromising quality, durability, or project timelines. Our value engineering process has saved general contractors millions across 50+ projects nationwide.

Why GCs Choose Our Value Engineering Services

In today's competitive construction market, general contractors need partners who can deliver cost-effective solutions without cutting corners. Our value engineering expertise helps you win more bids, increase profit margins, and deliver exceptional results to your clients—whether you're building a climate-controlled self-storage facility in Georgia or a multi-story warehouse in Texas.

We've engineered cost savings on projects ranging from 30,000 to 200,000+ square feet, working alongside leading GCs like Griffco Design/Build and delivering for major national brands including LifeStorage, ExtraSpace Storage, and SafeNest Storage.

What is Value Engineering?

Value Engineering is a systematic, team-based approach to analyzing every component of your steel building project—from foundation design to roof systems—to identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining or improving performance, safety, and durability.

Unlike simple cost-cutting, which often sacrifices quality, value engineering focuses on optimizing value: delivering the same (or better) functionality at a lower total cost. Our experienced estimators and engineers assess design alternatives, material specifications, and construction methods to eliminate waste and inefficiency from your project.

Real Results: Cost Savings Without Compromise

How We Deliver Value Engineering: Our 5-Step Process

Step 1: Initial Project Review & Analysis
We begin by thoroughly reviewing your architectural drawings, specifications, and project requirements. Our team analyzes the structural design, material specifications, and construction approach to identify opportunities for optimization. This includes reviewing local building codes, weather considerations, and specific client requirements (climate control, fire ratings, etc.).

Step 2: Collaborative Design Workshop
We schedule a working session with your team, the project architect, and the owner (when appropriate) to discuss potential value engineering opportunities. This collaborative approach ensures all stakeholders understand the trade-offs and benefits of each proposed modification. We present multiple scenarios with detailed cost comparisons.

Step 3: Engineering & Documentation
Once we've agreed on value engineering strategies, our team (working with Fleming Structural PLLC and other engineering partners) produces stamped engineering drawings and calculations. We handle all necessary submissions to building departments and ensure full code compliance. You receive complete documentation for your records and future reference.

Step 4: Material Procurement & Optimization
Leveraging our relationships with top PEMB manufacturers nationwide, we procure materials at competitive prices while maintaining quality standards. Our supply chain expertise often yields additional savings beyond the design phase—we know which manufacturers offer the best lead times and pricing for specific project types.

Step 5: Efficient Erection Planning
Our value engineering extends to the construction phase. We develop detailed erection sequences that minimize crane time, reduce labor hours, and prevent costly delays. Our crews have erected over $10M in steel buildings in 2024 alone, giving us real-world insight into what works most efficiently on site.

Specific Areas We Optimize for Cost Savings

Foundation Design
By optimizing column spacing and load distribution, we often reduce the number of foundations required. For a typical 60,000 sq ft self-storage building, this can save $15,000-$30,000 in concrete and excavation costs.

Structural Steel Framing
We analyze beam and column sizes to ensure you're not over-engineering. Many initial designs include unnecessary structural capacity "just to be safe." Our engineers right-size the structure based on actual loads, often reducing steel tonnage by 8-15%.

Wall & Roof Systems
We evaluate insulation types, panel profiles, and cladding options to meet your performance requirements at the lowest cost. For climate-controlled facilities, we ensure proper R-values while exploring cost-effective insulation alternatives.

Door & Hallway Systems
Working with our doors and hallway systems expertise, we optimize interior layouts to minimize material waste and reduce installation time. This is especially valuable for multi-story self-storage facilities where hallway efficiency directly impacts rentable square footage.

Erection & Crane Strategy
Every day of crane rental costs money. Our detailed erection planning—developed from years of field experience—ensures efficient sequencing that minimizes equipment time and labor hours.

Benefits of Our Value Engineering Services

• Cost Savings: Typical savings of 15-25% on steel building package and erection costs without compromising quality or performance.
• Faster Project Delivery: Optimized designs often mean simpler construction, reducing your overall project timeline by 1-3 weeks.
• Competitive Advantage: Lower costs help you win more bids while maintaining healthy margins. Our GC partners report higher success rates on projects where we provide value engineering.
• Quality Assurance: All value-engineered solutions meet or exceed building codes, manufacturer warranties, and owner expectations. We never compromise on structural integrity or safety.
• Complete Documentation: You receive stamped engineering drawings, specifications, and cost breakdowns for every value engineering recommendation.
• Collaborative Process: We work as an extension of your team, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned and informed throughout the process.

Project Types We Value Engineer

• Climate-Controlled Self-Storage Facilities: Optimizing HVAC loads, insulation systems, and structural efficiency for temperature-sensitive storage
• Multi-Story Self-Storage Buildings: Maximizing rentable square footage while minimizing structural costs on 2-5 story facilities
• Warehouse & Distribution Centers: Large-span clear spaces with optimized column spacing and loading dock configurations
• RV & Boat Storage: Covered and enclosed storage with cost-effective door systems and efficient layouts
• Mixed-Use Developments: Combined retail/storage or office/warehouse projects requiring flexible design solutions

Why Choose New Horizon Structures for Value Engineering?

100+ Years of Combined Experience: Our leadership team brings decades of expertise in steel building design, engineering, and construction. We've seen what works—and what doesn't.

National Network of PEMB Suppliers: We're not tied to a single manufacturer. This flexibility allows us to source the most cost-effective solutions for your specific project requirements.

Proven Track Record: We've delivered value engineering on 50+ projects totaling over $30M in construction value, consistently achieving 15-25% cost reductions.

Engineer of Record Partnerships: We work with licensed professional engineers (like Fleming Structural PLLC) to ensure all value-engineered designs are properly stamped and code-compliant.

GC-Focused Approach: Unlike manufacturers who only care about selling steel, we understand the GC's complete picture—budget constraints, schedule pressures, and owner expectations.

Value Engineering vs. Traditional Design: What's the Difference?

Aspect	Traditional Design	With Value Engineering
Design Approach	Single solution based on initial concept	Multiple alternatives analyzed for cost/performance
Cost Focus	Estimate after design is complete	Cost optimization throughout design process
Material Selection	Specified by architect/engineer	Evaluated for cost-effective alternatives
Structural Sizing	Often over-designed "to be safe"	Right-sized based on actual loads
Construction Planning	Reviewed during bidding	Optimized for efficient erection
Typical Timeline	Standard schedule	Often 1-3 weeks faster due to simplification
Cost Impact	Baseline (100%)	15-25% lower

Value Engineering Timeline

Our value engineering process typically takes 2-4 weeks from initial review to final stamped drawings:

• Week 1: Initial review, analysis, and opportunity identification
• Week 2: Collaborative workshop and proposal development
• Week 3: Engineering, calculations, and drawing revisions
• Week 4: Final documentation, approvals, and handoff

Rush timelines available for fast-track projects—contact us to discuss your specific schedule needs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Value Engineering

Does value engineering delay my project?
No—when done early in the design phase, value engineering actually accelerates projects by simplifying construction. We recommend engaging us during schematic design or early design development for maximum benefit.

Will the building owner accept value-engineered changes?
Yes, when properly presented. We help you communicate the benefits clearly: same performance, lower cost, often faster delivery. Most sophisticated owners (especially national self-storage brands) expect and appreciate value engineering.

What if the architect doesn't want to make changes?
We work collaboratively with architects and handle all technical documentation. Most architects welcome value engineering that maintains design intent while improving constructability and cost-effectiveness.

Do you charge separately for value engineering?
Value engineering is included as part of our design-build services. For design-assist or erection-only projects, we can provide value engineering as a standalone service—contact us for details.

How do you ensure quality isn't compromised?
Every value-engineered solution must meet or exceed the original specifications, building codes, and manufacturer warranties. We provide stamped engineering and full documentation. Our comprehensive safety protocols, full coverage insurance, and repeat business from major national brands demonstrate our commitment to quality.

What information do you need to provide a value engineering analysis?
Ideally: architectural drawings (even preliminary), project specifications, site information, and budget targets. However, we can begin with just conceptual plans and square footage requirements.

Related Services

Value engineering works best when combined with our complete service offering:

• Design/Build Services: Complete project delivery from concept to completion
• Steel Building Erection: Professional installation by experienced crews following comprehensive OSHA-compliant safety protocols
• PEMB Supply & Management: Procurement from top manufacturers nationwide
• Self-Storage Specialization: Expertise in climate-controlled and multi-story facilities

See Our Value Engineering in Action

View our portfolio of completed projects including detailed case studies showing cost savings achieved through value engineering:

• LifeStorage Huntsville, AL: 77,000 sq ft climate-controlled facility—$180K saved
• ExtraSpace Cape Coral, FL: Multi-story facility with optimized structural system
• SafeNest Storage Stanley, NC: 46,000 sq ft expansion with value-engineered expansion joints

We’ve successfully implemented value-engineered solutions for numerous projects across the U.S., saving clients significant costs while enhancing project performance. Our expertise spans self-storage facilities, warehouses, and other large-scale steel building projects.