Author: ravenel

The Importance of Building Codes

At Portable Buildings by Ravenel, we adhere strictly to building codes for all our sheds and outbuildings. For someone outside the construction and building industry, permits might seem like an unnecessary overreach.

At Portable Buildings by Ravenel, we adhere strictly to building codes for all our sheds and outbuildings. For someone outside the construction and building industry, permits might seem like an unnecessary overreach. But in our line of work, we know how important it is to ensure that your structure is built correctly for your home and your family’s safety. So, although permits can take time and seem like a waste of money, they are essential to ensuring that you – and we – are safe.

What are Building Codes?

Building codes are a set of rules and standards that a governing body uses to regulate the building of structures. The purpose of building codes is to provide a minimum standard to protect homeowners' safety and the public at large. The building codes are meant to protect people against things like fire, general deterioration, and structural collapse. Some minimal standard examples are:

  • Safety and fire code systems
  • Requirements to address natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.
  • Building occupancy, structural standards, fire ratings, foundation type, roofing, electrical, mechanic, site drainage, plumbing

In South Carolina, the building codes that we adhere to are outlined by the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Building Code (IBC). They are the two governing agencies that oversee our buildings to ensure that they are built correctly and list the necessary modifications needed to keep our clients safe.

Why We Pull Permits

There are contractors who cut corners by not pulling permits and then pass the savings along to their customers. The problem is that there is no governing body to ensure that things are done correctly and checked sufficiently. A permit is used not just to cover our company, but also to cover every homeowner that we work with. We want to make sure that all of our buildings are done 100% within the guidelines for the sake of everyone’s safety. If a contractor doesn’t pull a permit to do construction at your home, that is a huge red flag.

Fees and Penalties

Also, if someone doesn’t correctly pull a permit to begin work, that can leave the homeowner vulnerable to fees and penalties. It is much better to work within guidelines and rules than to try to go outside the law and find out after the fact that things weren’t done correctly. We believe in being 100% transparent and putting our customers first – always.

At Portable Buildings by Ravenel, we can understand why permits might seem like they take too long, hold up the process, and cost unnecessary money, but they are an essential part of our business and planning. All of our buildings come with the guarantee that they are built not just to the manufacturer’s specifications, but also that they meet all local and municipal codes for building. We take great pride in the craftsmanship of our outbuildings and the safety of our customers, and it shows in our reviews and ratings. Contact us today to discuss your project!

Garage or Carport – Which One Makes More Cents?

If you are outgrowing your available storage space, a carport or a garage is a great way to add space while increasing your home’s equity.

If you are outgrowing your available storage space, a carport or a garage is a great way to add space while increasing your home’s equity. But there are a lot of differences between building a carport and a garage. The main one is size and investment. Consulting with a carports in Charleston, SC company, like Portable Buildings of Ravenel, is a perfect way to see all the wonderful things you can do with a carport, for a fraction of the cost. Here are some of the pros and cons of choosing one over the other.

Garages are Expensive

A garage is an entirely separate building and needs to have all sorts of expensive structural things. The average cost to build a garage is anywhere from $17-$22/sqft, which is a pretty big investment. When you compare that to the average cost of building a carport – about $9-$12/sqft – it is hard to justify not just going with a carport!

Losing “Green” Space

A garage requires a lot of “space” to build. Whether detached or attached, the average garage is about 240-900/sqft. If you already have limited green space to enjoy the great outdoors, are you sure you are willing to give it up for a garage? A carport can be built to be any size you want. And it is also open-aired; this means you can still enjoy entertaining under the canopy because you aren’t sacrificing outdoor enjoyment!

What Are Your Needs?

If you need something to house your vehicles to shelter them from storms or you are looking for something to park under to shelter you from the weather, then a carport is a fantastic choice. It provides a roof to keep your vehicles safe from the outdoor elements, but it isn’t a fixed space that you need to be confined to. A garage is a better choice if you are looking for additional storage and more climate control, but if all you want is a place to store your “toys,” a carport may be a smarter investment.

More Storage Space?

Speaking of storage space, if you are looking to house your vehicles as well as your “things,” then a garage might be a better investment. A garage is built large enough to pull your car into, but it also has enough room on the sides to store things that might not fit in closets for basements. If you are looking for additional room, then a carport might not cut it. But you might want to consider a carport with a storage shed. The two together will still only cost about $16/sqft, which is considerably less, so make sure to consider all of your options.

If you are looking to add some space to house your things or just want to keep your vehicle and toys under wraps, then you have a choice between building a garage or a carport. A carport is an economical way to house your cars, and if it doesn’t provide enough space, you can always add a shed – and still spend way less money and jump through fewer hurdles. At Portable Buildings of Ravenel, we have the largest selection of carports and sheds in the industry. Check out our website to see what’s on the menu today!

Rent to Own Sheds or Pay Outright – Which Makes More Cents?

There is no denying that as Americans, we tend to acquire lots of “things.” If you’re having a hard time finding space to house your tools, equipment, and toys, a shed is an excellent way to keep things under wraps.

There is no denying that as Americans, we tend to acquire lots of “things.” If you're having a hard time finding space to house your tools, equipment, and toys, a shed is an excellent way to keep things under wraps. Unlike renting a storage unit, you can have all that you need onsite while still hidden nicely away. It is possible to rent a storage shed — but is it budget-friendly? Or is it smarter to purchase one outright? Instead of looking at rent to own sheds in Charleston, SC, these are the advantages and disadvantages to both.

Buying Avoids Interest

Sure, buying a storage shed might set you back upfront, but in the end, you own something that will add equity and value to your home. Renting to own means that you are just kicking the financial can down the road. Paying for one out of pocket means that you can avoid high finance charges. If you have the budget, or you can shop around for the best financing rate, it makes more sense to buy!

Not Everyone Can Afford to Buy With Cash

Unfortunately not everyone can afford to buy a shed outright. Financing offers a great way to buy a shed, but it typically involves a good credit rating. When you rent to own a shed, you don’t have to go through the credit application. Renting to own from Portable Buildings of Ravenel allows you to make payments along the way to ownership without the need for good credit.

Buying Means That You Own it

When you pay for your building upfront, you own it completely. You don’t run the risk of losing your investment if at some point you aren’t able to make payments. And when, or if, you want to trade it in for something newer, you have something to show for it. When you rent to own, you don’t officially own it until you make the very last payment. If something goes wrong before that time, you will forfeit your investment.

No Credit Check When you Rent to Own

If you don’t have the cash upfront, then you have two options, financing it or renting to own. Financing also might not be an option if you have a poor credit rating. Rent to own, however, is about the same as financing, you just use your investment in the shed via monthly payments, as collateral. Therefore, if you can’t finance, rent to own is an excellent alternative!

If you find that you are outgrowing your current storage space, you might be considering a storage shed to house your things. Look for a company that is willing to rent to own sheds in Charleston, SC, or, bite the bullet and purchase one. Both options just make more “cents.” At Ravenel Buildings, we work closely with our customers to find a shed that will accommodate their individual needs, while still staying within their budget. Reach out today to discuss buying your new shed.

Portable Storage Sheds or Storage Units – Which is Better for Your Situation?

One of the biggest problems that many homeowners have is finding enough space to house all of their stuff. From landscaping equipment to bikes and toys, finding a place for everything and everything in its place is often difficult to do for a growing family. That is why many consider renting a storage unit to accommodate the overflow. But over time, the rented space can end up costing you more than the contents in it, which is why portable storage sheds are an excellent alternative. So which one is better for your needs? Ask yourself these questions to find the answer.

How Much Do You Want to Spend?

Granted, buying portable storage sheds is an investment up front, which is why some people consider just renting space until they don’t need it anymore. But what most people find is that the things they store in a storage unit are often forgotten about. And by the time you remove the items from the storage unit, you could have probably just bought all new stuff. A portable storage shed is not only a great place to house things; it is a long-term investment that keeps on giving.

How Often Are You Going to Need Your Stuff?

If you are housing your valuables off-site at a storage facility, it can be a real hassle to go and get them every time you use them. This means most people make do without the item until a time that they have space for it. While it sits idle, you are paying for something that you will probably not use. Also, by the time you get it, it will be outdated and will need upgrading. More times than not, storage units are just a place to put things when you want to forget about them altogether.

How Much Room Do You Have?

One limitation that might make a storage unit a must is if you don’t have the space for a portable shed. You do need to have enough of a backyard to build a portable storage unit or be able to accommodate one that is large enough to put your valuables in. There is no sense in investing in a shed that you won’t ever use because it simply isn’t big enough. That is an even bigger waste of money than renting a storage unit!

Does Your House Allow It?

Some communities and neighborhoods have restrictions about what type of storage shed you can build based on codes and regulations. If you are limited on what type of shed you can have, that doesn’t mean that you should necessarily go with the storage unit. It just means that you might have to be a little more creative with its appearance and how you design it.

If you are tired of not having enough storage space at your home, then you might be considering whether you should invest in portable storage sheds or pay to rent a storage unit. The biggest advantage to a portable storage shed is that you have all you need on your property without having to go anywhere. Although it’s an investment up front, it is yours for the long-term. To discuss how we can accommodate your need for a storage shed, contact Ravenel Buildings today!