Horse Stables, Steel Sheds, Farm Sheds, Steel Frame Buildings, Frame Portal, Victoria, Melbourne

How long has Trusteel been in business?

The proprietors of Trusteel have owned and operated the family shed business since 1976. In that time they have met every financial commitment and enjoy a healthy credit rating with all suppliers.

Are Trusteel Fabrications Pty Ltd registered builders?

Yes, the proprietors of Trusteel are registered builders with the Building Practitioners Board (Building Commission). Commercial Registration Number CB-U 3685 and Domestic Registration number DB-L 1198.

Does Trusteel offer a complete design and construction service?

Yes, we offer complete design, engineering, fabrication and construction of our full range. In most cases we undertake to obtain the relevant Town Planning permits and Building Permit approvals where necessary.

What is a Portal Frame?

A portal frame is a technical term that distinguishes between an old style "Truss" frame with a horizontal bottom cord and zigzag angle iron, and a frame that follows the roofline. A portal frame provides for a neater appearance and gives greater internal height clearance.

What is the difference between a "Skillion" and a "Gable" roof?

A Skiilion roof sheds is a roof that does not have a peak inn it and is sometimes called a flat roof. This is not necessarily correct because to allow rainwater to flow into a gutter some fall on the roof is required.. The fall will be dependent upon the roof cladding manufacturer requirements. For example, Stramit "Monoclad" roof sheet requires a minimum 2 degree fall while a Stramit "Corrugated" roof sheet requires a minimum 5 degree fall on the roof.

What materials do you use?

At Trusteel, we do not "roll" our own material, thereby keeping the highest possible quality control standards. We source all our materials from major suppliers such as BHP, Stramit Industries, One-Steel and B&D Roll-A-Doors to name a few. Because we use only recognised suppliers, we maintain 100% quality control over the products that come into our warehouse. In the unlikely event that the material is defective in any way it is promptly returned to the supplier and replaced to our satisfaction.

What standard features do you offer?

All Trusteel buildings come standard with Zincalume Roof Cladding, Zincalume Wall Cladding (where required), guttering, down pipes and Fibreglass (Roof Sheet) Skylights.

What additional options do you offer?

Roll-A-Doors, Sliding Doors, Personal Access Doors, and Industrial Exit Doors are all available. Because we have flexibility in our designs, a mixture of doors can be incorporated into your shed design.

Other options include Colorbond finish, Foil Insulation / 50mm Blanket Foil and Wire Mesh under roof, roof ventilation, Polycarbonate Skylights, Aluminium Sliding Windows, Glass Sliding Doors, Wall Vents, Octagonal Vents, remote control Roll-A-Door, and Removable Roll Door Mullion (if required).

What alternative options do you offer?

You can add a raised section to the Farm Shed and Garage to give it an "American Barn" look. The roof pitch on the side sections are 10 degrees, then a 600mm "step-up" with a 20 degree pitch in the centre section.

Other popular options include an open sided "Machinery Shed", with one bay completely enclosed and the other bay(s) open on one side, or a "Garaport", with the front section of the building a carport (roof with no walls) and the rear section an enclosed shed.

With all our structures there is the capability of having a "lean-to" attached to the side of the building, either as a roof only or fully enclosed.

Unlike other companies that stay strictly within "standard" designs, we are happy to consider unusual and odd shape requests that you may have.

Do you have standard building dimensions?

Whilst we have standard sizes from which to quote on, we are happy to quote on any customer request.

Do you sell buildings in "self erect kit" form?

We can supply our sheds in kit form for you to erect yourself. Detailed instructions and footing plans are provided to assist you. We are only ever a telephone call away if you need any clarification and we are always willing to assist where required.

Do you deliver?

Yes. In most cases we utilize our own trucks to deliver the kit shed onto site. We will also unload the truck for you at no additional cost. For deliveries to sites outside of the Melbourne metropolitan area, additional delivery costs may apply.

Can Trusteel erect our shed?

Yes. Upon placement of an order for an erected Shed, one of our Sales Consultants will call at your property and undertake a site inspection. This service assists both the customer and our company in many ways.

We can determine if there are any specific issues that may hinder construction and also give you advice as to placement, site leveling, drainage issues, placement of doors, windows etc. We also take the necessary measurements and begin the process to obtain a Building Permit.

Once the site inspection has been completed, permit obtained and time allowance made for manufacture of your Shed, our experienced building teams can erect your shed on site, generally taking 2-7 working days to complete dependent on size (domestic & rural).

Our builders work exclusively for Trusteel and as such, responsibility for the construction remains with our company until completion. In the unlikely event you have any concerns with the building job, you can speak with us direct and the matter will be rectified promptly. You will not need to chase up the builder yourself as would happen when the shed company does not directly engage the builder.

What are my basic site requirements?

The building site should be clear of all obstructions prior to commencement of construction, including site leveling, removal of trees, overhanging branches, excess soil, broken concrete etc.

For all constructions, the client is to provide 240 volt single-phase power supply for construction purposes, (if generator 7KVA), access to water, vehicle access for concrete trucks, tradesmen's vehicles and lifting equipment (if required). If power is not available then a Generator will be required.

The client is required to instruct Trusteel of all the relevant details in relation to the exact location and positioning of the building, the direction it should face, details of any underground services and any other relevant matters. For Commercial works, the client is also to provide toilet facilities and a lunch room in terms of Occupational Health & Safety guidelines.

For Domestic / Rural work, unless otherwise agreed the client is required to prepare a clear level site allowing 1000mm (1m), or, for Commercial / Industrial buildings a minimum 3000mm (3m) working area around the proposed building (unless otherwise agreed).

What about site leveling?

As part of the client's basic site requirements prior to the commencement of construction, ideally the site should be flat and level.

The site levels will be determined at the time of site inspection. Our Sales Consultant will advise as to any fall on site.

All Trusteel buildings are constructed level from the highest determined point along the building line, so it is important that the site be as level as possible.

When excavating and building 150mm from a fence, consideration also needs to be given to retaining walls and drainage.

Where required, we recommend that site leveling be undertaken by the relative professionals.

What work is NOT undertaken during construction?

It is recommended that any demolition, excavation, electrical fitting and plumbing also be undertaken by the relative professionals.

Are there any additional costs involved?

Our builders will not charge any additional costs on site. Once you have signed a purchase order for a Trusteel Building and a site inspection has been undertaken, the cost is locked in. This means no hidden extra's come payment time.

If Trusteel is arranging for a concrete slab, the concreter will confirm with the client prior to laying the slab, any additional cost for filling / leveling of site or access problems. In most cases the concreter will have the site inspected prior to slab pour.

Can I build over an easement?

If you intend to build over an existing easement, permission to do so must firstly be obtained from the local Water Authority and Local Council. Trusteel can provide the necessary standard Building Elevation drawings for this purpose. The approvals from both authorities form part of the Building Permit Application.

Can I build on a boundary line?

Generally speaking you can build your garage / carport 150mm from the fence line, providing the average height of the building (including gable peak) is no more than 3m high. Alternatively, the average height can be up to 3.6m if you build 1000mm (1m) from the fence. Unfortunately there is no in between, it is either 150mm or 1000mm. Some other restrictions may apply depending on your property and local council requirements.

For Rural properties the council may have specific requirements in terms of shed siting. A quick call to the council will determine this requirement (height restrictions still apply).

Commercial and Industrial buildings on boundaries are required to conform to fire regulations and must have a "fire rated wall" (such as Hebel or Concrete Panels). Some other restrictions may apply depending on your property and local council requirements (such as space for fire vehicle access).

Do I need to obtain a Town Planning Permit?

In some cases a Town Planning Permit is required. In most situations we can lodge an application with the applicable council on your behalf, charging only the fee requested by the council.

Any building works undertaken on a Commercial / Industrial site requires Town Planning in all cases.

What about Building Permits?

Generally, any building structure that is greater than 10 square metres in area by law requires a Building Permit.

Unless otherwise agreed, all building works undertaken by Trusteel is on the basis of sub-contracting to the client on an owner / builder basis. For further information on the obligations of an owner / builder, please contact the Victorian Building Practitioners Board (Building Commission) on telephone number 1300 360 320 or visit the website on www.buildingcommission.com.au.

For Domestic Building work greater than $12,000 in cost, the owner / builder must firstly apply for a Certificate of Consent from the Building Commission. Obtaining a Certificate of Consent does not guarantee issuance with a Building Permit. For further information on your obligations, please telephone number 1300 360 320 or visit the website on www.buildingcommission.com.au.

Can Trusteel obtain a Building Permit on my behalf?

The client has the option of applying for their own Building Permit via an independent Building Surveyor or Trusteel can apply for a Building Permit on the client's behalf (as owner / builder).

Depending on the complexity of the building project, the information provided for Building Permit purposes includes standard elevation drawings and a basic site plan. All relative Building Specifications and Engineers Certificates are readily provided for the purpose of permits.

Who arranges the "Final Inspection" of my building?

For Building Permits that Trusteel applies for on the clients behalf, once you have notified us that the shed is fully completed (i.e. concrete floor laid if required, storm water connected, etc), we will arrange with the Building Surveyor to undertake a "Final Inspection". For Commercial / Industrial Buildings, this will also include provision of Fire Extinguishers and Exit Signs, as well as the above.

The Final Inspection verifies that the project has been completed satisfactorily in terms of relative building codes and is important especially when/if the time comes to sell your property.

Generally the time for completion of the project is 2 years from the date of the Building Permit. There is no additional cost to obtain a Final Inspection certificate inside this time frame.

Do you build on footings or a slab?

For the majority of our sheds, our preferred method of construction is to dig foundations and pour concrete footings. The framework is then constructed from the ground up. The cost of digging the holes and providing the concrete for foundations has already been included in the erection cost and will not be a separate extra charge (unless otherwise specified).

Building on existing concrete slabs may not be appropriate in some situations. If the existing slab is cracked, too thin (where columns are to be located), is larger in area than the proposed building, uneven and not "square", then this can cause significant problems when trying to build a level, square, watertight shed. In these instances our recommendation is to replace the existing slab.

Can you arrange for a concrete slab?

Trusteel is not a concreting business however in most areas we can arrange for a concrete slab to be laid or you can engage a local concreter to undertake this work.

Until a site visit has been undertaken, the concrete price quoted is a "budget price". The finalised price will be based on a 100mm (unless otherwise stated) thick, reinforced concrete slab with allowances made for any fall that may require filling on site or access restrictions.

What are the payment terms?

A payment of 10% of the total price is payable upon placement of signed order as a deposit. With a "kit" shed under $10,000.00 in cost, the balance is immediately payable upon delivery. With larger "kits" we will generally require a payment upon commencement of manufacture.

With erected jobs, a payment of 10% of the total price is payable upon placement of signed order. Unless otherwise specified in your quote, the balance owing is immediately payable upon building completion. In relation to a concrete floor, cost is payable upon completion of floor.

What type of warranty do you offer?

Trusteel Fabrications Pty Ltd offers a 12 month Warranty against faulty workmanship/materials and will replace or repair any such faulty material/workmanship at our discretion. This warranty applies to the manufacturing process and does not extend to items such as doors, locks, steel cladding etc as these items are covered by warranties of their respective manufacturers.

With sheds erected by Trusteel, we further warrant the structural adequacy of the shed for 5 years from the date of practical completion.

What makes a Trusteel building different from the rest?

Our portal frame design Shed originated from our very heavy duty Farm Shed range. While many other Garages can sometimes be classified as oversize Garden Sheds in design, the Trusteel Garage has the inherent strength afforded much larger structures.

We do not scrimp on material thickness. There are many portal frame design buildings on the market. Please don't be misguided by cheap prices. You get what you pay for. We actively encourage customers to inspect our buildings and compare them to our competitors.

Finally, because we are actually in the business of both supplying and erecting our own buildings, we care about the quality and workmanship of the end result.