“We can also tailor existing plans to your specific needs, or work with you to create the right steel building for your farm.”
“And for those that prefer to do it all themselves, our buildings can be delivered in kitset – ready to construct on your site.”
Leon says that the regional Totalspan teams also have the benefit of local knowledge – a real advantage when dealing with the requirements of Councils and the demands of specific environments.
“We’ve got 29 Totalspan franchises around the country, with a dedicated team of service and construction staff who have a great deal of experience in building in their particular area.”
“Having display sites right across the country makes it so much easier to choose your ideal farm building as well. A good selection of the range is displayed at each site, and you can sit down with the team to work through what you need – and do a deal!”
“In most cases, buildings will be provided on the basis of a fixed-price contract – so there’s no surprises – and all our Totalspan teams offer free site inspections and quotes.”
Over the last year, Totalspan’s focus on rural communities has also extended beyond providing its range of farm buildings. The company has just completed over 100 bus shelters as part of its Undercover Kids programme, with plans to build another 150 in 2009.
“Rural bus stops, which are often little more than a wider road-side, have been a concern for parents in many communities. So we’ve established a charitable trust to work with rural schools and communities, Land Transport New Zealand, the Police and local government to build safe and weather-proof bus shelters for our rural kids.”
“For Totalspan its just a great way to say thanks to these communities and a great example of the belief we have in the strength, durability and versatility of these buildings.”
“We really stand behind the Totalspan range because we control every aspect of their construction – we make them, we build them, and we back them.”
Another extremely popular building – especially for small-holdings and lifestyle blocks – is the American-style Heritage Barn.
The Heritage Barns, which are styled on the classic American barn profile but formed in high tensile steel, come in three sizes, with a selection of heights, lengths and access options. To maximise the internal space, a mezzanine floor is also a popular option for greater storage or as an additional workspace.
“Totalspan’s Heritage range of American-style barns are the perfect complement for any landscape. They look stunning in the rural environment while being strong enough for any farm application.”
Leon says a number of customers have also redesigned their Heritage Barns as a home or bach, with the help of local Totalspan builders and contractors.
“While they are not expressly designed for this purpose, I think it really reinforces how adaptable the Totalspan range is. And the finished homes have just looked amazing.”
At the other end of the scale, Totalspan also provides a number of smaller storage solutions for rural operations.
Totalspan’s utility sheds are tall enough to stand comfortably in and provide a selection of three, four and five metre sizes that provide the ideal shelter or lock-up shed for equipment, tools, farm bikes and four-wheelers.
“We also find our range of steel garages – including those with added workshop options – are very popular with rural communities,” said Leon.
Selecting or creating the right shed for the farm is easy with Totalspan, according to Leon.
“That’s where the Totalspan service really comes into its own.”
“We have expert teams throughout New Zealand that will work with you right through the process. We do it all – from site preparation and resource consents, to constructing the concrete foundations and floor slab, and assembling the building.”
Each building is also subject to thorough inspections to ensure it meets Totalspan’s stringent quality standards, and local Totalspan representatives provide a programme of after-sales services, for customers that want to develop their building further.
The strength of Totalspan’s buildings is evident in every element of the structure. Framed in solid steel, each Totalspan building features thick galvanised steel connector plates, fixed with bolts through pre-punched holes, to provide the strongest possible connections. High tensile steel roof and wall cladding is also roll-formed in wider sheets than industry standard – resulting in fewer joints and faster construction. And, each building has a standard 15-degree roof pitch, to provide greater strength and durability.
“Our buildings are designed to be hard-wearing and long-lasting,” said Leon, “so much so that we back them with a 25 year structural guarantee.”
But being built tough isn’t the only reason that thousands of Totalspan buildings have been purchased by the rural community over the last three decades.
“One of the main reasons Totalspan buildings appeal to New Zealand farmers is the incredible variety we offer,” said Leon.
“With the array of profile options, customisations and accessories we can provide, the Totalspan range is nearly limitless – and can be tailor-made for any purpose.”
The company’s dedicated rural range includes a selection of widths, and the option of open or lock-up bays – ideal for storing equipment securely. The steel buildings and sheds also provide a selection of bay heights, to accommodate all types of farm machinery.
The Totalspan range also includes flat roofed sheds in sizes from three to seven metre spans.
“These are an incredibly versatile range of buildings that are perfect for any use on the farm – from storing vehicles to providing shelter for stock. And they can be further customised with partitions, windows, skylights and doors.”
Currently, one of Totalspan’s most popular buildings in the rural sector is the newly introduced 15m span portal building.
The 15 metre span building, or open-side farm shed, is design to provide the farmer with a variety of options for storage, stock management and shelter.
“When you really need space – and a strong building that will stand up to the elements – the 15 metre span shed is the perfect choice for the farm or commercial operation. This is the big Kiwi shed that is really suited to life on the farm,” said Leon.
