What to Expect When Your Fabric Building Is Delivered

You have placed your order, prepared your site, and now the building is on its way. Knowing what to expect during delivery and how to prepare for it makes the transition from order to assembly as smooth as possible.

How Buildings Ship

Fabric building kits are shipped on pallets or in crated bundles, typically by commercial freight carrier. The galvanized steel double-truss frame components are bundled and strapped for transport, while the PVC cover is rolled and wrapped separately to protect it during transit. Hardware — bolts, nuts, anchoring components, and assembly tools — is boxed and included with the shipment.

A mid-size building (30 to 40 feet wide) typically ships on one to two pallets. Larger buildings may require a full flatbed trailer. The delivery driver will need access to your site with a semi-trailer or straight truck, so ensure your driveway and building site can accommodate the delivery vehicle.

Preparing for Delivery Day

Clear an area near the building pad where the delivery can be unloaded. The unloading area should be flat, dry, and close enough to the pad to minimize the distance components need to be carried. If you have a tractor with forks, skid steer, or telehandler available, unloading palletized components is quick and easy. Without equipment, a crew of three to four people can manually unload and stage components in about an hour for a mid-size building.

Inspect the shipment against the packing list before the driver leaves. Count all bundles and boxes and check for visible damage. If anything appears damaged, note it on the delivery receipt and photograph the damage. This documentation is essential for any freight damage claims.

Free Delivery Zones

Many manufacturers offer free delivery within a specified radius of their distribution centre. For Edmonton-area suppliers, free delivery typically extends within 888 kilometres — covering most of Alberta and parts of Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Beyond the free delivery zone, freight charges apply and are usually quoted at the time of order.

Staging Components

Once unloaded, stage the components in an organized layout near the building pad. Group trusses together, lay out base rails along the pad edges, and set hardware boxes where they are accessible but not in the way. Read the assembly manual’s staging recommendations — they are written to make the assembly sequence efficient.

Keep the PVC cover in its protective wrapping until you are ready to install it. Unwrapping it too early risks wind catching it, dragging it across the gravel, or exposing it to unnecessary dirt and moisture. The cover goes on last, after the entire frame is assembled and braced.

Weather and Timing

Try to schedule delivery a day or two before your planned assembly date. This gives you time to inventory components, stage materials, and address any issues without the pressure of an assembly crew waiting. Avoid scheduling delivery during or immediately before heavy rain — wet pallets and muddy staging areas make handling more difficult and messy.

If the building will sit unassembled for an extended period, store the components off the ground on pallets or lumber spacers and cover them with a tarp. The galvanized steel components are weather-resistant, but the hardware boxes and assembly manual are not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can fabric buildings store hay effectively?

Fabric buildings are one of the most cost-effective ways to store hay. The PVC cover keeps rain and snow off your bales while allowing enough air circulation to prevent mould growth. Studies show that covered hay retains 95%+ of its nutritional value compared to outdoor-stored hay that can lose 25–35% to weathering. The ROI on covered storage often pays for the building within 2–3 seasons.

What size building do I need for hay storage?

Sizing depends on bale size and stacking method. For large round bales (5'×5'), you can fit approximately 3 bales per 100 square feet when stacked in rows. A 40'×60' building (2,400 sq ft) stores roughly 70–80 large round bales. For small square bales stacked high, you can store significantly more per square foot. Contact MAX for a sizing consultation based on your specific needs.

How do I prevent moisture in a fabric hay storage building?

Proper moisture management starts with site preparation: ensure your gravel pad has adequate drainage slope (2% minimum) away from the building. Stack bales on pallets or a gravel base — never directly on bare ground. Configure end walls for cross-ventilation to allow moisture to escape. In humid climates, leaving one end partially open provides excellent airflow without compromising weather protection.