Most people spend weeks picking a size, a roof style, and a color, and then leave the site itself until the week before delivery. It is the one part of buying a building that is easy to put off, and the only part that can actually stop the truck from unloading. The good news is that the checklist is short, and none of it is complicated once you know what the crew is looking for.
Do I need a concrete pad before my building is delivered?
No. Concrete, asphalt, and compacted ground all work, and each one uses the right anchors for that surface. Plenty of buildings around Middle Tennessee sit on well-prepared gravel and have done fine for years.
That said, a level pad gives the best result and the easiest install. If you are already planning to pour, it is worth doing. If you are not, do not let it stop you from ordering, because a compacted gravel base is a legitimate option and not a compromise.
The one rule either way: whatever you are putting down, get it finished before delivery day. Concrete needs time to cure, and gravel needs to be spread and compacted, not just dumped.
How level does the ground actually need to be?
Level enough that the building sits square and the doors swing right. A gentle grade is usually workable. A steep one may need some dirt work first, and that is much better to discover now than on the morning of delivery.
If you are not sure whether your slope counts as gentle or steep, that is a fine reason to call before you order. It takes a couple of minutes to talk through, and it is the single most common thing that turns into a delay.
Why does drainage matter if the building is off the ground?
Because you have to walk to it. A spot that seems fine in August can hold water in February, and if there is a low corner of the property that stays soft after a hard rain, that is the corner you will regret putting a building on.
Pick somewhere well-drained. If your options are limited, mention it when you order, because the surface prep choice can help.
How much room does the delivery truck need?
This is the one that catches people out, and it is worth thinking about the whole route rather than just the destination. A portable building is not assembled in your yard. It is built at the shop and set in place complete, which means the finished building has to physically travel from the road to the spot.
Walk the route and look at:
- The turn in from the road. A tight turn off a narrow road is often the real pinch point, not the yard itself.
- Gates and fence openings. Measure them. Pulling a fence panel ahead of time is easy. Rescheduling a delivery is not.
- Overhead lines and low branches. A building is taller on the trailer than it is sitting on the ground.
- Soft ground along the route. Septic fields and recently graded areas especially.
- Gaps between structures. The space between a house and a fence, or between two outbuildings, is a common surprise.
If any of that looks borderline, tell us before delivery day instead of hoping. We would far rather look at it in advance than have a truck sitting in your driveway working out that it will not fit.
Pole barns are a different situation, since those are built on site rather than delivered finished. But they still need room for material delivery and for equipment to work, so access is worth checking either way.
Do I need a permit before the building shows up?
Sometimes, and it genuinely depends on where you are. Permit rules vary by county around here, and a city will often be stricter than the county surrounding it. Some spots need nothing at all. Others want a permit in hand before anything is set in place.
We can provide the drawings you will need and help you understand the local requirements. Start that conversation early, because permitting is the item most likely to add weeks if it gets left until the end.
How far ahead should I start getting my site ready?
We are typically about three to four weeks out to start a build, and the build time itself depends on the size and the options you choose. That window is usually plenty of time to level a spot, spread gravel, or sort out a permit, as long as you start when you order rather than when you get the delivery call.
If you are buying something already built and sitting on our lot, the timeline is much shorter, so site prep should start right away.
What does PAC handle, and what is on me?
Delivery and installation are included on most units within our service area, and delivery is free within 30 miles of Waverly. We deliver well beyond that for an added charge, and we will tell you that number up front rather than at the end.
Your side is the site: level, drained, and reachable. Ours is getting the building there and setting it in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a building be delivered onto gravel?
Yes. Compacted ground is one of the three surfaces we set buildings on, alongside concrete and asphalt, and each uses the right anchors for that surface. Just make sure the gravel is spread and compacted before delivery day rather than on it.
What if I am not sure my site will work?
Call or text us at 931-296-2777 and describe it, or send a photo. Access questions take a couple of minutes to sort out over the phone, and it costs nothing to check. This is the cheapest problem to solve before you order and the most expensive one to discover on delivery day.
Does my site need to be ready before I can order?
No. You can order first and prepare the site during the build window, which is usually three to four weeks before we start. Just do not leave it until the delivery call.
Do you deliver outside of Waverly?
Yes. Delivery is free within 30 miles of Waverly, and we deliver past that radius for an added charge that we will quote you up front.
Does site prep change anything about rent-to-own?
No. Rent-to-own with no credit check is available on portable buildings and carports regardless of what surface the building ends up on. The site requirements are the same either way.