Don't pinch pennies. If you're spending tens of thousands of dollars, a difference of $500 here or there is not significant. The building is going to last 30 years or more, so make sure you get the building you want.

Look closely at good deals. When two dealers present bids for similar buildings that are thousands of dollars apart, you should investigate the details thoroughly. Chances are that one is not including everything you need.

Verify the building codes. We can not stress this enough: make sure you get in touch with your local building officials once you have specifications from your supplier, but before you sign the contract. Changes to meet code will always drive your costs up, so to avoid late surcharges, you need to verify that the contract includes all the right specifications.

Get it in writing. Some manufacturers may ask for a verbal go-ahead to "get the factory working" or to "lock in this price." This is never a good idea. Getting the details in writing will ensure that you know exactly what you're buying.