A Home On The Range.

When Shane Trotter and his wife decided to build a new house on 40 acres of land in Cody, Wyoming, they knew what they wanted behind their house.

Thanks to Allied Steel, they now have it. The company helped them reach their goal of a multi-purpose building to serve as an apartment for guests, a garage for vehicles, and a workshop to repair and maintain farm machinery.

Trotter did not take the decision to buy from Allied Steel lightly.

"Quality was definitely an issue. I talked to quite a few companies before going with Allied Steel," Trotter says. "This is important to us, so we wanted to go with the right company for what we're doing. Allied had the best prices and I really liked the quality."

The 40- by 50-foot steel-frame garage, workshop and apartment was a collaborative effort between the Trotters and Allied.

"Allied helped us with the design and in making sure we had everything we needed," he says. "I took things a step further to make sure the building could stand up to anything. Like they recommended a 70-mile-per-hour wind load, but we decided to go with 90."

The environmental rating had to pass a higher standard too, he says. The Trotters even reinforced the seismic load structure to withstand a potential earthquake, which hasn't proved to be a big problem in Wyoming. Yet.

"We talked through what we wanted - and Allied developed the plans and helped make sure we got what we asked for," Trotter says.

Trotter ordered the building in June of 2003. He set up delivery of the structure for that September. He says the entire building arrived on time - at the same time - from Iowa.

Trotter and two of his friends built the structure by themselves in just six days. He says that none of the "crew" had ever worked on such an elaborate project, but that Allied's instructions made the job relatively trouble-free.

"We had one guy who knew what he was doing, and we rented a forklift for one day," Trotter says. "But other than that, we pretty much just did it all ourselves and learned as we went."

The Trotters moved into their new homestead after having spent years living in and renovating an old house "out in the country." He says they enjoy living in a home with all the benefits of new construction. Their Allied Steel relationship is something else Trotter appreciates.

"Allied was as good as you could ask for," Trotter says. "They gave us a good price, and they were honest with me. Everything they said came to be."

Trotter is doing more than just enjoying his new Allied building. He's also endorsing the company to others in the community.

"I've already recommended Allied Steel to another guy who wants a building," Trotter says. "And I definitely wouldn't have done that if I didn't feel good about the company."