| Choosing a steel fabricator can be make or break a | | | | they may outsource them in order to meet time |
| project. Steel fabricators are the frontline of a | | | | constraints or equipment availability. Ensure they have |
| project. If they have problems delivering then the | | | | contacted their subs and checked on the availability. |
| projects timeline is affected immediately. Choose a | | | | Ask for references, find out from third parties what |
| fabricator that understands the whole picture. One | | | | kind of work they do and what kind of reputation |
| that has some experience installing and erecting. If a | | | | they have for meeting deadlines. Will they work |
| fabricator has an understanding of the installation | | | | overtime to meet a delivery and not try to charge |
| process they will know what your needs are often | | | | you for it? If they agree on a delivery date then |
| times before you do. They can also spot problems at | | | | they should do everything possible to meet that |
| times. | | | | delivery even at their own expense. Problems arise in |
| A qualified fabrication shop will ask upfront what the | | | | a shop daily, beams cut short, plates broke |
| projects timeline is, so as not to waste any time | | | | backwards, or material delays. These are common |
| bidding a project that they know they can't meet. | | | | problems and truthfully expected problems, but, it |
| With that being said, give them a realistic timeline. | | | | shouldn't be the customers problem. Things do |
| Often a contractor wants everything on site before | | | | happen that cause deliveries to slip but make sure |
| they begin erecting. That is a perfect world and once | | | | the fabricator has allowed for some of these |
| in awhile it can happen, but most of the time | | | | problems. |
| sequences or phases are unloaded off the truck and | | | | Lastly ensure they have the means to finance the |
| erected the same day. Make sure they know the | | | | project. If they ask you for material upfront before |
| timeline, if they give you a proposal that is 60 days | | | | they start the project, be very leery. It's not |
| over your timeline then everyones time has been | | | | uncommon for them to ask for progress billing but |
| wasted. | | | | they should have the means to procure all materials |
| Make sure your fabricator has either the capabilities | | | | without you having to pay them up front. Ask for |
| or qualified sub-contractors to outsource items too | | | | their bank references or their supplier references. |
| large or too heavy for their equipment. Most | | | | After all, if they can't buy material in a timely manner |
| fabricators will outsource some forming or rolling that | | | | then it's not likely they will perform to your |
| is too large for their equipment or in some cases | | | | expectations. |