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No two fabrication projects are the same. From the idea to the finished product, you need to partner with a company who can see you through from start to finish, keep your timeline, and budget on track, and address any issues that come up throughout the process. Finding the right partner with the right experience can help your project succeed.
STARTING WITH AN IDEA
Ideas can start simply as a sketch on a piece of paper. Throughout the process those sketches are transformed into giant structures or sophisticated, specialized equipment. An experienced and qualified engineer can look at that sketch and begin to transform your vision into proper design drawings, engineered drawings, or architectural drawings.
ADDRESSING THE VARIABLES IN YOUR FABRICATION PROJECT
Every project is different. There are many variables that go into nearly every fabrication project. Ideally, all variables would be addressed during the planning phase. Yet there are many times when the variables are not uncovered until later in the project, sometimes not until the project is being built, or even after the build is finished.
Discovering these issues later in the process will lead to more cost and an extended timeline. Looking for, identifying, and addressing these variables ahead of time require an experienced fabrication partner.
WORKING WITH THE RIGHT FABRICATOR TO SEE YOUR VISION THROUGH
Proper drawings from the engineering team will allow the fabrication team to estimate the timeline and budget for the project, identify the materials needed, determine the proper equipment and methods needed, look for areas that can be improved or optimized, and identify any potential pitfalls that may occur during the process.
Working with the right fabricator means that everything you need can happen with one partner. Working with one partner who can handle your project from beginning to end means easier project management, lower cost, and a faster timeline.
CAPABILITIES
The first thing to consider is whether or not the metal fabrication company has experience with your type of project. Many metal fabrication companies have a specialty. If you are looking for architectural metal fabrication, you will not want to choose an auto parts fabricator.
All fabricating processes have different requirements, so you will need to ensure the company you choose can handle the type, grade, and gauge of metal required for your project. Likewise, you will want to make sure the company you choose can handle the project from start to finish in house, rather than subcontracting. This can save on time and cost, as well as ensure top quality. It is also important to verify that the fabrication company you choose has the equipment, materials, skilled staff, and production capacity required to complete the project on time and on budget.
EXPERIENCE
When it comes to metal fabrication and structural steel fabricators, experience matters—especially practical, hands-on experience. Look for a company with bidders who can break down a complex project into detailed costs; engineers who are experts at translating shop drawings into viable projects; skilled, dedicated tradesman who are certified in their particular field; and project managers with real-world experience—all of which can make a big difference in the outcome of your project.
THE BENEFIT OF EXPERIENCE
That original rough sketch is not sufficient enough to begin production, but in-house engineers in a fabrication team can take those rough sketches, review the project, point out areas for improvement, and get your project started on the right track.
In the hands of an experienced fabrication team, a skilled fabricator can begin to ask the right questions and guide you in the right direction through each step, from getting the proper drawings created to having your project completed for the right price, with the highest quality.
Look for a fabricator who would listen to you describing your needs. After all you are the customer. It is his job to understand what you want or desire and make it happen. A good designer and fabricator will ask the right questions to hear you talk more to elaborate. From such sessions, you can gauge if they are the team what will move your ideas from concept to final product.
