Making the Right Choice
When it comes to choosing a construction material, there’s no question that steel is the go-to choice for designers, contractors, and crews. That being said, whether you are in a commercial, industrial, and residential sector, selecting the right steel fabricator is almost more important than choosing the steel itself.
With the right steel fabricator, you can ensure a smooth and efficient building process of the job at hand. If your steel fabricator isn’t well-equipped or supplied, you risk a project falling flat - costing you time, money, and your reputation.
For those who have not worked with a steel fabricator in the past, the process of finding and hiring one can seem daunting. Here are a few tips to help you find a fabricator that is the best fit for your needs. If you take the time to choose wisely, you can build a relationship that will last throughout your career.
1. Take A Look At Their Results
Despite levels of experience in the field, no two steel fabricators are exactly the same. Reputation and quality of work are key factors to consider when choosing a steel fabricator.
A great way to quickly learn about the reputation and results of a fabricator is to do some research into their reviews and customer testimonials. Nobody is more honest than a customer - both for the best and the worst. A solid review will help you identify which companies have a good reputation with the region and other construction firms. Most fabrication company websites will feature a testimonials section - though be aware that the company may only post “good” reviews. Be sure to look across search engines and other third-party review sites for unbiased reviews. Always use your best judgment to see which reviews are the most legitimate.
Most fabricators will also have a public portfolio that features work they’ve done in the past. Like reviews, most companies will only feature their best work, but portfolios are a great indicator of the caliber of their results. Keep an eye out for identifying factors such as quality of past clients, the difficulty of particular jobs, and the positive attributes of their work.
When choosing a steel fabricator, you will often find a wide range of options – taking the time to judge the quality of their product using your own intuition can go a long way in picking the one that is right for you.
2. Consider Their Industry Experience
In the steel fabrication industry, experience matters. Companies that cut corners and hire inexperienced employees are often a poor choice when you are needing a job done well. The best way to deduce the level of experience that a fabricator truly has is to do your homework. When starting the process of considering a fabricator, be sure to bring some questions to the table to find out how much experience they have in this field. When it comes to finding the right fabricator, communication is key for receiving a quality steel quote and choosing the right company for the job.
When it comes to inquiring about the experience of a company, consider asking questions about:
- The knowledge of industry codes and regulations
- How they run their operations
- Projects they have completed that are similar to your needs
- References and testimonials they have on file (A good fabricator will be happy to pass these over.)
- Questions about most the efficient methods for your job, and how to keep costs down
3. Don’t Be Afraid To Talk Price
While it may be an awkward conversation starter, eventually you will have to get down to brass tacks - the cost involved in hiring this fabricator. You don’t want to shoot too low or too high, but take note that often those who fall right in the middle may still not be the best fit.
This is why the price is just one of many elements of choosing a steel fabrication company. The price alone may be precarious ground - especially if you intend to build a long-term relationship with this company. Costs should be one of many factors influencing your decision.
It is important to receive a steel fabrication quote from multiple companies, and you will likely see discrepancies between different options. Companies differ, and their pricing structure will reflect this. Some will quote your job high because of manufacturing costs, but this price may ultimately make the delivery and installation of the project cheaper. A small fabricator may come across as more expensive, but they may be able to offer much better, more bespoke services.
Some key pricing factors to consider are whether they:
- Come across as willing and able to work closely in finding solutions for challenges in a project
- Understand realistic industry pricing standards and how to work around them for you
- Suggest what the most cost-effective way to complete your project will be. Lower costs for you will generally mean lower costs for the fabricator
- Have control of the delivery and installation process for the entire project
4. Will They Support You?
A close degree of contact and communication is absolutely necessary when choosing a steel fabricator, especially for custom projects that may be more complex. Building relationships is a great way to ensure that future projects will run smoothly and efficiently. A solid flow of communication between you and your fabricator will ensure a healthy relationship - not to mention helping to reduce stress and confusion all around.
It is vital to look for fabricators who really take to heart what you are trying to achieve and communicate their opinion and professional expertise in how to best achieve your goals. Look for those that are honest and transparent in their communication, and who take the time to talk you through the process thoroughly. Mistakes can be made in any well-planned project, and a fabricator who can admit their failure and make quick amendments accordingly is invaluable. Ask questions and take note of answers. Again, use your intuition and judgment of character to find the fabricator who can be the support you need regardless of your project.
Indiana Steel Fabricating - The Partner You Need
At Indiana Steel Fabricating, we pride ourselves on our reputation and years of experience dealing with builders, contractors, and building owners. For us, the quality of our process and results are paramount to our success, and we love working closely with customers to achieve the best outcome for everyone. We proudly operate in a number of fields, so you know that when it comes to steel, we cover everything.
If you need professional advice, are looking for a steel quote, or would like to talk to an expert in the field, give us a call today. At Indiana Steel Fabricating, no one knows steel like we do.
