Frequently Asked Questions

Process & Planning

What is your step-by-step process from first call to final bolt-up?

Discovery call → plan review & site notes → budgetary pricing → detailing/engineering coordination → fabrication with QA → delivery & erection → final alignment & handoff. You get a written schedule at each phase.

How do you scope a structural steel package for accuracy?

We verify load paths, connection types, access/lift plans, finishes, and field tolerances. A clear scope reduces RFIs, compresses schedule, and keeps your Victoria or Nanaimo project on track.

Can you help before drawings are final?

Yes—preconstruction input on connection preferences, member availability, and erection sequencing to shorten lead times and avoid redesign late in the game.

What do you need from me to start quickly?

Architectural/structural drawings (PDF/DWG), site photos, desired timeline, finish requirements, and any access or crane restrictions. Send your files and a target date—we’ll respond with next steps.

Design & Detailing

Do you provide steel detailing and connection design coordination?

Yes. We produce shop drawings and work directly with your engineer to finalize connections that speed fabrication and simplify erection.

How do you avoid fit-up issues in the field?

Tight model coordination, standard hole/slot conventions, shop trial fits for complex nodes, and hold-to tolerances that match site realities.

Can you value-engineer connections to save time and cost?

We recommend standardized connection families, plate thickness optimization, and bolt patterns that reduce weld time without compromising capacity.

What file formats do you accept?

PDF for review; DWG, IFC, and common BIM exports for coordination. We return stamped shop drawings for approval.

Fabrication & Quality Assurance

Where is the steel fabricated?

In our Victoria shop, serving Southern Vancouver Island up to Nanaimo. In-house control means faster turns and consistent quality.

What quality controls do you follow?

Material heat-number verification, fit-up checks, weld procedure compliance, dimensional inspections, finish thickness checks, and final sign-off before loading.

Do you handle custom and architectural steel?

Yes—feature stairs, canopies, lintels, moment frames, mezzanines, and exposed steel with architectural finishes.

Can you fast-track small packages?

We maintain capacity for quick-turn residential and tenant-improvement steel. Share your drawings and deadline; we’ll confirm feasibility promptly.

Delivery & Logistics

How do you plan deliveries to tight sites in Victoria?

We stagger loads, use smaller trucks where needed, pre-rig components, and coordinate with the GC to keep streets clear and neighbors happy.

Do you provide just-in-time deliveries?

Yes—phased loads align with crane availability and erection sequence to reduce onsite storage and double handling.

What if site access changes last minute?

We resequence deliveries, adjust crane picks, and issue a quick schedule update so inspections and other trades aren’t left waiting.

Erection & Site Operations

Do you provide full steel erection services?

Yes—our field crews coordinate cranes, rigging, bolting/welding, alignment, and final tightening to get your frame plumb, square, and safe.

How do you keep the jobsite safe during picks and installs?

Lift plans, daily tailgate meetings, tag lines on critical picks, exclusion zones, and weather thresholds for wind and rain.

Can you work around active tenants or tight working hours?

We phase noisy work, coordinate with building management, and schedule early/late shifts as permitted.

How do you ensure final alignment and tolerances?

We plumb and square to spec with calibrated instruments, confirm bolt tension, and document final elevations at key grids.

Safety & Compliance

Are you insured and compliant with BC construction standards?

Yes—fully insured and compliant with BC regulations. Site-specific safety plans are prepared for cranes, rigging, and elevated work.

How do you protect adjacent properties and public areas?

Barricades, spotters, signage, controlled delivery windows, and housekeeping to keep sidewalks and shared spaces clear.

Do you handle hot-work permits and fire watches?

Yes—we coordinate hot-work permitting and provide fire watch during and after welding as required.

Scheduling & Timelines

How long does detailing typically take?

Simple packages: 1–3 weeks from approved IFCs. Complex frames: phased detailing with rolling approvals. We share a milestone calendar on day one.

What are typical fabrication durations?

Small residential/retail: a few weeks after approved shops. Larger commercial/industrial: phased fabrication with parallel erection. Lead times depend on steel availability and finish type.

How do you avoid schedule slips?

Lock materials early, align inspections, pre-plan lifts, and maintain an RFI log with target close dates. You’ll receive weekly look-ahead updates.

Can you hit a tight occupancy date?

Tell us your must-meet milestone. We’ll propose options (connection simplifications, phased turnover, alternate finishes) to meet the date safely.

Pricing & Estimates

How do you price structural steel work?

We itemize by tonnage, complexity, connection labor, finishes, delivery, and erection. Your estimate includes inclusions/exclusions and allowances for unknowns.

Can you provide budget pricing before final drawings?

Yes—ROM budgets based on schematic sets help you plan. We refine pricing as details firm up.

What triggers a change order?

Scope changes, site constraints, or hidden conditions. We issue a written update with cost/time impacts for approval before

proceeding.

Do you offer fixed price and T&M?

Yes—fixed price for defined scopes; T&M where site conditions are variable. We’ll recommend the best model for your risk profile.

Materials & Finishes

What finishes do you offer?

Shop primer, galvanized, powder coat, fire-resistive coatings (by coordination), and architectural finishes for exposed steel.

Can you supply stainless or aluminum components?

Yes—handrails, guards, and specialty architectural elements available on request.

Do you handle fireproofing coordination?

We coordinate with your fireproofing contractor and provide required surface preparation and logistics.

How do you protect finished steel during transport and erection?

Padding, shrink-wrap as needed, careful chokers, and touch-up protocols after install.

Project Types & Scope

What types of projects do you support across Vancouver Island?

Custom homes, additions, seismic upgrades, retail/office, light industrial, warehouses, schools, and municipal facilities from Victoria to Nanaimo.

Can you deliver full multi-storey frames?

Yes—phased fabrication/erection with tower or mobile cranes, detailed lift plans, and strict QA.

Do you provide stairs and mezzanines?

Absolutely—shop-built stair systems, platforms, catwalks, and mezzanines with shop finishes and site installation.

Coordination & Communication

Who will be my single point of contact?

A dedicated project manager coordinates detailing, shop, deliveries, and field crews—one accountable partner from start to finish.

How will I receive updates?

Look-ahead schedules, delivery notices, and daily field notes during erection. You’ll always know what’s next and what we need from you.

Do you coordinate with engineers, architects, and inspectors?

Yes—weekly coordination, prompt RFI responses, and inspection windows planned into the schedule.

Permits, Inspections & Documentation

Do you help with permitting requirements for steel work?

We provide the documentation your team needs and coordinate with your GC to ensure submittals meet municipal expectations.

What documentation do you provide at closeout?

Shop drawings/as-built updates, weld maps as required, finish data sheets, and maintenance notes for exposed steel.

How are inspections scheduled?

We book around your availability and the inspector’s calendar, bundling inspections with logical install milestones.

Risk Management & Contingencies

How do you plan for weather on the Island?

Wind and rain thresholds are built into lift plans. We resequence tasks and protect work to maintain progress and safety.

What’s your approach to supply chain volatility?

We pre-buy critical materials, propose alternates when appropriate, and keep you informed about any market shifts that affect schedule.

How do you mitigate site surprises?

Early site walks, probe where needed, and allowances for minor contingencies—always communicated in writing before we proceed.

Residential Steel (Homeowners & Builders)

Can you help my engineer simplify a residential frame?

Yes—standardized connections and practical member sizes that fit local supply help shorten lead times and reduce cost.

Do you work in tight backyards and laneways?

We plan access, use compact equipment, and break down members for safe, efficient installs with minimal disruption.

Do you install steel for ADUs, additions, and renovations?

Absolutely—lintels, moment frames, beams, and posts with clean tie-ins to existing structures.

Will you coordinate with my GC and other trades?

Yes—framing, concrete, and mechanical/electrical interfaces are scheduled to keep the critical path clear.

Commercial & Light Industrial

Can you phase work to keep my business operating?

We schedule off-hours picks, partition work zones, and coordinate deliveries to minimize downtime.

Do you support tenant improvements (TI)?

Yes—fast-track misc. steel, stairs, guards, and framing elements to meet lease move-in dates.

How do you handle large open-span or high-bay frames?

Rigorous lift planning, lateral bracing during erection, and staged alignment to control deflection and camber.

Warranty & Aftercare

Do you warranty your fabrication and installation?

Yes—workmanship warranty terms are defined in your contract. We stand behind our steel.

What if something needs adjustment after handoff?

Call us. We’ll assess and correct within warranty terms, prioritizing safety and schedule.

Do you provide maintenance tips for exposed steel?

We share simple cleaning and touch-up guidelines to keep architectural steel looking great.

Service Area & Availability

Where do you work?

Victoria and Southern Vancouver Island up to Nanaimo, including Westshore, Saanich, Sidney, Cowichan Valley, and surrounding communities.

How soon can you start?

After approvals, small packages can move to fabrication in weeks; larger frames are phased. Share your deadline—we’ll map the fastest safe path.

What’s the best way to get a fast quote?

Send drawings and a target date via our contact form and note any site constraints. Prefer to talk? Call us—same-day guidance whenever possible.

I’m ready—what are my next steps?

Share your drawings and timeline. We’ll return a clear plan, a firm schedule, and a competitive price—so your steel is detailed, fabricated, delivered, and erected on time in Victoria or Nanaimo.