When looking for a steel fabricator to complete your project, it’s important to find the right one for you.
A person or team who is effective and up to date with new technologies and processes, and can produce high-quality finished products.
Custom structural steel is used everywhere, and the fabrication of this steel can be a complicated process, which requires a high level of skill and experience to deliver effective, high-quality returns.
Fabrication works include various techniques and require a multitude of skills and experience. From cutting, drilling, forming, and welding, metal fabricators meet particular needs for businesses across a range of industry sectors, and the success of a project can be largely attributed to the processes the material goes through.
So, to transform sheet metal into specific components and designs, you must find a reliable fabricator by asking some key metal fabricator interview questions.
Important Questions to Ask Your Structural Steel Fabricator
What’s your experience?
Experience in fabrication is essential; however, it’s not always about the number of years in business; the focus should be on the metal fabricator experience. For example, find out what other projects they have worked on and the business sectors they have worked in. Do they have experience in your sector or similar projects? Do they boast of successful past projects?
Is the business/team aware of industry best practices and guidelines? Are they using the right and most suitable materials?
Finding out about similar projects or work allows you to check out the fabricator’s ability, their quality, and final outcome.
What areas do you specialise in?
Not every fabricator specialises in all aspects of metal work, so it’s important to find out if they specialise in your area.
Steelwork requires meticulous attention to detail. Can your chosen fabricator handle the various steel grades and types and carry out procedures with high accuracy to ensure a high-quality product?
A fabricator who specialises in your area can often be more efficient than a generalist, as they will have a clearer understanding of project requirements and can even suggest solutions to improve the project outcome.
(Check out our post on the “Importance of steel in construction” as one of the biggest sectors where specialist fabrication skills continue to grow).
What are the internal processes/codes/accreditations you follow?
Do they adhere to all health and safety requirements? Work with the most suitable materials for the project.
Are the right processes and procedures used to ensure a high-quality job – this is especially important because adherence to high standards often results in a high-end finished product.
Are processes carried out in-house or outsourced?
Finding out exactly how your project is managed can provide you with confidence that your project is in safe hands.
You need to know who is responsible for managing your project and who is responsible for the process. Do you have to source multiple suppliers for different elements, or can your chosen fabrication company handle everything for you?
Can they turn a concept into reality?
Do they have the steel fabricator expertise in-house to produce and supply detailed CAD drawings, establishing these concepts and turning them into drawings that their shop floor can take away and work with?
Outlining precise measurements, specific materials to be used, the processes the material will go through, and more, you need to have confidence that for your custom fabrication, your steel fabricator can take your idea and make it a reality effectively and efficiently.
What equipment do you use?
Access to the right tools and equipment can make or break the quality and efficiency of a project. You need to ensure that your fabricator has the tools required at their disposal.
This is also essential for increasing productivity, enhancing quality, and keeping costs low for the client.
Who is the team that will be working on your project?
Who will primarily be working on your project? What experience do they have? Are they based locally, fully certified, qualified, etc.
Can you check out their work and other projects they have completed?
Knowing this information can put your mind at ease, especially if your project is complex, you’re working to strict deadlines, or multiple stakeholders are involved.
Ask for customer reviews/testimonials
Checking out previous customers and the work a fabricator has completed is essential to know if you can place your trust in them.
What are others saying about them online? Have they worked on similar projects?
Do you have capacity?
Just because the fabrication team ticks all the boxes in terms of experience and skill doesn’t mean they then have the capacity to complete your project.
Check that they can meet client demands and have a large enough workforce to complete the project on time. The right processes are in place to keep everything on track and more.
It’s important to note that the processes a fabricator opts to use will impact the quality and efficiency of a project, so it is always worth asking about this area.
Fabrication Works
Finding the right fit for your fabrication work is about finding the right people who fit with you.
A team that has the expertise but also who you can have a good working relationship with.
A family-run business, we serve a wide range of clients with varying custom fabrication requirements. Working across diverse industries, call us today on 0191 816 2718 or email your requirements to info@morfabrication.com and see how we can support your fabrication project.