6 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Steel Fabrication Company

When you choose a steel fabrication company for your building project, it’s easy to be enticed by eye-catching photos of all the beautiful structures they’ve participated in building. There’s more to it than just the final project, though. It’s hard to see delays or errors in those final projects, but that’s all you’ll be able to think about if it slows down your project.

There are six critical areas you should consider when choosing your steel fabrication company:

Choose local: It’s always a good idea to choose local for environmental and economic reasons, but there’s even more to it than that. Working with a local steel fabricator is partly for your peace of mind, knowing that they are on hand to answer any questions and are as invested in the local economy as you are. You’ll want them close by to give you advice. Also, transporting steel across the country is expensive.

Look for fabrication and erection: Working with a full-service steel company is always your best choice. They’ll be there to see the project through its entirety, and they are more likely to have the most advanced training and tools to minimize delays and errors.

Experience: Has the steel fabrication company worked on projects similar to yours? Are they familiar with local codes and requirements? Get some references from past projects, and be sure to ask about communication in particular. You want to know that your steel company is available to answer your questions and concerns.

The work itself: Take time to examine prior work that a steel fabrication company has done. Talk with them about projects that were similar to yours. Were there any delays or unexpected problems, and how did they reach a solution?

Cost: It’s important to consider this factor, but like any of the considerations listed here, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. You’ll want to weigh costs against quality, experience and their level of expertise and certifications. Make sure that they have the technology to support your project, which may come with a price tag, too.

Communication skills: You may get a clear idea of a steel fabrication company’s communication skills even in the initial stages of checking them out. This is a critical part of the partnership needed to build a structure, so if you’re already seeing signs that communication is a weak spot, then choose a different steel company.

Midland Steel Company is a full-service fabrication and erection company servicing contractors in the Kansas City region. We value the partnerships that come with a shared commitment to quality, and our customer-focused service means that we are always on