Technical
These are some of the technical skills that a steel detailer should possess. These are the three main skills you should be checking for with any steel detailer.
1. Computer Aided Design (CAD) skills
One of the most important skills that anyone working in steel detailing needs is being able to use Computer Aided Design (CAD). This is computer software that helps someone to design buildings in a standardised way so that anyone can read them.
CAD drawings can be rendered in 2D or 3D and sometimes you might have them rendered in both for better understanding of a project. When you speak to potential steel detailing providers, you can ask to see some of their previous work and ask them what CAD programs they use as there are numerous available.
2. Experience of drawings
There are two types of drawings that a steel detailer will complete, shop drawings and erection drawings. Most steel detailers will have experience with both of these drawings. The only time when perhaps this isn’t the case is when the steel detailer is young and new to the profession or if the steel detailer is freelance and makes a conscious decision to restrict their workload to just one type of drawings.
You can ask to see the previous work of any steel drawing provider. In some cases, the provider should be able to show you the drawings and the finished building.
3. Mathematical skills
Being a steel detailer is very mathematically based as well. They will have strong skills that are needed to calculate the load-bearing weights and strength of materials. This is one of the most important skills as the calculations that the steel detailing expert will make will determine if the building will be safe when built.
Non-technical skills
As well as the three main technical skills mentioned above, there are other soft-skills that you should look for in steel detailers.
4. Communications
A steel detail provider needs to communicate with a wide variety of professionals and you as the client to complete their work. For instance, during a project, they will have to liaise with general contractors, steel fabricators, engineers and architects. They will also have to speak to you regularly about the progress of the work.
Generally speaking, a steel detailing project should take between one and two weeks. During that time, you should have several emails from the provider in order to check details and ask questions that might arise.
5. Transparency and honesty
You need to make sure that the company you’re dealing with will be transparent and honest with you. They should give you an exact time frame on when the work will be completed and what drawings you will get. They should also give you an accurate quote for the work.
Transparency and honesty are very important when it comes to any work. If you don’t have that relationship, then the quality of the work can be harmed.
Conclusion
The above five skills and traits are important for steel detailers. If you’re looking for steel drawings, then ensure your service provider has all of these. Or alternatively, speak to us at Restoric Design, our staff have all the skills above and will work hard to deliver your project to the highest standard.