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When deciding on a sheet metal fabricator, you’re not just hiring a company – you’re choosing a collaborative partner. To ensure successful sheet metal enclosure fabrication, make sure your partner has the experience and resources to complete the work on your timeline.
Deciding
if a company fits your needs starts with asking the right questions and
researching their past work and current capabilities.
Here’s
where to start:
Experience
A
company’s experience, especially with a specific type of job, can help make the
decision a lot easier.
Don’t stop at asking how many years they’ve been around. While working with a business who’s been in the industry a substantial amount of time can be comforting, inquire about the style of products managed and industries served. Even a company that has been working in sheet metal enclosure fabrication for 50 years may be of little use if they’ve never tackled a project similar to yours.
Here
are some additional experience-related questions to ask when meeting with a
potential fabrication partner:
- Have they worked on products similar to the one you’re proposing?
- What experience do they have in your industry?
- What employees or specialists do they have that work in your industry?
- Do they have the capabilities to powder coat and finish your products?
The goal when asking about their experience is to
make sure this company can prove a level of competence in projects that makes
you feel secure about working with them.
Equipment
Even a very experienced company may not
have the necessary equipment to see your product through to completion. When
speaking with a sheet metal fabricator, be specific about your requirements and
timeline to ensure they’ll have the necessary equipment.
Ask questions like:
- Do they have the right equipment and materials available for
your type of job?
- Can they handle the type, grade, and
gauge of metal required?
- With what kind of supply
chains do they work?
- How
much of your job can they complete in-house?
- Can their facilities handle the job on
your timeline?
Capabilities
Often, professional sheet metal fabricators will have
additional services beyond sheet metal fabrication and can save costs and
reduce delivery timelines by not shipping products to multiple manufacturers.
Services to see if your sheet metal fabricator offers
to include:
Your sheet metal fabricator’s capability to finish the project goes beyond their services – it also includes their schedule. By working with a company that provides a full range of services from engineering through inventory management, you gain a partner who can help oversee all aspects of your work, identify additional cost-savings, and have your product completed under one roof.
Availability
Once you’re confident they have the
experience and tools necessary to complete your product, make sure to inquire
about their availability in terms of scheduling and the workforce they have to
offer.
For example, if a company has all your
necessary qualifications but won’t be able to accommodate specific deadlines, it
may be time to look into other companies or decide to put the work on hold for
the time being.
Certifications
To guarantee a sheet metal fabricator’s quality standard, inquire about any certifications they hold that signal a higher standard and commitment to quality such as an ISO 9001:2015 certification.
Knowing that a company holds this certification can make your decision a little easier by ensuring the company that has a recognized level of professionalism and consistent quality.
Past
Work
In
addition to learning more about their equipment and services, take some time to
research a company’s previous work.
There
are a few ways to learn more about the companies you’re vetting:
Review Their
Websites
Take a look at the sheet metal fabrication services on their website and look for a gallery of completed products. If the quality is consistent and you see products similar to the one you’re requesting, that’s a good sign they can handle the work.
Also, review their website for additional information such as case studies and testimonials from past clients.
Ask for
References
Don’t
be shy about asking a sheet metal fabricator if they can provide client
references that you can contact. Learning more about a fabricator by talking to
people who’ve worked directly with them is one of the best ways to get a feel
for your potential fabrication partner.
A
few questions to ask include:
- What was the quality of work?
- How quickly was the job finished?
- Was the team professional and communicative?
- Did you encounter any problems while working
with them? If so, how did the team handle them?
Look
at Online Reviews
Another way to gauge the quality of their work is by checking their reviews on websites like Google Business, Yelp, and Angie’s List. Finding that other people have consistent and positive feedback over the years is a good sign you’re working with professionals.
Visit
the Company
While
references, case studies, and product galleries can give you a look into the
quality of work a sheet metal fabricator provides, the best way to gauge the
professionalism, quality, and the overall team is to visit the company
in-person.
Though it can be a significant investment to travel to a fabricator’s facilities, the ability to see their fabrication process first-hand is a valuable investment in the quality of your finished product.
If
a company doesn’t allow you the opportunity to visit their premises, be wary
that they may be hiding something within their machines, process, or team.
Pricing
No matter what you’re working on, it’s a good rule of thumb to get a second (or third or fourth!) quote from another company to see how they differ in pricing. Many companies will offer a free quote, which doesn’t require a commitment to work with them.
When
comparing quotes, see how they align to get an idea of the market standard and
how much a skilled, qualified job will end up costing you. If one company
offers a significantly higher estimate than the rest, ask yourself why. Bear in
mind that estimates could differ based on the quality of their work, employees,
and materials. It’s important to look not only at the price on the quote but
also the quality of products they’re known for delivering.
In
the same regard, if a company stands out for a significantly lower quote than
the rest, make sure to research them further. Low bids can be an immediate red
flag that the quality or timeline may not be on the same level as the other
companies quoted. It may also mean that there was a miscommunication in the requirements
of the job, which may lead to requesting a revised quote.
When
getting a quote, ask for more than just a final, total number. A professional
sheet metal fabrication company should be able to give you a quote that’s
broken down into individual costs such as a materials surcharge, tooling fees,
design fees, freight, no matter how complicated. Be sure there’s no hidden
costs or surprises down the line.
Make
The Right Choice for Your Company
Once
the research is complete, it’s time to make a decision. You should choose the
company that meets both your product’s requirements and that, after careful
consideration, you trust the most. Take your time to make a thorough decision
on who will be the right fit for your company.
If you’re looking for a sheet metal fabricator with the experience and people you can count on, contact Highland Machine today. We’d be happy to offer a free quote and discuss partnering with you.
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