Direct Answer
Bringing additional fabrication capacity into a project can be useful during peak periods. Key considerations are that the additional shop meets the project's code requirements, AISC certification requirements when applicable, quality expectations, schedule, and pricing. The fabricator remains responsible to the GC for the quality and timeliness of every portion of the work.
Full Explanation
When adding fabrication capacity: (1) verify certifications, welder qualifications, and the QC program; (2) provide the full approved shop drawing set and QC requirements; (3) audit the facility before placing work; (4) agree on inspection access; (5) confirm the schedule aligns with the delivery commitment; and (6) protect MTR traceability. Those controls help the fabricator maintain ownership of the final result.
What This Means for Your Shop
Additional fabrication capacity during a peak period can protect a project delivery commitment. But if a participating shop's quality or schedule fails, the fabricator absorbs the impact. Pre-qualify capacity partners before a critical project creates urgency.
Common Mistakes
Selecting the lowest-cost shop without an audit, then discovering quality issues after material has shipped to site. By then, rework is extremely expensive.
Recommended Process
Maintain a list of 2–3 pre-qualified fabrication partners — shops you've audited and worked with before. Establish a framework agreement with pricing, QC expectations, and communication protocols so you can engage them quickly when capacity demand arises.