Direct Answer
An integrated detailing team gives fabricators flexible capacity, specialized Tekla expertise, and consistent production support without carrying the fixed overhead of a large internal department. With Tectonix, U.S.-based personnel and a dedicated project manager oversee every project. Routine production work moves through our overseas operations for speed, while critical technical decisions and quality control remain U.S.-managed.
Full Explanation
A senior in-house detailer can cost $100,000–$170,000 per year when salary and benefits are included. When a fabricator's workload fluctuates, an integrated detailing partnership provides the depth of a 40+ person team without requiring the shop to build and manage that entire department internally. Tectonix retains direct project responsibility through U.S.-based management, while its overseas operations extend capacity within one managed delivery system.
What This Means for Your Shop
Many fabricators find the most effective model is a hybrid: an internal project lead who works directly with a managed detailing partner that brings the production depth and specialized experience their workload requires.
Common Mistakes
Choosing a detailing provider solely on the lowest price without evaluating its project management, quality system, and U.S.-based accountability. Detailing is not a commodity — drawing errors cost far more than a small difference in upfront price.
Recommended Process
When evaluating an integrated detailing partnership, request a trial project: a small, well-defined scope that allows you to evaluate drawing quality, U.S. project-manager responsiveness, and BOM accuracy before committing your primary projects.