1. What Software Do You Use and What Deliverables Do You Produce?
The answer should name a specific platform — Tekla Structures, SDS/2, or Advance Steel — not a vague reference to 'industry-standard software.' Ask specifically whether drawings are extracted from the 3D model (preferred) or drawn independently. Also ask what CNC output formats they produce: NC1/DSTV, DXF plate, XML drill line. If your shop runs specific automated equipment, confirm file compatibility before signing a contract.
2. Who Is My Point of Contact and What Time Zone Are They In?
This question matters more than most fabricators realize. An offshore firm with a U.S. sales contact but India-based production teams creates a 10-to-12-hour communication gap. Field problems that need same-day answers become next-day problems. Ask specifically: 'Who will I call when I have a question about my drawings?' — and get that person's phone number before the contract is signed.
3. What Does Your QA/QC Process Look Like?
Every firm will claim to have QA/QC. Ask for specifics: Is it a second set of eyes, or a formal checklist? Is the reviewer the same person who did the detailing, or an independent checker? Do they run clash detection in the model before issuing drawings? A firm that cannot describe its QA process in concrete terms does not have one — they have a hope.
4. Can I See a Sample Drawing Package From a Similar Project?
Request a redacted sample drawing set from a project of similar type and complexity to yours. Look for: clean dimension strings with no stacked or conflicting callouts; consistent piece mark conventions; weld symbols that match the connection type; BOM that matches the drawing content; and a revision block that makes change tracking clear. If the sample looks cluttered or inconsistent, the deliverable quality on your project will match.
5. What Is Your Realistic Turnaround Time for My Project Scope?
Beware the firm that quotes a turnaround without asking about your scope. A realistic estimate requires knowing total tonnage, connection complexity, phasing requirements, and whether miscellaneous steel is included. Ask the firm to walk through their estimate: how many modelers, how many drawing sheets, what is their internal review time, and how long is their current production backlog. A firm that quotes a week for a 500-ton project is either understaffed or not being honest.
6. How Do You Handle Revisions When the EOR Changes the Structural Drawings?
Structural drawings change — it's a fact of project life. Ask what happens when the EOR issues a revision during detailing: Is it included in the base contract? Is there a revision pricing structure? How quickly can they incorporate a change and reissue the affected sheets? The answer reveals how operationally flexible the firm is under real project conditions.
7. Who Handles Connection Design and Are They Licensed?
If the project requires delegated connection design, a licensed professional engineer must stamp the calculations. Ask whether the firm has in-house licensed engineers or uses a third-party connection engineer. If they claim to do connection design in-house, ask for the PE's license number and state of licensure and verify it through your state's licensing board. Unstamped connection calculations are not acceptable on any permitted project.
8. What Happens If Drawings Are Late or Have Errors?
Ask directly: 'What is your process if drawings arrive late or contain errors that require field rework?' A professional firm will describe a clear accountability path — dedicated PM contact, revision turnaround commitment, and a process for root-cause analysis on errors. If the response is vague or defensive, that tells you everything you need to know about how disputes will be handled.