Qualities General Contractors Really Want from Their Steel Erector

General contractors don't necessarily want the cheapest erector. They continue to work with the one who shows up prepared, works safely and prices the job correctly the first time.

At Double Black Construction, we erect pre-engineered metal buildings as a labour-only sub-contractor. It’s the only type of work we do – it’s our sole focus. In over 20 years we have delivered more than 500 buildings across Canada for general contractors (GCs), building system manufacturers, First Nations and public/private owners. We’ve work on almost every type of building, from airports, mining structures and ports to hockey arenas, farms and aviation hangars. That experience has taught us what it takes to earn a spot on a general contractor’s bid list, what gets other erectors quietly dropped from it and how the right partnership makes a project safer, more predictable and easier to budget. Here’s the successful ways we work with GCs, and why it pays off for everyone involved, especially the client.

Be Trustworthy Before Any Bidding Begins

A GC (or engineering or architectural firm as well) won't invite a building erector to bid until the they look safe, qualified and in good standing. We’re proud to be members in good standing in many construction industry associations, such as the Vancouver Regional Construction Association (VRCA). Our insurance, WorkSafeBC clearance and bonding capacity are ready to send the day a prequalification request arrives, and we ensure our crews carry current safety and equipment tickets at all times. We are also registered as a subcontractor with BC Hydro (on BC Bid) and as a vendor to the City of Abbotsford, which helps GCs bidding on public work.

Safety comes first. Double Black Construction is enrolled in the British Columbia Construction Safety Alliance’s (BCCSA's) Certificate of Recognition (COR) program, so our safety system is being built to a recognized standard and verified by an outside audit, not simply declared. It includes a hazard assessment that walks through each phase of an erection project, crew orientation, site inspections and a review of anything that goes wrong, so it doesn't happen twice. As an organization who works across Canada, these critical processes are used wherever we build. Reputation does the rest: every well-run job becomes a reference, and references win the next invitation.

Do the Homework Before Pricing the Job

Good estimating methods are one of the most important things a building erector can use. It involves smart, knowledgeable and experienced people, the best tools and accurate numbers from which to work. No two jobs cost the same to build. Travel, equipment and housing change from site to site (we have built in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and across the Northern Territories), so we know what getting a crew and equipment to a remote site really involves. The more we know before we price, the safer the price is for the GC and for us.

That’s why we ask many questions before the quote goes out, not after the crew is on site. Doing so can reveal so many critical details. On a recent aircraft hangar quote, for instance, one question showed that the specified 20-foot eave would not clear the roughly 27-foot tail of the aircraft the building was meant to house. On a mezzanine package for a commercial general contractor, we put in writing exactly where our scope ended and which interior finishing remained with their own crew. It’s important to clearly define duties and who is accountable for completing which items. On a remote mine site with no local equipment rental or commutable lodging, our quote spelled out who supplied equipment and crew accommodation. Small details settled early are what keep change orders and disputes out of the job.

Being Involved Early to Help Lock In the Numbers

Especially in days of inflation and unpredictable supply chains, costs keep moving. The earlier a general contractor can commit its erection package and final pricing, the more of the budget it can protect. Every Double Black Construction quote is a single lump sum with the entire scope written down, so the number in the GC's own projection and quote is the number of the final job. Committing early also reserves a crew for the dates the project needs, which matters when skilled trades can be in short supply.

Timing is another lever. Bringing us in at the drawing stage lets us verify the building engineering before the crew and cranes arrive, when any necessary fixes are inexpensive. And when we are responsible for installing the concrete foundation, we can verify the engineered anchor bolt details and column reactions and combine that information with the geotechnical report and soil conditions to design and engineer the perfect foundation. Then we can pour and install the concrete and any retaining walls correctly as soon as possible.

For every building project, being part of the early planning means fewer change orders, fewer stoppages and a schedule and budget the general contractor and client can rely on.

Let's Plan Your Next Building Together

General contractors that win are the ones who treat their erector as a partner rather than a line item. When you have a pre-engineered metal building to complete, visit the Double Black Construction website and submit the drawings early. We will come back with any questions before providing an estimate. We’ll then offer a firm price, a committed and experienced crew with a schedule you can build accurately around.

Contact us today or call (833) 322-2722 to speak directly with me or our leadership team.