TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND ERECTION TRAINING SERVICES:

Below is a description each of the different programs we now offer, plus one we will be offering in the near future, to help train and support local framing crews and 'do-it-yourselfers'.  These programs are designed to help get our customers homes framed as cheaply as possible yet with the highest quality work possible.

U   First, it is important to note that unlike many other steel frame home packages  on the market today that are framed  completely different than a wood  frame home, our steel frame homes are framed  very much like wood framed  homes with a few minor differences, i.e. we use screws  instead  of nails, etc.  Each of these minor differences that pertain to the particular steel frame home being built are clearly given and illustrated in the plans.  This means a typical wood framing crew only needs to learn  a few differences in order erect one of our homes.  So, our training and support programs are aimed at teaching  these  differences.   While these crews may normally be hesitant to  take on a residential steel framing project with no previous  experience  in erecting one, once they learn of the extent of the pre-fabrication  work we perform here in Ohio for each of our home packages (as mentioned above) and of the training and support we can offer them, they  are normally excited to learn and  apply a new construction technique  that will widen the framing services they are  able to offer their  customers.   Each of these training and  support programs is explained in detail  below.

            A.  On Site Framing/Erection Training Program:

With this program we send one or two of our supervisor's to the jobsite to train the  framing crew at the jobsite.  This  training is aimed at training the crew to erect the steel frame  home that is actually being built on the jobsite.  First, the supervisor teaches the local crew of all of the materials  and fasteners that are to be used in the home; how to read and understand  our  blueprints; the order in which the steel frame home should go up; what tools and equipment his/her  crew will need; how all of the connections in the home are made;  etc.  Here they will also learn how to cut any uncut steel components; use our blueprints to layout  and construct the  exterior and interior walls; frame window/door  openings; install floor joists  and all floor framing components;  use our truss fabrication drawings to  fabricate our trusses on site; install  our trusses; install all roof overhangs; fascia;  etc.  Typically,  7 days of on site  training is  adequate to train the crew these items.

Since we offer complete technical support throughout the framing of the home via telephone or email, another benefit of completing the on site training program is that the local crew will now be able to clearly communicate any problems or questions they are having on the jobsite with our support staff.  Likewise, the local crew will also now be able to  understand our solutions and answers better.  This allows for any problems to be addressed quickly and correctly.

The  cost of this program is $35.00 an hour for the training  plus all travel and lodging  expenses.  If our supervisor is flying  in, a rental car for his use will be required at the customer's  expense.  Even when travel,  lodging, and  food are added in for our supervisor, the home owner will still save  thousands compared to hiring a complete traveling framing crew.  The customer will determine how  long he/she wishes  to keep the supervisor on the jobsite.  The supervisor can be  let  go at any time the customer feels the crew no longer needs the  training.

2.       B.  On Site Support Throughout The Framing  Of The Home:

With this program we send 1  or  2 of our supervisors to train, work with, and oversee the local  framing crew  throughout the erection/framing of the steel frame  home package until the  framing is completed or until the local  framing crew believes they have reached  a point in the erection  of the home where they can finish the project  themselves.  We  suggest the customer request 2 supervisors for his project under  this plan because  a.) lodging cost will be the same for 1 or 2  persons since 2  can comfortably be roomed together, and  b.) the  framing crew can be divided into  two separate groups that can  accomplish two projects at once.  Also, if a  problem arises,  one supervisor can work on a solution to the problem while the  other  can continue working on some other portion of the home without having  stop  the project.  The cost for this program is $35.00 an hour  per supervisor plus all travel and lodging expenses.  If our supervisors are flying in, a rental car for  their use will be required at  the customer's expense.  This program saves the  customer a  great deal of money in only paying the overhead costs for 2 traveling  framers instead of the normal 6 that would usually be sent if an entire  framing crew were brought in from out of town.  It also offers the customer the flexibility to let the supervisors go when they are no longer needed. 

   C.  Online Training & Support:

Though not currently available, we are in the process of creating an online training program to train wood frame crews on how to frame our steel frame homes.  This class will be similar to format used by other online classes now offered by various universities and colleges.  Each of the students will 'log on' to the 'class' and the instructor will both verbally and with plans and pictures teach them the process of framing one of our typcial steel frame homes.  Like the "On Site Framing Crew Training Program" discussed above, these classes will cover topics such as the following:

    1.  Identification and description of all of the materials and fasteners that are to be used in our steel frame homes

    2.  How to read and understand  our  blueprints, truss fabrication drawings, and structural details pages

    3.  The typial order in which the steel frame home should go up

    4.  What tools and equipment the local crew will need and where to get them.

    5.  How all of the connections in the home are made, where to find this information in the plans, and how to understand that information

    6.  How to cut any uncut steel components

    7.  How to frame the exterior steel frame walls

    8.  How to frame exterior and interior window/door openings

    9.  How to install floor joists and all floor framing components

    10.  How to fabricate the roof and/or floor trusses on the jobsite

    11.  How to install the roof truses trusses and all other roof components, like roof soffit overhangs; fascia;  etc.

The benefit of the online class is that the crew will learn the same items as they would with our "On Site Framing Crew Training Program" but for much less cost as there will be no travel, lodging, rental car, etc. expenses involved.  Furthermore, the 'students' will be able to ask questions and speak with the instructor during these classes to ensure that all of the information is understood.  We believe this course would be comprised of about 4 to 5 classes (4 to 5 days) to cover all of the information.  The cost for these classes has not yet been determined but it will probably be around $1,200.00 which will make it the cheapest out of all of the other training programs we offer.  This class should be available within the next 30 to 60 days so it would be available for your project.  Please let us know if you are interested in attending this class when it is available and we will keep you posted. 

To contact us about any of the above services or products, please CLICK HERE and fill out the 'contact us' form.