I am not sure you remember, but several weeks ago I posted about the possibilities of a Hotel build (actually 2 to start and maybe 3). Well, it looks as if we will act as Construction Managers on the project (a long story).
I am busy in budget prep, and there are both floor trusses and roof trusses. 98.5% of our past roof frames have been stick frame. While I am familiar with trusses, and have ordered , set and site built some trusses, but my experience is limited.
Are there any specials things, issues, problems, etc. that I should look for in the soliciation / response from truss vendors here in the Houston area?
Replies
Check out Larry Haun's article about a year ago. He gives some good tips on setting trusses and getting a nice straight ridge and fascia.
Have a good day
Cliffy
Thanks. My custom home framer is probably going to be the framer (18 - 20 men).
My days of swinging a hammer and working to keep things straight are limited to sheds, horse barns and the like on my property. I will seek the article and give it to my framer.
He is suppose to be over this weekend for Memphis Style bar-b-que in Texas, and to discuss the project. He is from Mexico, so maybe I ought to think about smoking some goat.
I did have another thought or two wander through my brain. It happens when the wind blows. (-:Sounds like you maybe haven't put this out for bids yet? If not, it might be best to specify how you want things done when the truss guys get the prints. Like if you do or don't want draftstops, how you want your hips framed, if you want the gables sheeted, Include all hangers, etc. That way when you get the bids back they should be more consistent.Do you ever negotiate prices? Some people do, others don't. If you don't, it might be a good idea to tell them up front that they only get one shot at the bidding. Otherwise they might assume that they get to lower their bids later if they badger you enough about it..Often times on jobs I have some ideas that might save money. If the archy is at all flexible sometimes changes can be made so the trusses cost less. I would encourage the truss manufactureres to be creative, and offer any alternates that they can think of. Of course - When I offer a money saving alternative, I don't like it when GCs shop my idea around. But it happens all the time.
I keep trying to lose weight but it always finds me.
The Boss can correct me, but the only problem I have ever had with trusses was that after a certain span - which I think was in the 40'-0" range - simple common trusses jump in price quite steeply without some intermediate bearing. The price difference was significant enough to make it worth my while to pour a foundation under some interior walls to make them loadbearing.
No big spans in the building, but when you set them you must watch out and protect your "fingers and toes".
"...after a certain span - which I think was in the 40'-0" range - simple common trusses jump in price quite steeply without some intermediate bearing."
It will vary some with the design loading. But I've never seen a case where a 40' truss needed interior bearing. (Unless it was something REALLY weird)
I have on occasion split up larger trusses with 60' or longer spans. There can be some significant cost savings.
For instance - If we build a 60' truss, it will have 2X6 chords. It will also be overplated to allow for handling problems inherent to large span trusses. They would also require a large crane with a spreader bar to set.
But if I have a center bearing to work with, I can build a pair of 30' mono trusses instead. They would be built with 2X4 chords, and would not be difficult to handle. A fairly small crane could easily handle them.
This trick doesn't work out too often. But every once in a while it can make a lot of difference in how much trusses cost.
Guests who kill their talk show hosts - Today on the last episode of Oprah
I'll post some random thoughts and see how many suggestions I can come up with.
First thing that comes to mind is that commercial jobs like this are pretty competitive. Truss manufacturers like the bigger jobs, so you should get some decent prices.
But what any one truss plant quotes can vary widely. So ask a lot of questions, and make sure you know what they're actually quoting. If you ask, they should be willing to provide you with a preliminary layout and truss drawings.
If you still aren't certain, ask them to send someone to your office to go over the details with them. If they aren't willing to do that, they're probably gonna give you lousy service throughout the job.
To give you an idea no what can vary from one quote to another - On residential jobs we include all hangers as a matter of practice. But on commercial jobs we don't. Not all manufacturers include them, and we don't want our bid to look bad because we include something others don't.
Valley sets are another thing that may or may not be included. We virtually never build them for residential jobs. But on commercial jobs we sometimes quote them as an option if there are a lot of similar valleys.
Are there any hip roofs? The way manufacturers do hip roofs can vary greatly. Some hipped truss roofs require a lot of blocking. Other manufactureres drop the flat top chords and send out a frame to fit in there. That can make a lot of difference on framing labor.
How about gables? Around here some manufacturers sheet the gables before they're sent out. Others don't.
Are there draftstops in the attic? Some manufacturers ignore those and expect the framer to take care of it. Others send out studded trusses so the sheathing can be applied to them.
Off the top of my head I can't think of anything else right now. But I'll post more if anything comes to mind.
And see my post to"fingersandtoes" below...
Txlandlord,
FWIW, some things I have done in commercial differently then residential.
Brace panels were required more often , especially at gable ends, but if the truss has a "Raised" or "High heel" configuration then there as well.
I study the prints for the roof before hand with my framer, asked my engineer about where we needed what then have the truss plant qoute them as part of the package.
I try to get the truss suppliers to qoute just as much of the roof package as I can, hangers, truss clips, blocking, brace panels . One source for the whole package. (My supplier here will even qoute the clb bracing material if I ask him to) Less chance something gets forgotten that way .
As boss said , make the list of what you want bid on , I do mine in a check list format and have the suppliers as part of their bid package to me mark off each item .
Safety is a huge issue, erection bracing ,staging, and safety lines. You will have OSHA watching you no matter what , different world then houses .
Sounds like a great project , hope you enjoy it.
Thanks for the heads upand advise. I may comment later and provide more detail.