How to Choose a Metal Fabrication Partner for Your Next Project?

Finding a supplier who can deliver quality and on-time service can be the hardest part of any project. Why should choosing a metal fabricator in the Cayman Islands be any different?

Metal fabrication can cost huge sums of money. Not only are materials expensive, but customer expectations, the design process, scope- and cost-creep and the installation itself can present all manner of problems that cause cost overruns, missed deadlines and dissatisfied clients.

Cayman Islands metal fabricators and their customers face a harsh environment with the heat, the humidity, the threat of hurricanes and ever-present corrosive salt spray coming off the ocean. Shutters and other outdoor fixtures such as gates, fences, light fittings, stairs, and Cayman Islands metal railings have a hard life in this environment and will soon deteriorate unless the materials are suitable for the environment they will be exposed to and the workmanship is of the highest quality.

Here are a few tips to make the process of choosing and working successfully with a local sheet metal fabricator so that your project looks great and functions perfectly for a long time to come.

Choose the right fabricator for the job: Once you’ve determined your needs and your budget, do some research into local fabricators and their specializations, the services they offer and look at their completed projects. Contact the top three whose profile and existing customers seem like a good fit with your proposed project and ask for a consultation. Some metal fabricators specialize in specific industries or only work on projects of a certain size or nature. Some specialize in purely industrial or residential applications, some specialize in art commissions, producing some of the most stunning fine art pieces in the Cayman Islands seen in hotel lobbies and private homes. If the company has experience with past projects similar to yours — that’s a good sign.

All fabricating processes have different requirements, so you’ll need to ensure the company you choose has expertise and experience with the type, grade, and gauge of metal required for your project. Make sure the company you choose can handle the project from start to finish in house, rather than subcontracting. This can save on time and cost, as well as ensure top quality.

Check their capabilities and resources: It’s also important to verify that the fabrication company you choose has the equipment, materials, skilled staff, and production capacity required to complete the project on time and on budget. Every metal fabrication service in the Cayman Islands is slightly different — some are better at producing smaller components at high volume, others are better at manufacturing one-offs or low- to medium-volume complex fabrications.

Can the fabricator complete the entire job using in-house resources? According to a commonly used 80/20 rule (aka the Pareto Principle) in manufacturing, if 80% of the cost of production is in 20% of the components, the supplier must be able to produce this 20% in-house. Failure to do so hints at a greater risk of increased cost as well as problems with quality, delivery or performance.

Get an accurate quote: Make sure to compare prices while evaluating metal fabrication companies. This doesn’t mean you should sacrifice quality for cost, but make sure to choose a premium company that offers an affordable price. Does the quotation show they have understood your requirements fully? Is the quote itemized, does it offer alternatives? Do you really understand what you’re paying for? Have all fabricators quoted like-for-like? Ask for a detail quotation breakdown and fully understand if there are any caveats or deviations from your initial request.

Customization is commonplace in the metal fabrication business, meaning that the consultation, design and quotation process must be formalized, very accurate and precisely documented to avoid unexpected or disappointing results.

Customer service: Needless to say, a satisfied customer should be at the heart of every project, and metal fabrication in the Cayman Islands is no different. Look for a company whose guiding principles include craftsmanship, vision, hard work, and good old-fashioned customer service.