Avoid Common Mistakes

Common Mistakes Builders Make with Mobile Welding

1. Scheduling welding after framing starts

If steel posts and beams need to be in place before wood framing, calling a welder after framing has begun forces expensive rework. Book your welder early and confirm they're in your schedule as a dependency for framing.

2. Not providing drawings

Asking a welder to fabricate without stamped engineering drawings results in non-compliant work that won't pass inspection. Always provide drawings before fabrication begins.

3. Assuming all welders are the same

A welder experienced in farm equipment repairs may not have the precision or certifications required for structural steel on a permitted custom home. Verify CWB certification and ask for examples of similar residential structural work.

4. Forgetting anchor bolts until after the pour

This is the most expensive mistake on custom home builds. Once the slab is poured, adding or moving anchor bolt locations requires core drilling or saw cutting - adding cost and potentially weakening the slab. Confirm all embedded steel details before concrete is placed.

5. Not specifying finish quality for exposed welds

A structural weld and an architectural weld are not the same thing. If your client will see the weld, specify TIG process and ground finish in your subcontract scope. Don't assume your welder knows what the finished space will look like.