Commercial sheet metal orders go much more smoothly when we have the right information before fabrication starts.

For contractors and estimators, that means confirming the latest drawings, dimensions, specifications, fittings, schedule and delivery requirements. If something is still being verified, tell us. A quick conversation up front can help prevent field changes, rush orders and delays later.

Here’s what our sheet metal team recommends checking before you send in an order.

What information do we need for a commercial sheet metal order?

When you send us a sheet metal order, we need enough information to understand what is being built, how it connects and where it has to fit.

That usually includes:

• Current drawings and revision numbers
• Duct sizes and dimensions
• Material and gauge requirements
• Fittings, elbows, offsets and transitions
• Connection details
• Equipment locations
• Special fabrication requirements
• Quantities
• Required dates
• Delivery instructions

If some of that information is still being confirmed, flag it. It is much easier for us to hold a piece for a field measurement than to remake it after fabrication.

Make sure we have the latest drawings

Commercial projects change. Drawings are revised, equipment selections shift and site conditions can affect the original routing.

Before we start fabrication, make sure the drawings you send us are the latest version.

If something has changed since the job was priced, call it out when you place the order. That helps our team avoid working from outdated information.

Confirm the dimensions that matter

Some dimensions can come straight from the drawings. Others need to be checked in the field.

Pay close attention in areas where space is tight or several trades are working in the same area, including:

• Mechanical rooms
• Shafts
• Ceiling spaces
• Equipment connections
• Structural openings
• Areas crowded with electrical, plumbing or fire protection

Nathan Martyn, Outside Sales at ECCO Supply, says complete measurements are especially important when space is limited.

“Make sure all measurements are present on your drawings. A fitting may meet the requirements on paper, but if you have space issues on site, a standard fitting length may not work.”

If a dimension still needs to be field verified, let us know before fabrication begins. That gives our team a clear picture of what is confirmed and what is still outstanding.

Give fittings and transitions a closer look

Straight duct is usually straightforward. Fittings, offsets and transitions are more likely to raise questions.

Check details such as:

• Equipment transitions
• Changes in duct size
• Elbows and offsets
• Branch connections
• Reducers and increasers
• Clearance around other building systems
• Access requirements

If a fitting is unusual or the available space is tight, talk it through with us first. It is easier to sort out the detail before the piece reaches the shop than to modify it later in the field.

Check the specifications as well as the drawings

Dimensions are only part of the order.

Project specifications may also set requirements for material, gauge, construction or other fabrication details. These need to be clear before the order reaches the shop.

“Gauge and material requirements are important,” says Martyn. “Our custom shops will assume galvanized and follow SMACNA standards for fabrication. If that changes later, it can affect both costing and lead times.”

If the drawings and specifications do not seem to line up, ask us before releasing the order. Our sheet metal team can help identify what information is still needed.

Build fabrication into the project schedule

Sheet metal needs to be planned around the installation schedule.

Let us know when the material is actually needed on site so we can work backward from that date.

This becomes especially important when a project includes:

• Large fabrication packages
• Multiple floors or phases
• Custom pieces
• Tight installation windows
• Changing equipment delivery dates
• Difficult site access

Having the full order ready also makes it easier for the shop to plan the work.

“Have your takeoff done and complete,” says Martyn. “We can best plan the order for on-time fabrication and delivery when it is complete from the start. Add-ons can create delays, especially if we need to bring in specialty materials or adjust the work already scheduled in the shop.”

Ordering too late can create delays. Ordering too early can create problems too, especially if drawings, equipment or field conditions are still changing.

The best time to release the order is when the information is reliable and the schedule is clear enough to plan against.

Tell us how the material needs to arrive

Delivery is part of the job too.

Before the order leaves our shop, confirm:

• Site address and contact
• Delivery date or window
• Loading and unloading requirements
• Site access restrictions
• Where the material should be dropped
• Whether the order should be separated by floor, area or phase

For larger projects, organizing material around the installation sequence can make life much easier for the field crew.

What commonly causes problems with commercial sheet metal orders?

Most issues come back to incomplete or changing information.

Some of the common trouble spots we see include:

Outdated drawings. Fabrication starts from a revision that has already been replaced.

Missing measurements. A critical dimension is assumed instead of confirmed.

Unclear fittings or transitions. The drawings show the intent, but not enough detail to build the piece confidently.

Late project changes. Equipment, routing or site conditions change after fabrication has started.

Tight timelines. Material is needed on site before enough time has been allowed for fabrication and delivery.

Unplanned deliveries. The material arrives, but there is no easy way to unload, store or organize it.

A lot of these problems can be avoided with better information at the start.

A quick pre-order check

Before sending us a commercial sheet metal order, ask:

• Are these the latest drawings?
• Have the key dimensions been verified?
• Are any field measurements still outstanding?
• Are fittings and transitions clearly shown?
• Have the project specifications been reviewed?
• Have equipment changes been accounted for?
• Does the fabrication timing match the installation schedule?
• Is the delivery plan clear?

If one of those answers is uncertain, tell us. We would rather sort out the question before fabrication starts.

Why working with ECCO Supply can simplify the process

ECCO Supply handles both HVAC distribution and sheet metal fabrication.

That gives our teams a broader view of the job, especially when equipment changes, dimensions need clarification or fabricated pieces need to connect with equipment being supplied through ECCO.

For contractors and estimators, that can mean fewer handoffs, faster answers and less time spent tracking down information between different suppliers.

The goal is simple: get the right material built and delivered when your crew needs it.

Contact us on your next project.