How to Order Roof Trusses for On-Time Delivery
Ordering trusses may seem like just another step in construction, but poor planning or missing details can lead to costly delays, structural issues, and even failed inspections. At Truss Components of WA, we prioritize clear communication and a seamless process to ensure your project stays on track. Here’s what you need to know to make your truss ordering experience hassle-free.
The truss ordering experience begins the moment the building plans are being drawn. While you are working with an architect, you can reach out to an expert truss manufacturer and find out what should be included in your plans. Truss experts will know about energy codes that can affect how your trusses are built and how trusses should line up on the building. They will advise you to include information about fascia material and soffit treatment so a designer can calculate overhang dimensions as well as if you plan to include mechanical unit loads in your truss designs, such as HVAC systems or solar panels. Advanced planning is required to ensure the trusses can handle additional weight.
Once your building plans are drawn up, you can send them to Truss Components of WA by email or bring them into the office in Tumwater. You will be connected to a sales representative who can answer any additional questions you may have, and our designers will do a preliminary design. The preliminary design will allow the team to provide you with a cost estimate for the project. They will need the exact address or a parcel number for the project. Once you decide that you would like to go through with ordering from Truss Components, your sales representative will dive into the nitty gritty details and commence the final design process.
Your sales representative will determine if a site measure is needed. Site measures are commonly conducted when you are doing an addition on a home or replacing damaged trusses on existing framing. The contractor or framer should be present during the measure to provide insights that aren’t captured in the building plans. The site measure prevents a mismatch between the building plans, ensures the foundation dimensions match what was drawn and prevents the need for costly on-site modifications or repairs needed later down the road.
When your designs are finalized, it is time to get on the books. Truss manufacturers schedule by the week instead of the exact days. To choose a week, the operations manager may ask you when your foundation is being poured and when your permits are being approved. This can help pinpoint a time your site would be ready.
Once a committed week is chosen, the operations manager will do their best to get the trusses delivered on the day you request, giving you a call two weeks in advance to verify the readiness of the job site. If your jobsite is not ready, your delivery can be rescheduled for a later week. Most trusses are built two days before shipment to minimize exposure to weather and ensure quality control before delivery.
Truss Components values clear communication, contacting you when you have been scheduled, when your trusses are built, and as they are going out for delivery. On delivery day, driveways need to be cleared of lumber packs and equipment and the building crew need to be present to receive the trusses. Power lines, underground utilities and site access are to be accounted for. If the ground is muddy or snowy, packing it down aids the truck in driving into the site.
In the unlikely event that there is a truss that breaks after the driver leaves or it doesn’t fit as expected, Truss Components is there to work through it with you. If a truss breaks, snap a picture and send it to your salesperson immediately so they can work on a repair. If your trusses don’t fit, double check the layout and call your salesperson. Do not make on-site modifications. This can result in structural failures and fail inspection. It is most likely that the trusses will be installed as expected and you can move forward with your project.
At Truss Components of WA, we take pride in delivering high-quality trusses and providing a seamless experience from start to finish. With clear communication, thorough planning, and expert guidance, we help keep your construction project on track. If you have any questions or are ready to place an order, contact us today.
