After a "bit" of a detour to the Hospital to defeat a heart attack, I can now again offer some solace to some of your "questioners to the experts". This is primarily addressed to the recurring questions posed by "end users or buyers".

Some of these have obviously researched the technical details of steel structures until they have fully confused themselves as to ASTM (american society of testing materials) AISI (american iron and steel institute) "yield strength" of various components, X-bracing of rods or cable and so on.

I say, SAVE YOUR TIME AND EFFORT IN THAT PURSUIT! DON'T SWEAT THE DETAILS. WHY? Because experts and building code officials have set standards over the past hundred years that MUST be met by any and all legitimate suppliers of structures and components. That "levels the playing field" so that essentially all structures are designed equally and therefore are priced competitively. The primary differences then occur in appearance, trim out, ease of erection and the accuracy of the fabricating entity. As always, if you give 10 engineers a problem to solve you may get at least 5 different approaches to the solution but all will be correct within the rules to be met.

As I have pointed out in past articles on HOW TO SELECT YOUR CONTRACTOR, THE SAME APPLIES TO ALL THESE UNNECESSARY CONCERNS. Select your contractor by personally checking his record with his references and pick the contractor with whom you feel most comfortable after comfirming that his "budget estimates" are relative to his final contract price, that his completion times are met, that he promptly responds to any post-occupation problems. If you are happy with all those answers, then put your faith and money on him and GO.

IN THE END, THAT CONTRACTOR BECOMES LIKE YOUR MOTHER FOR THE BIGGEST INVESTMENT YOU WILL PROBABLY EVER MAKE AND IF YOU RECALL, "MOTHER KNOWS BEST". SO JUST DO AS YOUR MOTHER TOLD YOU TO DO AND YOU WILL SELDOM GO WRONG !!