Trusses delivered - problems

[TheMan419]

As a contractor, I think it's very important to provide new, good looking materials to my client. When buying Sheetrock the other day, I rejected several sheets that where perfectly fine, but had some ugly coloring to them. My client doesn't know this, but in my opinion, hanging those ugly sheets would have looked bad until I had them painted. I feel the same about the trusses in the mud. I have no idea if they are damaged it not, but since the using of them is of some concern, the right thing to do is replace them with new ones that look new. It's what he paid for!!!! I also don't believe in trying to talk a client into ugly materials. Its counter productive to the overall job, and good referrals in the future. It's their money, I give them what they want.

I don't think simply replacing all of them is right or necessary or what I have asked for. They are going to come out and inspect. I suspect some will have to be repaired in the field and some will have to be replaced. With engineer stamped papers for the repairs I am comfortable.

As for them being just dirty I am not sure that I care if it does not effect the functionality.

 

[TheMan419]

As a contractor, I think it's very important to provide new, good looking materials to my client. When buying Sheetrock the other day, I rejected several sheets that where perfectly fine, but had some ugly coloring to them. My client doesn't know this, but in my opinion, hanging those ugly sheets would have looked bad until I had them painted. I feel the same about the trusses in the mud. I have no idea if they are damaged it not, but since the using of them is of some concern, the right thing to do is replace them with new ones that look new. It's what he paid for!!!! I also don't believe in trying to talk a client into ugly materials. Its counter productive to the overall job, and good referrals in the future. It's their money, I give them what they want.

I don't think simply replacing all of them is right or necessary or what I have asked for. They are going to come out and inspect. I suspect some will have to be repaired in the field and some will have to be replaced. With engineer stamped papers for the repairs I am comfortable.

As for them being just dirty I am not sure that I care if it does not effect the functionality.

 

[teejk]

I don't think simply replacing all of them is right or necessary or what I have asked for. They are going to come out and inspect. I suspect some will have to be repaired in the field and some will have to be replaced. With engineer stamped papers for the repairs I am comfortable.

As for them being just dirty I am not sure that I care if it does not effect the functionality.

I'm sure they will be just fine if they were banded before they got dropped. Kinda surprised that they could drop your steel that close to the site yet not the trusses...guessing that was a call made by the GC. These things come together in a hurry and "staging" of materials is an art and perhaps you mentioned your septic field (rightly so on a new system). Most likely wanted the steel closer (don't want to buckle one of those) and wanted the trusses out of the way (on a per piece basis they don't weigh much in the whole vast scheme of things...when they built my 30x56 shop building the trusses were placed by 3 guys on step ladders). Again I think the pros know what they are doing and you will be happy when it's over.

 

[/pine]

Why are you making up stuff that I didn't say?

Eddie...I apologize if I misinterpreted what you were trying to relate...I thought I had tried to phrase my response as more of a question...my intention was not to misconstrue what you said...
I highly respect your attitude and work ethic when it comes to satisfying your clients...based on the projects etc. that you have posted...IMO your clients are lucky to have such a conscientious contractor...your workmanship is top notch...

Oh I am sure that is part of the problem. They are 300 ft from the actual building site. Thankfully they can get from the pile of trusses to the building site without going over my septic field or through the actual nice part of my yard. They can remain in what was a corn field. I am sure the builder is NOT happy about that, but that is not my fight to fight.

As for watching them build the barn I intend to be here as much as my schedule allows. I can work from home for a good bit of things that I do. I would love to watch them set the 60 foot trusses.

For the record the steel for the sides and roof was delivered yesterday. That guy had no problem backing his semi into the driveway. Since we had dry weather the last several days he could drive right up next to the building. Used his crane to drop the steel right near the building site. Driver was a nice guy, and I am glad that I got to talk to him. Always interested in learning.

Thanks...the only thing missing now (I suspect others are also interested) is a picture of the trusses where they were dropped...a pic of the entire site would also be interesting to see also IMO...

Best of luck with your new building...and thanks for being so congenial with your responses...:thumbsup:

 

[QRTRHRS]

I would love to watch them set the 60 foot trusses.

With a good crane operator and ground crew, pretty much routine though still pretty cool to observe. On the applications where I was present, the ground crew secured a sling at two places (not the peak) then placed it over the crane hook. With a guide rope on one end to control sway, away it went.

 

[cat fever]

While mine were only 45' long, here is how I set them.

As to the thread I think the trusses are going to be just fine, other than some mud. I do agree with Eddie, they should look new when put up.
Good luck with the build and keep us posted with some pictures.

 

[roadhunter]

Working commercial construction this kind of thing happens often. Don't sweat it

 

[CurlyDave]

1. I don't know how big of a deal this might be, but I would be concerned about any significant amount of mud left on the trusses holding water against them long term and promoting rot.

2. Significant discoloration is also an issue. It should be possible to inspect the trusses from the ground--rot or mildew should easily show up. If they are discolored this will not be the case.

Speak to the engineer about these possibilities. Maybe they should lightly pressure wash them and inspect after that to remove mud and reduce discoloration.

 

[Deere Dude]

While mine were only 45' long, here is how I set them.
View attachment 485960View attachment 485961View attachment 485962View attachment 485963View attachment 485964
As to the thread I think the trusses are going to be just fine, other than some mud. I do agree with Eddie, they should look new when put up.
Good luck with the build and keep us posted with some pictures.

Those are some beefy trusses, I never saw any like that. Nice.

 

[TheMan419]

I'm sure they will be just fine if they were banded before they got dropped. Kinda surprised that they could drop your steel that close to the site yet not the trusses...guessing that was a call made by the GC. These things come together in a hurry and "staging" of materials is an art and perhaps you mentioned your septic field (rightly so on a new system). Most likely wanted the steel closer (don't want to buckle one of those) and wanted the trusses out of the way (on a per piece basis they don't weigh much in the whole vast scheme of things...when they built my 30x56 shop building the trusses were placed by 3 guys on step ladders). Again I think the pros know what they are doing and you will be happy when it's over.

It was not a call made by the GC. The GC specifically told the truss company NOT to deliver. We had rain on Thursday. Trusses delivered on Friday. Truss truck driver says he could not get in the driveway. So he backed in off the road into a field. Due to the rain there was a lot of mud. He got stuck.

Steel was delivered Monday. There was no rain Friday, Sat, Sun or Monday. That semi was able to back up into the driveway. The construction site, being the high point of the property, was dry by then. He was able to back out the back end of the driveway right up to the building site. He had a crane on the truck and could have delivered the steel even further over off the side of the truck if he had to. Probably another good 60 feet maybe?

Ultimately the delivery issue is on the truss company. They have said they are taking responsibility and will fix or replace any trusses that were damaged.

The main issue is that to get the trusses off the truck (and thus get the truck unstuck) a farmer tied a rope around them and pulled them sideways off the delivery truck. It would appear that damaged several of the trusses that I can see and who knows about the parts I cannot see. So each one will have to be inspected and repaired/replaced as necessary.

Had the truss company waited until Monday or yesterday the area they delivered to would have been dry enough that they would not have gotten stuck. So then the only issue would be delivering the trusses some 300 feet from the actual job site. That would have been a problem between the GC and the truss company that would not have affected me other than it would have taken the GC additional time to finish the build. Since I am on a fixed price contract that would really not be a big deal to me.

 

[TheMan419]

Eddie...I apologize if I misinterpreted what you were trying to relate...I thought I had tried to phrase my response as more of a question...my intention was not to misconstrue what you said...
I highly respect your attitude and work ethic when it comes to satisfying your clients...based on the projects etc. that you have posted...IMO your clients are lucky to have such a conscientious contractor...your workmanship is top notch...



Thanks...the only thing missing now (I suspect others are also interested) is a picture of the trusses where they were dropped...a pic of the entire site would also be interesting to see also IMO...

Best of luck with your new building...and thanks for being so congenial with your responses...:thumbsup:

I will try to get pictures uploaded. I know how you all like pictures

 

[MossRoad]

...

The main issue is that to get the trusses off the truck (and thus get the truck unstuck) a farmer tied a rope around them and pulled them sideways off the delivery truck. It would appear that damaged several of the trusses that I can see and who knows about the parts I cannot see. So each one will have to be inspected and repaired/replaced as necessary.....

Well, that now explains everything. :laughing:

Was this mentioned anywhere earlier in the thread? I must have missed it if it was.

 

[Citydude]

Well, that shoots the mud, mildew and rot worry out the door.

 

[/pine]

Well, that now explains everything. :laughing:

Was this mentioned anywhere earlier in the thread? I must have missed it if it was.

Is new news from what I've read...this revelation opens another whole can of worms...!

FWIW...many times when dealing with damaged trusses...the truss manufacturer as per their engineers would send repair parts and nail on gusset plates, nailing schedules etc...along with detailed notes and instructions...all the engineering documents are required to be on site...it is the job of the building inspector (if inspections are required) to make sure all the onsite engineering is completed properly as per the notes...this also includes required lateral etc. bracing, rat runs etc., etc...if there are no formal inspections etc....the liability falls on the GC...

 

[QRTRHRS]

Pulled them off with a rope.... Oh, geez, I got stuck often as not when I hauled trusses but would never have allowed that. (Dog gone single axle tractor in order to get into ungodly tight locations). I would have insisted on breaking the banding and unloading each truss by hand or not at all.

I have not seen them myself but from what I have been told, an Amish builder in my area has some barns with concrete floors set up for various "standard" truss sizes. They lay the boards down into recesses molded into the concrete then compress the plates by levering from hooks cemented into the floor. The builder has a good reputation so I guess it must work.

 

[MossRoad]

Around here, the truss companies use specially designed roll off trailers to deliver trusses. They work well.

A friend just built a pole barn. They delivered the trusses, lumber and steel on a semi trailer. The tractor drops the trailer, turns into a forklift, unloads the load, reconnects and drives away. It was pretty neat. Granted, he had to carry the load cross-wise, and that limits as to where he can take trusses and 20' wide steel and beams, etc... But if you have an open construction site, this thing works pretty well.

The next day he delivered patio blocks to the house across the street the same way.

 

[roadhunter]

Even the trailers that roll off the whole bundle damage some trusses. Happened several times on my projects. Around here common sense prevails and the trusses are repaired and the project moves forward.

 

[TheMan419]

Ok so I cannot figure out how to upload pictures. (Edit I think I added them now)

Yes it would appear that I left out one minor detail of the truck pulling the trusses off.

The truck that delivered was supposed to back in to the drive and up to the construction site. Then the bed of the truck extends and tilts down. Looks like a much larger version of a flat bed they use to haul a vehicle.

When he could not get in the drive he backed into the field. It was muddy. He extended his bed like he should, but then could not pull forward to get out from under the load. He was stuck in the mud. Friendly farmer comes along and pulls the load sideways off the truck.

Pictures show, at least on the parts of the various trusses that I can see, several large gaps where the boards have pulled away from each other. Also show several of the metal plates they use to joint two boards together are pulling away from the truss.

Moss I live somewhere near you. I am on the south side of South Bend. We had rain again yesterday and overnight. So likely I will not see a construction crew until Monday. Unless of course we get the rain that is predicted for Sunday.

Oh and I put about 30 t-posts in the ground over the weekend. About 20 more to go and the initial paddock will be mostly done. Then rent a two man auger to plant about 6 - 8 wood posts for corners and gates.

Plumber and electrician coming on Monday to do talk and give estimates. I did not have the GC do that part because their quotes for those were high.

 

[Ford850]

Around here, the truss companies use specially designed roll off trailers to deliver trusses. They work well.

A friend just built a pole barn. They delivered the trusses, lumber and steel on a semi trailer. The tractor drops the trailer, turns into a forklift, unloads the load, reconnects and drives away. It was pretty neat. Granted, he had to carry the load cross-wise, and that limits as to where he can take trusses and 20' wide steel and beams, etc... But if you have an open construction site, this thing works pretty well.
I had a load of lumber and steel roof material delivered from Menards, and the driver (sub) had one of these trucks. Small enough to drive through my property to get close to the building site, and had it unloaded in minutes. Very impressive system.

The next day he delivered patio blocks to the house across the street the same way.

I had a load of lumber and steel roof material delivered from Menards, and the driver (sub) had one of these trucks. Small enough to drive through my property to get close to the building site, and had it unloaded in minutes. Very impressive system.

 

[Ford850]

View attachment 486075View attachment 486076Ok so I cannot figure out how to upload pictures. (Edit I think I added them now)

Yes it would appear that I left out one minor detail of the truck pulling the trusses off.

The truck that delivered was supposed to back in to the drive and up to the construction site. Then the bed of the truck extends and tilts down. Looks like a much larger version of a flat bed they use to haul a vehicle.

When he could not get in the drive he backed into the field. It was muddy. He extended his bed like he should, but then could not pull forward to get out from under the load. He was stuck in the mud. Friendly farmer comes along and pulls the load sideways off the truck.

Pictures show, at least on the parts of the various trusses that I can see, several large gaps where the boards have pulled away from each other. Also show several of the metal plates they use to joint two boards together are pulling away from the truss.

Moss I live somewhere near you. I am on the south side of South Bend. We had rain again yesterday and overnight. So likely I will not see a construction crew until Monday. Unless of course we get the rain that is predicted for Sunday.

Oh and I put about 30 t-posts in the ground over the weekend. About 20 more to go and the initial paddock will be mostly done. Then rent a two man auger to plant about 6 - 8 wood posts for corners and gates.

Plumber and electrician coming on Monday to do talk and give estimates. I did not have the GC do that part because their quotes for those were high.

Yeah, pulling the trusses off the truck, and sideways, is more critical than the mud and rain. At least it looks like most of the truss load was on the ground already before he got stuck blocking the road. I have no doubt the truss company will do the right thing on this, as you described. I hope the weather cooperates for you so you get the building up as planned.