Successful structural steel projects begin long before fabrication starts. Accurate steel detailing and engineered connection design ensure every beam, column, brace, and connection fits together correctly, minimizing costly field modifications, fabrication delays, and construction conflicts.
At First Choice, we provide complete steel detailing and PE-sealed connection design services for commercial, industrial, municipal, and institutional projects throughout Texas and nationwide. Whether you need shop drawings, erection drawings, connection calculations, or fabrication-ready CNC files, our experienced detailing team delivers precise documentation that keeps projects moving.
How Steel Detailing Works
Steel detailing is the process of converting structural engineering drawings into highly detailed fabrication and erection documents used by steel fabricators and contractors.
These drawings provide the information necessary to fabricate and assemble every structural steel component, including:
- Beam and column layouts
- Member dimensions
- Weld symbols
- Bolt locations
- Connection details
- Piece marks
- Material specifications
- Shop and field installation requirements
Without accurate detailing, even well-engineered structures can experience fabrication errors, installation delays, and costly change orders.
What Is Connection Design?
Connection design focuses on engineering the joints that connect structural steel members together. While the Engineer of Record (EOR) designs the building’s structural system, connection design determines how those members are safely joined to transfer loads throughout the structure.
Our licensed Professional Engineers provide PE-sealed connection design calculations for projects requiring delegated connection engineering.
We offer:
- Shear Connections
- Moment Connections
- Braced Frame Connections
- Truss Connections
- Industrial & Specialty Connections
Our connection designs comply with applicable building codes, AISC standards, and project-specific structural requirements.
Complete Steel Detailing Services
We provide comprehensive detailing services for projects of every size.
Standard & Custom Connection Details
Every project includes detailed connection drawings for both conventional framing and unique project-specific conditions.
Whether your project requires standard beam framing or complex structural interfaces, our drawings provide clear fabrication and installation guidance.
Bolt & Anchor Bolt Schedules
Accurate bolt schedules help eliminate fabrication errors and simplify installation.
Our detailing packages include:
- Bolt sizes
- Bolt spacing
- Bolt quantities
- Anchor bolt layouts
- Installation references
Field & Shop Bolt Lists
To improve efficiency during fabrication and erection, we organize bolt schedules by installation location.
Separate shop and field bolt lists help contractors streamline procurement, inventory management, and assembly.
Complex Stair & Railing Detailing
In addition to structural framing, we produce detailed drawings for:
- Structural stairs
- Handrails
- Guardrails
- Miscellaneous architectural steel
- Custom fabricated components
Every detail is coordinated for fabrication accuracy and field installation.
Material Take-Offs (MTO)
Our Building Information Models generate accurate material quantities directly from the structural model.
Material Take-Offs assist with:
- Procurement
- Cost estimating
- Inventory tracking
- Fabrication planning
Fabrication-Ready Models
Modern fabrication relies on digital workflows.
We develop models compatible with today’s leading structural steel fabrication software.
Our team works directly from:
- IFC drawings
- Structural specifications
We produce models compatible with:
- Tekla Structures
- Revit
- SDS/2
For fabricators using CNC equipment, we also deliver:
- DSTV files
- DXF files
These fabrication-ready files integrate directly into your manufacturing equipment, reducing manual programming and improving production efficiency.
Clash Detection & BIM Coordination
One of the greatest advantages of modern steel detailing is identifying conflicts before fabrication begins.
Our Building Information Modeling (BIM) process includes automated clash detection between:
- Structural steel
- Mechanical systems
- Electrical systems
- Plumbing systems
Resolving interferences during design prevents expensive field modifications and keeps projects on schedule.
Interoperability Across Your Project Team
Construction projects often involve multiple consultants working in different software platforms.
We maintain seamless coordination using industry-standard data exchange formats including:
- IFC
- BCF
This interoperability keeps architects, engineers, contractors, and fabricators working from synchronized project information throughout the design and construction process.
Multi-Discipline Coordination
Structural projects evolve throughout design.
Architectural revisions, engineering updates, and owner changes can quickly create confusion if communication isn’t carefully managed.
Our detailing process tracks revisions across all disciplines, ensuring everyone works from the latest approved information.
This reduces rework while improving coordination between:
- Architects
- Structural Engineers
- Fabricators
- General Contractors
- Specialty Contractors
Our Steel Detailing Workflow
Our proven workflow minimizes delays while delivering fabrication-ready documentation.
1. Receive Your Design Documents
We begin with your IFC drawings and structural specifications.
Our models integrate seamlessly with Tekla Structures, Revit, and SDS/2 workflows.
2. Create the Structural Model
Our detailers build an accurate 3D model of the entire structural steel system.
This allows us to:
- Verify member geometry
- Coordinate connections
- Generate fabrication drawings
- Identify constructability issues early
3. Engineer the Connections
If delegated connection engineering is required, our Professional Engineers develop and seal the necessary calculations.
We provide engineered designs for:
- Shear connections
- Moment frames
- Braced frames
- Trusses
- Specialty structural applications
4. Shop Drawing Production
From the completed model, we generate:
- Shop Drawings
- Erection Drawings
- CNC Files
- Bolt Schedules
- Material Take-Offs
Every drawing package is checked for accuracy before submission.
5. Engineer of Record Review
Once submitted, your Engineer of Record reviews the drawing package.
After receiving review comments, our team incorporates requested revisions and typically issues updated drawings within 10 business days.
Typical Turnaround Times
Project schedules vary depending on complexity and tonnage.
Typical production timelines include:
| Project Size | Typical Turnaround |
| Small Projects | Approximately 10 business days |
| Large Projects | Approximately 15–20 business days |
| Rush Projects | 48-hour initial submittals available |
Rush detailing services are available for time-sensitive fabrication schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions
What file formats do you accept?
We work directly from IFC drawings and specifications. Our models are compatible with Tekla Structures, Revit, and SDS/2.
Do you provide connection design or only detailing?
We offer both. Our services include PE-sealed connection design calculations as well as complete shop and erection drawings. Clients can use us for connection engineering only or as a complete detailing solution.
Can you work with our fabricator’s software?
Yes. We model in Tekla Structures and SDS/2 and provide CNC-ready DSTV and DXF files that integrate directly with fabrication equipment.
How long does steel detailing take?
Smaller projects are typically completed in approximately 10 business days, while larger projects generally require 15–20 business days. Rush services with 48-hour initial submittals are also available.
What happens after the Engineer of Record reviews the drawings?
After the EOR completes their review, we address all review comments and requested revisions before issuing updated drawings, typically within 10 business days.
Why Choose First Choice?
Choosing the right detailing partner can significantly impact your project’s schedule, fabrication efficiency, and construction costs.
Our team provides:
- Complete steel detailing services
- PE-sealed connection design
- Fabrication-ready BIM models
- CNC-compatible DSTV and DXF files
- Clash detection and interdisciplinary coordination
- Accurate material take-offs
- Fast turnaround times
- Responsive revision support after Engineer of Record review
Whether you’re a structural engineer, steel fabricator, general contractor, or project owner, we deliver accurate, coordinated, fabrication-ready documents that help your project move efficiently from design to construction.
Request a Steel Detailing & Connection Design Proposal
Whether your project requires delegated connection engineering, fabrication shop drawings, BIM coordination, or a complete detailing package, First Choice has the experience and technology to support projects of any size. Contact us today to discuss your structural steel detailing needs and receive a customized proposal.