Shop Drawings

Usually not. Most general practitioner type structural engineers stay away from specialty engineering (aluminum, cold-formed steel, glass, trusses, etc.

It depends on the size and scope of the project. For a single-story retail building, we can complete the project in under two days’ time. However, our backlog of work may delay our start and require a couple of weeks to be returned to you.

Prices will vary with project size and complexity. We get small project requests that can sometimes be accomplished for under $1,000. A typical one-story retail building is usually between $2,000 and $4,000. Large projects with BIM can quickly get into the tens of thousands of dollars.

The capacity of a stud depends on many variables. The stud size, height, gauge, bracing condition, and lateral load (wind) will all have an effect on the stud capacity. A structural engineer should be consulted to determine a metal stud wall capacity.

The capacity of a stud depends on many variables. The stud size, height, gauge, bracing condition, and lateral load (wind) will all have an effect on the stud capacity. A structural engineer should be consulted to determine a metal stud wall capacity.

A structural stud is meant for use to resist environmental loads (dead, live, wind, snow, or earthquake). They usually have wider flanges and thicker galvanizing. Non-structural studs or ‘interior’ studs are meant for non-load bearing demising walls with gypsum sheathing.

The subcontractor providing the metal framing is typically responsible for providing CFS shop drawings and calculations for approval. On some rare occasions, the Construction Manager may procure the shop drawings to speed up timelines or to equalize bid prices.

CFS shop drawings are needed when required by the contract specification, usually under 05400 or 09200. They are also needed when the construction drawings do not adequately represent what is to be built to support the imposed loads.