Need Wood truss engineer for Nevada 23

[jepps3]

Hello. I’m looking for engineered flat roof wood truss design for a single family home in Nevada.

I know truss manufacturers can provide this, but I don’t want them to design. I would like to get the design drawings independently and then send out to manufacture.

 

[LowLax]

Why don't you want them to design it? I think you'll have a hard time finding an engineer that uses metal plate connected wood truss design software and doesn't work for a truss fabricator. I'm not sure if a truss fab shop would want to build it if they weren't responsible for the design. But, I could be wrong.

 

[phamENG]

There are many ways to skin this cat, but the following arrangement tends to have the best long term results (though not the cheapest up front):

1) Figure out what you think you want. Basic style, size, rough layout, etc.
2) Hire an architect. A good one. Not an architectural designer, not a draftsman, but a registered architect who knows what they're talking about and is willing to take responsibility for and stand by their design. They'll take what you did in #1 and turn into a functional and good looking design.
3) Your architect will hire a structural engineering consultant. They'll design the structure - lateral force resistance against earthquakes and wind, beams, etc. They'll also develop the specifications for the trusses you need.
4) Once the design is done, it will go out to bid to qualified contractors. Not the low bidder, but the most qualified bidder within your budget (look for an itemized breakdown of cost - it means they actually took the time to look at the design and figure out how much everything will cost).
5) The contractor will send the plans to the truss plant where they will be designed. Then, a truss engineer will check the calculation output. Then, the EOR (the engineer who designed the house) and the architect will review it and make sure it was designed correctly and fits the house.

No matter how you do 1-4, number 5 really doesn't change. Structural consultants don't design metal plate connected trusses and truss plants won't build somebody else's design. You might find an engineer that will design plywood gussets, but they'll probably cost twice as much as buying them from the truss plant. These things are custom designed building components, and their economy comes from a) the truss plant's economies of scale and b) the optimization of the truss plant's process. Each one is a little different. For instance, if I need a floor truss with a bit of a slope in it for some unique profile, one of our two local truss suppliers can't do it. The other one doesn't have a problem with it. Just has to do with the way their tooled.

 

[jepps3]

Here are a few key notes:

1. I already have architectural plans.

2. I already have structural engineering drawings, it he doesn’t do trusses.

3. Long story short, we have limited truss fabricators in Nevada and I already got quotes…they are absolutely RAPING clients on pricing!!!!

4. I have truss manufacturing plants out of state that are 50% less cost. I’m allowed to import trusses from any truss builder, but need Nevada engineered stamped drawings. My out of state contacts don’t know any Nevada engineers.

 

[KootK]

In a pinch, the truss supplies will often get engineers working for the plate suppliers to stamp. And the plate suppliers are national outfits with licenses all over.

There are common ways for truss manufacturers to deal with situations such as this. If your contacts aren't proposing such solutions themselves, I question whether or not they really are interested in supplying your project

 

[phamENG]

Great. Sounds like you're off to a good start. The truss manufacturers will sell at the highest price the market will bear. That pesky capitalism thing.

As KootK says, the plate manufacturers usually provide this service. They won't do it for just anyone - if the manufacturer isn't using their software and plates, they won't touch it as it isn't worth it and they have a backlog of 'in-house' projects to do anyway.

You can reach out to MiTek's engineering department and see if they can recommend a fabricator that can provide a Nevada design.

 

[jepps3]

So no engineers here want to make some money on this?

 

[phamENG]

1) That's not why this forum exists.

2) We're not truss fabricators. We specify truss requirements, and the manufacturers design them. It's the most cost effective arrangement. Any of us would likely charge 50x what the truss engineer stamping the calcs will charge. We have completely different business models and provide completely different services.

 

[RWW0002]

KootK gave you the best path forward on this one above for seeking someone outside your area to stamp the trusses. You will likely not have luck finding an engineer outside the truss industry who can/will design the trusses. They are just too time consuming to design without the proprietary software and standard work flow that the truss guys use. Contact the out of state supplier you mentioned above with 50% lower cost and ask them if they (via the plate suppliers) can provide a Nevada stamped set. Atypical (out of state) sealing and shipping may eat into your 50% a bit, but you may still come out ahead.

 

[jepps3]

For more clarity, here’s what I’m looking for:

1. Nevada engineer to engineer and stamp truss designs.

2. I pay for the drawings

3. Engineer doesn’t have to worry about it from that point. Either I find a fabricator to complete manufacturing based on your drawings or the drawings is just an expensive document that I end up not using. Either way, engineer gets paid and off his shoulders.

4. I may be doing this the hard way, but that’s ok!! Let me do it the expensive hard way. I want the freedom to “waste” my money on engineered drawings from an independent engineer not associated with a manufacturer.

 

[jepps3]

@RWW0002 - I’m going to try that as well

 

[dik]

I don't know about the current markets, but there was a time you could purchase fabricated trusses for about the same price as the cost for you to buy the dimensioned lumber.

-----*****-----
So strange to see the singularity approaching while the entire planet is rapidly turning into a hellscape. -John Coates

-Dik

 

[jepps3]

Plus, Simpson strong tie and Mitek can kiss my ass with the cartel they run. 90% of the chairmen that sit on ASTM and IBC ICC standards and created a wonderful way to steer things where they want to go, including their Truss Manufacturing puppets.

Thankfully they’re a just a few truss manufacturers that use nail connector plates from smaller plate producers.

Yes, I’m a little bitter. But you are too when you are being raped in broad daylight as well. I know the costs of everything and also acceptable profit margins.

Don’t tell me “that’s capitalism”. I want you to say that to diabetic patients who get gouged by pharma companies when they decide to make insulin damn near break the bank, when it used to be cheap. Understand this. . . Capitalism is acceptable to a point. You gotta have SOME morals. . Jesus Christ!!!!

 

[KootK]

I want the freedom to “waste” my money on engineered drawings from an independent engineer not associated with a manufacturer.

And you have that freedom, I assure you. As the old adage goes, a merchant seaman will depart with your shipment yesterday for the right price.

However, money tends to be "no object" right up until the sticker shock kicks in. I know my way around pre-engineered trusses and, were I interested in taking this on, this is what it would take to make it worth my while:

Option 1: truss manufacturer designs the the trusses with their software and I review and stamp (assuming that this is kosher in NV). $4,500 min.

Option 2: I design generic trusses, with generic plates, without the aid of the proprietary software that truss suppliers. $20,000 min.

How's that sound?

 

[jepps3]

$20,000 with reuse rights on multiple builds (same houses plan) might be a good deal.

Nevada truss manufacturers are nearly at $30k for a 2500 sq ft flat roof plan. They can stick it where the sun don’t shine.

 

[Luceid]

Correct me if I am wrong - but if you go with KootK's option 1 - you would also have a reviewed + stamped set of drawings that good be used on multiple builds?

 

[Harbringer]

If you're so against paying "the man" for wood trusses frame it out of dimensional lumber or IJ's. It's not like you can't have a wood building without gangnail trusses.

 

[KootK]

$20,000 with reuse rights on multiple builds (same houses plan) might be a good deal.

In that case, I'd very surprised if you couldn't find a local SE to do this for you. Hit the NV engineering association's registry and contact some small time outfits.

 

[LittleInch]

Does that $30,000 include the actual trusses?

Sounds a bit high but is this a complex one off?

Morals and capitalism are alien to each other....

"They can stick it where the sun don’t shine." - Errr indeed, but they can also refuse to do business with you unless it's on THEIR terms...

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[Eng16080]

The prefab. wood truss industry is so specialized that I don't think most engineers would be able to design a comparable truss to what the super proprietary software the manufacturers use spits out. Similar to the Pre-Engineering Metal Building (PEMB) industry, they're pushing everything to the limits to maximize economy/profits. I've occasionally analyzed these trusses and wondered how they got them to work.

The metal toothed connector plates have a ridiculous capacity. Their capacity must be due to some combination of having a controlled factory environment to attach them plus industry lobbying. I designed a truss fix for such plates no too long ago. They were small plates, like 4.5" square. I needed something like 18" plywood gusset plates on each side of the truss joint with a shit load of nails to meet the capacity of the little 4.5" plates. It was embarrassing.