Questions for Framers by Framers

Insight into the Framing Industry with Three Industry Pros 

By Christine Wagner

When framing the way we build, the way we work, and the way we do business, it is important to know what is going on in the industry and to provide insight and guidance. I took some time to meet with a few National Framers Council (NFC) members to get some insights and learn more. Here, we take a brief dive into the lives of framers in an effort to answer some questions for framers by framers, and to gain a deeper understanding of the framing side of the construction and build process. 

How did you get involved with framing? 

Gil always had an interest in learning how to build things, and at the age of 19, had the opportunity to join a seasoned framing crew, where he learned his skills and understanding in construction plans, layout, and the intricacies of framing. Four years later, alongside his partners, Al and Marcelo, founded Next Level Construction, focusing on framing custom homes. Later, they transitioned into multi-family projects, which is what they currently focus on, in addition to wall panel prefabrication. “Component framing and wall panels aligns with the multi-family industry, allowing us to deliver projects efficiently, safely, and with substantial time savings compared to stick framing,” says Gil.

Mike had an affinity for framing and building. Starting at 14 years old, he worked with his grandfather to remodel a basement in the home they were living in at the time. Through that process, he realized that they had transformed the space from just a basement to a TV room with a bathroom. After finishing this work, his mind was blown, his love of building affirmed, and his career trajectory set. Over time, Mike would work for different builders and component manufacturers, each one teaching him various aspects of the trade and framing. Eventually leading him to open his own framing company. 

Pedro was ready to pursue a degree in architectural design. He had mentioned his plans to a family friend, who happened to be working for a framing contractor at the time, and he suggested that Pedro work for them over the summer to gain some hands-on experience and apply what he had learned in school. Pedro agreed and ended up falling in love with the work. “I enjoyed working with my hands, being outdoors, and seeing the fruit of my labor every day and at the end of a big project,” says Pedro. “Tangible work is very rewarding and what I like about framing.” So, instead of leaving at the close of summer, Pedro decided to attend night school and continue working during the day. 26 years later and he is, proudly, still with the company.

How do you manage safety for your laborers/onsite crews? 

Safety is a very important aspect of any framing job and thanks to NFC, there are helpful available resources, guides, and best practices to ensure safety on the job. Each framer and their company interviewed uses NFC’s FrameSAFE as one tool to manage safety on their jobsites. These three framing companies go above and beyond to ensure optimal safety on their jobsites. 

Through facilitated trainings, safety directors, OSHA 10 certifications for all laborers, monthly safety stand-downs, and daily safety walks, safety is at the forefront of their framing projects. “We have a safety director who visits the jobsite once a week and does an additional safety walk to the daily safety walk,” says Pedro. “Every morning before any work gets done, the crew does a safety huddle in which the foreman and supers review safety and the overall project so all are aware of what is going on.” 

“Safety is critical to any job, so in addition to using FrameSAFE, we use a site-specific safety fall protection plan and weekly Toolbox Talks,” says Mike. “We also provide all the equipment to the onsite crew, such as differently colored hard hats, so they can be safe and do their jobs efficiently, properly, and safely.” 

“Before we get started, the NLC team meets and reviews the construction and safety plan. In this meeting, we review truss sequencing, material laydown, jobsite access, crane plan, and FrameSAFE,“ says Gil. “Our goal is to think ahead, mitigate risk, and maximize production, without sacrificing safety.”

“Once on site, the plan is put to the test with our field managers doing a safety walk in the beginning of the day, at noon, and at 4pm, using the FrameSAFE Checklists,” continues Gil. “These reports are loaded into the safety system each day, providing an archive and library of all safety checks for each jobsite for future reference, if or when needed.”

These framers are ensuring that their workers can go home safely each day by implementing various safety protocols, checks, tools, and plans on their jobsites. 

What is helpful to understand about the framing process? 

The trades are all connected. When considering the build process, it is beneficial to think about it from the very start all the way to the very end, from the onset of the idea to the design to the components to the framing, to the MEP, and to the livable space for the end-user. Thinking about the trades prior to your involvement and the trades after your involvement will help to create a more well-rounded and fully thought-out process and project. 

As such, early-on involvement and communication during the preconstruction and design phases of the process were high on the list for what these framers would like the construction industry to be aware of about framing. The preconstruction phase is crucial when it comes to framing, and having the ability to discuss the project and its design early on will help to create a more efficient, accurate, and smoother project from start to finish. 

“It is incredibly important and very helpful to have a channel of communication among the Engineer on Record (EOR), the architect, design team, framer, and the component manufacturer (CM) about all of the structural elements,” says Mike. “A knowledgeable framer will have a lot of good structural information that needs to go to the design team and manufacturers.” Working together in such a way provides an optimal build cycle for all trades involved. 

In addition, the benefit and value of turnkey framing needs more awareness. It can be difficult for some to see the benefit of each framer’s turnkey framing services. “It is important to not only provide the service, but to also educate people about it and what it means to have a turnkey framing service,” says Gil. 

In addition to early on involvement, communication, and education of turnkey framing benefits, collaboration is a critical piece of the puzzle. Pedro has enjoyed great relationships with his component manufacturers (CMs), to a point where they are an extension of his framing team. “We work together and strategize together,” says Pedro. “When we get a bid invite, we’ll get our CM partner on the phone and work together to create a proposal. We aren’t a silo; we are partners.” Collaborating with your framer and your CM, as well as the other up- and down-stream trades will help things work more seamlessly. 

What is the benefit of being an NFC Member/working with SBCA? 

Gil joined NFC through referrals of other NFC members and instantly fell in love with the mission and idea of the Council and the people in it. It is helpful for Gil to connect with others across the country who are experiencing the same or similar challenges as he and his company are. “I’ve learned a lot from the others in this group,” says Gil. “I am happy to give back based on my own knowledge and experience.”

Mike finds that the major benefit of being an NFC member is the opportunity it provides to just be in a room of likeminded people with similar objectives. “We’re able to work towards solving the problems we are experiencing in the industry together as a group,” says Mike. “That is tremendously valuable and beneficial to any framer, contractor, or CM.” 

“Being part of a group with shared values, such as safety and industry growth, provides several benefits,” says Pedro. “It offers a network of like-minded individuals who can provide assistance and advice. The value of this network lies in the mutual support and knowledge sharing among competitors working towards common goals. This collaborative approach is especially beneficial when faced with market, supply, or any other challenges.” 

Gaining the perspective from fellow framers helps to shed light onto what others are experiencing in their own businesses and markets. Thank you to Pedro, Gil, and Mike for taking the time to share their experiences and the practices of their companies.  

Do you have a question you want answered by a framer? Do you want to know what the industry is thinking? Contact us with your questions, stories, and experiences! 
NFCMedia@sbcacomponents.com