You have roof plans, a truss quote, and a crew date. Before you release the order, identify who owns the building design, the individual truss design, and the installation. The building designer, truss designer, and installer each have a separate job. A truss drawing does not answer every structural question about the house.
Put the building designer and manufacturer contact on the project’s cover sheet. Ask each to identify the information still needed. Keep the fabrication release separate from a request for pricing.
Who designs the building and who designs the trusses
The building designer coordinates the structural system. The truss designer designs individual trusses from the supplied criteria. SBCA explains this division in its delegated design guidance. The component designer’s work must fit the supporting building and its load path.
Check the contracts for what each party must do. A job title alone does not define the work. Ask who answers each question when the layout, structure, or equipment changes.
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| Role | What to establish before release |
|---|---|
| Building designer | Governing criteria, building coordination, support conditions, and review responsibilities |
| Truss manufacturer | Current construction documents, package inclusions, submittal route, and production release conditions |
| Truss designer | Individual truss design criteria and the corresponding design drawings |
| Contractor | Receiving, installation, document distribution, and field-question process |
| Installation crew | Current placement information, installation instructions, and unresolved site conditions |
SBCA’s terminology distinguishes these roles and the truss design drawing. Keep those distinctions in meeting notes. When someone says “the engineer approved it,” ask which drawing, revision, and part of the work that statement covers.
For a roof still being planned, settle the truss versus rafter choice before requesting a final package. If you change systems, have the designers coordinate the changes.
Give the manufacturer a complete starting point
Send the current architectural and structural documents together. Include roof geometry, ceiling conditions, bearing information, and the design criteria supplied by the responsible designer. Ask the manufacturer to list missing or conflicting information before developing the final submittal.
Send the plans with a cover note listing the project address, drawing dates, revision numbers, and sender. Attach the same plan set that the building designer is reviewing. If you send a separate roof sketch, show how it relates to the construction drawings.
Treat the following as questions for the design team:
- Are all roof and ceiling shapes represented in the package?
- Are storage, occupancy, and equipment uses identified?
- Are bearing locations consistent across the plans?
- Are roof openings and mechanical routes coordinated?
- Are concentrated loads and unusual conditions identified?
- Which changes remain open, and who resolves them?
Use these questions to get the design information from the design team.
Manufacturers and distributors offer different service scopes. One supplier describes truss and engineered-wood estimating and layout support. Ask your supplier which drawings and calculations the contract includes. “Design included” does not tell you who checks every connection to the building.
Check what each document covers
Ask for a document list before releasing the order for fabrication. Identify the individual truss drawings, placement information, connection details, bracing information, and installation guidance that apply. Record which documents need further review and who distributes the accepted versions.
A truss mark connects a physical component to its drawing and placement information. SBCA’s drawing-reading resources organize topics including dimensions, spacing, loads, bearings, and restraint. Use those topics as a review agenda with the manufacturer.
For each document, ask a direct question:
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| Document | Review question |
|---|---|
| Individual truss drawing | Does this component reflect the current criteria and required geometry? |
| Placement information | Does each truss mark correspond to the intended location and orientation? |
| Connection information | Are the supplied components and supporting structure coordinated? |
| Bracing information | Who provides each required detail, material, and installation check? |
| Installation guidance | Does the crew have the applicable instructions before unloading and erection? |
| Revision record | Can everyone identify the superseded and current sheets? |
Do not merge these into an undefined “engineered packet.” Give each item a named reviewer and a status. Ask the building official which submittals the permit requires.
Check how the trusses connect to the building
Bring the manufacturer and building designer together when the proposed trusses change support demands or geometry. Have them identify the affected drawings. Record the response in the same revision log used for the rest of the structure.
SBCA explains that a roof-truss bearing transfers component reactions into the building support. Ask the design team to check those supports before ordering. Matching lines on a placement sketch do not settle the bearing design.
Review roof truss spacing with the sheathing and roof design. Ask who checks the overall assembly when spacing or loading changes. Keep the supporting-wall and connection questions in that same review.
For an attic intended for storage or equipment, request the corresponding design use in writing. Ask the HVAC contractor to confirm the service route. Resolve access before framing blocks the route.
Resolve open questions before releasing fabrication
Put the current drawing revision and date on the release sheet. List accepted changes and any excluded work. Ask the authorized reviewer to identify whether unresolved items prevent manufacture.
Keep a request for information separate from permission to proceed. If a question remains open, record its owner and the date an answer is needed. Do not accept an undocumented assumption to hold a production slot.
Before confirming delivery, establish the storage and handling plan. SBCA’s jobsite packages carry installation and safety information with the shipment. Arrange for the framing lead to receive the documents before work begins.
Give bracing its own handoff
Ask who provides temporary installation restraint information and who coordinates permanent restraint and bracing. Then identify who installs and checks each part. SBCA’s BCSI guide addresses both construction-stage and permanent stability.
A truss design for the finished building does not cover every stage of installation. Discuss the installation sequence with the responsible contractor and manufacturer. Confirm that the crew has the specified materials and applicable instructions.
Keep the drawings available where the work happens. A review email in an office inbox is not a useful field instruction. Assign one person to issue changes to the superintendent, framing lead, and affected trades.
Route field changes back through design
If an opening moves or a truss is damaged, stop the affected work and report the condition. Send the truss mark, current drawings, location, and photographs. SBCA warns about field alterations without consultation.
Use the damaged truss guide to assemble the request. Ask for written, project-specific direction from the responsible professionals. Keep the answer with the truss package. Confirm any inspection requirements before covering the work.
At closeout, keep the final revision, approved changes, and completion evidence together. Name the contact for later questions. That record gives the next contractor a starting point when the roof is altered years later.
Where Cercha fits
Cercha supplier profiles and trade search help you find people to discuss a truss package. Portfolios and endorsements provide context for the relationship. Use Messages to start contact, then exchange project drawings and design decisions through the agreed project process.