Steel detailer & Idea of Detailing Process

A steel detailer is a person who makes shop drawings for steel fabricators. This person prepares detailed plans, drawings and other documents for the manufacture and erection of steel members, (Columns, beams, braces, trusses, stairs, handrails, joists, metal decking, etc.) used in the construction of buildings, bridges, and similar projects.

A steel detailer's projects are usually commercial, industrial or municipal; residential projects are rarely large enough to require structural steel.

Steel detailers (usually simply called detailers within their field) work closely with architects, engineers, general contractors and steel fabricators. They usually find employment with steel fabricators, engineering firms, or independent steel detailing companies.

Steel detailing companies and self-employed detailers subcontract primarily to steel fabricators and sometimes to general contractors and engineers.