Frequently Asked
Questions.

Can you price my job, and what do I need to provide?

In some cases, we can work from specific information that can be provided over a simple phone call. However, in general, we require a copy of the architectural drawings, and if structural drawings have been generated, those will be required as well.

How long does it take to produce a quote or layout?

It will depend on some key variables, of which include the current business lead time, and the nature (building type, size & scope) of the project.

Do you create truss permit layouts for City submission and for Engineers?

Part of the order process is to generate the necessary documentation to fulfill an order for our customers and the project consultants. While layouts are prepared at a certain stage of the process, and provided as part of the transaction, we do not necessarily provide layouts as a standalone service.

What are the terms associated with your quote?

Typically we provide five (5) days for acceptance of the quote terms, which will include delivery of goods by a certain date. Extenuating circumstances, and the nature of the project (size, scope, duration) are reviewed to ensure our quote terms reflect what’s fair for all parties.

What does a typical order process look like?

Once a quote has been accepted, your confirmed order is scheduled with a tentative delivery date. Our salesperson, and the logistics department will communicate at multiple points throughout the process to review final details regarding the design, build, and shipment of the order. In general, your order is designed and built one (1) to three (3) days before the expected delivery date. This ensures all parties are working with the most current and relevant information, and should changes be required, we can do our best to incorporate them. The logistics department will reach out as early as five (5) weeks from the tentative delivery date, and consistently throughout, to assess whether your project is progressing as planned, and to work with you should changes be necessary to the timeline. Two (2) to three (3) days prior to delivery, the final details will be confirmed, after which product is delivered.

What is your current lead time?

This will depend primarily on the nature of the project (size & scope), and also demand based on seasonality. For an accurate lead time, reach out to one of our qualified sales staff and they will be happy to discuss.

Are you able to design and build special shapes and types of trusses for specific applications (ex. attic style, floor trusses, curved roofs)?

Our software allows us to design and test a variety of shapes and sizes to ensure they meet the desired criteria. Our shop is capable of producing trusses that span up 86′, and our creative solutions ensure that we can work around height restrictions as well. Working with a salesperson, they will be able to assist in determining what configuration can maximize space while keeping designs economical; depending on the application manufacture metal or wood webbed floor trusses; and we can provide multi-segmented joints that allow plywood to bend to create that curved look.

Why should we work with Alliance Truss?

On Time. Fit. Competitive Price.

What locations do you service?

We deliver trusses to customers in the Lower Mainland & Fraser Valley areas. We also serve customers across Western Canada and the United States through our extensive delivery network.

What makes a successful delivery?

At Alliance Truss, we strive to ensure that the delivery process is as smooth as possible for our customers. We ensure that our deliveries are successful by working as closely with the customer as possible throughout the entire delivery process. We require quite a bit of information about the width, height, depth, condition, and location of the delivery site. It’s crucial that our customers are as transparent about the delivery site as possible to ensure that we use the right equipment to get the job done in a timely manner.

What do I need to do to prepare for delivery?

It is very important to be as prepared as possible for delivery, especially on the day of delivery.

Is access important?

 Access is very important when it comes to delivering trusses. In fact, the most common problem we tend to have when it comes to delivering on time comes down to discrepancies in the allotted space at the job site. Because of this, it is extremely important that our customers are clear and honest about the space available for delivery from the get-go. We’ll work with you to determine what kind of room your job site has and if our equipment can fit into that area. We use more than one truck for each job we complete, so it’s vital that the space allotted at the job site can accommodate the length of our assigned equipment. In many cases, video footage will help our delivery team determine what kind of equipment we will need to deliver your trusses.

How does your schedule work?

For jobs in the Vancouver area, new jobs are put into our system and dates are determined based on our customers’ needs and our lead time.

Our shipping team contacts our customers with confirmed orders early in the process to introduce themselves and let customers know that we will be managing their unique delivery schedule. This allows us to have a one-on-one connection with the job site and the ever-changing needs of our customers’ timelines, allowing for delivery to be when the customer actually needs it.

We continue to keep in regular contact with our customers to discuss the pre-delivery process up until the day before the delivery. This helps us get a solid idea of site access and any possible conflicting scheduled deliveries or services.

We do not build the trusses until closer to the scheduled delivery, as it allows us to tweak and perfect the schedule for our customers if there are any last-minute change on site. Working closely with our customers, we ensure that our trusses are delivered on time.

What kind of fleet down Alliance Truss run?

Alliance Truss runs a fleet of seventeen-ton stiff boom cranes, two tractors for pulling large trailers, and two small flat decks for our customers in Vancouver. Our fleet services are designed to complement our core business of manufacturing and delivering trusses and wall panels for our customer base in the lower mainland and Fraser Valley area.

How far can your trucks reach?

 It’s worth noting that the maximum height our equipment can reach depends on a number of factors, such as steep driveways, building height, etc. Our in-house trucks can reach a maximum of seventy-five feet. In the instance that a job will require more height, we can help outsource an additional crane. There may be additional costs for this.

How long are your trucks?

Our trucks are 25 feet long and our trailers are twenty to forty feet long. Our booms can reach up to 75 feet, but the actual length depends on how high we are lifting and how heavy the load actually is. In the event that our trucks and machinery have reached their maximum limitations to complete your job, we will outsource to a third-party crane company to complete the job and reach the desired height.

How much will your fleet does delivery cost?

This depends quite a bit on your unique job, site location, and a few other factors. If your order requires delivery considerations, please advise your salesperson. Given our years of experience in the industry, we are able to assess a reasonable amount of delivery time for your order, which will be factored into the price. Should you require more than the time allotted in your quote, please advise your salesperson. Our fleet operates at a per-hour rate. We also offer a flat rate that includes one hour of crane time for simpler jobs that are predetermined based on travel time and time at the site. Our shipping team can provide information on average travel time to different Vancouver areas to give our customers a more precise idea of what the travel costs will be. We also have freight trucks and flat deck trucks available for smaller deliveries.

For jobs that require equipment that we do not have in-house, we will outsource to third-party crane companies at cost, as a service to our customers.

What is a stiff boom crane?

A stiff boom crane uses a hydraulic winch to lift our construction materials. The boom is used to raise or lower the lifting platform. Stiff boom cranes are useful because they offer flexibility in terms of crane rotation and movement and are quite precise when it comes to desired lifting height. Typically, our stiff boom cranes are simple and quick to operate and are ideal for material movement involved in building trusses.

What determines the reach and lift capacity of the crane? Can a 17T stiff boom do my job?

There are some limitations when it comes to using a stiff boom crane, and those limitations depend on the attributes of the actual job site. Steep driveways can make it difficult to reach very tall heights with a stiff boom crane due to the upward slope. This can be worked around, but in extreme cases, our stiff boom cranes may not be able to reach the desired height for the job. Extremely soft ground can also cause issues, as cranes require a very firm surface to operate properly.

What if I need a different crane?

Alliance Truss, when needed, will work closely with third-party crane companies to help us achieve our schedule and customer-specific use cases. Certain sites will require cranes such as Hiabs or 40-80 ton cranes. If we are unable to complete your job with one of our in-house cranes, we are more than happy to arrange for a third-party crane or other machinery that can complete the job in a timely and effective manner.

What are your limitations?

Most of the limitations involved in delivery and installation come down to the job site itself. Steep driveways, upward steep slopes, soft ground, excessive rain, length of reach, and extreme distances or heights are possible limitations for our machinery.

How is the crane different from a Hiab or pump truck?

Cranes are designed for heavy construction and are capable of traveling on rough terrain. Pump trucks can be driven independently, while cranes need to be hauled via trailer. Cranes can also take up quite a bit of terrestrial and open space, and that space will need to be accounted for before delivery.

What are your safety protocols?

At Alliance Truss, we take safety on site extremely seriously. The crane operator is the first point of safety while the crane is in operation, and we work to ensure our operators are safe, briefed, trained, and ready to complete the job in a timely and safe manner.

What is an oversized load and the legalities of traveling with that load?

When it comes to delivering trusses, our trucks will usually have to carry oversized loads. An oversized load is basically any load that exceeds that maximum legal width to drive on Canadian streets and highways. Any load that exceeds 10 feet 6 inches wide, 14 feet and 6 inches high, or 82 feet long is limited to traveling during daylight hours only. Oversized loads are not permitted on British Columbian roads on Sundays. Oversized loads are not permitted between June and September between 2:00pm on Fridays and 4:00pm on Saturdays the next day.