Steel and Precast Detailing Services

Author: admin

  • Memo 37 – Clients will have the option of choosing their preferred detailer

    Clients can nominate their preference. But why?

    This is a proposal for a change in the process at Tek1.

    I propose from now on a client to be able to nominate their detailer, if they have a preference. (FYI – this is now happening anyway, whether you like it or not).

    Benefits?

    • Building brands: It incentivises detailers to promote their own brand, in order to get clients in the door. If a client specifies Freddie, then if possible the client will get Freddie.
    • Pricing and Bonus Benefits: What if many clients demand Freddie – but Freddie is busy? Freddie can his price: he raises his bonuses so that the market clears. Freddie will be very happy.

    Clients may want to choose, and pay for the privilege. Detailers get better bonuses. And detailers will want to win clients. If it doesn’t work there is no loss. This is a stable system because everyone wins. There are no losers.

    Background Context:

    Clients are like common village bicycles – Not Any More

    • We don’t want to share clients among too many detailers. If you win a client, then you will be much more likely to get jobs from that client.
    • When a new job comes in – detailers will not be incentivised to lobby me in order to win that job. You can lobby and convince the client directly with high quality work, and with technical posts demonstrating your ability.
    • We want to change the attitude that clients can be shared. We want detailers to take ownership of a particular client. Because I strongly believe that you will take better care of your own property (i.e. your client), than someone else’s property or client.
    • But if the property is common: then why should a detailer care about a particular client? What is he to gain and lose? If he is sloppy, or drags his feet – then a detailer might think: ‘no problem, another client will come. And I will get that client’. If you are sloppy with your current clients, how can you be trusted with new ones?
    • Perhaps a detailer might think that clients are like a bus or train service – another bus will come, even if he misses this one. And that he doesn’t have to do any work in order to get a client in the door?
    • This is a dangerous assumption. What if no busses come? What if this was there is ONLY ONE BUS, i.e. one plane ticket out there? Then you can be damned sure that he will be running to catch that plane.

    If a client is unsatisfied with a detailer, what is the outcome?

    • The client dismisses Tek1 entirely. The client does not say: “ok, this particular detailer was dragging his feet. But let me continue with Tek1 under a different detailer”. No. The client says instead: “I’m firing Tek1”.

    Tek1 Branding and Detailer Branding:

    • There are two brands are play now: the firm’s branding, the detailer’s branding. We want to bring a detailer’s brand and reputation to light. Now he has a sense of ownership over his own product / destiny. And he will fight hard to develop it and protect it. And when an individual fights hard for his brand, then both the detailer and the firm benefit.
    • Take for example a similar problem in the “fight business”. In the boxing world: nobody would dare pre-purchase a ticket for a boxing match, without knowing in advance who the card is. But under the UFC promotion, they are happy to take that risk, because they trust the UFC brand will put on a good card, with a good show, regardless of who is fighting. It is the same with Tek1. When a client walks into the door, he wants a good quality product, regardless of who is on the card. But if the client can go one step further – if the client can choose the card, then that changes the game. This allows the client to customise exactly what he wants to see, and whom he wants on his projects. Imagine if consumers can choose who they want to see fighting: “Connor vs ABC”. That changes the game, and it changes the incentive structure.
    • It unlocks additional value that was not originally there. Detailers are now incentivised to compete with external detailers on the promotional level. If they want to win lucrative bonuses, and have a bigger stable of clients knocking on their door: then they are much more incentivised to promote their name and brand through any means at their disposal:
      • TikTok or
      • Blog Posts or
      • Any number of means which I need not specify up front.
      • Anything which would bring clients to Tek1’s door, and then to their door. The important part is that Tek1 need not specify HOW to promote, and need not manage the quality per se. The detailer’s initiative will drive positive outcomes.

    How does the client choose a detailer?

    • If a client has to choose a detailer, how will he do so?
      • By past performance.
      • By reviewing promotional material – material which demonstrates a detailer’s expertise. Detailers will be incentivised to promote here. Detailers who don’t promote – then they will likely not win any more clients. And if you don’t get clients, then you’ll be sitting idle. And I don’t think you want that outcome.

    What if the client does not know whom to choose?

    • That’s fine. We will choose for him.

  • Memo 36 – Software efficiency tools

    Password Manager: Use KeePassXC.

    Download it here: https://keepassxc.org/download/#windows.

    Download it. Do not store your passwords in a sticky note in your computer, or on Google Drive, or in some .txt file. Use the password manager.

    Why?

    • Risk and Protection: I want to make it difficult for rogues to copy / remove passwords. We have significant infrastructure that I want protected. I do not want people sharing passwords in your own private chat groups.
    • Time Saver: I’m dealing with +40 people. I don’t want x40 people calling me because they didn’t manage their passwords well. Perhaps we can solve this problem later on, down the line with Azure and other software solutions, but we are not there yet.
    • But I want to do it my way………… Hey, listen I get that you want to do things your way. But there are 40 peoples jobs who are on the line including your own if we have some problems with security leakage………second in your own personal life at home: i don’t care what you do or how you manager passwords, but in this office, I really need you guys to follow this.

    Tutorial Video:

  • Memo 35: Business Administration

    The following will be a series of posts on business administration.

    It is written primarily for the benefit of Tek1 staff who are interested in this topic, but I hope it will be of benefit to the wider community.

    Things you need to know:

    • Double entry book keeping. This encompasses knowledge of the use of accounting software. This is a deep topic that it must be learnt. Go online and buy a book on this. It requires at least 10 hours of extra effort.
    • Legal and Moral Responsibilities. More will come on this as I read on the topics myself.

    Getting Stuff Done

    • Most of all, a good manager gets stuff done. Saying “yes sir” and then forgetting about it does not make a good manager.
    • Being a manager isn’t “fun”. Perhaps it is glamorised, especially in places like India, where the boss gets all the respect etc. “Yes sir”……..but being a real manager is hard work, and it isn’t fun. Why? Because you have to get stuff done:
    1. The printer doesn’t work.
    2. The internet doesn’t work.
    3. The electricity doesn’t work.
    4. There is no paper in the printer.
    5. The toilet is clogged.
    6. Payroll needs to be managed
    7. Tax returns
    8. Insurance.
    9. Performance reviews
    10. Marketing and winning business.
    11. Interviewing staff.
    12. Installing software on all staff computers.
    13. Cutting costs and
    14. Trying to improve profitability
    15. Building and innovating.
    16. Improving productivity.
    17. Incentivising behaviour.

    …….who is going to fix all of that? The manager.

    Those things are not “fun”. But a good administrator needs to get it all done. If you are not going to do that stuff, then you will be a poor administrator.

    Business

    • Money in your hand now, is better than money coming later: As a general rule money in the firm’s bank account is better than money in someone else’s bank account. All efforts must be directed towards collecting early, and/or often, unless the benefits of delaying the receipt are favourable. This is why we:
      • Invoice early.
      • Invoice often.

  • Memo 34: Do not EVER give out native Tekla db1 files; Do not give .ifc files without full payment

    Why not?

    1. That is our proprietary work and our model. We do not share it with anyone else. NO EXCEPTIONS.
    2. Other parties will be using our model for their own personal benefit. This allows them to under cut us on price.
    3. To limit liability: We cannot control the quality and outcome, and we expose ourselves to liability. Because they might use our model, make some mistakes and then blame us for those mistakes. At that time it is very difficult to determine who make the mistakes.

    Looks like db1 files were released in the above project?

    Perhaps there was a miscommunication or some type of error?

    Also look closely at those names? Does anyone recognise them?

    Essentially you are cutting of your own feet by doing this. Your are helping a direct competitor, and more than that, former colleagues to do this under your noses.

    This is never to happen again.

    DO NOT GIVE .IFC files without full payment

    • A similar point to the one above: if you give .ifc files, then you are handing over your security on the job – for free.
    • Do not ever give away your IFC files until full payment is received.
    • Clients may demand IFC files on big projects, but this is precisely the types of projects where you need to be vigilant about protecting your interests, and arguably your client’s interests.
    • If clients need to see an IFC file etc – send them an online Trimbe Connect link.

  • Memo 33: Connecting to Tek1’s ActCad License Server

    Upgrade Details

    • The original version of the blog post contained instructions on how to download and install actcad 2020. Since then we have upgraded to actcad 2025, and now we are at 2026. You should no longer have old versions.
    • Uninstall old act cad versions. If you don’t know how to uninstall programs – which this video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWlRzk58uko
    • Then follow the instructions on how to install ActCAD.

    Installation Details

    1. Update: We have ActCAD 2026 premium edition – download it from this link here. (You should not be using ActCad 2020, or older versionsanymore).
    2. Do not install any other version of ActCAD otherwise it will not work.
    3. Create a serverip.txt file and add in the following IP address: 192.168.128.20.
    4. (The local IP address points to the network license server).
    5. Put the file it in the appopriate location which will typically be: “C:\Program Files\ActCAD\ACTCAD 2026 PREMIUM\bin” – of course if you are downloading actCAD 2025 / 2026 / 202X it will be in a slightly different folder. – watch the video for further details.

    (B) Connecting to the License Server

    1. We have x8 network licenses. So you’ll have to coordinate between yourselves regarding who has access.
    2. For those in TES you can easily access the Meraki device via our VPN connection.
    3. For those outside the main Chennai office you’ll have to connect via a separate VPN connection – please follow the “outside the office” instructions noted on our VPN post.
    4. I will give you the necessary passwords.

    (C) Firewall Troubles

    • 9342 port to be opened on Server side. Check whether this is blocked via various firewalls, including your Meraki device, and/or the firewall located on your PC.

  • Staff Memo: What is marketing, and why should you do it?

    Summary: If you want work, and you want bigger bonuses, then market yourself!

    I have spoken to many detailers endlessly, perhaps on the point of nagging:

    Market your self!

    Their eyes glaze over. Marketing ain’t sexy. It does not bring immediate rewards. But over time, it will – provided the content is good.

    All Businesses Require Marketing

    Where does the work come from?

    • It does not come from Koshy.
    • It comes from marketing.
    • This could include doing a good job with existing clients so that they demand your services on future jobs.

    We’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars marketing – through all forms. Via Google, LinkedIn and Facebook advertisements etc.

    But this is a terrible form of marketing. It is too expensive, and the results are not transparent to new clients i.e. they do not know if we’re good or not.

    How should you market?

    What works much better is “content marketing”: if you do this: not only will you benefit, but the entire firm benefits when you do so.

    What are the goals of marketing?

    1. To promote your name.
    2. To promote the firm’s name.
    3. To win work from clients.

    How can I do this? What is “content marketing”?

    Market via blog posts or other means:

    1. Teach: other detailers and fabricators about useful things you have learned or solved. The lessons must be USEFUL lessons or tips.
    2. Show: how you saved clients money.
    3. Explain: the problems you encountered and how you solved them.

    You can do this via our blogging platform, or via our Youtube / Vimeo marketing channels.

    When clients see your work, your models, your blog posts , and if they demand that you should run their project: YOU WILL WIN THAT JOB. If many clients are asking for your name, this means you bonuses will go up.

    What do clients want?

    • Clients are putting a lot of money on the line.
    • Detailing is not very expensive compared to the overall cost of the project. But if the detailing is wrong, it will send the client broke / insolvent. It is critical to the client that the detailing is good.
    • If you can prove to the client that you are a good detailer, BEFORE they give you a job, and try you out – then you will be more likely to win the job.

    What does not constitute good marketing?

    • Posting screenshots of a project that you’ve done with zero explanation: is not good marketing. Why? Because I can get a fresher who knows zero Tekla to post screen shots of a random model. And secondly, it does not prove that you know what you are talking about. Why should a client hire you after seeing a screen shot of a random Tekla model?

    Sowing and Harvesting are Equally Important.

    Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. (Proverbs 20:4)

    If you do not market yourself, then work may dry up. Then what will you do?

    Marketing goes hand in hand with detailing. They are not separate functions.

    Sample Template For Marketing

    (A) Title

    • Start with the Title – the title must hook people. Tell the truth, but make it compelling for them to click. In the post, you explain how they can do it. Here are some titles I thought of:
    • e.g. As a detailer, here’s how I earned an extra x lakhs per month….
    • e.g. As a detailer, here’s how I became world famous ….
    • e.g. As a junior, here’s how I quickly got promoted…

    (BTW I believe all three can be made into reality provided we share the business and continue to grow our business and consulting practices.)

    Basically you tell your audience something, but you do not reveal all of it.

    (B) Structure the Content

    I would want to see the following headings in your posts – because it allows the client to easily understand and read quickly.

    1. The Problem: The clashes were missing.
    2. The Solution: We used UBs and welded them.
    3. The Benefit: We saved the client $100k, or saved them a lot of rework, or saved them time.

    (C) Posting on LinkedIn

    • Do not post links.
    • Create a separate linked in “Post”.
    • Put the title in the linked in and then add a short description of the problem, but then lead people away from the LinkedIn platform and onto your platform.

    Summary: Why should I care about marketing?

    • So that your bonuses WILL RISE. More clients wanting you, means that you can increase your rates.
    • It’s the simple law of supply and demand.
  • Staff Memo: What should my reference points be on my drawings (Detailing Tips)

    Staff Memo: What should my reference points be on my drawings (Detailing Tips)

    See the image below: there is a very serious potential issue here. Can you spot it?

    If you want to see a live link – please click here:

    What’s the problem?

    Our steel is tied into concrete.

    What’s wrong with steel on concrete?

    • The problem is that concrete is almost never poured correctly. It is never correct.
    • If your dimension and cut beams to concrete as a reference point, that means all your dimensions will be wrong – because the concrete is NEVER where you expect it to me.
    • What should you do?
    1. People agree to work to grid lines as reference points. You must dimension to gridlines – unless this is not applicable.
    2. Gridlines are typically not applicable when your steel ties into another structure (e.g. steel or to concrete). If it does, as in this case:
    3. Get a site measurement of where the existing structure is: and use that as a reference.
    4. But what you must never do is to dimension to an arbitrary structure without a site measurement.

    What happened in this case?

    • In this case there was something already installed up against the concrete. So we must dimension everything to what is actually installed.

    What happens if I dimension to concrete?

    • This means that your beams will not fit on site.
    • Which means you’ll get a very angry client: you will cost your client time and money.
    • This means your name and reputation will go down: clients will not want to deal with both you and our firm.

    Summary:

    What should I do?

    • Always make references to GRID LINES, not concrete or steel UNLESS you have a site measurement.
    • Never dimension to something upon which you do not know the location.

  • Veloway Very Similar to Bridge 54 We are detailing now

    Was Very interesting to note that the Veloway Bridge is very similar to to Bridge 54 we are detailing right now

    Veloway detailed by Others

    Bridge 54 by JS Metal / Tek1

  • The Standards and Regulations You Have to Comply with when Constructing an Aged Care Facility

    I found the regulations kafkaesque. Wanting to spare you all the trouble so you know exactly what you need to comply with, in order to build a facility, here is a short precis of the regulations you need to cover:

    1. Aged Care Design Principles.
    1. The National Construction Code: NCC
    2. Accessibility Standards: Disability (Access to Premises – Buildings) Standards 2010. The NCC basically cut and pastes it.
    3. Presumably even though the government’s own discussion paper omit it, we would also have to comply with AS1428 accessibility requirements.
    4. Aged Care Quality Standards – which for the purposes of designing and constructing require:
      1. the environment is welcoming and easy to understand
      2. the environment is safe, clean, well maintained and enables senior Australians to move freely, both indoors and outdoors, and
      3. furniture, fittings and equipment are safe, clean and well maintained.

    NCC Classes:

    The NCC groups buildings by their function and use. These groups are assigned a classification which is then how buildings are referred to throughout the NCC. Some relevant classes for aged care include:

    • Class 9c – aged care building or a residential care building (institutional)
    • Class 3, 9a – residential aged care building and residential care building
    • Class 1a and 2 – private residencies (arrangements of care outside the scope of NCC)
    • Class 1b and 3 – boarding house providing accommodation for the aged. Class 1b buildings are smaller and don’t require sprinkler protection (more of a residential set-up vs institutional).

    Source Copied from the: New Residential Aged Care Accommodation Framework Overview discussion paper

    Apparently you are not required to follow the Livable Housing Design Guidelines (LHDG) because they were not developed with residential aged care in mind (see the New Residential Aged Care Accommodation Framework Design and Innovation discussion paper) – but they may be appropriate for aged case.