Connection Kit Audit: How to Catch Hardware Gaps Before They Become Schedule Gaps

Published March 18, 2026 by MVP Pro Timber

A builder-side audit checklist for heavy timber connection kits: counts, labels, sequence, embeds, and the common missing items that stall installs.

# Connection Kit Audit: How to Catch Hardware Gaps Before They Become Schedule Gaps On heavy timber installs, the timbers rarely cause the delay. The delay is usually the connection kit: missing bolts, the wrong washers, plates that are not where the crew expects them, embeds that do not match the layout, or a sequence assumption that was never written down. A simple connection kit audit before install week prevents the worst schedule gaps. ## Builder checklist: the connection kit audit ### 1. Confirm what is supposed to be in the kit Start with the authoritative list: bolt sizes/lengths, washers, plates, anchors, post bases, straps, concealment covers, and any specialty hardware. ### 2. Check counts against the install sequence Do not just count ‘total bolts’. Confirm you have what you need for day-one picks and the first major bents/frames. ### 3. Verify labels and field readability If the crew cannot match a plate to a location quickly, you will lose time. Labels must map to the drawing set your crew is using. ### 4. Identify embed-dependent connections Anything that depends on foundation embeds (post bases, anchor rods, knife plates, etc.) should be verified early. If embeds are off, you need an escalation plan before crane day. ### 5. Confirm orientation assumptions Common stall: ‘Which way does this plate face?’ Confirm any left/right orientation and the intended face/finish side. ### 6. Flag items that require field welding or special tools If field welding is required, plan inspection and safety. If special bits, torque requirements, or epoxy are required, stage them. ### 7. Stage hardware by pick order Hardware should be staged with the members it belongs to (or staged by the same pick order). Searching for hardware during a lift is the definition of a schedule gap. ## Builder move that prevents install-week delays One week before crane day: do a 30–60 minute kit audit focused on day-one picks and embed-dependent connections. That timing gives you enough runway to fix gaps without panic. ## Where MVP Pro Timber helps We help builders run a connection kit audit and translate it into an install sequence: what must be staged, what must be verified, and what decisions must be locked before the first pick.