What to prepare before you request a steel structure quote
The more clearly you describe your project, the more useful your quote will be. A vague brief produces a wide range. A clear one produces a figure you can plan around. You do not need a full set of engineering drawings to start, but a little preparation goes a long way.
This checklist follows the same steps as our online Request a Quote tool, so you can gather everything before you begin.
1. Your details and the site location
Have your name, company (if any), e-mail address and phone number ready, along with the location of the site. Location affects transport, access and, in some areas, the specification. Coastal sites, for example, need extra attention to corrosion protection.
2. The type of project and the scope you need
Decide what kind of building it is, such as a warehouse, factory, workshop, commercial building or canopy, and what you want us to do. Scope can include any combination of:
- Structural design and engineering
- Fabrication
- Supply of materials
- Installation and erection
- Roofing and cladding
- Civil works and foundations
If you are not sure, tell us what you already have in place, such as an architect, a structural engineer or a civil contractor, and we will fill the gaps.
3. The main dimensions
These are the numbers that drive most of the estimate:
- Length and width of the building, in metres
- Eaves height: the height to the underside of the roof at the walls, in metres
- Roof pitch, in degrees, if you know it
- Number of bays: how many frames divide the length of the building
If you do not know the pitch or bay count, a sensible assumption is fine for a preliminary estimate. Our engineers will confirm them.
4. Steel weight, if you have it
If a structural engineer has already designed the frame, their material schedule will give the total steel weight. Enter it, because it makes the estimate much more accurate. If you do not have it, the estimator uses a typical allowance based on the footprint.
5. Roofing and cladding choices
Decide which roof sheeting and wall cladding you want, or whether the walls will be masonry or open. If you know the roof or wall areas from your drawings, you can enter them. Otherwise they are calculated from the dimensions.
6. Loads and special requirements
Tell us about anything that adds load or complexity. These items change the structure, so it is better to mention them now than to discover them later.
- Overhead cranes or hoists
- Mezzanine floors or platforms
- Solar panels or roof-mounted equipment
- Large doors or openings
- Plans to extend the building in future
7. Site conditions and access
Think about how trucks and lifting equipment will reach the site and where steel can be set down. Also note what is already on site: a cleared plot, existing foundations, or an operating building we will need to work around. If you know anything about the ground conditions, share it. It affects the foundations.
8. Drawings and photos
Upload anything you have: architect's drawings, structural drawings, sketches with dimensions, or photos of the site or of an existing structure you want modified. Even a hand sketch with measurements helps. The more we can see, the faster we can turn a preliminary estimate into a firm quotation.
9. Timing and approvals
Let us know when you need the structure complete and where you are with approvals. Building plans generally need approval from the relevant county government and any other authorities that apply before construction begins. Your architect or engineer can advise on what your project requires.
What happens next
When you submit the form, you see an instant preliminary estimate with itemised cost heads. It is a planning figure, subject to engineering review, final quantities, drawings, specifications and site conditions. Our team then reviews your request, follows up with any questions, and works with you towards a formal quotation.
Ready?
If you have the main dimensions and a clear idea of the scope, you have enough to start. Request a quote now and get your preliminary estimate in minutes.