Trade Estimating
Structural steel estimates from the engineer's drawings
We price beams, columns, lintels, padstones and craneage from your structural drawings so you can quote steelwork packages accurately.
In short
A structural steel and lintels estimate prices the beams, columns, lintels and connections plus fabrication, delivery, craneage and installation.
We take the steel sizes and lengths off your engineer's drawings and schedule, calculate the tonnage and apply current UK steel rates.
You get an itemised estimate branded as your own, with the fabricated steel, the padstones and the installation set out clearly.
Who it's for
Steelwork contractors, builders pricing beams for an extension or knock-through, and main contractors costing the steel package.
Structural steel is priced by the tonne and by the connection, and both come off the engineer's design. We take the beam and column sizes and lengths off the structural drawings and schedule, work out the tonnage, and price the fabrication, the protective treatment and the delivery. Steel is too expensive to estimate by eye, so the measure follows the design rather than a rule of thumb.
The connections and the supports are where domestic and small commercial steel jobs get under-priced. Every beam needs bearing, which usually means padstones or a spreader, and the connections between beams, the bolts, plates and welding, are real fabrication. We price the padstones, the connections and any temporary works such as propping or needling that the beam needs while it goes in, because the beam itself is only part of the job.
Getting the steel in is often the biggest single cost on a small job. A heavy beam in a back garden with no access can need a crane, restricted hours or hand-balling with extra labour, and the install method changes the price dramatically. We allow for craneage or manual installation based on the access, flag the fire protection the steel needs once in, and note where the engineer's connection details must be confirmed before fabrication.
What the estimate includes
What drives the cost
The numbers that move the price on a structural steel and lintels job, and the detail we measure to get them right.
Steel tonnage and sizes
The price follows the weight, so beam and column sizes and lengths drive the cost. The steel market price also moves, which affects the rate per tonne.
Connections and fabrication
Bolted and welded connections, end plates, cleats and stiffeners are real fabrication time. A simple beam is cheap; a connected frame is much more.
Bearings and padstones
Every beam needs adequate bearing, which means padstones or spreaders and sometimes a strengthened pier. The bearing detail is part of the cost.
Installation and access
Craneage, restricted access and the install method can cost more than the steel itself on a tight domestic site. A beam that must go in by hand needs extra labour.
Temporary works
Propping, needling and supporting the structure while a beam replaces a wall is essential and is a real cost that a steel-only price leaves out.
Protection and fire rating
Galvanising or paint protection and any fire protection such as intumescent or boarding add cost once the steel is in, depending on where it sits.
Common pitfalls we help you avoid
- Pricing the beam but forgetting the padstones, connections and temporary works.
- Ignoring craneage or access difficulty on a tight domestic site.
- Leaving out the fire protection the steel needs once installed.
- Working off a sketch instead of the engineer's connection details.
- Under-allowing the propping and needling needed to remove a load-bearing wall.
How it works
Send us the structural drawings
Upload your engineer's drawings and steel schedule, and tell us the access and any constraints on getting the steel in.
We measure and price
We take off the sizes and lengths, calculate the tonnage, price the connections and bearings and apply current UK steel rates.
You get a branded estimate
We return an itemised estimate under your own name, with the fabricated steel, padstones, installation and temporary works set out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a job that needs pricing?
Upload your drawings and we'll come back with a professional, branded estimate, a fixed fee and a turnaround time.
Upload Your Drawings