The quality of a steel fabrication quotation depends heavily on the information available. The more clearly the structure is defined, the faster the scope can be reviewed and the fewer assumptions are needed in pricing.
Not every project arrives at the same design stage. Completed shop drawings allow direct fabrication pricing, while structural design can still be used to start detailing and develop a preliminary fabrication estimate.
1. Completed shop drawings and material list
This is the strongest basis for a fabrication quotation. With an approved drawing package and material list, the main fabrication scope can be identified directly, including:
- profiles, plates and material grades;
- member and assembly quantities;
- connections and fasteners;
- surface-protection requirements;
- the expected fabrication and logistics scope.
This allows us to prepare a more comparable and reliable steel fabrication quotation.
2. IFC model
A suitable IFC model can provide a fast digital basis for geometry and quantities. It is particularly useful when structural specifications or design documents are available alongside the model.
IFC models vary in level of detail. Not every model contains fabrication-ready connections or all information required for workshop production, so additional drawings or clarification may still be necessary.
3. Structural design
Structural documentation typically defines the structural system, main member sizes, loads and other engineering requirements. It can be sufficient to understand the project and prepare an initial estimate, but it does not always contain everything the workshop needs for fabrication.
The next step is then steel detailing and shop drawings. Based on approved structural and architectural information, a fabrication model and the required drawing package can be developed before the final quantities are confirmed.
4. Material list without drawings
A material list is useful for understanding quantities, but it does not fully describe fabrication complexity. Two structures with similar tonnage can require very different workshop effort because of connection plates, holes, stiffeners and assembly details.
Whenever possible, send the related drawings or model together with the material list.
5. Only a layout, main dimensions or concept
At an early stage, structural design may not yet exist. In that case, the first task is to identify which technical information is missing before a reliable fabrication scope can be defined.
Main dimensions, building function and basic requirements can support an early budget estimate, but this should not be treated as a final fabrication quotation. Final steel quantities develop during structural design and detailing.
What additional information speeds up pricing?
Alongside the drawings or model, it is useful to provide:
- project location;
- required fabrication or delivery date;
- corrosion-protection specification;
- fire-protection requirements, if applicable;
- whether transport is required;
- for hall projects, any cladding or flashing scope.
Which file formats are useful?
Typical inputs include PDF drawing packages, IFC models, material lists and, where relevant, DWG/DXF files or a ZIP archive containing several documents. The important point is not the file extension itself, but whether the technical scope can be understood from the information provided.
What happens after you send the documentation?
We review the available files first. If information is missing for reliable pricing, we identify the open points in writing and clarify them further when needed. If fabrication documents are complete, we can move directly to pricing. If only structural design is available, detailing can be included as the next step.
Upload the available documents through our Request a Quote page. You do not need a complete tender package for the first technical review.