Most structural steel bids that come back loaded with exclusions and allowances aren’t padded on purpose. They’re padded because the estimator had to guess. When the bid package is thin, every unknown turns into a line item you’ll argue about later.
We bid structural steel and miscellaneous metals for general contractors out of our shop in Woodway, Texas, and the same gaps show up again and again. Here’s what to send if you want a structural steel bid you can actually carry on bid day.
The documents that matter most
Start with the full structural set, including the general notes, details and schedules. The framing plans alone won’t get you an accurate number. The general notes are where the engineer tells us the steel grades, the connection design requirements and the inspection requirements, and every one of those moves the price.
After that, send:
- The architectural set, or at least the sheets that show stairs, railings, canopies, lintels and anything else made of metal
- The project specifications, especially Division 05 (Metals) and Division 09 if steel gets field painted
- Every addendum issued so far
- Your bid form, if you have one, so our number lines up with how you’re comparing subs
The architectural set is the one that gets skipped most often. Structural drawings rarely show the handrail at the loading dock or the ladder to the roof hatch. If we never see those sheets, those items either get excluded or priced as an allowance, and neither one helps you at bid day.
Tell us what scope you want priced
“Structural steel” means different things on different jobs. Be specific about which of these you want in the number:
- Shop drawings and detailing
- Fabrication only, delivered to the jobsite
- Fabrication and erection
- Miscellaneous metals such as stairs, rails, lintels and embeds
If you want the whole package under one contract, say so. A turnkey steel package covers detailing, fabrication, delivery and erection, and it saves you from leveling three separate bids that never quite match each other. If you only want fabrication because you already have an erector, that’s fine too. We just need to know which one we’re pricing.
The details that change the price
Two jobs with the same tonnage can come in thousands of dollars apart. These are usually the reasons why.
Connection design
Some engineers design every connection on the drawings. Others hand it off to the fabricator as delegated design, which means a licensed engineer on our side has to calculate and stamp the connections. That’s real engineering time, and it belongs in the bid. Check the general notes and tell us which way your project goes.
Coatings and finish
Shop primer, galvanizing and a full paint system are three very different costs. Exposed steel that needs a clean architectural finish costs more than steel that will be hidden behind drywall. If the spec calls out a coating system, point us to the section.
Site access and schedule
Erection pricing depends on how we get steel onto the site and how much room we have to work. Tell us about laydown space, crane access, overhead power lines and any phasing. A rough schedule helps too, even if it’s only “steel needs to start in March.”
Bonding, insurance and tax
If the job needs a performance bond, special insurance limits or tax exempt status, mention it up front. These are easy to add early and painful to fix after the bid is in.
Read the exclusions before you level bids
When the numbers come in, read the exclusions and clarifications on every steel bid before you compare totals. A low number that excludes miscellaneous metals, touch up painting or anchor bolts isn’t actually low. It just moved part of the scope back to you.
We try to keep our exclusions short and written in plain language. If something is excluded, it’s because the documents didn’t show it or because it’s normally another trade’s work, and we’ll say which.
Quick answers
Do I need complete drawings to get a steel bid?
No. Early drawings can get you a budget number, and that’s useful for planning. Just expect a budget to move once the structural set is finished. A firm bid needs issued for bid or issued for construction drawings.
How long does a structural steel bid take?
It depends on the size of the job and how complete the documents are. Send the package as early as you can and tell us your bid date. A complete package always comes back faster than one we have to chase questions on.
Can you price just the miscellaneous metals?
Yes. We bid miscellaneous metals on their own all the time, including stairs, railings, lintels, embeds and ladders.
Send us your next package
If you have a project out to bid, send the drawings and specs to estimating@heartlandsteeltx.com or use our bid request form. Include your bid date and the scope you want priced, and our estimator will follow up with any questions before the number goes out.
