Metals estimating & takeoff services
Structural and miscellaneous steel takeoffs by weight and piece count, from the framing plans and details, ready for a fabricator or erector to price.
How we estimate structural steel
Steel is estimated by weight and by piece, because both matter. The fabricator prices tonnage and connections; the erector prices picks. We list every member by designation and length, roll it up to weight per shape and grade, and carry connections, bar joists, deck, misc. metals, primer and erection as separate lines.
Quantities come from the structural framing plans and column schedules, coordinated with the architectural set for stairs, railings and miscellaneous metals that often sit in the A-series but price in Division 05.
- Drawings used
- S-200 framing plans, S-300 sections, S-600 column & beam schedules, A-500 stair & railing details, Spec 05 12 00 / 05 21 00 / 05 31 00
- Reported in
- TON · LB · EA · LF · SF · SQ · PICK
- Format
- Editable Excel workbook, division tab with sheet references; PDF summary; written exclusions and assumptions.
- Turnaround
- Confirmed after we review the set and the project date.
Excluded by default
- Fireproofing and intumescent coatings (Division 07 / 09)
- Shop drawings unless requested
- Field testing and inspection
- Ornamental metals and architectural railings unless detailed
- Pre-engineered metal buildings (Division 13)
- Crane mats and access road improvements
Line items in a structural steel takeoff
Every group below is a separate section of the workbook. Units shown are the units the estimate reports in.
Structural steel
TON · LB · EA- Columns by shape, grade and lengthEA / TON
- Beams and girders by designationEA / TON
- Bracing, kickers and strutsEA / TON
- Base plates, cap plates, stiffenersEA / LB
- Connection allowance by % of weight%
- Moment connections counted separatelyEA
Open-web joists
EA · LF- Bar joists by designation and spanEA / LF
- Joist girdersEA
- Bridging, rows and typeLF
- Joist seats and extensionsEA
- Headers and frames at openingsEA
- Joist weight for freight and erectionTON
Metal deck
SF · SQ- Roof deck by profile and gaugeSF
- Composite floor deck by depth and gaugeSF
- Form deckSF
- Pour stops, closures and edge anglesLF
- Shear studs by sizeEA
- Deck openings and reinforcementEA
Miscellaneous metals
EA · LF- Stairs by flight and landingEA
- Handrails and guardrailsLF
- Ladders, cages and platformsEA
- Loose lintels and anglesLF
- Bollards and pipe guardsEA
- Embeds, sleeves and anchor boltsEA
Finish & fabrication
SF · TON- Shop primer by surface areaSF
- Galvanizing where specifiedTON / LB
- Intumescent or field paint (coordinate Div 09)SF
- Shop drawings and detailingLS
- Freight to siteLOAD / TON
- Mill certifications and testingLS
Erection
TON · PICK- Erection by tonnageTON
- Crane by size and durationDAY
- Field welding and boltingallowance
- Plumb, align and shimLS
- Deck installation and fasteningSF
- Safety cable and edge protectionLF
A structural steel takeoff, as delivered
| Description | Qty | Unit | Sheet | Material | Labor | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W10x33 columns, 22', 12 EA | 4.4 | TON | S-601 | 12,320 | 4,400 | 16,720 |
| W16x31 beams, 30', 24 EA | 11.2 | TON | S-201 | 31,360 | 11,200 | 42,560 |
| 24K7 joists @ 5'-0", 132 EA | 3,960 | LF | S-201 | 43,560 | 19,800 | 63,360 |
| 1.5" Type B roof deck, 20 ga | 66,000 | SF | S-201 | 118,800 | 59,400 | 178,200 |
| Connections, 12% of weight | 1.9 | TON | - | 7,600 | - | 7,600 |
| Erection, crane, crew, 8 days | 19.5 | TON | - | - | 27,300 | 27,300 |
| Division 05 subtotal | 213,640 | 122,100 | 335,740 | |||
Specific to this trade
How do you handle connections?
As a percentage of main member weight, typically 10 to 15% depending on connection type, stated on the estimate. Moment connections are counted individually because they price very differently from shear tabs.
Do you count pieces as well as tonnage?
Yes. Piece count drives erection productivity and crane time. A building with many light members costs more to erect per ton than one with fewer heavy ones, and the estimate reflects that.
Is deck included with the joists?
They are carried as separate lines because different suppliers usually furnish them and the erector prices deck by the square, not by the piece.
Metals bid due soon?
Send the relevant sheets and we'll come back with a price and a date.