Structural steel bidding involves complex takeoffs, fabrication estimates, and erection planning. This guide helps steel contractors win profitable commercial and industrial projects.
Understanding Steel Bid Documents
Structural Drawings
Key Drawing Types
- S-series structural plans
- Framing plans
- Elevations and sections
- Connection details
- Miscellaneous steel details
Information to Extract
- Member sizes and lengths
- Connection types
- Steel grades
- Finish requirements
- Embedded items
Specifications
Division 05 Sections
- 05 05 00 - Common Work Results
- 05 12 00 - Structural Steel Framing
- 05 21 00 - Steel Joist Framing
- 05 31 00 - Steel Decking
- 05 50 00 - Metal Fabrications
Critical Details
- AISC requirements
- AWS welding standards
- Steel grades
- Finish and coating specs
- QC requirements
Takeoff Methods
Tonnage Calculation
Member Categories
- Columns
- Beams and girders
- Bracing
- Purlins and girts
- Miscellaneous steel
Calculation Process
- List all members by size
- Calculate lengths
- Apply section weights
- Sum by category
- Add connections (15-25%)
Connection Takeoff
Types
- Bolted connections
- Welded connections
- Base plates
- Shear tabs
- Moment connections
Include
- Bolts and nuts
- Welds (inches of weld)
- Plates and angles
- Hardware
Related Items
Steel Deck
- Square footage
- Deck type and gauge
- Attachments
- Sidelaps and endlaps
Miscellaneous Steel
- Stairs and railings
- Ladders
- Embed plates
- Lintels
- Loose steel items
Pricing Components
Material Costs
Raw Steel
- Mill pricing
- Service center pricing
- Grade premiums
- Market conditions
Current Factors
- Import tariffs
- Supply availability
- Lead times
- Price volatility
Fabrication Costs
Labor Components
- Layout and cutting
- Fitting and welding
- Drilling and punching
- Surface preparation
- Shop painting
Cost Factors
- Shop rate
- Complexity factor
- Piece count
- QC requirements
Erection Costs
Field Labor
- Crew composition
- Productivity rates
- Access conditions
- Weather impact
Equipment
- Crane rental
- Rigging
- Man lifts
- Support equipment
Fabrication Considerations
Shop Capabilities
Equipment
- Burning tables
- Beam lines
- Drill lines
- Welding stations
- Paint booth
Capacity
- Throughput rate
- Lead time
- Quality certifications
- Project size limits
Detailing
Scope
- Connection design
- Shop drawings
- Erection drawings
- Coordination
Costs
- In-house vs. outsourced
- Software licensing
- Review cycles
- Revision handling
Quality Control
Requirements
- AISC certification
- AWS qualifications
- Inspection protocols
- Documentation
Cost Impacts
- QC personnel
- Testing
- Certifications
- Documentation
Erection Planning
Sequence
Considerations
- Building access
- Crane positions
- Connection sequence
- Plumbing and alignment
Documentation
- Erection plan
- Crane picks
- Safety plans
- Quality plans
Equipment Selection
Crane Types
- Mobile cranes
- Tower cranes
- Crawler cranes
Selection Factors
- Reach requirements
- Pick weights
- Site conditions
- Rental costs
Safety
Key Requirements
- Fall protection
- Steel erection standard
- Rigging safety
- Multi-employer coordination
Common Bidding Mistakes
Takeoff Errors
Frequently Missed
- Connection material
- Shims and packing
- Temporary bracing
- Touch-up paint
- Anchor bolts
Fabrication Underestimation
Watch For
- Complex connections
- Heavy sections
- Special grades
- Coating requirements
- QC level
Erection Underestimation
Common Issues
- Site access limitations
- Sequencing constraints
- Weather days
- Coordination delays
Special Steel Types
Heavy Industrial
Characteristics
- Large member sizes
- Complex connections
- Heavy lifts
- Specialized equipment
Pricing Factors
- Shop equipment limits
- Field equipment needs
- Specialized labor
- Extended schedules
Long-Span Structures
Applications
- Sports venues
- Convention centers
- Aircraft hangars
- Warehouses
Special Considerations
- Truss fabrication
- Field assembly
- Specialized erection
- Camber requirements
Architecturally Exposed Steel
Requirements
- Premium finishes
- Visible connections
- Tight tolerances
- Surface preparation
Cost Premiums
- Material selection
- Fabrication care
- Special coatings
- Installation precision
Coatings and Finishes
Shop Primer
Standard Finishes
- Shop primer (standard)
- High-performance primer
- Galvanizing
- Intumescent
Specification Details
- Mil thickness
- Manufacturer requirements
- Surface preparation
- Touch-up requirements
Special Coatings
Types
- Fireproofing
- Intumescent paint
- Galvanizing
- Powder coating
Cost Factors
- Material costs
- Application labor
- Cure time
- Handling requirements
Public Project Requirements
Prevailing Wage
Classifications
- Ironworkers
- Crane operators
- Laborers
- Welders
Compliance
- Certified payroll
- Apprenticeship
- Fringe benefits
Buy America
Requirements
- Domestic steel
- Documentation
- Certification
- Price impacts
Bonding
Requirements
- Performance bonds
- Payment bonds
- Bid bonds
- Capacity considerations
Working With GCs
Coordination
Key Interfaces
- Concrete embeds
- MEP penetrations
- Cladding connections
- Fire protection
BIM Coordination
- Model submission
- Clash detection
- Resolution
- Documentation
Schedule
Critical Path Items
- Shop drawing approval
- Fabrication duration
- Delivery sequence
- Erection duration
Buffer Management
- Weather contingency
- Approval delays
- Fabrication issues
- Field conditions
Technology in Steel Estimating
Software Tools
Estimating
- ProEst
- HCSS
- WinSteel
- Steel Office
Detailing
- Tekla Structures
- SDS/2
- Advance Steel
- IDEA StatiCa
Digital Takeoff
Benefits
- Faster measurement
- Better accuracy
- Automatic calculations
- BIM integration
Conclusion
Successful structural steel bidding combines accurate takeoffs with realistic fabrication and erection estimates. Calculate tonnage carefully. Include all connection materials. Plan erection sequences. Account for quality requirements.
The steel contractors who win profitable work demonstrate both estimating accuracy and project execution capability.
ConstructionBids.ai helps structural steel contractors find commercial opportunities and track bid deadlines across multiple procurement platforms.
