You are bidding on a structural steel job. The drawings are complex. One wrong beam count or missed weld can cost you the project. Or worse, you cut your profit margins. That is why fabricators and contractors across the USA rely on ALM estimating metal estimating services. We give you detailed steel tonnage, sheet metal takeoffs, and fabrication cost estimates.
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Metal estimating is the process to have the exact quantities and costs for steel and metal components used in construction and fabrication. This includes structural steel like beams, columns, plates, channels, and angles. It also includes sheet metal such as flat sheets, cladding, roofing, and siding. ALM estimating also estimates metal framing systems for commercial and industrial buildings. We estimate all the fabrication work like cutting, welding, assembly, and steel erection.
Unlike general construction estimating, metal estimating is weight-based and unit-based. You need tonnage for steel, square footage for sheets, and labor hours for fabrication. That is exactly what we do. Contractors use our steel estimating services to bid with confidence.
Our estimators have worked on hundreds of metal projects across the USA. We handle:
Industrial warehouses, commercial offices, and multi-story structures with steel frames.
Platforms, walkways, stairs, handrails, and equipment supports.
Cold-formed steel framing for interior and exterior walls in retail, hospitality, and office spaces.
Warehouses, manufacturing plants, distribution centers. Big roof areas have large gutters and downspouts.
Warehouses, manufacturing plants, distribution centers. Big roof areas have large gutters and downspouts.
Decorative steel, metal panels, sunshades, canopies, and custom fabrications.
Standing seam roofs, corrugated panels, and metal wall cladding for agricultural and commercial buildings.
Warehouses, manufacturing plants, distribution centers. Big roof areas have large gutters and downspouts.
Warehouses, manufacturing plants, distribution centers. Big roof areas have large gutters and downspouts.
Steel and metal are high-cost materials. A small error in tonnage or sheet count leads to major financial losses. Here is why accuracy matters:
Structural steel costs can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per ton. Over ordering by a few tons blows your material budget. Underordering causes delays and changes orders.
Wrong quantities mean wrong cuts, extra welds, and rework. Field labor is expensive. Every hour spent fixing mistakes is profit lost.
When you know exactly how much steel and sheet metal you need, you can plan cuts efficiently. Less scrap. Lower material cost.
We help you catch every component, every weld, every pound of steel. That means fewer surprises during fabrication and erection. More profit in your pocket.
Every estimate we deliver includes a complete breakdown of materials, fabrication, and labor. Here is what you get
We calculate the weight of every beam, column, plate, channel, and angle. Steel cost depends on the ton, so getting tonnage right is important.
For sheet metal work, we measure every panel, cladding section, and flat surface in square feet. You get exact quantities for ordering.
Our experts count each structural component from your drawings. Size, length, quantity, and weight are listed individually.
Fabrication adds cost. Cutting, drilling, welding, and assembly all require labor and shop time. We include those allowances so your bid covers everything.
Fabrication adds cost. Cutting, drilling, welding, and assembly all require labor. We include those allowances, so your bid covers everything.
You receive an Excel file with every item listed. Use it for bidding, procurement, or client presentation.
We follow a simple, proven process on every project. No shortcuts. No guesswork.
You upload your drawings, specifications, and any addenda. We review everything before starting to flag missing information or unclear details.
We review every drawing page and identify all metal items: beams, columns, plates, sheets, channels, angles, and framing.
Using industry-standard methods, we calculate the weight of each steel component in tons. For sheet metal, we calculate square footage. Every number is recorded.
We apply fabrication allowances for cutting, welding, and assembly. Then we estimate labor hours for steel erection and installation based on project complexity.
You receive a complete Excel estimate with a bill of quantities, cost summary, and marked-up drawings. Everything is ready for bidding.
Here is an example of what a partial metal estimate looks like for a small industrial building. Actual numbers vary by project. This format is exactly what you receive. Clear. Simple. Ready to use.
Steel prices change constantly, but here is a general range to help you understand current market conditions. We update these numbers for every estimate based on your project location.
Structural steel (beams, columns, channels)
1,100–1,600 per ton (material only, fabricated price is higher)
Sheet metal (coils and flat sheets)
900–1,400 per ton depending on gauge and coating
Fabrication cost (cutting, welding, assembly)
400–800 per ton depending on complexity
Steel erection (on-site installation)
300–600 per ton depending on height and access
Your actual costs will depend on project location, steel grade, quantity, and current market conditions. We include current pricing in every estimate we deliver.
The fabricators need accurate material quantities and fabrication allowances to price shop work. We give you the numbers, you need to bid fabrication projects confidently.
You are installing steel on site. You need tonnage for procurement, labor hours for erection, and a clear breakdown for your bid.
You manage multiple trades and need to check subcontractor bids or self-perform metal work. Our estimates give you an independent second set of numbers.
You build factories, power plants, and processing facilities. Steel is everywhere. You need detailed estimates for platforms, supports, and structural frames.
You work with roofing, siding, and architectural panels. You need square footage counts and material pricing. We handle that too.
We calculate the volume of each steel component using dimensions from your drawings, then multiply by the density of steel (490 pounds per cubic foot). The result is converted to tons. Every beam, column, and plate is calculated individually.
We need your structural drawings, architectural drawings showing metal components, specifications, and any addenda or change orders. Shop drawings help but are not required. The more complete your drawing set, the more accurate your estimate.
Our estimates are typically within 2–3% of actual fabricated quantities when drawings are complete and clear. We do not guess. Every item is measured and counted.
Yes. We include fabrication allowances for cutting, drilling, welding, and assembly. We also estimate labor hours for shop fabrication and on-site steel erection.
Most estimates are delivered within 24 to 48 hours. Larger industrial projects may take 3 business days. We confirm turnaround time when you send your drawings.
You receive an Excel file with a bill of quantities, a cost summary, and a marked-up PDF of your drawings. All files are sent by email.
Yes. Our metal estimating services cover structural steel (beams, columns, plates, channels, angles) and sheet metal (flat sheets, cladding, roofing, siding). We also estimate metal framing systems and architectural metal.
