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It's important to know exactly what to look for when choosing a steel fabrication company as this can affect the durability and lifespan of your construction project. Qualified and experienced metal fabricators will create high quality steel components, improving the performance of the steel you buy.

If you’re unsure what to look for in a metal fabrication company, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do they have experience?

• Do they have positive reviews on Checkatrade?

• Do they have the right qualifications and training?

• Can they provide you with a quote?

• Can they provide pictures of past work?

  Answering yes to all or most of these questions is a good indicator that you’ve found the right professional for your job.

If you’re starting a construction project that uses steel components, you may be wondering how much to budget for materials. It can be tricky to give an accurate figure without first considering the following factors:

• Number of steel pieces - The more steel pieces you need, the more you can expect to pay

• Quality of steel - Higher quality steel will be stronger and last longer but will also be more expensive

• Size of steel pieces - Large pieces of steel will be more costly than small pieces of steel

• Complexity of steel shape - Complex or unusual shapes of steel will generally take longer to make and cost more

• Demand - If there’s a high demand for steel fabrication, this will increase the amount you pay

• Location - The amount you pay for steel fabrication will vary depending on where you live in the UK

In order to get an accurate steel fabrication cost we’d recommend speaking to an expert in steel fabrication. However, as a rough guide, you can expect to pay an average of £850 per ton for structural steel and £620-£934 per ton for stainless steel.

For more prices and advice, check out our steel building prices guide.

No. Steel fabrication is a complex and highly skilled activity. The process involves using specialist techniques and has virtually no margin of error.

Steel fabrication involves three steps. Firstly, the raw materials are melted and combined. The materials are then mixed to create steel. Finally, the molten steel is formed into the desired shape and left to harden.

Once the steel has hardened it can be fabricated into a range of shapes and sizes to meet a variety of applications.

Once the steel has been formed into sections such as sheets, poles, or blocks, it is ready to be fabricated.

Steel fabrication involves using various methods to create usable steel parts or components for a wide range of industrial applications.

The most common methods of steel fabrication are:

• Machining – using lathes, mills, and drills to shave away parts of the steel so it is ready for use

• Cutting – using specialists saws such as CNC machines, the steel is cut into the required lengths and shapes

• Welding – pieces of steel are joined together by heating the steel and welding wire, and combining two or more pieces to make one piece of steel

Look for experienced steel fabrication companies with industry accreditations and recommendations. Also find out whether they use the latest high-tech machinery and processes to fabricate steel components.

Depending on the type of steel products you need, you may want to search for a specialist steel fabricator within your specific sector.

Finally, use the Checkatrade database to find trusted steel fabricators local to you.

Structural steel is used in all sorts of buildings and structures. From constructing multi-storey buildings to stadiums and bridges, structural steel provides a wide range of benefits including:

• Superior safety – structural steel is often treated to resist both fire and water. It is also extremely resistant against storms and earthquakes

• Lightweight – structural steel has a higher strength to weight ratio than timber, concrete, and brick. This makes it easily portable, suitable for use in structural support systems, and light enough for use in aeronautical applications

• Durability – structural steel's high tensile strength combined with its outstanding corrosion resistance makes it perfect for use in residential and commercial building construction

• Cost-effective – more cost-effective to fabricate, easier to move, and quicker to manufacture, structural steel will help reduce costs on a variety of construction applications

• Flexibility – structural steel is highly malleable. It can be formed into various shapes and sizes to allow for all sorts of design alterations and adaptations

• Eco-friendly – steel is 100% recyclable. When a steel structure reaches the end of its life, the steel sections can be melted down and reformed an infinite number of times

Carbon steel is the most widely used type of steel. It is extremely versatile and is used across the construction industry as structural steel and for making a variety of machinery.

Carbon steel is relatively easy to work with and can be formed into a wide variety of shapes and sizes. It is also strong and sturdy and can withstand harsh environments making it the perfect material for many industrial applications.

Stainless steel is another popular type of steel for fabrication. It is made by combining carbon steel, aluminium, and chromium.

Stainless steel does not tarnish in air, is relatively easy to work with, and can be easily welded. It is commonly used for applications that require a high level of corrosion resistance.