Metal fabrication: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What metal fabrication is

Metal fabrication cuts, bends and assembles steel, aluminum or stainless pieces into custom items such as brackets, stairs, frames and enclosures. The work usually starts from a sketch or a drawing, and the fabricator chooses the material, the cut, the bends and the joining method to suit the use and the load.

Signs you need it

  • You need a custom bracket, mount or frame that does not exist in a catalog and must fit a specific space
  • You want a metal staircase, railing or platform built to the size and rise your building needs
  • A machine, enclosure or equipment cabinet needs a new steel or stainless housing made to your dimensions
  • A shop, a farm or a home project needs a set of identical metal parts, such as corner brackets or shelf supports
  • You have a sketch or a drawing for a metal piece, and you need someone to build it accurately from the material up

What the pro does

  • The fabricator reviews the sketch or drawing and checks the dimensions, the material and the load the piece will carry
  • They choose the material and the thickness, and confirm the finish, such as paint, powder coat or stainless polish
  • They cut the stock to size with saws, shears, plasma or laser equipment, and mark the bend lines and the hole positions
  • They bend, roll or form the material to the shape, and check the angles against the drawing
  • They weld or fasten the pieces together, with the joints ground and fitted to the drawing
  • They finish the piece, check the fit and the alignment, and deliver it with the hardware and the mounting details

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Material type and thickness, since stainless and heavy steel are harder to cut and bend than thin aluminum
  • Complexity of the shape, including the number of bends, the joints and the tight tolerances
  • Quantity and whether the same design can be repeated across the run
  • Design and drafting time when the fabricator has to turn a sketch into a shop drawing
  • Finish required, such as paint, powder coat, galvanizing or a polished stainless surface
  • Hardware, mounting plates and fasteners included with the piece
  • Delivery and installation, including access on site and any crane or lift needed

What a written quote should spell out

  • Material type, grade and thickness, with the stock size and the weight of the finished piece
  • Cut and bend list, with the number of bends and the tolerance on the holes and the angles
  • Joining method, such as welding or bolting, and where each joint is placed
  • Finish and any coating, with the color or the surface standard
  • Hardware, anchors and mounting plates, listed separately
  • Delivery and installation terms, and who checks the fit on site

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Can you build this from my sketch, and will you tell me now if any part cannot be made as drawn?
  • What material and thickness will you use, and why for the load this piece carries?
  • How do you handle the fit when the piece has to match an existing opening or part?
  • Will you send me a shop drawing before you cut the material?
  • Which finish is included, and how does it hold up in the environment where the piece will sit?
  • Who installs the piece, and what hardware do you supply for the mounts?
  • What is the warranty on the welds and the finish, and what happens if a piece does not fit?

Red flags

  • They cut the material before you approve a drawing or a sketch with the dimensions
  • They cannot tell you the material or the thickness they plan to use
  • They do not check the fit against the existing opening or part before delivery
  • They quote a stair, a railing or a load-bearing bracket without asking how it will be loaded or used

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can measure the space, make a clear sketch with dimensions, choose the material and finish, and gather the mounting details. Do not build load-bearing items such as stairs, railings, structural brackets or lifting points yourself, because a failed joint can cause a fall or a collapse. Use a qualified fabricator for any piece that carries weight or people.

Licenses and permits

Metal fabrication is commonly done by businesses under a general business registration, and fabricated stairs, railings and structural items may need a permit or an inspection. Welding on structural work often requires a certified welder. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local building department for the rules that apply to your piece.

Metal fabrication questions

Can you fabricate a piece from a photo?

A photo rarely gives enough detail. Send a sketch with dimensions, the material you prefer, the load the piece will carry and the mounting surface. For a piece that must fit an opening, send the measurements or the actual part.

How do you decide the thickness of the metal?

The thickness depends on the span, the load, the material and the use. A fabricator should explain the choice and check it against the load the piece will carry, especially for stairs, railings and mounts.

Will the finish last outdoors?

It depends on the material and the finish. Stainless and galvanized steel suit wet settings, while painted steel needs a protective coat to resist rust. Ask the fabricator which finish suits the environment and how it is maintained.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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