“Considering the material cost, it shouldn’t be this much.” Have you ever felt that way when looking at a large frame quotation? The breakdown of the price for structural steel frames cannot be explained by material costs alone. What is influential are setup and accuracy requirements. We will clarify what drives the price and what can be reduced if communicated in drawings.

Conclusion: Setup and accuracy are more influential than material costs

The cost of large frames is roughly divided into material costs, cutting costs, welding costs, surface treatment costs, and setup costs. Among these, the lower the quantity, the higher the proportion of setup costs, and the stricter the accuracy requirements, the more time is required for distortion removal after welding. Even if material market prices do not change, these two factors significantly affect the quotation.

5 Items to Convey in Drawings and RFQs

What troubles the manufacturing side when quoting is the case where “nothing is written, so we have to assume the worst.” Simply communicating the following 5 items will prevent miscalculations and, as a result, lower the price.

1. Whether to make it a series of panels, or how many panels to connect

If only individual drawings are provided, the manufacturing side cannot anticipate the accumulation of panels. Conversely, if they consider “it might be a series of panels,” the quotation will be higher in accuracy as a precaution. Simply writing “W800 x 10 panels” changes the design.

For why this is effective, please refer to “Reasons why the total length does not match in panel series.”

2. Priority dimensions

It is not possible to prioritize all of total length, diagonal, and hole pitch simultaneously. If you specify which to prioritize, the manufacturing side can determine the optimal point for distortion removal. If not specified, they have no choice but to consider everything under the strictest assumptions.

3. Quantity and future outlook

Is it one piece, or will there be repeat orders? If there is a prospect of continuation, a decision can be made to create a jig, and costs will decrease from the second order onwards. Please communicate not only the current quantity but also the annual outlook.

4. Surface treatment and post-treatment responsibility

Painting or plating? If plating, who will handle re-drilling holes or re-tapping? If this is not decided before submission, the manufacturing side will quote without including it, leading to additional costs later.

This is covered in “The problem of holes being blocked by hot-dip galvanizing.”

5. Delivery and installation constraints

Dimensions of the delivery route, anchor positions, and floor conditions. The earlier it is known whether division is necessary, the easier the design becomes. If it turns out “it won’t fit” after the drawing is complete, it will require remanufacturing.

Areas where price reduction is possible

In particular, tolerance specification is an item with significant impact. If uniformly strict tolerances are included in the drawing, all dimensions will be manufactured to that accuracy. In reality, in most cases, only the total length or hole pitch is critical.

Precautions when obtaining multiple quotations

Even if the same drawing is sent to multiple companies, it cannot be compared if the assumptions are not aligned. A cheap quotation may simply not include something. Please align and ask the following:

• Which dimensions are guaranteed with which tolerance?
• What are the inspection items (are angle and diagonal checked)?
• To what extent are surface treatment and post-treatment included?
• Is the distortion removal process included?
• In the case of divided delivery, how is the accuracy of the joints guaranteed?

If a company discloses its equipment, tolerance philosophy, and scope of service range, you can confirm the assumptions before quoting. As in the example of a company disclosing maximum dimensions, tolerances, equipment, and minimum quantities, having complete information for judgment accelerates comparison.

Summary

• The price of large frames is influenced more by setup and accuracy requirements than by material costs.
• Communicate “number of panels in a series,” “priority dimensions,” “quantity and outlook,” “surface treatment and post-treatment responsibility,” and “delivery constraints.”
• What is not written, the manufacturing side will assume the worst and include in the quotation.
• Uniformly strict tolerances directly lead to higher costs. Make only critical dimensions strict.
• Multiple quotations cannot be compared without aligning assumptions. A cheap quotation may not include something.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When do I want to know only a rough estimate quickly?

A. A rough estimate can be provided if you have the outer dimensions, structural steel size to be used, quantity, surface treatment, and presence/absence of panel series. Even without detailed drawings, these five items should be communicable.

Q. Will it be extremely expensive if it’s only one piece?

A. The unit price will increase because setup costs are allocated. However, if it’s a company that accepts orders from a single piece, they are accustomed to single-piece setups, so a realistic price will be provided. Submitting a single piece to a company that primarily handles mass production tends to be more expensive.

Q. Will it be cheaper if I provide the materials?

A. The material cost portion will decrease, but the assumption that the manufacturing side will measure and account for dimensional variations in supplied materials may break down. For companies that cut from standard lengths in-house, it may actually become more difficult to achieve accuracy, so please consult them.

Q. Is it okay to consult before submitting drawings?

A. That will lead to better results. If drawings are created after the manufacturing method is decided, the shape may not be compatible with the manufacturing side’s equipment. Choosing a company that can be consulted at the sketch stage will reduce rework.