Steel estimates weighed member by member.
Structural steel and miscellaneous metals takeoffs: members by weight, connection counts, metal deck by SF, and joists by count and length.
Structural steel is bought by the ton and installed by the piece. We take off every column, beam, girder, brace, and joist from the framing plans and schedules, calculate weight from section sizes and lengths, and count the connections that drive fabrication and erection labor.
Metal deck, joists, embeds, base plates, anchor rods, and miscellaneous metals such as stairs, railings, lintels, and ladders are each taken off separately, so fabricators, erectors, and general contractors can see the full Division 05 scope.
CSI MasterFormat divisions
- Division 05 — Metals
What we quantify
- Wide-flange columns and beams (TON)
- HSS and angle bracing (LF / TON)
- Steel joists and joist girders (EA / LF)
- Composite and roof metal deck (SF)
- Shear studs (EA)
- Moment and shear connections (EA)
- Base plates and anchor rods (EA)
- Loose lintels and embeds (EA / LB)
- Stairs and railings (EA / LF)
What the estimate accounts for
- Connection allowance: Plates, bolts, and welds are counted by connection type or carried as a reviewable percentage of member weight when details are incomplete.
- Piece count: Member piece counts are tracked alongside tonnage because erection labor follows picks, not pounds.
- Deck and edge conditions: Deck is measured by type and gauge, with pour stops, closures, and edge angles taken off by LF.
- Finishes and coatings: Primer, galvanizing, and fireproofing requirements from the specs are noted by member group.
Who orders it
- Steel fabricators and erectors
- General contractors
- Miscellaneous metals subcontractors
- Developers
Request a quote
Upload your plans and tell us the trades you need. We review the scope and reply with a written quote before any work starts.
Frequently asked questions
Do you calculate steel weight from the section sizes?
Yes. We take member lengths from the framing plans and apply the published weight per foot for each section to calculate pounds and tons.
Are connections included in the takeoff?
We count connections by type where the details allow. When connection design is delegated or incomplete, we carry a clearly labeled allowance you can adjust.
Do you take off miscellaneous metals?
Yes. Stairs, railings, ladders, lintels, bollards, and embeds are taken off as separate Division 05 items when they are shown on the drawings.