Whether you’re building a new home or you’re simply looking for a custom steel handrail, you’ll likely need a steel fabricator. Here, we’ll explore everything to do with finding steel fabricators near you – from what they do to how to find one.
Want to get started on finding steel fabricators near you?
We have two quick and easy ways to find the best steel fabricators near you on Checkatrade:
- Request a quote. Just tell us what you need doing and we’ll reach out to steel fabricators near you on your behalf. They’ll then contact you directly with quotes
- Search your postcode. Enter your postcode into the search box below to browse a list of top Checkatrade steel fabricators in your area
Your questions answered about custom steel fabrication near you
What is steel fabrication?
Steel fabrication is the process of taking raw steel and turning it into an item that can be used in construction or assembly.
Steel fabricators work with various types of steel to make anything ranging from car parts to the structures of buildings; household appliances to staircases and handrails. There are a few different techniques they might use, including:
- Cutting: Steel fabrication shops can sometimes use high-pressure water to cut steel without distorting it
- Machining: Specialised equipment can be used to shave away parts of the raw steel, to make it into the shape required
- Forming: This involves shaping the metal without adding or removing material, often using heavy machinery
- Welding: Welding involves using heat or pressure (or both) to bend metals or combine them into one piece
What do structural steel fabricators near me do?
A structural steel fabricator is a highly skilled professional who can weld together all of the pieces of steel needed to create structures like buildings and bridges.
Steel building fabricators near you will take the designs created by your structural engineer and use metalwork to create all the components to specification. This can help to speed up the building process and avoid costly errors.
What does stainless steel fabrication near me involve?
Stainless steel fabrication is the process of creating items from stainless steel – a type of steel that has chromium alloyed into it, making it resistant to corrosion.
Stainless steel has an attractive appearance and is low maintenance. For this reason, it’s often used for interiors when it comes to construction. For instance, you might consider incorporating a stainless steel countertop or backsplash. Or, perhaps you’re keen to find stainless steel handrail fabricators near you.
Stainless steel fabrication has also become more popular with the move towards more sustainable building methods. This is because stainless steel is often made of 90% recycled material. Plus, when it has a polished finish, it can help to increase natural light in a building to reduce energy use.
What is the difference between a welder and a metal fabricator?
Both welders and metal fabricators are highly skilled craftspeople. They have overlapping jobs and skills but they are distinctly different.
A metal fabricator is responsible for the overall process of creating items from metal – this might include welding, but it doesn’t have to.
On the other hand, welding is a technique involved in metal fabrication, which involves joining metal pieces together. So, a welder is technically undertaking metal fabrication, although they are responsible for one specific part of it.
Why hire a steel fabrication shop near me?
Steel fabrication shops – also known as fab shops – specialise in steel fabrication. Here are some of the benefits of working with a steel fabrication shop near you.
- Made to specification. A steel fabrication shop will be able to make the items you need to specification, so you know they’re exactly what you’re after
- Speed up the construction process. If you’re building a structure such as a home, you can avoid costly and time-consuming errors by choosing a steel fabricator near you to make the components to specification
- Benefit from a great material. Steel is a material that has lots of fantastic qualities. In particular, stainless steel looks great, is fully recyclable, is temperature resistant and is more hygienic than many other materials. This makes it a great choice for things such as countertops, backsplashes and handrails
- Lean on highly skilled craftspeople. Steel fabricators are highly skilled and experienced craftspeople who can complete your job to a professional standard that will stand the test of time
How much does custom steel fabrication near me cost?
The cost of custom steel fabrication near you will vary based on many different factors, such as the materials used, the complexity of the design and the finish you’re looking for.
In terms of the materials themselves, you can expect to pay around £1,300 per ton for structural steel in the UK, or around £620-£934 per ton for scrap stainless steel – although these prices are known to fluctuate.
As a ballpark figure, steel frame building prices will range from £250-350 per m2. This will usually cover the cost for a specialist to erect the frame with cladding, but won’t include groundwork. Head over to our guide on steel building prices to learn more.
How do I choose a metal fabricator?
If you’ve decided to seek the help of a steel fabricator near you, you might be wondering how to make sure you pick the right one for the job. Here are some tips to help.
- Read reviews. Always check what other homeowners have said about any steel fabricators you’re considering so you can choose someone others have rated
- Check their experience. Make sure your steel fabricator has experience and that they’ve completed other projects similar to yours. If you can look at photos of similar work, that’s a bonus
- Make sure they have relevant insurance. You’ll want to choose a metal fabricator who works safely and has the proper insurance in case things don’t quite go to plan
- Get multiple quotes. We always recommend getting at least three quotes from steel fabricators near you, so you can make sure you’re getting a reasonable price for the job
- Ask when payment is due. Reputable steel fabricators near you shouldn’t ask for full payment upfront. Instead, you should be able to pay at least part of the balance after the work is complete
- Use Checkatrade. Our Approved tradespeople have to pass up to 12 checks and regularly receive reviews from homeowners on things like quality, punctuality and professionalism. Plus, when you contact a trade through Checkatrade, our guarantee could cover you for up to 12 months – you can claim up to £1,000 (exclusions and T&Cs apply).
Ready to find a quality steel fabricator? Simply enter your postcode below to view a selection of some of the best steel fabricators near you on Checkatrade.