Send us your construction documents and we will return a complete, itemized bid for the metalwork scope. No assumptions. No change orders for scope we should have caught at bid.
⸻ Architectural Services
Construction
Documents
⸻ Accurate Metalwork Bidding from Complete Document Review
An accurate bid requires
someone who reads the drawings.
The conceptual design stage is where a project takes shape and where the most consequential decisions are made. For some clients, this means working from a rough sketch or a reference image. For others, it means reviewing preliminary drawings from an architect or interior designer. In either case, our role at this stage is the same: to bring fabrication knowledge into the conversation before design decisions are locked in.
We review design intent and identify fabrication implications early. A staircase geometry that looks elegant on a rendering may require a structural solution that adds significant cost. A railing detail that reads cleanly in section may be difficult to weld without visible seams. A gate design that works at small scale may not translate to the required opening size without changing the proportional relationship of the elements. These are the kinds of issues we identify at the conceptual stage, when they are straightforward to resolve.
This is not a design service in the traditional architectural sense. We do not replace your architect or interior designer. We work alongside them as a fabrication consultant to make sure the metalwork they are designing can actually be built the way they intend it, within the budget they have allocated, and on the schedule the project requires. For projects that benefit from a more integrated approach, we work alongside Thom Jakab Architecture to offer a combined design and fabrication service.
What We Need to Bid Your Project
Full architectural drawing set (floor plans, elevations, sections, details)
Structural drawings relevant to the metalwork scope
Division 05 (Metals) specification sections
Division 08 (Doors and Frames) if applicable to the metalwork scope
Finish schedule and material board if available
Project schedule, phasing requirements, and critical path milestones
GC or owner's representative contact for RFI submission
Bid deadline and required bid format
Any addenda or clarifications issued to date
Geotechnical report if anchor bolt design is required
⸻ What a Complete Bid Includes
Transparent scope.
No surprises.
Clearly Defined Scope of Work
Every item in the metalwork scope is listed individually with quantities, materials, and finish specifications. You know exactly what is included and what is excluded before you accept the bid. Ambiguous scope items are flagged and priced as alternates.
Material and Finish Specifications
Steel grade, tube size, plate thickness, and finish specifications for every item. We reference the specification sections and drawing details that support each line item. No ambiguity about what will be fabricated or what finish will be applied.
Lead Time from Notice to Proceed
A clear timeline from NTP to delivery and installation, broken down by phase if the project is phased. Based on our current shop schedule and the complexity of the scope. We flag items with long material lead times that may affect the overall schedule.
RFI Log and Clarifications
A log of all RFIs submitted during the bid process and the responses received. If RFIs were not answered before the bid deadline, we note the assumption we made and the cost impact if the assumption is wrong.
Preliminary Budget for Early-Stage Projects
For projects still in design development, we provide preliminary budget ranges based on schematic drawings or design intent descriptions. These ranges are useful for pro forma budgeting and design decision-making before the full CD set is complete.
⸻ Capabilities and Standards
Construction Document Sections We Review
A complete metalwork bid requires review of multiple specification divisions and drawing disciplines. We review all relevant sections before submitting a number.
Division 05 — Metals
05 10 00 Structural Metal Framing, 05 50 00 Metal Fabrications, 05 51 00 Metal Stairs, 05 52 00 Railings
Division 08 — Openings
08 36 00 Panel Doors, 08 34 00 Special Function Doors — reviewed when metalwork includes gates or access control
Division 09 — Finishes
09 90 00 Paints and Coatings — reviewed for finish system specification and compatibility
Architectural Drawings
Floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, elevations, sections, and enlarged details for all metalwork items
Structural Drawings
Foundation plan, framing plan, connection details, and structural notes relevant to metalwork anchorage
Finish Schedule
Room finish schedule and material board reviewed for finish coordination and compatibility
Project Schedule
Construction schedule reviewed for metalwork milestones, phasing requirements, and critical path items
Addenda
All addenda and clarifications reviewed and incorporated into the bid
⸻ WHO WE WORK WITH
Who We Bid For
We provide construction document bids for general contractors, architects, and project owners. Each has different requirements, and we structure our bids accordingly.
General Contractors
We provide itemized bids in the format required by your bid package. We submit RFIs through your project management system, respond to addenda, and provide updated bids when scope changes. We are a reliable subcontractor who reads the drawings and bids what is shown.
Architects & Interior Designers
We provide preliminary budget ranges during design development and complete bids when the CD set is finalized. We flag specification issues and design details that will affect cost before the project goes to bid, which helps avoid value engineering surprises after bids are received.
Project Owners & Developers
For direct owner projects, we provide a complete bid with clearly defined scope, material specifications, and timeline. We explain the bid in plain language and answer questions about what is included and why. No jargon, no hidden exclusions.
⸻ COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions Worth Asking When You Send Out a Metal Fabrication Bid
What should be included in a complete bid package for metal fabrication?
A complete bid package includes the full construction document set (architectural drawings, structural drawings, and specifications), the bid deadline, the project address, the GC or owner contact information, and any addenda issued after the original document release. If the project has a Division 05 specification section, include it. If there are specific submittal requirements or insurance requirements, include those as well. The more complete the package, the more accurate the bid.
What specification division covers custom metalwork and railings?
Custom architectural metalwork is typically specified in Division 05 (Metals). The most relevant sections are 05 50 00 (Metal Fabrications), 05 51 00 (Metal Stairs), and 05 52 00 (Railings). Structural steel is specified in 05 10 00 (Structural Metal Framing). We review all relevant sections and cross-reference them with the architectural and structural drawings to ensure our bid covers the full scope.
How do you handle RFIs during the bidding process?
We submit RFIs through the GC or directly to the architect as required by the project. We identify conflicts, missing information, and ambiguous details during our document review and submit RFIs before the bid deadline. If RFIs cannot be answered before the deadline, we note the assumption we made in the bid and the cost impact if the assumption is wrong. We do not submit a number based on undisclosed assumptions.
What is the difference between a lump sum bid and a unit price bid?
A lump sum bid is a single fixed price for the complete defined scope. A unit price bid provides a price per unit of a specific item, such as a price per linear foot of railing or per stair tread. Unit price bids are used when the quantity is uncertain at bid time and will be determined during construction. We provide lump sum bids for most projects and unit prices when requested or when the scope has quantifiable uncertainty.
Can you provide a preliminary budget before the CD set is complete?
Yes. For projects still in design development, we provide preliminary budget ranges based on schematic drawings or design intent descriptions. These ranges are useful for pro forma budgeting and design decision-making. We are clear about the level of design development the budget is based on and the range of uncertainty. A schematic-level budget is not a bid and should not be used as a contract number.
What happens if the scope changes after the contract is awarded?
Scope changes after contract award are handled through a written change order process. We do not perform additional work without a signed change order. If a change affects material already procured or work already performed, we communicate the cost and schedule impact immediately. We do not absorb undocumented changes, and we do not surprise clients with charges at the end of a project.
How do you handle bid alternates and allowances?
We price bid alternates as requested in the bid documents, clearly identifying the add or deduct amount for each alternate. For allowances, we confirm whether the allowance is intended to cover material, labor, or both, and we price our work accordingly. If an allowance is insufficient for the specified scope, we note the discrepancy in our bid rather than assuming the allowance will be adjusted later.
Ready to receive
your documents?
Send us the full construction document set and bid deadline. We will review, submit RFIs if needed, and return a complete bid. Serving GCs, architects, and developers across Utah.