Steel structure fabrication quotes often look similar at first glance, but they may include very different assumptions. One supplier may include shop drawings, blasting, painting, bolt sets, packing, and delivery documents. Another may quote only bare fabricated steel. Without a structured comparison, the buyer may award the order to a price that is incomplete.
1. Confirm the tonnage basis
Ask whether the price is based on theoretical weight, drawing weight, net fabricated weight, or gross shipping weight. Also confirm whether connection plates, stiffeners, bolts, purlins, bracing, stairs, handrails, and small parts are included.
2. Compare included scope
| Scope item | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| Detailing or shop drawings | Is it included, excluded, or quoted separately? |
| Surface treatment | What blasting grade and paint system are included? |
| Bolts and accessories | Are anchor bolts, high-strength bolts, nuts, washers, and small parts included? |
| Packing and marking | Are export bundles, labels, packing list, and loading photos included? |
3. Read exclusions before comparing price
Exclusions are often more important than the headline unit price. Common exclusions include design responsibility, third-party inspection, special paint, galvanizing, extra documentation, inland trucking, sea freight, taxes, site installation, crane rental, and unloading.
4. Check quotation validity and escalation risk
Steel prices can change quickly. EPC buyers should compare quotation validity period, price adjustment clauses, currency, payment terms, and what happens if drawing approval or deposit is delayed.
5. Compare quality document packages
A lower price may exclude records needed for owner approval or project handover. Ask whether material certificates, welding inspection records, dimension inspection reports, coating reports, non-conformance records, packing lists, and loading photos are included.
6. Evaluate delivery responsibility
Confirm the Incoterms or delivery basis. EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF, and DAP prices cannot be compared without adjusting for transport, port costs, insurance, customs responsibility, and unloading arrangements.
Quote comparison scorecard
| Evaluation item | Weight | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Scope completeness | 30% | Included/excluded list and drawing assumptions. |
| Quality documentation | 20% | Document list and sample records. |
| Delivery clarity | 20% | Incoterms, packing, marking, loading plan. |
| Commercial risk | 15% | Validity, currency, payment, escalation clauses. |
| Supplier responsiveness | 15% | Questions asked, clarification quality, speed. |
Buyer note
Before award, send a comparison clarification sheet to all shortlisted suppliers. Ask them to confirm the same scope line by line. This reduces quote gaps and makes the final negotiation cleaner.