Economics & Programme

The steelwork requirements for a project usually develop in three stages: scheme; structural frame design; detail design.

In three parallel stages, the cost plan develops from budget/guide price through tender/contract to final account. Often quantity surveyors, general contractors and steelwork contractors will use the overall tonnage of steel in the structure as the basis for estimates and bills of quantities. There are dangers in this approach if the structure is unusual, but databases of tender prices linked to types of work are published. Similarly regularly published surveys of steelwork contractors give guidance on programme. Programme periods include two elements: off site lead-in needed to procure steel, produce details and fabricate the steel components; and the on-site period for erection.

Information Sources:

• Steel Buildings, Chapters 1 & 19, The British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd., 2003.
• Comparative Structure Cost of Modern Commercial Buildings, (2nd edition), The Steel Construction Institute, 2004
• Facts of Living, Comparing the cost of steel and concrete framing options for multi-storey residential buildings, Corus, 2004.
• Allocation of Design Responsibilities in Constructional Steelwork, For buildings, BCSA publication 45/07, 2007.
• Design for Manufacture Guidelines, The Steel Construction Institute, 1995.
• Design for Construction, The Steel Construction Institute, 1997.