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CSI DIVISION 05 — METALS

Structural Steel Estimating Services in New York

Structural steel and miscellaneous metals estimates — beams, columns, bracing, connections, metal deck, stairs and railings — with tonnage, fabrication, erection and crane costs.

QUICK ANSWER

What Is a Structural Steel Estimate?

A structural steel estimate calculates the tonnage of beams, columns, bracing, plates and connections, plus metal deck, joists, miscellaneous metals, fabrication, shop drawings, delivery and erection costs including cranes and hoisting. It covers CSI Division 05 Metals.

In New York, steel erection is often limited by site access, crane permits and street closures, making erection planning as important as tonnage.

Key Facts

OVERVIEW

Accurate Steel Tonnage and Erection Costs

Steel pricing depends on member weights, connection complexity, piece counts, fabrication hours and erection method. Our steel estimators take off every member from the framing plans, schedules and details, calculate weights by shape and length, and allow for connections, base plates and embeds.

We estimate structural steel for commercial buildings, industrial facilities and mid-rise residential projects, as well as miscellaneous metals such as stairs, railings, lintels and ladders.

Steel coordinates with concrete foundations and deck fill, masonry lintels and fireproofing and fire protection. For system comparisons see Value Engineering Services.

Who Uses This Service

What You Receive

Tonnage by member type
Piece and connection counts
Metal deck and joists
Misc. metals list
Fabrication and erection hours
Crane and hoisting allowances

WHAT'S INCLUDED

What Our Steel Estimates Include

Columns & Beams

Wide flange, HSS, channels and angles by size and length.

Bracing & Connections

Braces, gussets, moment and shear connections, base plates.

Metal Deck & Joists

Floor and roof deck, joists, joist girders and accessories.

Miscellaneous Metals

Stairs, railings, ladders, lintels, embeds and supports.

Fabrication

Shop hours, detailing, coatings and galvanizing.

Erection

Crew hours, cranes, hoisting, bolting and welding in the field.

SPECIALIZED COVERAGE

Steel and Metals Scopes We Estimate

Commercial and Mixed-Use Steel Frames

Office, retail, hotel and mixed-use frames with composite deck.

Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings

Rigid frames, girts, purlins and panels for warehouses and industrial buildings.

Residential Steel

Beams, posts and lintels for brownstone renovations, additions and multifamily.

Stairs and Railings

Egress stairs, ornamental railings, guardrails and handrails.

Steel Dunnage and Equipment Supports

Rooftop dunnage for HVAC equipment and supports for MEP systems.

Steel Reinforcement and Retrofits

Strengthening of existing structures, openings and new framing in old buildings.

ESTIMATING GUIDE

How Structural Steel Quantities Are Measured

Every structural steel estimate starts with the right unit of measure. These are the units our estimators use, so quantities line up with supplier quotes and your own pricing:

Beams, columns, braces: tons (by weight per foot)
Connections: % of member weight or each
Metal deck: squares / SF by gauge
Joists: each and tons
Stairs and railings: flights / LF
Erection: crew days and crane hours

Common Structural Steel Estimating Mistakes We Prevent

Each takeoff is checked by a second estimator under our Estimate Accuracy and Quality Policy.

NEW YORK COST DRIVERS

Steel Cost Factors in New York

Crane Permits and Street Closures

NYC crane permits, street closures and night deliveries add to erection costs.

Hoisting in Existing Buildings

Renovations often require manual or small-hoist steel installation in tight spaces.

Special Inspections

Welding and bolting inspections are required on many New York projects.

Steel Price Volatility

Mill pricing changes quickly, so estimates note the pricing date and escalation.

OUR PROCESS

How Our Structural Steel Estimating Process Works

1. Send Documents

Share drawings, specifications, addenda, project location and your deadline.

2. Scope & Fixed Quote

An estimator confirms scope and sends a fixed fee and delivery date.

3. Takeoff & Pricing

Quantities are measured digitally and priced for New York conditions.

4. QA & Delivery

A second estimator reviews everything before Excel and PDF delivery.

See every step, revision round and file format on Our Estimating Process.

RELATED TRADES

Related Trade Estimating Services

Trades that are usually bid or coordinated alongside this scope — each has its own detailed page:

Related Estimating Services

Not sure which service fits? Compare options on Construction Estimating Pricing or ask an estimator.

PRICING & TURNAROUND

How Much Does a Structural Steel Estimate Cost?

Steel estimate fees depend on tonnage, member count, connection detail and whether miscellaneous metals are included. We quote a fixed fee after reviewing structural drawings.

See Construction Estimating Pricing.

Fee Depends On

WHY CHOOSE US

Why New York Builders Trust Our Structural Steel Estimating

New York Pricing

Labor, material and logistics costs adjusted to the project's borough or city.

Traceable Quantities

Every quantity tied to color-coded, marked-up drawings.

Two-Step Review

A second estimator checks the work — see our Estimate Accuracy and Quality Policy.

Confidential

Your plans and numbers are never shared. Read our Privacy Policy.

Meet the team on Meet Our Estimators, see Sample Estimates and read Client Reviews.

SERVICE AREAS

Structural Steel Estimating Across New York State

We provide structural steel estimating services throughout New York, with local pricing for these markets.

New York City (Manhattan)

Manhattan high-rise, fit-out and complex logistics.

Brooklyn

Brownstones, multifamily and mixed-use.

Queens

Residential, mixed-use and commercial.

The Bronx

Affordable housing and institutional.

Staten Island

Single-family homes and retail.

Yonkers

Waterfront and multifamily development.

White Plains

Mixed-use, office and healthcare.

New Rochelle

Downtown residential towers.

Buffalo

Medical, adaptive reuse and industrial.

Rochester

Healthcare, education and manufacturing.

Syracuse

Industrial growth and housing.

Albany

Government, education and multifamily.

View all Service Areas.

FAQS

Structural Steel Estimating: Frequently Asked Questions

Direct answers for New York contractors and owners. More on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

How is structural steel tonnage calculated?

Each member’s length is multiplied by its weight per foot from standard shape tables, then totaled and adjusted for connections and plates.

Do you include connections?

Yes. Connections are estimated from details or as an allowance percentage when not detailed.

Do you estimate metal deck?

Yes. Floor and roof deck are measured by area and gauge, with accessories.

Do you include erection and cranes?

Yes, when requested. Erection crew hours, cranes and hoisting are priced for the site.

Do you estimate miscellaneous metals?

Yes. Stairs, railings, lintels, ladders and embeds are included.

Can you estimate pre-engineered buildings?

Yes, including frames, secondary members, panels and erection.

Do you estimate steel for renovations?

Yes. We estimate new beams, posts and reinforcement in existing buildings.

Can steel fabricators use your takeoffs?

Yes. Fabricators use our tonnage and piece counts to price shop and field work.

Get Structural Steel Estimating Services in New York

Send your plans today and receive a detailed, trade-by-trade estimate priced for New York labor, materials and site conditions — ready for bidding, budgeting or financing.

OFFICE LOCATION

Visit or Contact Our Brooklyn Office

New York Cost Estimating works from Brooklyn and serves contractors, developers, owners and design teams across all five boroughs, Westchester, Long Island and Upstate New York. Plans are reviewed digitally, so you can send drawings from anywhere in the state.