What to Include in a Metal Fabrication RFQ

A good fabrication quote starts with a good project brief.

Missing information does not necessarily prevent a fabricator from pricing a job, but it can create assumptions, clarification requests and later revisions.

If you want faster, more comparable quotations, include as much of the following information as possible.

1. Fabrication drawings

Provide the latest available drawings and clearly identify their revision status.

Useful formats may include:

• PDF;

• DWG;

• DXF;

• STEP;

• IFC; and

• Revit files.

Where several drawings form part of the same package, make the relationship between them clear. CAD and BIM workflows

2. Quantities

Specify the required quantity for each component or assembly.

This is particularly important because the manufacturing approach for a one-off fabrication may differ from a repeat production run.

If quantities are preliminary, identify them as such.

3. Material specification

State the required material rather than leaving the fabricator to infer it from the drawing.

Common fabrication materials include:

• mild steel;

• stainless steel;

• aluminium; and

• galvanised steel.

Include grades where these are specified by the design. Manufacturing Capabilities.

4. Product finish

Finish requirements are a frequent source of clarification.

Identify whether the finished component requires, for example:

• hot-dip galvanising;

• powder coating;

• a specified paint system;

• stainless finish; or

• another project-specific treatment.

Where colour or coating specifications apply, include them.

5. Quality and compliance requirements

Do not leave QA requirements until production has started.

If the project requires any of the following, include them in the RFQ:

• Inspection and Test Plans;

• material traceability;

• welding documentation;

• third-party inspections;

• hold or witness points;

• material certificates;

• inspection records; or

• Manufacturing Data Records.

This allows the documentation and inspection requirements to be built into the scope from the beginning.

6. Project timeline

Provide both the required delivery date and any relevant project milestones.

If the work will be released in stages, identify that where possible.

A single final date may not provide enough information for a fabricator to understand the actual production requirement.

7. Delivery sequence

For major projects, when components arrive can matter as much as when the package is completed.

If fabrication needs to align with floors, zones, plant rooms, installation stages or site possession windows, explain the required sequence.

This allows production and delivery planning to reflect the construction program.

8. Project location and site requirements

State where the fabricated items need to be delivered.

Also identify any known requirements affecting transport, packaging, lifting or access.

These can influence the most practical way to fabricate and assemble the scope.

9. Assembly requirements

Clarify whether components are required as individual parts or complete assemblies.

Where prefabrication is being considered, provide any available information about:

• transport constraints;

• lifting;

• access;

• connection points; and

• installation methodology.

This helps determine how much work can practically be completed before delivery.

10. What is still unresolved?

You do not need a perfect package before talking to a fabricator.

If some information is still being developed, identify it explicitly rather than allowing an assumption to fill the gap.

For example:

Finish: to be confirmed

is more useful than providing no finish information at all.

Metal fabrication RFQ checklist

Before sending your next RFQ, check that you have included:

• drawings and revision status;

• quantities;

• materials;

• finishes;

• QA/QC requirements;

• project timeline;

• delivery sequence;

• project location;

• assembly requirements; and

• known outstanding information.

Better information at quotation stage creates a better basis for comparing suppliers and moving the successful package into production.

Have a project ready for pricing?

Send KS Metal Fabrications your drawings, specifications and project requirements through our Request a Quote page.