.jpg "Baobab trees along Baobab Alley at sunset near Morondava, Madagascar. Photo ID 129751562 © Rinus Baak | Dreamstime.com")
.jpg "Children swim in lake near Baobab Alley in Morondava, Madagascar. Photo ID 185814815 © Ekaterina Tsvetkova | Dreamstime.com")
In today’s market, not all steel fabrication quotes are created equal. While some contractors focus solely on offering the lowest price, reputable companies like SOLHAR prioritize quality, safety, and long-term value.
In today’s competitive market, structural steel quotations can vary dramatically. At SOLHAR, we believe in transparency and quality—and we want to help you understand why our pricing reflects long-term value, not just short-term savings.
Why Structural Steel Pricing Varies So Widely
Discussing Structural Steel Pricing – by Gerrard Booyens
Why Structural Steel Pricing Varies So Widely
In today’s market, not all steel fabrication quotes are created equal. While some contractors focus solely on offering the lowest price, reputable companies like SOLHAR prioritize quality, safety, and long-term value.
In today’s competitive market, structural steel quotations can vary dramatically. At SOLHAR, we believe in transparency and quality—and we want to help you understand why our pricing reflects long-term value, not just short-term savings.
Here’s why that matters:
Workmanship Standards
Qualified Artisans vs. Semi-Skilled Labor:
Skilled artisans follow certified welding codes and fabrication standards. This ensures structural integrity and compliance with engineering specifications. Lower-cost contractors often use semi-skilled workers, reducing labor costs but compromising quality and consistency.
Welding Quality:
Certified welders use approved procedures and consumables with traceable data sheets. This guarantees strength and durability—especially critical in mining and industrial environments.
Material Selection
Certified vs. Commercial Steel:
Certified steel comes with mill certificates and meets structural grade requirements. Commercial steel may be cheaper but lacks traceability and guaranteed performance, especially under load or in harsh conditions.
Consumables with Documentation:
Quality welding rods, paints, and coatings come with datasheets and batch traceability. These form part of a Quality Data Pack—available to clients upon request—to prove compliance and accountability.
Protective Coatings
Surface Preparation:
SOLHAR adheres to standards like SA2.5 sandblasting, ensuring proper adhesion and corrosion resistance.
Paint Systems:
We apply a two-coat system with a minimum Dry Film Thickness (DFT) of 100 microns, verified by calibrated instruments. In contrast, low-cost contractors may apply a single coat of primer with no DFT checks—often resulting in just 20 microns or less, offering minimal protection.
Engineering Oversight
Structural Approval:
All SOLHAR structures are reviewed and signed off by qualified engineers. This ensures safety under wind loads, seismic conditions, and operational stresses.
Many low-cost providers skip this step entirely, leaving clients exposed to risk.
Accountability and Aftercare
Reputation vs. Risk:
Companies that cut corners often walk away once the job is done, offering no guarantees or support if issues arise.
SOLHAR stands behind its work, with full documentation, compliance, and a commitment to long-term partnerships.
🍏Apples vs. Oranges
When comparing quotes, it’s essential to ask: Are you comparing certified engineering with unverified fabrication? Are you getting long-term durability or short-term savings?
🏗️ Why Structural Steel Pricing Varies So Widely
|
Category |
High-Quality Fabrication |
Low-Cost Alternatives |
|
Workmanship Standards |
Certified welders, precision tolerances |
Unskilled labour, loose tolerances |
|
Material Selection |
Premium-grade steel, tested for strength |
Cheaper steel, inconsistent quality |
|
Protective Coatings |
Sandblast SA2.5 + 2-coat system, 100μm DFT verified |
Single coat primer, ~20μm, no DFT checks |
|
Engineering Oversight |
Approved by licensed engineers, designed for safety |
Minimal or no engineering review |
|
Accountability |
Full documentation, traceable components, post-project support |
No data pack, no guarantees, no responsibility |
📊 Long-Term Cost & Risk Comparison
|
Metric |
High-Quality Fabrication |
Low-Cost Alternative |
|
Initial Cost |
Higher upfront investment |
Lower upfront cost |
|
Maintenance Cost (10 yrs) |
Low—due to proper coatings & welds |
High—frequent repainting & repairs |
|
Expected Lifespan |
40–50 years |
20–25 years |
|
Failure Risk |
Minimal (2%) |
Elevated (15%) |
|
Insurance Premium Impact |
Lower—due to certified compliance |
Higher—due to increased liability |
|
Post-Project Support |
Guaranteed, with documentation |
None—contractors often disappear |
At SOLHAR, we don’t compete on shortcuts—we compete on quality, compliance, and peace of mind.
We welcome any questions and are happy to provide full documentation, datasheets, and engineering approvals to support your project’s success.
