structural steel
COSTING
Cost is a fundamental consideration in the selection of structural frame material and form, which is a key early decision in the design process.
Structural steel prices can vary widely, even just from one day to the next. Considering that major construction projects take months to years to complete, failure to account for potential fluctuations across the proposed time span of the project can throw your budget and the entire project into a tailspin.
Our Approach
Mikab considers a number of key cost drivers in order to make steel frame rates project specific, and provide guidance on current cost ranges for different building types and locations. Through the identification of the key factors relevant to each project and the adjustment of typical rates accordingly, we accurately estimate the budget structural steel.
Key cost drivers
A number of factors can be considered to have a key impact on the price of structural steel frames. Mikab considers the follow- ing key cost drivers as part of the major factors:
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Function, sector and building height
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Form, site conditions and complexity
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Location, logistics and access
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Programme, risk and procurement route
The importance of realistic steel pricing:
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As the selection of frame material is a key design decision and impacts on so many related building elements; foundations, finishes, wall to floor ratio and cladding to name but a few. Therefore, although the period of time to identify and select the best value frame is not a long one, enough technical atten- tion and resources are located to it.
Where the initial budget estimates of steel frame costs are not realistic, the wrong frame solution can be selected at a high- er cost of not only the frame but potentially also the related building elements. It can also have an effect on buildability, logistics and the construction programme, as the frame con- struction is a critical path activity.
