7 mistakes when hiring a steel fabricator

October 10, 2026  ·  Indumor

After years of quoting against other shops — and inheriting jobs that went wrong — at Indumor we have a clear ranking of the mistakes that cost buyers the most money. Here are the 7, each with its antidote.

1. Comparing only price per pound

A poorly optimized structure weighs 20% extra: a cheap rate on inflated weight is expensive. Demand an open takeoff: weights, processes and prices in sight.

2. Defining the finish too late

"We will sort the paint later" ends in surcharges or impossible galvanizing (a field-welded structure does not galvanize well). The finish is decided with the design.

3. Quoting without a drawing (or even a sketch)

"Something like this" produces quotes you cannot compare between vendors, and surprises later. A dimensioned sketch already puts everything in order.

4. Not asking who does what

Many "fabricators" subcontract cutting, machining or paint: every interface is delay and crossed excuses. Ask which processes happen inside the shop.

5. Not requiring dimensional verification

The part that arrives wrong at site costs triple to fix there. Require critical dimensions verified and documented before dispatch — non-negotiable for export orders.

6. Lead times without stages

"30 days" with no breakdown is wishful thinking. Ask for the stage-by-stage timeline: engineering, materials, fabrication, finishing.

7. Choosing on price for engineered work

For simple parts, price rules. For calculated structures, machined assemblies or jobs with installation, the cheapest vendor without technical capacity is the most expensive in the end.

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