Planning perspective
When reviewing a quote for rooftop dunnage, it's crucial to understand typical scope exclusions. Steel fabricators generally exclude roofing work (pitch pockets, flashing, patching), hoisting or crane services, field touch-up paint after welding, and the vibration isolators themselves (usually provided by the mechanical contractor). Unless explicitly stated, stamped engineering is also excluded, as the building's Engineer of Record must approve the loads.
Define fabrication separately from roof and field work
A structural steel quote may focus on shop-fabricated members while roofing, equipment, isolators, anchorage design, hoisting, unloading, erection, field welding, electrical or mechanical work, and final touch-up remain with others. The accepted quote—not a general industry list—determines the actual scope.
Exclusions to review explicitly
- Professional design and sealed calculations
- Roof curbs, flashing, waterproofing, and restoration
- Anchors, isolators, equipment, louvers, and grating
- Freight, unloading, crane service, erection, and field welding
- Permits, testing, special inspection, and field touch-up
Assign every interface to a responsible party
Use a scope matrix when several trades touch the support. Identify who supplies, designs, installs, inspects, and approves each interface so necessary work is not omitted or duplicated.
Information to assemble before requesting pricing
- Current drawings, sketches, dimensions, and clear site photographs
- Equipment manufacturer, model, operating weight, support points, and current cut sheets
- Design criteria, loads, connection requirements, and approvals from the responsible project professionals
- Material, finish, inspection, submittal, schedule, and delivery requirements
- A clear list of requested inclusions and work that will be performed by others
How USA Structural approaches quote review
USA Structural uses the available project information to determine whether a fabrication scope can be priced and what open items require clarification. Early information can support an initial review, but fabrication should proceed only from current, approved project information. Listing a planning consideration does not mean it is included in a quote.
Project responsibility checkpoints
Frequently asked questions
Can USA Structural price from incomplete information?
Available information can be reviewed, but missing dimensions, loads, specifications, or responsibilities may prevent firm pricing. Any assumptions and exclusions should be resolved before release.
Who is responsible for final design?
The project's responsible licensed professionals retain design and approval responsibility unless a written agreement explicitly establishes a different, appropriately licensed scope.
Are finish, freight, and installation included?
Not automatically. Each item must be requested and confirmed in the accepted quote. The reviewed evidence does not establish a general installation service or nationwide delivery promise.
Related products and locations
Review currently authorized service-area pages. A location page represents an approved service area, not a local office.
Source and review basis
This article is USA Structural's original quote-preparation perspective. It does not reproduce a technical standard or provide engineering advice. Company capability statements were checked against the official USA Structural profile. Project specifications and official standards named by the project team control over this general guide.
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