Why a checklist helps
Most disputes in steel structure orders stem from assumptions rather than written agreements: who designs the foundation, what the coating system entails, which code applies, how deviations found during inspection are handled, and who arranges inland transport. Reviewing the checklist below before signing reduces this risk.
Most disputes in steel structure orders stem from unwritten default assumptions: who designs the foundation, what corrosion protection system is used, which code applies, how to handle inspection deviations, and who arranges inland transport. Reviewing each item before signing reduces these risks.
1. Site and design basis
- Plot dimensions, setbacks, and any height restrictions from the local authority.
- Enter the building's length, width, eave height, roof slope, and any mezzanine or canopy dimensions.
- Intended use, equipment layout, and crane tonnage with duty class (if applicable).
- Applicable code, wind speed, snow load, and seismic parameters for the site.
- Geotechnical report or agreement on survey coordination.
- Access for delivery and erection equipment vehicles.
Plot dimensions, setbacks, and local height restrictions; building length, width, eave height, roof slope, mezzanine, or canopy; intended use, equipment layout, crane capacity, and working class; applicable codes, wind speed, snow load, and seismic parameters; geotechnical investigation data or responsible party; whether access roads accommodate transport and lifting equipment.
2. Supply scope and specifications
- Included components: frames, purlins, girts, bracing, cladding, fasteners, anchor bolts, gutters, downspouts, doors, windows, ventilation, and insulation.
- Steel grades and their corresponding standards.
- Surface preparation grade and coating system, including dry film thickness or galvanizing thickness.
- Included drawings: layout, assembly, connection details, anchor bolt plan, and foundation design inclusion status.
- Spare parts, touch-up paint, and erection sequence marking method.
Included components (frames, purlins, girts, bracing, cladding, fasteners, roof gutters, downspouts, doors/windows, ventilation, insulation); steel grade and supply standards; surface treatment grade, anti-corrosion system, and dry film or galvanized coating thickness; included drawings (layout, erection, connection details, anchor bolt plans); whether foundation design is included; spare parts, touch-up paint, and installation sequence numbering method.
3. Commercial terms
- Quotation basis, currency, and offer validity period.
- Delivery term (e.g., FOB, CIF, or DAP) and the named port or place.
- Payment milestones and the documents required for each payment.
- Schedule: design approval, manufacturing, inspection, shipment, and delay management.
- Inspection rights, including third-party inspection prior to shipment and responsibility for associated costs.
- Warranty coverage, exclusions, and claim submission process.
Quotation basis, currency, and validity period; delivery terms (e.g., FOB, CIF, DAP) with designated ports or locations; payment milestones and required documents for each milestone; project schedule (design approval, production, inspection, shipment) and delay handling procedures; inspection rights, including pre-shipment third-party inspection and cost allocation; warranty scope, exclusions, and claims process.
4. Execution and handover
- Who installs the building, and what support does the supplier provide during installation?
- Responsibility for the foundation and the data underlying the foundation design.
- Documents delivered at shipment and upon completion.
- Contact persons on both sides and reporting frequency during manufacturing.
Responsibilities for installation and supplier support during the installation phase; primary responsible party and design basis; documentation to be handed over at shipment and completion; contact persons for both parties and reporting frequency during production.
Before you sign
Review the contract against this checklist and flag any items that are not addressed. Unfilled items will be determined later, often under time pressure. If a supplier cannot provide a written response to a scope question, treat this as information about the offer.
Use this checklist to review the contract item by item and flag all unspecified items. Unfilled items require further clarification, often under tight deadlines. If the supplier cannot provide written responses regarding the scope, that itself is significant information about the quote.