Read the spec first
Start with 05 12 00 Structural Steel Framing. Read 05 21 00 Steel Joist Framing and 05 31 00 Steel Decking. Read 05 50 00 Metal Fabrications for miscellaneous metals. Note the steel grades, the primer, any galvanizing and who designs the connections. Then read the structural general notes.
Sheets and schedules that carry the count
- The framing plans. They show beams, girders and joists by size.
- The column schedule and the base plate schedule.
- The braced frame and moment frame elevations.
- The structural details and sections.
- The architectural sheets. They show stairs, rails, ladders, bollards and lintels.
- The mechanical roof plan, for frames at roof openings.
Steps in order
- List the columns from the schedule with size and height.
- List the beams and girders from each framing plan with size and length.
- List the braces, frames and hangers from the elevations.
- Multiply each length by the weight per foot. Total the weight.
- Count base plates, anchor bolts, and connections by type.
- List the joists by mark. Measure the deck by area and type.
- Find the miscellaneous metals on the architectural sheets.
- Add primer, galvanizing, shop drawings, delivery and erection.
Count, length, area or volume
- Count: members, connections, base plates, anchor bolts, joists and stairs.
- Length: each member, plus rails, angles and ledgers.
- Area: steel deck, grating and surfaces to coat.
- Volume: none. Steel is totaled by weight.
Conflicts to find, and what to exclude
- The architectural sheets show steel that the structural sheets do not.
- The spec gives connection design to the fabricator. The details show full connections.
- The spec calls for a finish, such as galvanizing, that the drawings do not note.
- Loose lintels appear in the masonry details with no steel schedule.
- Roof opening frames appear on the mechanical sheets only.
Miscellaneous metals are easy to miss and slow to count. State what you include. State who supplies anchor bolts and who sets them. Qualify erection, field welding, inspection and touch-up paint. Exclude metal studs and light-gauge trusses unless the bid form lists them.
Trade takeoffs · Updated 11 Nov 2026