How much does structural steel detailing cost?

$35–$90 per hour in the US and EU and $15–$38 per hour in MENA, Africa and South Asia. Per tonne pricing exists but only compares fairly when connection design, NC files and revision rounds are scoped identically.

Is connection design included in detailing?

Often not. Some detailers design connections under a licensed engineer; others detail to connections you supply. Fix this in the first line of the brief, because it is the largest single price difference between quotes.

Which software should the detailer use?

Tekla Structures dominates the market, with Advance Steel and SDS2 also common. Match the fabricator's workflow — the NC files and model exchange matter more than the brand.

Can steel detailing be outsourced offshore?

Yes, and it commonly is. Confirm code familiarity, insist on a paid benchmark drawing, and keep one reviewer on your side who checks the first release sheet by sheet.

Rates checked 2026-09-13 · 2 related live listings

Structural steel detailing services

Structural steel detailing turns the engineer's design into shop and erection drawings plus CNC files. Detailers bill $35–$90 per hour in the US and EU and $15–$38 per hour in North Africa, the Gulf, Nigeria or South Asia, and the single biggest scope question is whether connection design is included or supplied to you.

Post this brief free →Estimate the project cost

US / EU rate

$35–$90/hr

MENA / Africa / South Asia

$15–$38/hr

Time to hire

A benchmark assembly drawing in two to three days; a 200-tonne package typically runs three to six weeks.

What the scope usually includes

3D model in Tekla Structures or Advance Steel
Shop drawings, assembly and single-part drawings
Erection drawings, anchor bolt plans and material lists
NC1/DSTV files for fabrication

How to screen candidates

Ask which code they detail to (AISC, EN 1090, BS 5950) and for evidence
Check whether connection design is in scope or engineer-supplied
Request one paid assembly drawing as a benchmark
Confirm they issue NC files, not only PDFs

Copy-paste brief

Listings that include these five lines get quoted instead of negotiated. A rate range is required on every TaskBider listing.

• Tonnage and structure type
• Code and fabrication standard
• Connection design: included or supplied
• Software and model exchange format
• Deliverables: shop, assembly, erection, NC files

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Frequently asked questions

How much does structural steel detailing cost?: $35–$90 per hour in the US and EU and $15–$38 per hour in MENA, Africa and South Asia. Per tonne pricing exists but only compares fairly when connection design, NC files and revision rounds are scoped identically.
Is connection design included in detailing?: Often not. Some detailers design connections under a licensed engineer; others detail to connections you supply. Fix this in the first line of the brief, because it is the largest single price difference between quotes.
Which software should the detailer use?: Tekla Structures dominates the market, with Advance Steel and SDS2 also common. Match the fabricator's workflow — the NC files and model exchange matter more than the brand.
Can steel detailing be outsourced offshore?: Yes, and it commonly is. Confirm code familiarity, insist on a paid benchmark drawing, and keep one reviewer on your side who checks the first release sheet by sheet.