A Midwest steel contractor used IronKit to generate the bid for a 40-ton pre-engineered warehouse package. The GC wanted a single line-item breakdown showing W-shapes, HSS members, connections, erection, and delivery as separate cost centers. IronKit produced the complete bid with $38K W-shapes, $14K HSS, $8K connections, $12K labor, and $3K delivery — totaling $75K direct cost before overhead and profit. The shop said the level of detail was the key differentiator against two competitors who submitted lump-sum bids without backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a 40-ton warehouse bid typically structured?
Material by member type (W-shapes, HSS, plate), then labor (shop fab and field erection separate), then coatings, hardware, and delivery. Separating the cost centers gives the GC visibility and lets you protect your margin if they want to self-perform any portion.
What is the typical $/ton for a warehouse steel package?
In the Midwest in 2026, expect $2,600–$3,200/ton for a delivered-and-erected structural package. This bid comes in at about $1,743/ton direct cost, $2,180/ton with overhead, and $2,510/ton at bid price — competitive but not the lowest.
Should I include steel escalation clauses?
Yes, especially if bid-to-order time could exceed 45–60 days. Structural steel mill prices have moved ±15% year-over-year. An escalation clause that lets you re-price at order if hot-rolled coil moves more than 5% protects your margin on 40-ton packages worth $70K+.
What does IronKit use for tonnage-based pricing?
IronKit uses your entered labor hours, material quantities, and current steel pricing ($0.85/lb structural steel by default for 2026). You can adjust any input and the BOQ and totals update instantly. The $/ton summary view is useful for comparing against your historical job costs.