A Houston structural fabricator used IronKit to generate their go-to bid template for structural steel packages. The template covers a complete scope letter, itemized BOQ table, exclusions list, payment schedule, and standard T&C — the full package GCs expect from a subcontractor. Before IronKit, the shop foreman spent 3–4 hours assembling each bid from Word templates and spreadsheets. Now they generate a professional package in under 15 minutes. The GC who received the first IronKit bid said "this looks like it came from a company twice your size."
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a structural steel bid always include?
Scope letter (what you're doing), exclusions list (what you're NOT doing — this is equally important), itemized BOQ with material and labor separated, payment schedule with milestones, and standard T&C covering delays, changes, and retainage. Missing any one of these creates disputes downstream.
How does IronKit generate a structural bid?
You enter the project basics — member list, tonnage, labor hours, scope notes — and IronKit builds the complete bid document with line items, exclusions, payment schedule, and standard T&C. You review and adjust, then export to PDF and send to the GC.
What is "AISC-certified shop" and should I include it?
AISC fabricator certification (Standard, Sophisticated, or Complex) certifies your quality management system. Many owners and GCs require it for structural steel. Including your certification status in the bid differentiates you and signals quality. If you're not certified, omit it — don't include it as a general statement.
How do I handle scope creep on structural bids?
The exclusions list is your first line of defense. Be explicit about what's excluded — engineering, special inspection, concrete work, finish coatings. Any GC request that falls in the exclusions is a change order. IronKit's change order generator handles the documentation once scope changes are agreed.