Having decided to get some blacksmith metal fabrication work done, here are some handy tips that can help you understand what you should be looking for in an estimate or a quote, and how to decide whether you should proceed.

1. Have Clear Expectations

You must provide as much detail as you can about your project, to ensure that your estimate, or your quote is as accurate as possible. Be clear about what you are looking for, and do not forget to mention things such as anticipated timescales, planning permission details (if any), and any other issues that may need to be taken into consideration, when pricing the work.

It is so important to develop a good relationship with any tradesman, and be upfront about your budget from the outset*. Having an open conversation with them to determine whether your budget is adequate for the type of work you are planning, and the quality you are seeking, can help start things off on the right foot.

*There is no point in a blacksmith setting aside time, in addition to his full-time working week spent fabricating in a busy workshop, putting together a quote, if they know realistically they cannot deliver the project within your budget.

2. Understand the Difference between ‘Estimates’ and ‘Quotes’

The difference between an estimate and a quote, can be quite significant. For example: an estimate is an educated guess of how much it will cost to complete a project, and does not take into account all the finer details involved in fully completing the job. It is non-binding, and the final cost of a project can be ‘significantly’ higher. A quote will summarise all aspects of a project in detail, and the amount quoted is the agreed price it takes to fully complete the job, unless the specification of the work changes. Quotations and estimates should always be written rather than verbal.

3. Detailed Quotes Take Time to Produce

A more detailed quote will help you to better understand the full scope of the work involved in completing your project, and will reduce the risk of any unforeseen costs. However, it is very important to understand that it takes time to prepare more detailed and thorough quotes properly. They cannot be quickly put together, and covered in a quick text message, or a short paragraph in an email. Hence, you need to allow adequate time for a blacksmith metal fabricator to plan and price your project, which can sometimes take a few weeks to produce.

Please bear in mind too, that whilst we do offer 'free estimates', the commitment involved in preparing a more thorough and detailed quote means it might sometimes be necessary for us to charge for this service. The amount we charge, will reflect the amount of time and effort that goes into this process.

4. Don’t Just Look at the Total Cost

We appreciate cost is important, and is ultimately the deciding factor for many people looking to hire a blacksmith metal fabricator. It can therefore be very tempting to focus on the total cost when comparing quotes, however please be careful of choosing the cheapest. Make sure you check that each quote has a detailed breakdown of what is included, and that it covers everything you require. It is equally important to check what is not included in the price. Be aware if a quote seems suspiciously low, because it is often the case that if something seems too good to be true, it usually is.

5. Don’t Request Too Many Quotes

We recommend, you obtain upto three different quotes for comparison, however any more than this may prove to be counterproductive, and not the most effective use of anyone’s time.