Understanding the cost of structural steelwork. Part 1: Initial estimates

Cost is a key consideration in many design decisions, so an understanding of approximate costs and cost drivers is a professional skill that structural engineers are advised to develop through their careers. This article is the first of two; it provides an introduction to initial cost estimates for structural steelwork and the key cost drivers in the early design stages of a project. The second article will present some best practice design guidance for optimising the cost of steel construction to provide best value during design development.