Inside the Smart Steel Estimator: How Fabricators.io Calculates Tonnage Without the Guesswork
A walkthrough of the Smart Steel Estimator: inputs, outputs, how it handles waste factors, and how it plugs into current mill indices.
Inputs
The Estimator accepts a Tekla or Revit IFC, a spreadsheet takeoff, or a drawing set marked up with a piece list. It normalizes to a Fabricators.io project model with tonnage per member type, connection count, and finish scope.
The math it runs
Per-member waste factor, mill-index-adjusted material cost, connection labor by type, finish coverage, freight to job site, and margin. Each input is versioned; you can re-run a quote at today's mill prices in one click.
Outputs
A branded PDF quote, a per-line cost breakdown, a fabrication schedule, and a delivery window. Every quote is stored, versioned, and searchable — no more hunting for last month's number.
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