Had a homeowner come to us last week after getting quoted $8,000 for a simple driveway gate. The steel cost? About $600. The labor? Maybe 12 hours.

This happens all the time in fabrication. Here's what to look for:

Red flags in a steel fabrication quote:

• No material breakdown (they're hiding markup)

• "Design fee" on top of the build cost (the design IS the build)

• 8-12 week lead times for basic work (they're subcontracting)

• Won't let you visit the shop (they might not have one)

What a fair quote looks like:

• Itemized materials with weight/grade listed

• Labor hours estimated separately

• Finish/coating costs broken out

• 2-4 week turnaround for standard residential work

We break down every quote line by line at Forge & Weld. No hidden fees, no mystery markup. If you're planning a project — gates, railings, structural steel, architectural metalwork — reach out and we'll give you an honest number.