A fabricator in Rajkot once sent a one-line message to three suppliers: “Need MS plate, 20 tonnes, rate?” He got three rates. They were 8 percent apart. It took two days of calls to learn that one was for a different thickness, one excluded freight, and one assumed a different grade. He ended up ordering from the supplier who answered fastest, not the one who was cheapest.
A vague enquiry gets a vague quote. A clear one gets a fast, comparable, accurate price. This is the checklist to send.
Quick answer: To get a correct steel quote, send the product, grade or standard, exact size or thickness, quantity (in tonnes or pieces), delivery location, and any certificate or processing you need. Ask every supplier to quote on the same basis, including freight, loading, taxes and tolerance, so you can compare real prices instead of headline rates.
Why Incomplete Enquiries Cost You Money
- Wrong material arrives. “MS plate” can mean many grades and thicknesses.
- Quotes cannot be compared. One includes freight, another does not.
- You lose days. Every back-and-forth call delays your project.
- Disputes start at delivery. If specs were never written down, nobody can prove what was agreed.
The Core Checklist: Send This With Every Enquiry
- Product: TMT, plate, sheet, coil, pipe, angle, channel, beam or flat.
- Grade or standard: for example Fe500D for TMT, IS 2062 for structural plates, ERW or seamless for pipes.
- Size: thickness, width and length for plates and sheets, diameter and wall thickness for pipes, section size for angles and beams.
- Quantity: in tonnes or number of pieces, with a note if it is a one-time or repeat order.
- Delivery location: city, site address and whether unloading help is available.
- Timeline: when you need it, and whether partial deliveries are fine.
- Certificates: mill test certificate or inspection report if your project needs it.
- Processing: cut-to-length, slitting, profile cutting or other work.
Product-Specific Details to Add
| Product | Always mention |
|---|---|
| TMT bars | Grade (Fe500, Fe500D, Fe550D), diameter, length, brand or mill |
| Plates | Grade, thickness, width, length, whether HR or special grade |
| Sheets and coils | HR or CR, thickness, width, coil or cut sheets, GP or GI if coated |
| Pipes | MS, GI, ERW or seamless, outer diameter, wall thickness or class, length |
| Angles, channels, beams | Section size, length, standard |
Not sure about one of these? Our guides cover the choices: HR vs CR, ERW vs seamless pipes, and the steel plate buying guide.
Quick Weight Formulas to Check Your Quantity
- Plate or sheet (kg): thickness (mm) x width (m) x length (m) x 7.85
- TMT or round bar (kg per metre): diameter (mm) squared divided by 162
- Pipe (kg per metre): (outer diameter minus wall thickness, both in mm) x wall thickness x 0.02466
Use these to sanity-check a quote, since steel is usually priced by weight. For more, see the pipe weight chart.
How to Compare Quotes Properly
- Same specification. Same grade, size and standard in every quote.
- Rate basis. Per kg or per tonne, and whether it is ex-stock or delivered.
- Freight and unloading. Included or extra?
- Taxes. GST included or added on top?
- Tolerance. Weight and thickness tolerance can change your real cost.
- Certificates. Test certificate included or charged?
- Validity. Steel rates move, so check how long the price holds.
Red Flags to Watch For
- A rate far below every other quote, with no explanation
- No written spec, only a verbal agreement
- Reluctance to share a test certificate
- Pressure to pay in full before any documents are shared
Our steel buying mistakes guide goes deeper on what to check before you commit.
Copy-Paste Enquiry Template
Send this on WhatsApp or email and fill in the blanks:
Product: ______
Grade or standard: ______
Size (thickness, width, length or diameter): ______
Quantity (tonnes or pieces): ______
Delivery location: ______
Needed by: ______
Certificate required: Yes or No
Processing (cutting, slitting): ______
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include when asking for a steel quote?
Product, grade, size, quantity, delivery location, timeline and any certificate or processing needed.
How can I compare steel quotes fairly?
Make sure each quote covers the same specification, rate basis, freight, taxes and tolerance.
Is steel priced per kg or per tonne?
Usually per kg or per tonne, depending on the product and supplier. Always confirm which one.
Can you cut or process steel to my size?
We offer cut-to-length, slitting and fabrication support. Mention it in your enquiry.
Do you supply from Bhavnagar and Surat?
Yes. See our Bhavnagar and Surat pages.
Ready to Get an Accurate Steel Quote?
Send us your product, size, quantity and delivery location. We will confirm stock and come back with a clear quote. See also what local stock means for your project.
Call 7226060911 or send your requirement below.
