Steel fabrication cost in the UAE: 2026 price guide for project buyers
Steel fabrication cost in the UAE runs from about AED 6.50 to AED 18 per kg in 2026, or AED 6,500 to AED 18,000 per tonne, for commercial and industrial work. The exact figure depends on grade, tonnage, finish quality and the inspection the project has to pass.
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How steel fabrication is priced in the UAE
Fabricators here use four pricing models, and the choice depends on how repeatable the item is. Structural frames and platework are priced per kg or per tonne because the work scales with weight. Repeated linear items such as handrails, ladders and edge protection are priced per linear metre. Mixed packages with design responsibility are priced as a lump sum. Our steel fabrication services in the UAE work under all four models, which is why quotes from different workshops can look so different on paper.
Per kg and per tonne
This is the standard for beams, columns, bracing, base plates, platforms and skids. The rate usually covers cutting, drilling, fit up and welding, and it is applied to the tonnage calculated from approved shop drawings. Always ask whether the rate includes material, because a fabrication-only rate of AED 4 per kg and an all-in rate of AED 11 per kg are two very different prices for the same steel.
Per linear metre
Used for stainless steel handrails, guardrails, ladder cages, floor gratings and balustrades. Length is a fairer measure than weight here, because a 3 m handrail and a 12 m handrail take a similar amount of work at each end but very different amounts of material.
Lump sum
Used on design and build packages where the fabricator carries connection design, shop drawings and site survey. You get one price and fewer variations, but you need the scope locked before signing, because every change after that becomes a negotiation.
What drives the number
Two frames of the same weight can differ by 40 percent in price. Weight is only the starting point. Grade, geometry, finish and approval requirements decide the rest.
Steel grade
S235 is the cheapest and suits light supports, secondary steel and non structural work. S275 covers most building frames and gives the best balance of strength and cost. S355 costs more per tonne but allows smaller sections, so on long span roofs and heavily loaded floors it can reduce overall tonnage and beat S275 on total price.
Tonnage and economies of scale
Setup, drawings, jigs, workshop handling and site mobilisation are largely fixed costs. On a 2 tonne canopy those costs spread over very little steel, which is why small jobs carry the highest per kg rates. On a 50 tonne frame the same costs spread across much more weight and the rate drops.
Geometry and connection detailing
Straight beams with simple shear connections are quick to produce. Curved members, moment connections, slotted holes, tight tolerances and architecturally exposed steel with neat welds all add hours. Exposed steel in a mall or hotel lobby can add 15 to 25 percent to the fabrication rate, because the finish has to look right and not just hold load.
Finishes
| Finish | Typical adder per kg | Where it is used | | Mill finish with primer | AED 0.80 to 1.40 | Internal frames, protected areas | | Hot dip galvanising | AED 2.20 to 3.20 | External structures, coastal sites | | Two pack paint or powder coat | AED 1.80 to 4.50 | Architecturally exposed steel | | Intumescent fire protection | AED 4.00 to 9.00 | Rated structures, depends on section factor |
Approvals and third party inspection
DET in Dubai, the municipality in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, and free zone authorities elsewhere all expect approved fabricators, submitted shop drawings and inspection records. Third party weld testing, whether ultrasonic or dye penetrant, is charged per test or as a lump sum. Budget AED 350 to 900 per weld test, or AED 5,000 to 15,000 on a mid sized frame. It is a real line item, not a hidden cost.
steel fabrication works begin in the UAE" loading="lazy" decoding="async" /> Site visit ahead of a fit out, where structural supports and stainless steel elements are measured before fabrication starts.
Indicative 2026 AED rates
The ranges below are supply and install for commercial and industrial projects across the UAE, based on 2026 market conditions. Expect movement of 10 percent either way depending on location and site access.
- Structural steel, S275, primer only: AED 9.50 to 14.00 per kg
- Structural steel, S355, primer only: AED 11.00 to 16.00 per kg
- Structural steel with hot dip galvanising: AED 12.50 to 18.00 per kg
- Platework, tanks and hoppers: AED 8.00 to 16.00 per kg
- Stainless steel 304 handrail: AED 180 to 420 per linear metre
- Aluminium balustrade with glass infill: AED 450 to 900 per linear metre
Worked example: 10 tonne commercial warehouse frame
A 10 tonne portal frame in Dubai, fabricated and erected on a developed industrial plot.
| Line item | Quantity | Rate | Amount | | Steel sections, S275 | 10,000 kg | AED 3.20 per kg | AED 32,000 | | Fabrication and welding | 10,000 kg | AED 4.10 per kg | AED 41,000 | | Shop drawings and connection design | 1 lot | AED 6,500 | AED 6,500 | | Surface preparation and primer | 10,000 kg | AED 1.10 per kg | AED 11,000 | | Transport to site | 1 lot | AED 3,500 | AED 3,500 | | Crane and erection | 1 lot | AED 14,000 | AED 14,000 | | DET permit and third party inspection | 1 lot | AED 9,500 | AED 9,500 | | Total, primed | | | AED 117,500 |
That works out at AED 11.75 per kg, which sits in the middle of the 2026 range. Add hot dip galvanising at AED 2.60 per kg and the same frame costs AED 143,500, or AED 14.35 per kg. That is the difference one finish makes on a single job, and it is the number most buyers forget when comparing bids.
The quality was great, and the price was one of the best I found. Romosh Al Eyoun, 5 stars
Regional variation across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates
Fabrication rates move by roughly 5 to 12 percent between emirates, and logistics and site access explain almost all of it. Steel sections cost about the same whether they land in Jebel Ali or Musaffah.
In Dubai, DET approvals and delivery restrictions shape the price. Sites in Al Quoz, Business Bay and the older industrial areas are tight, and night or off peak delivery permits add cost. In Abu Dhabi, municipality approvals and inspection standards govern the programme, but industrial plots in Musaffah and KEZAD usually give trailers and cranes room to work. Sharjah workshops around Hamriyah and SAIF Zone often run lower yard overheads, so the per kg rate can be 5 to 10 percent lower, though transport into Dubai adds AED 900 to 2,500 per load. In the Northern Emirates, including Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah, heavy fabrication capacity is thinner, material is often trucked in, and crew travel time gets billed. Our own structural steel works in Dubai show how much those site conditions change the build.
Lead times by project size and how to compress them
A 2 tonne canopy can be fabricated in a week, while a 100 tonne process structure can take three months. Steel supply is rarely the bottleneck. Drawings, approvals and galvanising queues are.
- Under 2 tonnes: 1 to 2 weeks
- 2 to 10 tonnes: 3 to 4 weeks
- 10 to 25 tonnes: 4 to 6 weeks
- 50 tonnes and above: 8 to 14 weeks
The route from enquiry to handover usually runs like this:
- Send a scope pack with drawings, grades, finishes and site constraints.
- Approve shop drawings and connection details.
- Confirm the material order and mill certificates.
- Fabricate in the workshop with in process inspection.
- Release for galvanising or painting, allowing about a week for the finishing line.
- Deliver, erect and hand over inspection records.
To compress the programme, approve drawings early, stick to standard section sizes, split the job into erection zones so site work can start before fabrication finishes, and book finishing slots in advance. One decision maker on the client side saves more time than any workshop shortcut.
Final stages of a restaurant build, with stainless steel and support works checked before handover.
How to get an accurate quote
An accurate quote needs five things in writing: tonnage, steel grade, finish, site access and inspection scope. Send all five and you get a number you can actually compare.
Ask any fabricator these six questions:
- Is your rate based on the tonnage from approved shop drawings?
- Does the price include steel material, or is it fabrication only?
- Which grade are you pricing, S235, S275 or S355?
- What finish is included, primer, galvanising or nothing at all?
- Who handles DET or municipality approval and third party inspection?
- What is excluded, and what would trigger a variation?
Red flags in a suspiciously low bid include a single per kg rate with no breakdown, no inspection allowance, no crane or erection line, free drawings that are quietly priced elsewhere, no site visit, and a quote that stays silent on steel grade so sections can be swapped later. A price held for only 30 days on a volatile steel market is also worth questioning.
A proper BOQ based quotation lists material take off by section size and weight, fabrication rate per kg, finishing rate per kg, transport, crane and erection, permits and inspection, plus a clear exclusions list. If you are still shortlisting, this guide on how to choose a steel fabrication company in the UAE walks through the checks that separate a real workshop from a broker. When your drawings are ready, request a steel fabrication quote and compare it against the ranges above.
Excellent works and very Proffesional team. Highly recommended. Shahad Cb, 5 stars
Frequently asked questions
How much does steel fabrication cost per kg in the UAE in 2026?
For commercial and industrial work, expect AED 6.50 to 14.00 per kg for mild steel with primer, and AED 12.50 to 18.00 per kg once galvanising is included. Jobs under 2 tonnes sit at the top of that range because setup costs spread over very little weight. Stainless steel and aluminium are priced per linear metre instead.
What is the structural steel price per ton in the UAE?
Fully fabricated and installed structural steel runs from about AED 9,500 to AED 18,000 per tonne in 2026, depending on grade, finish and site access. Raw sections are only part of that figure. Cutting, welding, finishing, transport, erection, permits and inspection make up the rest, so compare quotes on identical scope.
Is steel fabrication cheaper in Sharjah than in Dubai?
Workshop rates in Sharjah, especially around Hamriyah and SAIF Zone, can be 5 to 10 percent lower than Dubai for the same scope. Deliveries into Dubai add AED 900 to 2,500 per load plus possible night permits. On a 10 tonne frame the gap often narrows to a couple of thousand dirhams once transport is counted.
Does the quotation include DET or municipality approval and third party inspection?
Not always. On a 10 tonne commercial frame, permit handling and third party weld inspection typically add AED 5,000 to 15,000. Ask for both as separate lines so you can see exactly what is covered. A quote with no inspection allowance at all is a warning sign on any structure that needs approval.
How long does steel fabrication take in the UAE?
Jobs under 2 tonnes take 1 to 2 weeks, a 10 tonne frame takes 3 to 4 weeks, and 50 tonnes or more takes 8 to 14 weeks. Shop drawing approval and galvanising queues are usually the slowest steps. Approving drawings early and booking finishing slots in advance can pull two weeks out of a mid sized project.
How do I compare steel fabrication quotes in the UAE?
Put every bid against the same tonnage, grade, finish and inspection scope, then compare the line items rather than the total. Ask each fabricator to list exclusions and confirm the material grade in writing. The cheapest per kg rate is often the one missing permits, painting or erection.
