Cost guide · Compare inclusions
What affects steel frame costs in Melbourne and Victoria?
Steel frame cost depends on the design and the supplied or installed scope. Compare wall, floor and roof framing, structural steel, engineering, transport and installation as separate items; a single rate per square metre or tonne can leave major differences hidden.
Published 24 October 2026 · Prepared by FrameSet
Why is there no standard price on this page?
FrameSet quotes to the project drawings rather than publishing a standard kit price. Dwelling size alone does not define the member sizes, connection details, steel content or site requirements. Send your drawings for an itemised quote.
Which design details affect the frame scope?
Storeys, wall heights, roof form, spans, large openings, balconies and bracing requirements affect the frame design. A repeated townhouse layout can still have different end conditions, openings and connections between dwellings.
Why is structural steel more than a tonnage rate?
The fabrication scope includes cutting, holes, cleats, plates, welds, connections and coating as specified. Two packages with similar weight may need different amounts of detailing, fabrication and lifting. Check whether the quote covers the finished members and their connections.
What should I compare between quotes?
| Scope item | Question to ask |
|---|---|
| LGS package | Are wall panels, floors, roof trusses, fixings and shop drawings included? |
| Engineering | Which design documents, certificates and inspection activities are included? |
| Structural steel | Are connection fabrication and the specified coating included? |
| Logistics | How many deliveries, which unloading arrangements and which regional travel costs? |
| Installation | Which stages, crane work, bracing, access equipment and site extras? |
| Commercial basis | Which revisions, assumptions, exclusions, taxes and validity period apply? |
Can steel and timber be compared directly?
Use the same drawings and scope and ask the project engineer about design changes. Compare the complete package, including interfaces, engineering and installation. Do not assume a fixed saving from changing framing material.
How do I get a project price?
Follow the drawing checklist and tell us your scope and site suburb. FrameSet quotes townhouses, dual occupancies and granny flats across Melbourne and Victoria.
Questions builders ask
Your questions answered
Can you give a firm steel frame price from floor area alone?
Floor area alone does not establish the final scope. Drawings, member design, structural steel, delivery and installation requirements are needed to assess a project-specific price.
Does supply and install include crane hire?
Only when the quote lists it. Ask for delivery, lifting, access equipment and installation stages to be identified so competing offers can be compared on the same basis.