Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Steel Fabrication Agreement

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Steel Fabrication Agreement

This Steel Fabrication Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of by and between Fabricator: and Client: .

Parties and Notices

Recitals

WHEREAS, Fabricator is engaged in the business of designing, cutting, welding, assembling and finishing steel components and structures in accordance with industry standards and the specifications set forth by clients; and

WHEREAS, Client desires to procure steel fabrication services from Fabricator for the project described herein, and Fabricator agrees to provide such services subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

WHEREAS, the parties intend that this Agreement set forth the parties' respective responsibilities, payment terms, delivery schedule, confidentiality obligations and remedies for breach.

Scope of Work

Fabricator shall furnish all labor, materials, equipment, supervision and services necessary to fabricate, finish and deliver the steel items described in the project specifications. Fabricator's obligations include quality control, dimensional tolerances, and finish per the specifications set forth below.

Payment Terms

Client shall pay Fabricator for services performed in accordance with the prices and schedule set forth below. All payments are due in U.S. dollars and exclusive of applicable taxes unless otherwise stated. Invoices shall reference project and drawing numbers and include itemized charges.

Invoices are due within days of invoice date. Overdue amounts shall accrue interest at the rate of (or the maximum permitted by law), calculated monthly on the unpaid balance.

Term and Termination

This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until completion of the Scope of Work or until terminated as provided herein.

Either party may terminate this Agreement for cause if the other party materially breaches any provision and fails to cure such breach within days after receipt of written notice. Termination for convenience by Client is permitted upon written notice and payment for work performed, materials ordered, and reasonable demobilization costs.

Inspection, Acceptance & Warranty

Client shall inspect fabricated goods upon receipt and shall notify Fabricator in writing of any nonconformity within days. Fabricator warrants that workmanship and materials provided shall be free from defects for a period of months from date of acceptance. Fabricator's sole obligation under this warranty shall be repair or replacement of defective items, at Fabricator's option.

Confidentiality

Each party shall keep confidential all proprietary, technical and business information disclosed by the other party in connection with this Agreement ("Confidential Information"), and shall not disclose or use such information except as necessary to perform this Agreement. Confidential Information does not include information which is publicly known, independently developed, or rightfully received from a third party without obligation of confidentiality.

The obligations in this section shall survive termination of this Agreement for a period of years.

Liability and Insurance

Fabricator shall maintain commercial general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance as required by law and provide certificates of insurance upon reasonable request. Except for willful misconduct or gross negligence, neither party shall be liable for indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages. Each party's aggregate liability under this Agreement shall not exceed the total contract price paid by Client to Fabricator under this Agreement.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to its conflicts of law principles. The parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in that state for any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

Entire Agreement; Amendments

This Agreement, together with any attachments, drawings and change orders executed in writing by the parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations and agreements, whether written or oral. No modification or waiver of any provision shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

Severability and Remedies

If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. The rights and remedies provided in this Agreement are cumulative and in addition to any other rights or remedies available at law or in equity.

Acceptance

Execution of this Agreement by the parties below constitutes acceptance of the terms and authorizes Fabricator to proceed with procurement, fabrication and related work consistent with the Scope of Work and Payment Terms set forth herein.

Fabricator:

By:

Date:

Client:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Steel Fabrication Agreement Covers

The Steel Fabrication Agreement is a written contract that sets terms between a fabricator and a client for the manufacture, delivery, and installation of steel components. It defines scope of work, specifications, materials, schedules, price and payment terms, change-order procedures, warranties, lien releases, inspection and acceptance criteria, insurance and indemnity obligations, and dispute resolution. For construction projects it often attaches drawings, bill of materials, and a project schedule. Clear allocation of responsibilities reduces disputes, protects payment rights, and creates an auditable record for compliance and permitting.

Why Use a Steel Fabrication Agreement

Use a Steel Fabrication Agreement to allocate risk, fix performance standards, and document payment milestones. It helps prevent scope creep, supports lien rights and insurance claims, and creates enforceable remedies for defects, delays, or nonpayment under ESIGN/UETA-compliant electronic records where applicable.

Why Use a Steel Fabrication Agreement

Who Commonly Prepares or Signs This Agreement

Typical users include general contractors, steel fabricators, project owners, architects, and subcontractors responsible for steel scope and delivery.

  • General contractors managing procurement, timelines, and overall compliance with project specifications.
  • Steel fabricators responsible for shop drawings, material sourcing, fabrication, and quality assurance.
  • Owners or developers who require firm pricing, delivery windows, warranty terms, and acceptance criteria.

Each signer’s role and obligations should be specified to ensure enforceability and to streamline change-order and payment processes.

Who Can Legally Sign

Authorized Officer

An authorized corporate officer or business owner with signing authority under company bylaws or operating agreement. The signer should have authority to bind the entity to contracts, approve payments, and accept warranties; document-level proof of authority may be required for enforcement.

Individual Contractor

An individual fabricator, sole proprietor, or subcontractor who performs fabrication work. If signing personally, the signer is liable for obligations; if signing on behalf of a firm, include title and documentation confirming authority to represent the business in contractual matters.

Core Clauses to Include

Essential clauses and attachments make a Steel Fabrication Agreement practical, enforceable, and tailored to project risk and schedule and payment milestones.

Scope of Work

Describe components, drawings, tolerances, surface finish, welding standards, fabrication methods, and any subcontracted work. Reference specific revision numbers for drawings and attach bill of materials to avoid ambiguity.

Price & Payment

State contract price, unit rates, progress payment schedule, retainage, payment triggers, invoicing requirements, and remedies for late payment including interest and suspension rights.

Schedule

Include milestone dates for shop drawings, fabrication start/finish, delivery, and installation. Address delays, force majeure, penalties for missed critical milestones, and procedures for approved time extensions.

Change Orders

Define written change-order procedures, pricing method for work changes, approval authority, and any time impacts. Require signed written authorization before performing changed work.

Warranties

Specify warranty period, scope of coverage, remedies for defects, correction procedures, and whether warranties survive final payment or termination. Define warranty start date.

Liens & Indemnity

Address payment bond requirements, lien waivers, limits on liability, indemnity for third-party claims, insurance minimums, and notice procedures for claims and defects.

Essential Information to Collect

Party Names: Full legal entity names as registered.
Scope Description: Detailed fabrication scope and specs.
Materials List: Bill of materials with grades and quantities.
Pricing: Contract price, unit rates, adjustments.
Schedule: Milestones, delivery, and installation dates.
Signatures: Names, titles, dates, and witness info.

Step-by-Step: Completing the Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to complete and execute a Steel Fabrication Agreement accurately online or on paper.

  • 01
    Gather documents: Collect drawings, specs, and BOM
  • 02
    Fill terms: Enter scope, price, schedule, and warranties
  • 03
    Review clauses: Check indemnity, liens, and inspection rights
  • 04
    Sign and distribute: Obtain signatures, notarize if required, and circulate copies

How to Configure an Online Completion Workflow

Configure an electronic workflow to route drafts, collect signatures, and attach drawings while enforcing required fields and authentication levels.

Field Configuration
Required Fields Scope, price, drawings | Cannot complete without attachments
Routing Order Parallel or sequential | Assign approvers and CC recipients
Authentication Email, SMS code, or KBA | Set per-signer level
File Attachments PDF, DWG, Excel BOM | Limit size and format

Where to Send Executed Agreements

Route signed agreements to project records, accounting, and field teams; file originals for permitting and lien rights.

  • Owner/Client: Deliver executed copy for records
  • Fabricator: Retain signed contract and shop drawings
  • Accounting: Use contract for invoicing and retainage
  • Permits: Attach agreement to permit applications if required

Technical Requirements for Electronic Execution

Choose a platform that supports PDF, DWG attachments, conditional fields, and required authentication for high-value fabrication contracts.

  • File Types: PDF, DOCX, DWG supported natively
  • Integrations: NetSuite, Procore, Salesforce available
  • Authentication: Email, SMS, and SSO options

Key Deadlines and Timing Expectations

Key deadlines govern fabrication schedules, payment milestones, warranty periods, and document retention obligations across project lifecycle.

Shop Drawing Approval:

Submit within 10–21 days of notice unless contract specifies otherwise

Fabrication Start:

Begins after approved drawings and initial payment

Delivery Window:

As stated on purchase order or schedule

Final Acceptance:

Within specified inspection period after installation

Warranty Period:

Starts on acceptance or defined date per contract

Key Milestones from Design to Acceptance

Sequential milestones track fabrication from design through closeout; each stage requires approvals, documentation, and acceptance to advance the work.

01

Design Approval

Engineering drawings reviewed and stamped for fabrication

02

Material Procurement

Orders placed, materials inspected on delivery

03

Production

Fabrication, welding, and quality control inspections

04

Delivery & Erection

Transported to site, installed, inspected, and accepted

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

  • Unclear scope or missing drawing revisions that lead to disagreements about deliverables, rework, and cost adjustments during fabrication or at installation.
  • Vague change-order process causing unauthorized work, delayed approvals, and disputes over pricing and schedule impacts without written signed amendments.
  • Failure to include inspection criteria and acceptance procedures, resulting in conflict at delivery and rejection of steel components.
  • Incorrect or incomplete signatory authority documentation leading to enforceability challenges and payment holds by owners or lenders.

Consequences of an Incorrect or Incomplete Agreement

Payment Delay: Invoices disputed; cash flow impacted
Invalid Contract: Enforcement may fail without proper authority
Lien Rights Lost: Improper notice or waivers risk lien recovery
Warranty Exposure: Ambiguous warranty terms expand liability
Compliance Risk: HIPAA or FDA rules may apply
Higher Costs: Corrections, delays, and claims increase costs

eSignature Plan Comparison for Executing Agreements

Compare common eSignature plans for executing Steel Fabrication Agreements; signNow’s pricing and envelope policies are shown first.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes (premium tiers) Yes Yes Yes Varies
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Representative Use Cases

Real-world examples illustrate how Steel Fabrication Agreements reduce disputes, clarify payment flows, and accelerate project execution.

On-site Fabrication Project

A general contractor used a detailed steel fabrication agreement to align shop drawings, delivery dates, and payment milestones before release of materials.

  • Resulted in zero change-order disputes.
  • Signed electronic agreements and attached revision-controlled drawings reduced back-and-forth, enabled quicker approvals, and allowed the fabricator to schedule production accurately, avoiding rush fees and keeping the project on the planned critical path.

Prefabricated Components for High-Rise

A developer contracting prefabricated steel modules required traceability, mill certificates, and strict tolerance acceptance criteria within the fabrication agreement.

  • Included warranty and spare parts schedule.
  • Clear obligations for material certification and inspection cycles simplified warranty claims and ensured fast replacement of defective units, protecting the developer’s construction schedule and reducing litigation risk.

Practical Contracting Tips for Accuracy and Speed

Practical recommendations improve contract clarity, reduce disputes, and speed payment processing when preparing Steel Fabrication Agreements.

Be specific about fabrication tolerances and standards
Specify welding procedures, surface finish, coating requirements, dimensional tolerances, and applicable standards (AISC, AWS). Attach referenced specifications and revision numbers; ambiguity invites rework and dispute over acceptable deviations.
Use explicit payment milestones and retainage terms
Tie payments to measurable events such as shop drawing approval, material delivery, fabrication completion, and final acceptance. State retainage percentage, release triggers, and documentation needed for invoice approval to prevent payment delays.
Document change-order pricing and time impacts
Require written change orders with agreed pricing method, labor and material rates, and any schedule adjustments. Establish response times for change requests and dispute escalation to avoid hidden costs and work performed without authorization.
Maintain traceability and inspection records
Record material certificates, weld logs, NDT reports, inspection checklists, and transport documents in a centralized repository. These records support warranty claims, lien defenses, and regulatory inspections and should be retained per retention policy.

How to Update or Amend the Agreement

Amendment steps ensure changes are documented, priced, and authorized without disrupting performance or payment timelines.

01

Initiate Change:

Submit written change request with justification
02

Estimate Cost:

Provide price and time impact
03

Approve:

Authorized signer issues written approval
04

Issue CO:

Issue signed change order document
05

Adjust Schedule:

Update project timeline and notify parties
06

Record Keeping:

File amendment with original contract copy

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about execution, electronic signing, notarization, and dispute prevention for Steel Fabrication Agreements are answered below.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users