Two quotes for what looks like the same gate can differ by a wide margin, and the cheaper one is not automatically the better deal. Usually the gap is not profit margin – it is a difference in what is actually being supplied.
Here is what to look at before comparing numbers.
Material Grade and Section Size
The single biggest variable. A gate built from 25mm square tube with a 1.6mm wall and one built from 38mm tube with a 2mm wall are different products, even though both are “a steel gate”. The heavier one costs more, weighs more, and lasts longer.
A quote should state section sizes. If it does not, ask – it is the fastest way to find out whether you are comparing like with like.
The metal itself matters too. Mild steel, stainless and aluminium sit at very different price points for good reason.
What the Coating Actually Is
“Painted” covers everything from a single coat of enamel over bare steel to a properly prepared, primed and finished system. Galvanising costs more up front and lasts far longer. Powder coating looks better than paint and performs well until it is breached.
Near the sea this line item matters more than almost anything else on the quote. Our coastal maintenance guide explains what the salt air does over time.
Is Installation Included?
Supply-only and supply-and-fit are very different prices. Check whether the quote covers delivery, fitting, fixings, and making good afterwards. A supply-only price with fitting arranged separately can end up higher than the quote that looked more expensive.
Fabricated or Assembled From Stock?
Some suppliers assemble standard components to approximate your opening. A fabricator builds to the opening. Both are legitimate, but they produce different results where the opening is not a standard size – which, in most older properties, it is not.
What Is Not on the Quote
Ask what happens if the opening turns out different once work starts, whether there is a charge for a site visit, and what the lead time actually is. These are the items that cause friction later, and any fabricator worth using will answer them directly.
For how welding and fabrication work is priced generally, see our welding cost guide, and how to choose a welding company for the wider decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the cheapest fabrication quote often the most expensive later?
Usually because it uses lighter section, a thinner coating, or excludes installation. The saving shows up as a gate that sags, rust within a season near the coast, or a separate fitting bill that closes the gap entirely.
Should a quote include section sizes?
It should, and if it does not you should ask. Section size and wall thickness are the main drivers of both cost and durability, and without them you cannot meaningfully compare two quotes.
Is a site visit needed before quoting?
For simple items, photos and measurements are enough. For anything fitting into an existing opening, or where access affects installation, a site visit produces a far more accurate price and avoids surprises once work starts.
Related Welding & Fabrication Services in Cape Town
Supar Steel offers a full range of welding, steel and aluminium fabrication services across Cape Town. Explore related guides and services:
