Calculate the price of steel structural framing solutions
Steel structural framing gives you a strong, reliable and adaptable way to support commercial and industrial buildings. It offers excellent load-bearing performance, fast installation times and the flexibility to work across everything from office refurbishments to large-scale industrial projects.
These structures provide a predictable, durable base for any fit-out. So you’ll see steel framing systems used in mezzanine floors, partition support systems, plant rooms, façade structures and full structural frameworks.
The cost of steel structural framing in the UK varies depending on the steel type, design complexity, load requirements and installation conditions. This guide breaks down the main price drivers, with typical costs for different framing solutions and real project examples to help you plan your budget.
For specific figures, request a free no-obligation quote from CCL Interiors today.
Key factors affecting steel structural framing cost in the UK
Several elements influence the final cost of steel structural framing solutions:
- Steel specification (light gauge, mild steel, structural steel)
- Frame size and load-bearing requirements
- Design complexity, especially with angles, spans or multi-storey structures
- Fire protection requirements
- Installation environment and access conditions
- Finishing treatments such as galvanising or powder coating
Understanding how these factors interact gives you a clearer picture of your expected budget.
Types of steel structural framing
Steel framing systems fall into a few main categories. Each offers different strengths and cost levels depending on your project goals.
Light-gauge steel framing
Light-gauge steel uses cold-formed steel sections, making it lightweight, flexible and quick to assemble. It works well for non-load-bearing partition walls, suspended ceiling support grids and small structural elements in commercial interior fit-outs. The system gives you strong, stable framing without the cost of full structural steel.
- Choose when: You need a reliable frame for walls, ceilings or small spans
- Popular for: Commercial offices, retail units, education buildings
- Typical cost: £20–£40 per m²
Mild steel framing
Mild steel provides higher strength than light-gauge steel and is commonly used for mezzanine floors, equipment platforms and supporting frameworks within existing buildings. It balances cost and performance well, making it a strong choice for general commercial and industrial use.
- Choose when: You need a mid-strength system for larger spans or heavier loads
- Popular for: Mezzanines, plant platforms, internal support structures
- Typical cost: £40–£75 per m²
Structural steel (rolled sections)
Structural steel beams, columns and channels deliver maximum strength and load-bearing performance. They support large spans, heavy loads and multi-level structures. These systems require precision design, fabrication and installation, which increase total cost, but offer unmatched long-term stability.
- Choose when: You need full load-bearing structural strength
- Popular for: Industrial buildings, warehouses, multi-storey frames
- Typical cost: £80–£150 per m²
Steel structural framing treatments for performance and compliance
Galvanised or powder-coated steel
Protective finishes improve corrosion resistance and extend lifespan, especially in humid or outdoor environments. Galvanising adds a zinc coating that resists corrosion and rust, while powder coating provides colour and additional surface protection.
- Choose when: You want long-term corrosion protection or a specific aesthetic
- Popular for: External frames, leisure centres, coastal buildings
- Typical cost: +£10–£30 per m² added to base steel cost
Fire-protected steel framing
Steel loses strength at high temperatures, so many projects require fire-rated systems to meet compliance requirements. Fire protection can involve intumescent paint, boards or sprays depending on the fire rating specified.
- Choose when: Your project must meet strict fire resistance ratings
- Popular for: Offices, schools, industrial buildings, public spaces
- Typical cost: +£25–£60 per m² depending on fire rating
Installation complexity
Installation has one of the biggest impacts on the final steel structural framing cost. Even small variations in access, design or safety requirements can impact your budget.
Straightforward installations with short spans and open access fall at the lower end of the range. But more complex builds demand extra labour, specialist equipment and sequencing, which increase total spend.
Overall labour sits at £25–£60 per m², but complex sites regularly reach the top end of that range.
Other cost factors
Your costs also rise when:
- Your building needs structural strengthening: Adding padstones, stiffeners or load-transfer plates before the steel goes in typically adds £15–£40 per m²
- You need multi-level frames or long spans: Larger steel members are heavier and harder to manoeuvre, increasing installation to £40–£60 per m²
- Heavy plant or lifting equipment is required: Mobile cranes or telehandlers add £300–£1,200 per day, depending on site constraints
- Limited access or tight working areas: You can expect labour costs to rise by 10–25% when materials need to be carried manually or lifted in sections, as this slows installation
- Work takes place in a live environment: Out-of-hours installation, dust protection and noise control can add £5–£15 per m²
- Fire-stopping, acoustic detailing or service integration: Meeting these requirements increases labour time and can add £10–£30 per m² depending on the specifications
Additional material considerations
Steel framing involves more than beams and columns. These supporting components can form a meaningful part of your total project cost:
- Fixings and connection plates: Gusset plates, cleats, bolts and brackets add strength and stability to the structure. Depending on frame complexity, these elements add £5–£20 per m²
- Bracing systems: Cross-bracing or moment frames prevent lateral movement and support wind loads. Bracing material and fabrication usually add £10–£25 per m², especially in larger commercial spaces
- Protective coatings: Galvanising or powder coating protects steel in humid, external or corrosive environments. This adds £10–£30 per m² depending on coating thickness and finish
- Fire protection materials: Intumescent paint or fire-rated boards ensure the frame meets regulatory requirements. Fire protection is often one of the biggest extras, adding £25–£60 per m² depending on the rating (30, 60 or 120 minutes)
- Edge trims, closure plates and detailing: These elements create clean junctions and ensure compatibility with surrounding ceilings, partitions or façades. Allow £3–£10 per m² depending on the building layout
Together, these materials can add anywhere from 10–35% to your overall steel framing system budget depending on building complexity and performance requirements.
Figuring out the specifications you need and planning a suitable budget can be difficult, especially if you’re new to steel structural framing projects. But you can get in touch with one of our commercial fit-out experts for help creating a practical plan that meets your requirements while minimising costs.
Typical costs and price breakdown
Looking at cost per m2 for individual components doesn’t always show the full project cost. These examples highlight how different steel systems and environments might affect your budget.
Office mezzanine installation
- Venue: 50-person office in a commercial building
- Typical size: 40 m² mezzanine
- Recommended system: Mild steel framing
- Why this system: Mild steel framing delivers suitable strength without the cost of a full structural steel build. It also integrates seamlessly with existing fire protection, making the project easier to manage.
- Cost estimate:
- Materials: £40–£75 per m² → £1,600–£3,000
- Fire protection: £25–£40 per m² → £1,000–£1,600
- Installation: £30–£45 per m² → £1,200–£1,800
- Total cost: £3,800–£6,400
Industrial plant platform
- Venue: Industrial plant room
- Typical size: 60 m²
- Recommended system: Structural steel
- Why this system: Heavy loads and strong vibrations demand high-strength structural steel beams and columns. Adding a protective zinc coating also protects against rust, ensuring your system remains in excellent condition for as long as possible, even under constant use
- Cost estimate:
- Materials: £80–£150 per m² → £4,800–£9,000
- Protective coatings: £10–£30 per m² → £600–£1,800
- Installation: £35–£60 per m² → £2,100–£3,600
- Total cost: £7,500–£14,400
Retail store support framework
- Venue: High-street retail store
- Typical size: 100 m² internal framework
- Recommended system: Light-gauge steel
- Why this system: Light-gauge steel gives enough strength for internal loads while keeping the project cost effective. You can expect a quick, economical fit-out that supports internal partitions, ceilings and displays
- Cost estimate:
- Materials: £20–£40 per m² → £2,000–£4,000
- Installation: £25–£35 per m² → £2,500–£3,500
- Fire protection (where needed): £25–£40 per m² → £2,500–£4,000
- Total cost: £7,000–£11,500
Large commercial extension
- Venue: Commercial building extension
- Typical size: 120 m²
- Recommended system: Structural steel
- Why this system: Structural steel delivers the strength needed for long spans, roofing loads and fire compliance. This system supports large extensions and multiple loads, ensuring stability and long-term performance
- Cost estimate:
- Materials: £80–£150 per m² → £9,600–£18,000
- Fire protection: £25–£60 per m² → £3,000–£7,200
- Installation: £35–£60 per m² → £4,200–£7,200
- Total cost: £16,800–£32,400
Get an accurate quote for steel structural framing cost in the UK
The final cost of your steel framing system depends on the steel type, load requirements, frame design and installation conditions you need.
The figures we’ve provided in this practical steel framing price guide are useful for estimating those costs. But only a full site survey will give you a precise, accurate figure.
With more than 50 years of experience across commercial, industrial and public-sector projects, CCL Interiors delivers steel framing systems to the highest safety and performance standards.
Request your free no-obligation quote today to find out exactly how much your steel structural framing project could cost.