Sheet Metal Fabrication Cost [2024 Data]
Normal range: $418 - $3,080
The average U.S. homeowner spends about $1,572 when paying for sheet metal fabrication for a custom project. Depending on the scope of the project, most spend between $418 and $3,080.
The average sheet metal fabrication cost for various projects is $1,572. Project prices can range between $418 and $3,080 based on what you're building. With sheet metal options covering a number of different raw materials, pricing can vary based on a metal's composition and gauge. Keep reading to get an idea of the metal fabrication cost for your upcoming project.
- Average
- $1,572
- Low end
- $100
- high end
- $9,500
Sheet Metal Fabrication Cost Factors
When trying to keep sheet metal fabrication costs within your budget, choosing the right material is important. Of course, projects that include everything from building a roof to creating custom siding sometimes require specific materials in order to be sound.
Material
While many people assume that sheet metal refers to raw steel, fabricators can turn flat sheets of many different types of metal into finished products. In general, the finished product will have a thickness of between 0.5 millimeters and 6 millimeters, regardless of the type of metal being bent and shaped.
| Metal Type | Cost per Square Foot | Cost per Sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | $7.50–$23 | $675–$2,200 |
| Stainless Steel | $8–$19 | $710–$2,100 |
| Zinc | $6–$21 | $1,555–$2,400 |
| Tin | $11–$28 | $1,200–$2,650 |
| Galvalume Steel | $4–$7 | $390–$950 |
| Galvanized Steel | $4.75–$19 | $465–$1,600 |
| Copper | $25–$45 | $2,100–$4,400 |
Type
The cost of sheet metal fabrication varies depending on how a homeowner intends to use the finished product. While the cost of metal fabrication for a smaller accent piece may be anywhere from $50 to $1,000, a metal piece that will be used to build a structure can cost around $20,000.
| Project Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Siding | $20,000–$51,000 |
| Roofing | $21,000–$38,000 |
| Screening | $50–$1,000 |
| Structures | $10,000–$30,000 |
Labor
Labor costs for sheet metal fabrication can include design, production, and installation. Due to the custom nature of sheet metal work, estimates can vary widely. The average hourly rate for sheet metal design services is $125. When hiring a fabricator to produce a finished product for you, most charge a labor rate that's three times the cost of the raw material to create something to your specifications. Installation costs for sheet metal products range from $65 to $125 when hiring a handyman.
DIY vs. Hiring a Sheet Metal Fabricator
This is one project that even the most dedicated DIYers should sit out! Sheet metal fabrication cost reflects the fact that this is a project that requires a workshop, professional tools, and highly customized skills. Professional sheet metal fabricators work in tightly regulated environments under OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards to avoid injuries while cutting, brazing, and welding. Hazards of attempting DIY metal fabrication include punctures, lacerations, burns, and exposure to fumes. Even installing sheet metal on your own that has been customized for your project can be dangerous. With its heavy and unwieldy profile, sheet metal has exposed sharp corners that can put you at risk for serious injuries. Fortunately, a local welder offering sheet metal fabrication services near you should be able to get your project done according to your specifications.
Sheet Metal Fabrication Ongoing Expenses
If you have sheet metal fabricated for roofing, siding, or a similar architectural or functional purpose, you'll need to be prepared for the ongoing repair and maintenance costs of metal. While praised for its durability and attractiveness, metal has different requirements from vinyl, wood, and other common options.
Maintenance
When having sheet metal fabricated for roofing and siding, it's important to routinely inspect the surface to look for signs of leaking, corrosion, denting, or overall degradation. In general inspections should be done once a year. While a roof inspection costs $125 to $357 on average, siding assessments are closer to $200 to $300. As part of a structural maintenance plan, a pro should check for:
Punctures from debris
Loose fasteners, rivets, or screws
Loose or separating panel seams
Loose or damaged flashing materials
Degrading sealant
Failing penetration points at chimneys, air vents, skylights, or solar panels
Repairs
If any metal structures or accents need to be repaired, the average cost is $1,616. However, projects ranging from simple screen replacements to repairs of damaged metal panels can range from $418 on the low end to $3,212 on the high end. If you need to recoat metal panels, the cost ranges from $1,500 to $2,500. Resealing seams in brittle spots where sheets of metal meet can cost $100 to $500.
Cost of Common Sheet Metal Fabrication Add-Ons
Whether you want to add architectural touches or you're dealing with a space that requires unique specs, you may need to request customizations that increase sheet metal fabrication costs. If you'd like to add louvers to create ventilation in an enclosure, the cost ranges from $3 to $10 per louver. Getting sheet metal painted costs $2 per square foot on average. When opting to add powder coating to sheet metal, the cost ranges from $0.40 to $0.70 per square inch. The charge to apply powder coating to larger sheets is $3 on average.
How You Can Save Money on Sheet Metal Fabrication
If you're trying to keep sheet metal fabrication costs within a specific budget, start with accurately measuring to prevent mistakes or wasted materials. Additionally, you can ask your designer to create a design that’s as simple as possible by limiting superfluous features in favor of standardized or stock dimensions. Generally, designs with fewer folds are less expensive to create. If you are able to opt for thinner sheets without compromising a project's safety or integrity, this can also be a way to reduce costs.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Also called metal pressing, metal stamping involves placing a metal sheet into a stamping press to create a desired shape using custom tooling. Ideal for mass production, stamping creates coining, embossing, and flanging effects when shaping metal. Meanwhile, sheet metal fabrication is a more cost-effective option ideal for one-off or low-volume projects because it doesn't require custom tooling.
After finding a local pro, you can inquire about steel fabricators' costs by sending details related to the dimensions, angles, and intended use. Most fabricators will use drafting software to bring your project to life before you settle on a price.
If you're choosing sheet metal for a home exterior or outdoor enclosure, stainless steel is the most popular option because of its durability, weather resistance, and affordability. At $8 to $19 per square foot, stainless steel falls in the middle of the range for sheet metal fabrication cost while offering some of the best performance.