Let’s be honest—when you’re planning to build something, steel quality probably isn’t the first thing on your mind. Yet it really should be. Whether you’re building a garden shed, adding classrooms to a school, or putting up storage units, the quality of your steel fabrications will make or break your project.
Steel fabrications simply means making things out of steel—cutting it, shaping it, and joining pieces together. This forms the backbone of pretty much all serious building projects. It’s like the difference between a tailored suit and one from the high street; both might look good at first, but the quality and how long they last are worlds apart.
Here at SAS Projects, we’ve been working with steel since 1978—that’s over 40 years of seeing the good, the bad, and the truly awful in construction. We’ve learned that who makes your steel really, really matters. Let’s look at why certified steel makers are worth every penny—and how choosing wisely now saves you massive headaches later.
What Does “Certified” Actually Mean?
Before we go further, let’s make it clear what “certified” really means. It’s not just fancy talk to make us sound clever.
When we say certified steel fabricators, we mean companies that have proven they follow the rules—specific industry standards that ensure steel is made properly. These firms have been checked by outside experts who’ve basically said, “Yes, these people know what they’re doing.”
It’s rather like choosing between a qualified doctor and your friend who’s “quite good with plasters.” Both might offer to help, but only one has proof they should be trusted.
Six Top Reasons to Choose Certified Steel Fabricators
1. Quality You Can Actually Trust
Certified fabricators follow clear steps to make sure all their steel is top-notch. It’s not guesswork—it’s doing things properly every time.
Think of it like cooking. A trained chef follows tried-and-tested recipes, giving you a perfect meal every time. Your eager but untrained neighbour might sometimes make something tasty, but would you want them cooking for your wedding?
The International Organization for Standardization has lots of proof showing that certified companies make better products with fewer mistakes. For your building projects, this means buildings that stay strong and work well for years to come.
2. Safety That’s Never Skimped On
With steel buildings, safety isn’t just nice to have—it’s a must. Certified steel fabricators follow strict safety rules that protect everyone.
This matters for two big reasons:
Your finished building won’t develop scary creaks and groans
The workers are much less likely to have accidents during building
Neither of those makes for happy news, does they?
3. Buildings That Meet All the Rules
UK building rules are about as simple as cricket explained to an American. Certified steel fabricators deal with these rules every day and make sure everything follows them.
Take “BS EN 1090,” for example—a boring name for very important rules about steel buildings in the UK. Without proper certification, your project could face legal troubles worse than tangled Christmas lights.
Certified fabricators make sure everything’s done by the book, saving you from the special kind of misery that comes with breaking building rules.
4. Knowing Where Your Steel Comes From
Ever wondered where your building materials come from? With certified fabricators, you’ll know more about your steel than most people know about their family history.
These careful professionals keep records of every bit of steel, including:
Where it came from (which factory, which batch)
Test results showing it’s strong enough
What it’s made of and what it should be used for
This means you won’t suddenly find out your warehouse was built with steel meant for garden ornaments.
5. Better for the Planet
Many certified steel fabricators also follow rules about looking after the environment. They regularly:
Cut down on waste
Recycle properly
Use less energy
Reduce pollution
Choosing these fabricators means your project helps the environment—increasingly important in a world where climate change affects us all.
6. A Good Name That Opens Doors
Using certified fabricators shows everyone—from building inspectors to clients—that you care about quality. It’s like turning up to a job interview in a proper suit instead of your old jeans; people take you more seriously.
At SAS Projects, we’ve built our good name by insisting on the best quality steel fabrications. Every beam, support, and bracket meets high standards that would please even the fussiest inspector.
The Clear Difference: Side-by-Side Comparison
For those who like things straightforward, here’s how projects using certified fabricators compare to those using non-certified ones:
Meeting all the requirements insurance companies want
For Shops, Offices and Factories
Commercial buildings need to be really strong and safe. Properly certified steel fabrications provide:
Even strength throughout the building
The ability to hold heavy weights safely
Fire protection that meets standards
All the paperwork that building inspectors need
For One-Off and Special Projects
Unique projects gain even more from certified fabrication. At SAS Projects, we love unusual challenges where only the best steel will do.
The SAS Projects Promise
Since 1978, SAS has led the way in quality construction across the UK. We noticed early on that storage buildings and special projects needed the very best steel.
Today, we keep that same promise by only working with certified steel fabricators. This focus on quality is why customers keep coming back to us for their most important building projects.
Why Certified Steel Actually Saves You Money
Some people worry that choosing certified steel fabricators will cost too much. Here’s the honest truth—while you’ll pay more upfront, you’ll save loads over time.
It’s like buying kitchen equipment. That cheap toaster might seem a bargain until it breaks after six months, while a quality one keeps working for years.
Similarly, certified steel fabrications might cost more at first, but they:
Last much longer
Need fewer repairs
Rarely need early replacement
Help you avoid costly legal problems
When you add it all up, certified steel is clearly the most cost effective choice for serious building projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does using certified steel fabricators make my project more expensive?
It costs a bit more upfront, but certified steel usually saves money in the long run. You’ll have fewer problems to fix, less upkeep to do, and won’t have to redo work that wasn’t done right the first time. It’s like spending more on good boots instead of replacing cheap ones every few months when they fall apart.
How can I check if a steel fabricator is properly certified?
Just ask to see their certificates! These should have dates showing when they were issued and when they expire. You can also check with the organisations that give out the certificates. At SAS Projects, we’re always happy to show our certification papers—we’re quite proud of them, actually.
Will using certified fabricators make my project take longer?
Usually not. While certified fabricators are more thorough, they’re also more organised. Their careful approach often means fewer delays from mistakes or problems with building rules, which can actually make the whole project finish faster. Less time fixing problems means more time enjoying the finished building.
Are there different levels of certification I should know about?
Yes, there are. Different certification schemes have different levels for different types of projects. For example, BS EN 1090 has several “execution classes” (from EXC1 to EXC4) depending on how complex the structure is. Don’t worry—our team at SAS Projects can help you understand exactly which certification level your project needs.
Conclusion
Steel is the foundation of modern buildings—and that foundation must be strong, safe, and reliable. Certification isn’t just paperwork; it’s your guarantee that things are built properly.
At SAS Projects, our 45+ years of experience has shown clearly that trying to save money on steel quality always costs more in the end. That’s why we only work with certified steel fabricators, making sure everything we build meets the highest industry standards.
Choose SAS Projects for your next building project—and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your steel is certified, cost effective, and built to last.
Want expert advice on your upcoming building or storage project? Give our friendly team a call today to chat about how our certified approach to steel fabrications can help with your specific needs.
