Welding fabrication RFQ checklist
A usable request for quotation gives a fabricator enough information to price the work, identify the right process, and explain what evidence will be delivered with it.
Reviewed 2026-08-08 · WeldRunners editorial desk
The short version
Before asking for a number, describe the part or repair, material, quantity, code, inspection, delivery date, and acceptance criteria. If a certification is required, name the exact certification and scope. If you do not know the right code or process, say that explicitly and ask the fabricator to identify the assumption in the quote.
Submit a project brief →1. Scope
State what is being made, repaired, or modified. Include drawings, revision numbers, quantities, dimensions, tolerances, and whether the work is prototype, short-run, or production.
2. Material
Name the base material and grade where known: carbon steel, stainless, aluminum, pipe, plate, or an alloy. Include thickness, diameter, wall schedule, surface condition, and any dissimilar-metal joint.
3. Process and joint
Specify the expected process or let the fabricator recommend one. Include joint type, weld size, position, access limits, fit-up requirements, and whether the work is shop, field, or mobile.
4. Code and standard
Name the governing code, customer specification, or engineering standard. If there is no required code, say so. Do not treat a shop saying it welds to a standard as proof that it holds a certification.
5. Inspection and records
List visual inspection, dimensional checks, NDT, pressure testing, material certificates, weld maps, WPS/PQR, welder qualifications, traceability, and the records that must ship with the work.
6. Certification and quality
State which certifications or quality systems are mandatory, who must hold them, and whether the buyer will verify current scope directly with the shop or certifying body.
7. Site and safety
For field work, include site address, access, lifts, power, hot-work rules, permits, shutdown windows, safety orientation, insurance requirements, and who supplies consumables and equipment.
8. Schedule and delivery
Give the required-by date, inspection hold points, partial-delivery needs, freight destination, packaging, and the consequence of missing the date. A realistic schedule is more useful than a vague rush request.
9. Commercial terms
Include budget range if available, payment terms, tax or freight assumptions, quote validity, change-order rules, and the person authorized to approve scope and price.
10. Acceptance
Define what makes the work acceptable: dimensions, weld appearance, test results, documentation, punch-list closure, and who signs off. This prevents a price comparison from becoming a dispute later.
Questions to ask before awarding work
- Which parts of the scope did you price, and which assumptions could change the price?
- Who will perform the welding, and what qualification or test evidence is available for this work?
- Which inspections and records are included, and who pays for retesting or rework?
- What is the earliest realistic start date and the committed delivery date?
- Can the shop show current certification scope directly from the certifying body when the job requires it?
Use the checklist
WeldRunners can route a complete project brief to reachable providers whose recorded capabilities and location fit the request. A routed brief is not a quote or an accepted job; the provider must respond, and you decide whether the scope and evidence are acceptable.