For any construction firm boss or project manager at any level, it’s of course more than a little important to keep tabs on costs. Budgets often end up going completely OTT when it comes to modern building work and can in their own right hold the fate of the project as a whole in their hands. As such, RSJ prices really do come into the equation in a very big way.
This is precisely why there are so many big and small names alike in building these days that readily and routinely set their sights overseas when it comes to sourcing steel. Right now, anyone and everyone interested in buying steel beams anywhere in the UK has the option of literally hundreds of suppliers located all over the Far East and other international territories. And in terms of appeal, what immediately becomes apparent is that most of them are offering large shipments for prices that are really nigh-on impossible to beat.
Which begs the obvious and crucial question – where’s the catch?
Well, the simple answer to the question is you really won’t know if there’s a catch or where it lies until the potential consequences present themselves. Yes, you’ll save money, but that’s far from the only consideration to bear in mind.
Arguments For Outsourcing Internationally
As far as advocates of the idea are concerned, it’s something of a no-brainer to order from overseas because of the huge savings that can be made. And indeed the savings can be huge – play your cards right with an overseas manufacturer and you could be looking at steel beam and RSJ prices up to 50% lower than those of leading names in the UK.
This means bigger builds for lower prices and the ability to do more with the budget that you have. Even with shipping included, prices still tend to be rock-bottom across the board. Couple this with the fact that ordering is usually as simple as reaching out via the web and you have yourself a deal that seems almost too good to be true. And while it’s not to say that you cannot strike it lucky and take home a great value deal, there’s another side of the argument to take into account prior to making any final decisions.
Arguments Against Outsourcing Internationally
Now, some would argue that the most important reason for ordering domestically is to make sure that as much money as possible is put back into British business, rather than being sent overseas. This is of course a crucial factor to think about as so many UK businesses need all the help they can get right now, but at the same time it’s probably fair to say that from a construction firm’s point of view…well, let’s just say there are bigger fish to fry than those associated with economic ethics.
In terms of the actual products themselves, the biggest problem with sourcing from overseas suppliers is the fact that none of them…as in not a single one…falls under the same strict rules, regulations and quality guidelines as those operating within the UK. As such, it’s a bit like rolling the dice in terms of the actual quality you can expect to receive – there’s a chance it may be great, but also a chance it won’t be up to par and thus not fit for purpose. And if the steel beams let you down, it really doesn’t matter how cheap they were.
Then of course there’s the no-so insignificant matter of delivery as while it may be included in the costs and could be handled professionally enough, you simply cannot rule out the chance of major shipping delays when you’re looking to import tons of steel from half way around the world. Deadlines tend to be just as important in building projects as budgets, so in the interests of staying on-schedule it may not be a good idea to look so far afield for what’s right there on your doorstep.
Last but not least, it’s only ever a matter of time until language barriers present you with a bum hand. Whether it’s an order that wasn’t understood correctly, a complaint that goes ignored or really anything else along similar hands, there are so many eventualities when and where you’ll find yourself wishing you’d bought British. In terms of quality, value for money and general peace of mind, there’s genuinely no better option for the modern construction project.
So really, that’s all you should think about doing in the first place.
