Steel beams and structural fabrication, ready for site
Most of what comes through the workshop in any given week is structural steel for builders and contractors — RSJs and beams for residential extensions, columns and frames for loft conversions and small commercial work, baseplates and brackets to spec. Drawings come in, fabricated steel goes out, signed off against the spec it was ordered to.
If you haven't got engineering drawings yet, we can help you arrange suitable design support before fabrication. Our lead engineers carry level 5 engineering qualifications, which means we can read and work to a structural engineer's drawings and flag back anything that needs clarification before steel is cut.
Who this service is for
What we fabricate
The workshop fabricates the full range of structural elements you'd expect from a competent steel shop — sized and finished to your drawings.
- RSJs & steel beams
- UB & UC sections
- Columns
- Base plates
- Brackets & connections
- Frames
- Lintels
- Steel padstones
- Mezzanine support steel
- Loft conversion steel
- Extension steel
- Commercial structural support
What we need to quote
The more we know upfront, the more accurate the first quote. The minimum we need is the size and quantity of steel — but if you've got drawings, send them.
- Engineering drawings if you have them
- Beam schedule or section sizes
- Site postcode (for delivery and access)
- Photos if drawings are incomplete
- Finish required (raw, painted, galvanised)
- Delivery, collection, or installation
- Project timeframe
- Domestic, contractor or commercial
How the job runs
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01.
Send drawings or photos
Email Daniel directly or use the contact form. Drawings, sketches, photos, beam schedule — whatever you've got.
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02.
Review and clarify spec
We read the drawing and come back with any questions on weld type, finish, tolerances, or anything that needs confirming before steel is cut.
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03.
Written, itemised quote
A clear quote covering material, fabrication, finish, and delivery or installation if applicable. Inside 24 hours during the working week.
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04.
Fabricate in the workshop
Material sourced through our steel broker partners, cut, welded and finished to drawing in our Leighton Buzzard workshop.
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05.
Finish to your spec
Raw mill, oxide paint, or hot-dip galvanised — arranged directly so you don't deal with the finishing line.
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06.
Delivery, collection or installation
We can run finished steel out to site, you can collect from Midway Depot, or our installation team can fit it on site.
Service area
Based in Leighton Buzzard, DRST Trading covers structural steel projects across Milton Keynes, Bletchley, Luton, Dunstable, Houghton Regis, Aylesbury, Bedford and Hemel Hempstead — plus the surrounding Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire region.
Greater London is covered for suitable commercial, structural and higher-value projects.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need engineering drawings before you can quote structural steel?
Drawings make the quote faster and more accurate, but we don't always need them upfront. If you have a beam schedule from a structural engineer, that's usually enough to get you a price. For more complex projects we'd want to see the drawings before committing. If you don't have drawings yet, we can help arrange suitable design support before fabrication starts.
Can you fabricate steel beams for house extensions?
Yes — residential extensions are one of the most common jobs through the workshop. Single-storey rears, side returns, double-storey extensions, loft conversions. Send the structural engineer's drawings or beam schedule and we'll come back with a quote within 24 hours.
Can builders send you a beam schedule directly?
Yes. Most of our structural steel work comes through builders and contractors. Email the schedule to Daniel directly or attach it via the contact form. If anything on it needs clarifying — section sizes, lengths, end conditions — we'll come back with the questions before quoting.
Do you deliver structural steel to site?
Yes. Delivery is available across Bedfordshire and the surrounding Home Counties — Leighton Buzzard, Milton Keynes, Luton, Dunstable, Aylesbury, Bedford and Hemel Hempstead are all standard delivery areas. Greater London is covered for suitable projects. You can also collect from the workshop at Midway Depot.
Can you install the steel as well as fabricate it?
Yes. We can deliver and install on site — including rigging, lifting and on-site welding where needed. Most builders prefer this for larger structural steel runs so they have one supplier responsible end to end.
What finishes are available for structural steel?
Three standard options: raw mill finish for steel that will be encased, oxide paint for general internal protection, or hot-dip galvanising for anything going outside or in load-bearing exterior applications. Bespoke finishes (powder coat, wet spray) are available on request — useful for exposed steel.
How long does structural steel fabrication usually take?
Most structural steel jobs run on a one-to-three-week lead time from quote sign-off, depending on size, finish, and how busy the workshop is. Smaller jobs can sometimes be scheduled the same week. We'll give you a firm date with the written quote.
What information do you need for an accurate quote?
The minimum is the section sizes and lengths of the steel needed. The faster the quote, the more useful: drawings or beam schedule, site postcode, finish required, and whether you need delivery, collection or installation. If you can also tell us your timeframe and whether it's a domestic, contractor or commercial job, that helps us slot it into the programme.
Do you cover Milton Keynes, Luton, Dunstable, Aylesbury, Bedford and Hemel Hempstead?
Yes — all of those towns are standard service area. We work right across Bedfordshire and the bordering parts of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Northamptonshire from our Leighton Buzzard workshop.
Do you cover London for structural steelwork?
Yes, Greater London is covered for suitable commercial, structural and higher-value projects. We don't usually take small one-off jobs from the far side of the M25 — but for proper structural work or commercial fabrication we travel inside London regularly.