What Does a Steel Erection Contractor Do?

A steel erection contractor in Ireland is the trade responsible for assembling structural steel frames on-site — columns, rafters, purlins, bracing — and securing them into the foundations to create the skeleton of a building. At Sullivan Steel, we handle the full structural erection from steel delivery through to the frame being signed off, ready for cladding and finishing. We work across agricultural, industrial and commercial projects throughout Ireland, with a particular focus on the South East. Erection of a typical agricultural shed takes 3–10 working days; industrial and commercial builds take 2–8 weeks depending on scale.

Why Choose Sullivan Steel as Your Erection Contractor

When you're hiring a steel erection contractor in Ireland, the choice you make on day one shapes the next 40 years of the building's life. Here's what makes Sullivan Steel different:

In-house fabrication. Most steel erectors work with pre-fabricated kits from third-party suppliers. We fabricate our own steel from our Wexford workshop, which means we can build to custom dimensions, unusual specifications and bespoke layouts — not just whatever's in a standard catalogue.

Same team start to finish. From the first site visit to the final flashing, you deal with the Sullivan team — no subcontracting the actual erection out to other crews. The people you meet on day one are the people on your site throughout.

Fully certified. Every member of our team carries Safe Pass, Manual Handling, Abrasive Wheel, Banksman, Teleporter and MEWP certifications — meaning we can step straight onto agricultural, industrial or commercial sites without paperwork delays.

Local accountability. Our yard is in Ballingly, Wellingtonbridge — a real address, a real team. If something goes wrong, you can drive to us.

Honest quotes. Every quote spells out exactly what's included and what's not. No vague one-liners, no hidden exclusions, no surprises mid-build.

Steel Erection Services We Offer

Sullivan Steel handles every type of structural steel erection project across Ireland:

Agricultural steel erection. Farm sheds, livestock buildings, hay and silage stores, dairy parlours, machinery storage. Working with farmers across the South East and Ireland-wide on TAMS 3 grant-compatible builds.

Industrial steel erection. Warehouses, workshops, factories, distribution units. Heavy structural steel, clear-span frames, eaves heights to suit your operation — built to commercial regulations and fully certified.

Commercial steel erection. Retail units, commercial premises, mixed-use developments. Bespoke structural work that combines industrial-grade quality with the finish a commercial client expects.

Steel frame extensions. Adding capacity to existing buildings — extending agricultural sheds, expanding industrial premises, integrating new frames with existing structures.

Repairs and structural alterations. Replacing failed structural members, reinforcing existing buildings, structural retrofits. Where the structure needs work rather than replacement.

For a deeper look at what to expect from any steel erection contractor in Ireland, see our guide to choosing a steel erection contractor.

How Our Steel Erection Process Works

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Every steel erection project we take on follows the same approach:

1. Site visit and consultation. We come out, walk the site, talk through what you're building and how you'll use it. No quotes off a phone call — accurate quotes need ground-level information.

2. Detailed written quote. Steel spec, frame design, erection methodology, timeline, what's included and excluded — all in writing before you commit to anything.

3. Fabrication. Steel fabricated in our Wexford workshop to your exact specification. Custom dimensions, special features, anything outside standard kit options.

4. Site preparation. Ground preparation, concrete bases, service access — coordinated with your groundworks contractor or handled by us as part of the scope.

5. Steel erection. The visible part of the job — frame goes up. Agricultural sheds typically 3–10 working days, industrial and commercial projects 2–8 weeks depending on scale.

6. Cladding and finishing. Roof, walls, doors, flashings, gutters — finishing the building to spec, with the same team.

7. Final inspection and handover. Walkthrough, snag list, sign-off, handover documentation. Done properly, not rushed.

For full details on realistic project timelines, see our steel shed build time guide.

Certified, Insured and Compliance-Ready

Steel erection is dangerous work and contractors without proper certifications shouldn't be on any site — agricultural, industrial or commercial. Every member of the Sullivan Steel team carries:

• Safe Pass — mandatory for all Irish construction sites
• Manual Handling — for working with heavy materials
• Abrasive Wheel — for cutting and grinding operations
• Banksman / Signaller — for safe operation of cranes and teleporters
• Teleporter operation — for the actual erection at height
• MEWP (Mobile Elevating Work Platform) — for working safely on platform machinery
• Working at Heights — separate certification required on industrial sites

We carry full public liability and employers liability insurance, all documentation provided on request. We're set up to work with farmers going through TAMS 3 grant applications and quote against scheme specifications as standard.

For the official safety requirements on Irish construction sites, see the Health and Safety Authority.

Steel Erection Across Ireland

Based in Wexford, working across Ireland. Most of our agricultural and smaller commercial steel erection projects are in the South East — Wexford, Waterford, Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary. For larger industrial and commercial builds, we travel anywhere in Ireland — the scale of those projects justifies the mobilisation.

If you're not sure whether we cover your area, ring us. We'll give you a straight answer either way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does steel erection take in Ireland? A typical agricultural shed (60×40 ft) takes 5–7 working days to erect. Smaller sheds 3–5 days, larger 7–10 days. Industrial and commercial buildings take 2–8 weeks depending on size and complexity. Add 2–3 weeks before erection for the concrete base to cure.

Q: Do you supply the steel or do I? Sullivan Steel fabricates and supplies the steel as part of the full scope. You don't need to source steel separately — we handle everything from material to erection to finishing.

Q: Do you work with TAMS 3 grant applications? Yes. We work with farmers going through TAMS 3 and quote against scheme specifications as standard. For full details on how the grant works, see our TAMS 3 grant guide.

Q: Do you cover the whole of Ireland? For larger industrial and commercial steel erection projects, yes — anywhere in Ireland. For smaller agricultural work, we mostly stay in the South East where the economics work. Ring us to check.

Q: How quickly can you start a project? Depending on the time of year and existing bookings, our typical lead time from quote to project start is 6–12 weeks. We book up faster in summer and autumn — book early if you have a deadline.