Project scope

In recent years, Orpington and the wider South East have seen a significant rise in residential steel usage – especially for home extensions. Homeowners are increasingly choosing steel for its strength, versatility, and ability to support open-plan living spaces with minimal structural interruption. As planning regulations ease in many parts of London’s suburbs, steel beam installations for rear and side extensions have become more popular than ever, particularly in areas like Orpington where smart, space-efficient upgrades are in high demand.

At MAH Steel, we’re perfectly positioned to meet this growing need. Located just down the road in Gravesend, we offer fast, reliable, and cost-effective steel fabrication and delivery across Kent, Greater London, and the South East. Thanks to our central location and fully in-house operation, we respond quickly and deliver a seamless experience – from design and fabrication to transport and placement.

Recently, a long-standing client contacted us with a request for four structural steels needed for a small rear extension in Orpington. After a quick phone consultation, our in-house draughtsman immediately produced precise working drawings based on the specifications discussed.

From stock selection to steel fabrication

We then selected the appropriate sections from our extensive stock and transported them to our cutting area. There, our team checked each piece against the cutting list and sawed them to the exact lengths required. This step ensured not only accuracy, but also that the fabrication phase could begin smoothly and without delay.

With cutting complete, we moved the steels to our fabrication zone. Our fabrication team verified the measurements once more before beginning work, ensuring total confidence before proceeding. Our skilled coded fabricators handled every weld, hole, and plate exactly as shown on the drawings, working efficiently while maintaining strict attention to detail.

Throughout the process, our in-house Quality Assurance team remained hands-on. After fabrication, they conducted a thorough inspection to confirm that all holes, plates, and connections aligned perfectly with the engineer’s specifications. This rigorous checking process helped eliminate any margin for error before surface treatment.

Surface treatment, final checks, and steel delivery

Once fabrication was approved, we moved the steels into the blasting and painting phase. We applied a coat of zinc phosphate primer at the specified micron thickness, providing lasting protection and a clean finish. Then, we hung the beams in our yard to dry under ideal conditions, closely monitoring the curing process to preserve the integrity of the coating.

Next, our QA and logistics teams carried out final inspections. They confirmed that each piece matched the original drawings down to the smallest detail. We packed everything needed for installation – bolts, nuts, washers, steel-to-steel fixings, and packing plates if required – and loaded the completed order onto our 30-metre HIAB lorry. With everything meticulously prepared, the load was ready for dispatch.

By 5 a.m. the following morning, our driver had everything secured and en route to Orpington. Upon arrival, we used the HIAB to carefully lift the steels over the rear of the property and placed them exactly where the customer needed -eliminating the need for additional handling on site. This level of precision and convenience is exactly why clients rely on us time and again.

Another seamless delivery by MAH Steel

From the initial call to final placement, we managed every step in-house with precision and care. This project is another strong example of how MAH Steel delivers high-quality, dependable steel fabrication—quickly, efficiently, and exactly to specification—across London and the South East.

By combining expert fabrication, reliable logistics, and an unwavering commitment to quality, we continue to serve as the go-to partner for builders, architects, and homeowners alike. For any project, large or small, we’re proud to bring strength, speed, and structure to every job we take on.