RoofCatLadderFactory-Direct Procurement Guide
Cat Ladder Procurement Guide
From first inquiry to arrival inspection — what to prepare before requesting a quote, how to read an itemized quotation line by line, which documents ship free, real production and freight timelines, payment terms and customs paperwork. For contractors, plant owners and distributors buying factory direct.
Years Manufacturing
Countries Exported
Quote Response
Production Lead
Before You Ask
8 Things to Prepare Before Requesting a Cat Ladder Quote
The more complete your inquiry, the faster and sharper the quote. You do not need perfect drawings — a sketch or a photo of the access point is enough, and the free drawing review is inside the 24-hour quote.
1. Climb Height & Step-Off
Total climbing height and where crews step off — roof edge, parapet or tank top. Single runs reach 25 m, our factory maximum; taller climbs split at platforms.
2. Mounting Surface
What the ladder fixes to — concrete, steel, masonry or a tank shell. This drives bracket type and the 150–250 mm standoff.
3. Material Grade
Q235B hot-dip galvanized steel is the outdoor default; SS304 and SS316 cover chemical and marine duty; aluminium and GRP cover lightweight or corrosive projects.
4. Fall Protection Scope
EN ISO practice expects fall protection above about 3 m; US new builds above 24 ft need a ladder safety system or PFAS under OSHA 1910.28(b)(9).
5. Rung & Hoop Spec
Rungs sit at 225–230 mm in our build (EN ISO/BS practice 225–300 mm; OSHA 254–356 mm); cage hoops run at centres of 1500 mm or less from a first hoop at 2.2 m — factory spec.
6. Quantity & Rollout
Trial orders start from 1 unit — prove one access point, then roll out as container mixes quoted per load plan.
7. Port & Incoterm
EXW, FOB or CIF — plus the destination port, so the freight line of your quote is calculated for your route rather than estimated.
8. Drawings or Photos
Send CAD, PDF, a sketch or site photos. The formal fabrication drawing is produced free inside the quote cycle, revisions included.
Reading the Quote
How to Read an Itemized Cat Ladder Quote
Every quote from this factory is broken down line by line. A single flat number cannot be compared, audited or value-engineered — an itemized one can.
| Quote Line | What It Covers | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Stiles, rungs, hoops and brackets — actual grade and reference weight | Grade stated: Q235B, SS304, SS316, aluminium or GRP |
| Machining | Cutting, drilling, punching, welding and assembly | Rung spacing 225–230 mm and 1.5 kN per rung on the drawing |
| Surface | Hot-dip galvanizing to ISO 1461 at 85–100 µm, or mill-finish stainless and aluminium | Coating thickness and standard named — not just "galvanized" |
| Packaging | ISPM 15 export packing — numbered bundles, steel-framed crates for long runs | Export-grade packing included, matched to your load plan |
| Freight | Sea freight on your chosen Incoterm to the quoted port | EXW, FOB or CIF stated, with the port and validity date |
If a line is missing, ask before ordering rather than after. The quote is the reference document for the proforma invoice — the PI confirms final amounts, payment split and terms before production starts.
Compliance Documents
5 Documents That Ship Free With Every Cat Ladder Order
A cat ladder is a permanent, load-bearing structure — the safety file should prove it. Five documents travel with every order at no extra cost, whatever the quantity.
Declaration of Conformity
Order-level DoC citing the standard your market enforces — OSHA 1910.23/28, EN ISO 14122-4, BS 4211 or AS 1657 — with your order number and project.
EN 10204 3.1 MTC
Mill test certificate traceable to the original heat — chemical composition and mechanical properties for the Q235B, SS304 or SS316 in your run.
HDG Coating Report
Galvanizing thickness measurements to ISO 1461 at 85–100 µm — the paperwork behind decades of service life under ISO 14713 guidance.
Structural Calculation Sheet
Engineer-signed calculations for your exact configuration: rung load 1.5 kN per rung, stile strength and fixing centres of 1500 mm or less.
Packing List & Loading Plan
Bundle and crate map with weights and marks, plus the container loading plan — so your team knows what arrives in each bundle.
The same file is accepted by many customs and inspection authorities, and it is what your contractor submits for sign-off.
Delivery & Production
From Inquiry to Dispatch: 15–25 Working Days
Standard production runs 15–25 working days after drawing approval, hot-dip galvanizing inside the lead time. Here is how the calendar runs.
Inquiry & Quote
Send climb height, mounting detail, material and quantity — even a photo. The itemized quote lands within 24 hours, drawing review included.
Drawing Review
Loads, clearances, standoff and hoop layout checked against your standard; questions answered the same day.
Drawing Approval
You sign the drawing and the proforma invoice — the production clock starts only after your approval.
Production
Cutting, drilling and welding of stiles, rungs and hoops, then hot-dip galvanizing to ISO 1461 inside the same window.
Pre-Assembly & QC
Trial assembly of cage-to-stile modules, dimension check against the drawing, and photo documentation into the order file.
Packing & Dispatch
ISPM 15 export packing, numbered bundles, container loading plan and the full document pack issued before the container is sealed.
Standard production
15–25 working days after drawing approval
Ocean transit
About 4–6 weeks to most deep-water ports
Trial friendly
Orders from 1 unit — LCL or container mixes per load plan
Payment & Trade Terms
Payment, Incoterms & Quote Validity
One standard payment schedule, three Incoterms, no surprises: the PI confirms every commercial term before production starts.
Payment Schedule
T/T 30 / 70
StandardA 30% deposit starts production; the 70% balance is released against the copy of the bill of lading. Amounts, splits and bank details are confirmed in writing on the proforma invoice.
A different structure?
Other arrangements are discussed case by case — whatever is agreed is confirmed on the PI before production begins.
Incoterms — Who Does What
| Term | Factory Covers | You Cover |
|---|---|---|
| EXW | Goods ready at the factory gate | Inland haulage, export and ocean freight |
| FOB | Delivery onto the vessel at the load port | Sea freight, insurance, import |
| CIF | Freight and insurance to your port | Import duty and customs clearance |
Quote validity
Every quote carries its own validity date, stated on the document and confirmed on the PI — steel and freight prices move, so we reconfirm rather than surprise you.
Logistics & Customs
Sea Freight, Packaging & Customs Clearance
Ocean transit runs about 4–6 weeks to most deep-water ports on top of production. Export packaging and paperwork are part of the quote, not an afterthought.
LCL or Full Container
LCL for trial orders
One ladder ships as LCL consolidation in ISPM 15 export packing — trial orders start from a single unit.
Container mixes per load plan
Caged, walkway and tank cat ladders travel as container mixes per load plan; runs to 25 m ship as numbered bundles and modules inside steel-framed crates.
Your forwarder is welcome
On EXW or FOB your forwarder takes over at the factory gate or the load port — we supply every export document on schedule.
Customs Clearance File
- Proforma and commercial invoice
- Packing list with weights, pieces and marks per bundle
- Bill of lading issued on dispatch, telex release on request
- DoC and EN 10204 3.1 MTC — accepted as compliance evidence
- Container loading plan, so arrival checks match what was shipped
Packaging standard
ISPM 15 heat-treated wood, numbered bundles, corner protection and steel strapping; packing photographs go into the order file before the container is sealed.
On Arrival
Receiving Your Cat Ladder: 5-Point Arrival Checklist
Take twenty minutes at the dock before signing the delivery note. Five checks protect the program and any future claim.
1. Count & match
Bundles and pieces against the packing list and PO — quantities, lengths, hoop sections and spare parts.
2. Visual damage
Bending, dents or torn packaging from handling — photograph anything suspicious before unloading.
3. Coating check
HDG should be uniform grey with no bare patches; scratches down to bare steel are touched up before install.
4. Spot dimensions
Sample-check rung spacing at 225–230 mm, standoff at 150–250 mm and fixing centres at 1500 mm or less against the approved drawing.
5. Document pack
DoC, MTC 3.1, HDG coating report, structural calculation sheet and packing list — present and matching the order number.
Found a discrepancy?
Report it with photos — our order file keeps the drawings, QC records and packing photographs, so every claim is checked against the factory file.
After-Sales & Spares
After-Sales & Spare Parts
The order does not end at dispatch — spares, replacements and documentation stay available long after unloading.
Spares From the Same Factory
Spare rungs, hoops, brackets and gates are re-manufactured to the original specification. The accessory parts range covers the standard program items.
Add-Ons Ride the Next Container
Spares can be packed into the same container as your ladder order and listed on the packing plan — anything bespoke is quoted with the order.
Answers From the Order File
Drawings, QC records and packing photographs stay in the order file, so questions and replacements are answered against the exact build.
Procurement FAQ
Cat Ladder Procurement FAQ
Start Your Procurement
Get My Itemized Cat Ladder Quote
Send the checklist above — climb height, mounting surface, material, quantity and destination port — and the itemized factory quote lands in your inbox within 24 hours.
- 24h itemized quote
- Free drawing & engineering review
- DoC, MTC & structural calcs included
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All Cat Ladders
Configurations, materials & applications
Shipping & Logistics
Sea freight, packing & container loading plans
Payment Terms
T/T 30/70 confirmed on the PI
Get a Quote
24h itemized factory quote