Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you’re ordering metal cut to size, arranging delivery, collecting an order, or enquiring about our fabrication services, you’ll find answers to our most frequently asked questions below. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, our knowledgeable team is always happy to help. Simply get in touch and we’ll do our best to answer your query as quickly as possible.

Delivery & Shipping

How much is delivery?

We offer nationwide delivery starting from just £3.95 + VAT for small items.
Free delivery is available for qualifying orders when you spend £85+VAT*
The available delivery options and delivery costs vary depending on the size / weight of the items ordered and your delivery location.
To see the available delivery options and costs, simply add your items to the basket and then click to view your basket. On the right-hand side beneath “Basket Totals” click the link that says “Calculate Shipping” enter your Town and Postcode and you will see the delivery options available for the items that are in your basket.

When will you despatch my order?

Orders placed by 1pm are despatched same day Monday – Friday.. Orders placed after 1pm on a Friday are despatched on the following Monday. Please note that we do not get any collections from our couriers on Bank Holidays, Christmas Eve or New Years Eve. On occasions due to stock shortages there may be a delay in us being able to process your order. If the delay is going to be more than 24 hours we will endeavour to advise you ASAP – unlike some companies, we will not just ‘leave you hanging” waiting for a delivery that isn’t going to happen!

When will I receive my item?

As standard, small items are sent via Royal Mail. At checkout you can select between Royal Mail 48 and Royal Mail 24. The vast majority of Royal Mail 48 items are delivered within 3 Working Days, and the vast majority of Royal Mail 24 parcels are delivered within 2 working days. Royal Mail do not make any guarantees on their delivery service, and on occasions parcels can take longer to arrive.

Larger orders are sent via courier. Depending on the size, weight and delivery location of your order it will either be sent via Parcel Force, FedEx or DX Freight. We DO NOT use Yodel or Evri!!
We always send on a next working day delivery, and the couriers have around a 98% success rate. Please bear in mind that on occasions, for reasons beyond our control, deliveries can take longer. Should your delivery not arrive on the expected day, please let us know ASAP – as the sooner we are advised of a problem, the sooner we can contact the courier to get the situation resolved.

Ordering and Collections

Can I collect from you?

Absolutely! Whilst we do accept ‘walk in’ customers and always do our best to accommodate their requirements, unfortunately on occasions (during extremely busy periods) you will be asked to leave details of your order and will be asked to return to collect the order once the team have had a chance to cut it.
Therefore, for a seamless transaction, we advise that you pre-order via the website. There is a ‘collection’ option at checkout, and we will let you know via email as soon as your order is ready for pick up – this can be in as little as 30 minutes during opening hours!!

I have already placed an order – can I add to it?

If you need to add to an order, please contact us ASAP. Depending on the status of your first order we may well be able to combine extra items required into the same shipment – saving you on a second delivery charge. Once your first order has already been cut and packed, then sadly it cannot be added to – therefore it is important that you contact ASAP so that we can attempt to intercept it.

Metal Cutting & Fabrication

Can you cut my metal to size?

YES!! That is what we do! All of our aluminium, Stainless Steel, Brass, Copper, and Plastic bars and profiles can be supplied cut to the length that you require. All of our Aluminium and Stainless Steel Sheets and Chequer Plates can be sheared to the exact width & length combination required for your application. We offer the first cut on each item Free Of Charge. All our sheets and sections can be ordered cut to size using our integrated cutting tool on the product pages. Simply select your starting length (or sheet size) and then click the “Cut your selected length into smaller pieces” icon to open up the cutting tool. For further guidance on how to use the cutting tool, please Click Here.

Can you fold sheet metal?

Affirmative! We offer a bespoke folding service for all our aluminium sheets 1mm, 1.2mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm and 4mm thick – our Chequer Plates 1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm and 4.5mm Thick and our Stainless Steel Sheets 0.9mm, 1.2mm, 1.5mm and 2mm Thick. Please Contact Us to upload your sketches of your requirements for quotation. Alternatively you can email them to sales@1stchoicemetals.co.uk.

We can fold Trays, Covers, Lids, Thresholds, Ramps, Angles, Channels – you name it, we fold it!

We also sell directly from the website a range of Aluminium Chequer Plate Angles and Polished Stainless Steel Angles – Click Here To Buy.

Can you weld Aluminium / Stainless Steel?

We don’t weld in house, but we are partnered with a local business who are top dogs when it comes to Mig, Tig and Arc welding. From welding the corners up on a folded tray, to welding up framework out of aluminium box section – they can do it all. Send over your request and we’ll get back to you quickly with a quote.

Finishing Services

Can you polish Aluminium, Stainless Steel and Brass?

Of course! On the shelf, ready for immediate despatch we keep a range of Bright and Brush polished Stainless Steel Sheets, Bright Polished Stainless Steel Tubes, Mirror Polished and Brush Polished Brass Flat Bars and Mirror Polished and Brush Polished Brass Angles. We also stock Mirror Polished Aluminium Herzim Rail – with a choice of coloured infill strips!
Need any other items polished? Just ask – we can get literally any item that we stock polished to order – with turnaround from as little as working 3 Days!
Please note that minimum order values apply to bespoke polishing – so it may not lend itself to very small quantities or ‘one off’s’

Can you Powder Coat Aluminium?

We’ve got you covered! We stock ready coated Black Aluminium Chequer plate, which you can order directly from the website ‘cut to size’ delivered the next day!
We can offer bespoke powder coating in just about any colour imaginable, applied to any of our thousands of different aluminium products! Please note that minimum order values apply to bespoke powder coating – so it may not lend itself to very small quantities or ‘one off’s’

Returns & Refunds

Can I return my items?

You can view our returns policy here

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