The rapid growth in laser technology has made many previously untenable applications possible, replacing mechanical methods. A large body of research has reported investigations into the laser metal-cutting process, for obtaining fundamental understanding and for process optimization. Although laser cutting can be used in civil engineering applications for cutting of standard beams, pipes, etc., it has not featured in laser research. Although the majority of the standard beams and pipes used in the civilian application have a small to medium thickness walls, their geometry makes them, per definition, a work-piece of non-uniform thickness, and thus a non-standard process. This study presents an experimental investigation into laser cutting of 304L stainless steel sheet (with thickness 1: 10 mm), using a high-power (1500 W) diode laser. A useable order-of-magnitude equation was derived for expressing the relationships between the process parameters. This equation can be used to estimate the cutting speed for a given laser irradiance and thickness of cut are given.