Where the money in a CNC quote actually goes, line by line.
This is written for buyers and design engineers rather than machinists. It covers what to put on the drawing, what it costs, and the mistakes that turn a straightforward part into an expensive one.
The rules that matter
- Material is typically 20 to 40% of the part price
- Machining time is 30 to 50%
- Setup and programming is amortised over the batch
- Finishing and inspection are 10 to 25% and are often underestimated
Common mistakes
- Assuming material is the dominant cost
- Comparing quotes with different material specifications
Both of these are cheap to fix at the drawing stage and expensive to fix after the parts are cut. If you are unsure which side of the line your design is on, send it over before you release it.
How this shows up in a quote
A quote is built from material, machine time, setup, finishing and inspection. Anything that adds a setup, a secondary operation or a tighter inspection method moves the number. When we quote, we show the process route, so you can see which requirement is driving the price and decide whether it is worth keeping.
Frequently asked questions
Does this apply to both milling and turning?
Yes. The principles are the same. Turning is usually cheaper for concentric geometry and milling for prismatic geometry, but the tolerance and finish rules carry across both.
What is the cost of getting this wrong?
Usually one extra setup, one extra operation or a scrapped batch. In practice, fixing it at the drawing stage costs nothing; fixing it after the first article costs a week and a re-quote.
Can you review my drawing before I release it?
Yes, and we would rather do that than quote a design that is going to be expensive. Send the STEP file and drawing and we will come back with DFM comments alongside the price.
Do you work from a PDF drawing or do you need CAD?
We need a STEP file for the geometry and a dimensioned PDF for the tolerances. A PDF alone is not enough for anything with curved surfaces.
Related pages
- Guides — the full index for this section.
- RFQ Checklist: What to Send for an Accurate Quote
- NDA and IP Protection When You Outsource Machining
- How to Choose a CNC Machining Supplier
- Importing CNC Parts from China: Practical Guide
- Instant CNC quote
- Tolerance quick reference
- Frequently asked questions
Get a price for your part
Send a STEP file and a drawing with tolerances, material and quantity. We quote within one working day and machine in our own facility in Shenzhen — milling, turning, EDM, grinding and finishing under one roof, no trading middleman.
Start an instant quote or send your drawings directly. English-speaking engineering support, DFM feedback before you commit to a batch.