Machinists send quotes before every job that involves new parts, a new customer, or a changed print. Customers often send the same drawing to several shops and compare unit price, lead time, and what is included. A clear quote with stated assumptions lets you compete on more than price.
When to use estimates: Use estimates to provide project quotes and get client approval before starting work. Once approved, convert your estimate to an invoice with one click to collect payment.
Create an invoice for payment collection
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Invoice_1001_Client_2026-10-14.pdf
Pricing is tied to the exact print and quantity. If the revision or quantity changes, the quote should be revisited.
6061 versus 7075 or 304 versus 316 changes cost and cycle time. State whether you buy the material or the customer provides it.
Tight tolerances and fine finishes add time and inspection. If the print has tolerances you did not price for, you need a basis for a change order.
Custom fixtures, special cutters, and soft jaws are real costs. State whether they are included, one-time, or owned by the customer.
Deburring, heat treat, plating, anodize, and passivation add cost and lead time. List which are included and who is responsible for vendor delays.
First article reports, CMM inspection, material certs, and CoCs are extra work. Quote them as line items if the customer needs them.
Material prices and shop schedules change. State how long the quote is good, when work will ship, and whether freight is included.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Manual mill or lathe work | per hour | $50-90 |
| CNC 3-axis milling or 2-axis turning | per hour | $75-125 |
| CNC 4/5-axis or multi-axis turning | per hour | $110-180 |
| CNC programming and CAM setup | per hour | $65-120 |
| Fixturing and job setup | per setup | $75-400 |
| Wire or sinker EDM | per hour | $75-150 |
| First article inspection or CMM report | per report | $75-300 |
| Reverse engineering and CAD drawing from a sample part | per hour | $60-110 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
Offer prices at 1, 10, 50, and 100 pieces when the customer is unsure. Spreading setup over larger runs shows value and often leads to bigger orders.
Estimate setup, run time per piece, tool changes, and deburring, then multiply by your machine rate. Add material, outside services, and a margin. Track actual times afterward so the next quote is more accurate.
A new part with thin walls, hard materials, or tight tolerances may need extra proving time. Build in a modest buffer or note that prototype pricing may change if the print requires it.
Note that pricing assumes the supplied print, standard tolerances where not called out, and no more than the stated number of operations. This gives you a clear basis if the customer changes the print later.
Most shops quote simple jobs for free. For complex parts that need reverse engineering, model building, or detailed process planning, a quoting or engineering fee is reasonable, and many shops credit it toward the order.
Thirty days is common. For jobs with volatile material such as stainless, titanium, or nickel alloys, 7 to 14 days is safer, or the quote can say material is priced at time of order.
Include a line in your quote that pricing applies to the stated print revision. When a new revision arrives, review it and send a revised quote or change order before cutting any more parts.
Yes. A deposit of 30 to 50 percent is common for new customers, custom tooling, or jobs where you must buy expensive material upfront. State the deposit terms on the quote so the customer accepts them when approving it.
Use the Machinist invoice template to bill the client, or convert this estimate once it's approved.
Machinist invoice template