How to read a quotation: what should be in it

A quotation is more than a price

Two quotations with the same price can mean very different things. The details tell you what you will really get, and when.

What a good quotation covers

• What is being made: the part, the quantity, the material and the grade.
• Whether tooling, patterns or fixtures are included, and who owns them afterwards.
• The finish, heat treatment, testing and inspection that are included.
• The delivery time, counted from when, and where and how it is delivered.
• Taxes: whether GST is included or added, and any transport or packing charges.
• How long the price is valid, and the payment terms.

Questions worth asking

• What happens if a part fails inspection or does not fit?
• How many trial samples are included, and what happens if a change is needed?
• Is the price the same if I order more later?
• What do you need from me to start?

Compare fairly

Put the quotations side by side on the same items. A lower price that leaves out finishing, testing or tooling is not really lower. Choose the workshop that answered your questions clearly and whose quotation you understand.

Kinds of work

• Die making
• Mold making
• CNC machining
• Casting
• Fabrication