PCB ASSEMBLY / ENGINEERING & PROCUREMENT
Understand the cost of your build
Compare the scope first. Then compare the price.
Separate one-time and recurring costs
Setup, stencil and test-fixture work can be charged once, while components, bare boards, assembly labor and test time recur with each unit. Comparing only the total price hides which costs will change on the next order.
| Cost driver | What changes it | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Components | Exact MPN, availability, packaging and purchasing quantity | Are alternates or purchasing excess included? |
| Bare boards | Construction, finish, panel and quantity | Is fabrication included in the quote? |
| Assembly | Placement mix, sides and process steps | Are through-hole or special processes separate? |
| Setup & tooling | Stencil, programming, carriers and fixtures | What can be reused for repeat orders? |
| Test & inspection | Coverage, fixture needs and cycle time | Which tests and records are included? |
| Delivery | Shipping method, destination and commercial terms | Are transit and import costs separate? |
Model a budget without inventing a price
Enter your own quoted or assumed costs in the assembly budget worksheet. It separates setup from recurring cost and shows the calculation. The result is a planning scenario, not an offer from a manufacturer.
Compare equivalent quotations
- Use identical files, quantities and BOM revisions.
- Confirm the component and board purchasing scope.
- Compare the same inspection and test coverage.
- Check excess material, shipping and commercial terms.
- Ask what triggers a requote after engineering changes.