The five line items in every CNC quote

Every legitimate quote breaks down into the same five components. If you can estimate each one, you can validate any supplier's number — or spot when they're overcharging.

Raw material cost — billet weight × material $/kg + ~15% scrap allowance
Machining time — cycle time × programmable rate ($60-$120/hour typical for China)
Setup + programming — one-time per part design ($50-$300 typical)
Surface finish — anodize, plating, polish, etc.
Inspection + packaging — usually 5-10% of total

Quick formula

Total = (Material × qty) + (Machine time × rate × qty) + Setup + (Finish × qty) + QC

Worked example: aluminum bracket, qty 50

Line item	Calculation	Cost
Material (6061-T6 billet, 50×50×20 mm × 50 pcs)	0.135 kg × $7/kg × 50 × 1.15 scrap	$54
Machining (12 min cycle × $90/hr × 50)	10 hrs × $90	$900
Programming + fixturing (one-time)		$120
Anodize Type II clear, 50 pcs	$1.50/pc × 50	$75
QC + packaging	~7%	$80
Total		$1,229
Unit price		$24.58

Where quotes go wrong

Material lookup wrong — supplier quoted titanium price as Ti-6Al-4V but actually has commercial-pure stock; refuses to honor when you specify the right grade.
Machine rate inflated — China shops should be $60-$120/hr fully-loaded. Anyone quoting at $200/hr is either using a premium machine you don't need or padding.
Setup buried in unit price — at quantity 1 the setup dominates; at quantity 100 it should drop out. If unit price stays flat between qty 10 and qty 100, you're paying setup twice.
Hidden minimums — "$500 minimum order" reveals after quote acceptance.

Use the Ginwate instant calculator

Our quote engine applies this exact formula automatically. Enter material + dimensions + quantity + finish and you'll see the breakdown in seconds — the same line items, transparent pricing. The formal quote then refines with engineer DFM review at no extra cost.

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