A revised PCB quote should make its changes explainable. A lower unit price may reflect a different quantity, construction, delivery assumption or allocation of setup costs. Compare the complete scope before deciding whether a revision offers a lower total cost for the board you actually need.
Compare the same released design
Record the drawing revision and file-package date on both quotes. Check the layer count, finished thickness, laminate requirements, copper weights, finish, drill structures and special tolerances. For HDI, compare the agreed via spans and build-up construction. A different fabrication assumption may produce a different price even when both proposals use the same project name.
Keep approved design changes separate from commercial negotiations. If a supplier suggests a wider tolerance, another material or a simpler construction, engineering should review the change before purchasing treats it as equivalent. The cost discussion should identify the proposed deviation and its effect on verification, documentation and product requirements.
Separate recurring costs from setup
| Quote item | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Recurring unit price | Use the same quantity, board configuration and inspection scope. |
| Tooling and NRE | Identify one-time charges, repeat-order charges and ownership of fixtures or tooling. |
| Minimum order charges | Check whether a minimum batch value changes the effective cost per usable unit. |
| Yield or attrition allowance | Ask how shortages, accepted quantity and replacements are handled. |
| Logistics | Compare packaging, shipping and commercial delivery responsibilities separately. |
As an arithmetic example, distributing an unchanged setup charge across a larger batch reduces the setup cost allocated to each unit. It does not prove that the physical manufacturing process became cheaper. The fabrication cost calculator makes fixed-cost allocation visible using explicitly illustrative coefficients.
Check what changed in the schedule
Ask whether the quoted lead time begins at order placement, file approval, material availability or another agreed event. Compare working days, calendar days and shipping time consistently. Identify what happens if a drawing change or unresolved DFM question holds the release. A shorter stated lead time is not directly comparable when its starting condition differs.
Keep a quote revision log
- Record the prior and revised quote identifiers.
- List every change in quantity, construction, scope and delivery assumptions.
- Obtain engineering approval for product or process deviations.
- Calculate the total order cost and cost per accepted unit.
- Document the validity period and conditions of the accepted proposal.
This page does not announce a current discount, factory price or guaranteed lead time. Approved commercial prices and production commitments are [NEEDS CLIENT INPUT]. A quotation should be based on your released files and confirmed scope.
Review fabrication RFQ requirements or Request a project-specific quote.