How to quote CNC machining jobs

The quote structure

Material (stock size x price, not finished part weight), machine time (cycle x all-in hourly rate), setup amortized across the batch, tooling wear per part, finishing labor, and scrap allowance. Miss any one and the error compounds across every part.

Estimating cycle time fast

For roughing-dominated parts: material to remove divided by your realistic removal rate (aluminum 3-8 cm³/min, steel 1-3, titanium under 1 on most machines), plus tool changes and finishing passes. CAM gives exact numbers - but a disciplined estimate quotes 10x faster and wins time-sensitive work.

Setup is the batch-size lever

45 minutes of setup at $35/hr adds $26 to a single part but $0.53 each across 50. Always quote quantity price breaks - customers order more when they see the curve, and your machine runs longer unattended.

Sanity-check every quote

Compare your number against market hourly ranges before sending. Our CNC calculator estimates stock, removal volume and cycle time from your customer's STEP file and shows where your price lands against typical job-shop rates.