RFQ Checklist for Accurate Sheet Metal Fabrication Quotes

Quick answer: An accurate sheet metal fabrication quote needs an agreed scope, not just a unit price. Confirm the drawing revision, order quantity, material, finish, inspection records, packaging and delivery basis. Ask which charges are one-off, which apply to every batch and which assumptions could change the price. Get changes approved in writing before production.

What should a sheet metal quote include?

Two suppliers can quote the same drawing and still price different jobs. One may include installed hardware and protective packaging; another may price the bare fabricated part. Compare the scope before comparing the totals.

For enclosure shells, distinguish the enclosure body, doors, mounting plates and specified mechanical hardware from buyer-installed equipment. MSTFAB’s scope is drawing-based mechanical sheet metal fabrication. Do not assume that a quote includes electrical components, wiring, software or finished-equipment certification.

This is a purchasing checklist, not evidence that a particular test or service is included. The accepted quotation and order documents should identify the agreed work.

Resolve file conflicts before asking for a fixed price

A STEP model helps explain geometry; a controlled PDF drawing can define tolerances, materials, finishes and inspection notes that the model does not contain. DXF or DWG files may support flat-part work. The appropriate file set depends on the part, so a PDF-only inquiry is not automatically unusable.

The costly problem is an unresolved conflict: for example, a hole appears in the model but not in the drawing. Identify the controlling revision and ask the supplier to list questions or assumptions. Do not let an outdated attachment become an accidental production instruction. Our sheet metal drawing guide explains the information to review.

Separate material cost from material assumptions

Specify the grade and thickness rather than simply requesting “steel” or “aluminum.” If a particular material certificate is required, state the document requirement before quotation. A quoted material name alone does not confirm the documentation that will accompany the order.

Ask how long the quotation remains valid and whether material pricing is subject to stated conditions. If you plan to supply your own sheet, ask first: MSTFAB evaluates customer-supplied material case by case after reviewing the material, quantity and delivery conditions. Agree responsibility for receipt checks, storage, scrap and usable remnants before dispatching it.

Make finishing and appearance measurable

“Black powder coat” leaves several questions unanswered. Identify the agreed color reference, texture, visible surfaces and any coating requirements. Mark threads, grounding interfaces and other areas that must remain uncoated. A new masking requirement can change handling and inspection work even when the part geometry stays the same.

Where appearance matters, agree a sample or written acceptance criteria. Do not assume a coating process alone guarantees an enclosure’s outdoor service life or a particular protection rating.

Pay for the checks that answer your assembly risks

Flag mounting datums, hole patterns, door clearances and other functional interfaces. Ask whether the quoted inspection applies to the finished part after forming, welding and coating. A cutting-machine specification is not a finished-assembly tolerance.

List the evidence you need, such as a first-article dimensional record for selected features, agreed hardware checks or packing photographs. Additional reports or tests should be scoped and priced explicitly. Avoid asking for “full inspection” without explaining what must be measured and recorded.

Keep one-off charges separate from repeat-order pricing

Request separate lines for any applicable preparation, fixtures, tooling or sample work. Then ask what remains payable on an unchanged repeat order. A lower repeat price may depend on the same revision, batch size and process; it is not automatically valid after a redesign or a large quantity reduction.

Comparison example: if one quotation includes a fixture in its total and another lists it separately, their unit prices are not directly comparable. Compare the total cost of the same first order, then compare the same repeat-order scenario. This avoids treating a different cost breakdown as a saving.

Use a short approval process for changes

1. Identify the changed part and revision, including affected quantities.
2. Ask whether material has been purchased or work has already started.
3. Request the price and schedule impact, including any affected work in progress.
4. Approve the revised scope in writing before the changed work proceeds.

Changes are not always avoidable. Surprise changes are. A documented decision is more useful than a promise that the price can never move.

Compare delivery costs on the same basis

Confirm what packaging is included, especially for coated faces, projecting hardware and thin panels. State the destination and agreed delivery terms so freight, duties and other responsibilities are not silently assigned to different parties in competing quotes.

Ask how partial deliveries or urgent shipment would affect the price. Do not assume that an export packing allowance includes every transport route or that a fabrication quote includes delivered-duty-paid service.

Questions buyers ask before approving a quote

Can I get a quotation without a complete drawing?

You can submit the information available and ask whether an indicative estimate is possible. Unresolved dimensions, materials or acceptance requirements should be listed as assumptions. An estimate is not the same as an agreed production price.

Why did the price change after the sample?

Check whether the sample led to changes in geometry, finish, hardware, inspection or quantity. Ask for a line-by-line explanation against the original quote rather than assuming either that every increase is justified or that every increase is a hidden charge.

How can I compare quotations fairly?

Use one revision and one scope checklist. Reconcile exclusions, one-off charges, repeat quantities, inspection, packing and delivery terms. A cheaper quote for less work is not necessarily a better offer.

Send the scope with the drawing

For a sheet metal fabrication review, send the available STEP/PDF files, part quantities, material, finish, critical interfaces and required inspection records. Include your delivery destination and any open questions. Use the contact form to request a review of the manufacturing scope before quotation.