QuotedPartAnswers · Updated 2026-10-31
Should I charge one shop rate or a different rate for each machine?
Price one of your own parts: Drop a STEP model or PDF drawing — about 90 seconds, no account.
Your part priced in about 90 seconds, no account.
Use separate rates when capital, tooling, operator coverage, or utilization differs enough to change margin; a blended rate is acceptable only when actuals support it.
See how QuotedPart connects to your workflow with its API, MCP server, autonomous quoting and shop-specific learning.
The direct answer
If a VMC carries $92 per billed hour and a 5-axis cell carries $158, a single $110 rate hides margin on one route and overprices the other. Compare actual billed hours quarterly before blending.
Test the decision against the shop evidence in this example: If a VMC carries $92 per billed hour and a 5-axis cell carries $158, a single $110 rate hides margin on one route and overprices the other.
Carry the measurable input from the worked case into the estimator's notes: If a VMC carries $92 per billed hour and a 5-axis cell carries $158, a single $110 rate hides margin on one route and overprices the other.
Evidence from a shop floor
A 5-axis job at $145/hour priced with a $97 blended rate loses $480 over ten hours compared with its documented work-center rate. Compare three months of actual margin by work center, then split only the machine class that consistently loses money.
Keep the commercial decision tied to the evidence, including if a vmc carries $92 per billed hour and a 5-axis cell carries $158, a single $110 rate hides margin on one route and overprices the other.
The handoff is complete only when the owner can restate the route without losing if a vmc carries $92 per billed hour and a 5-axis cell carries $158, a single $110 rate hides margin on one route and overprices the other.
Build the quote route
Calculate burden, utilization, labor coverage, maintenance, and profit target by work center, then test the blended result against recent jobs and machine mix.
A useful review question is whether the current RFQ still matches this route: calculate burden, utilization, labor coverage, maintenance, and profit target by work center, then test the blended result against recent jobs and machine mix.
The next estimator should be able to challenge the assumption behind this route: calculate burden, utilization, labor coverage, maintenance, and profit target by work center, then test the blended result against recent jobs and machine mix.
Use the source notes to date the assumption and record why this route was selected: calculate burden, utilization, labor coverage, maintenance, and profit target by work center, then test the blended result against recent jobs and machine mix.
Release and learn
A rate card should be simple for estimators but traceable to the work centers that consume the hours.
If the buyer asks for a different outcome, explain the boundary in these terms: a rate card should be simple for estimators but traceable to the work centers that consume the hours.
Before changing the total, verify whether the caveat applies: a rate card should be simple for estimators but traceable to the work centers that consume the hours.
A customer-facing explanation should make the risk legible: a rate card should be simple for estimators but traceable to the work centers that consume the hours.
Close the loop by noting the evidence that would make this estimate obsolete: a rate card should be simple for estimators but traceable to the work centers that consume the hours.
Keep the commercial decision tied to the evidence, including if a vmc carries $92 per billed hour and a 5-axis cell carries $158, a single $110 rate hides margin on one route and overprices the other.
Price one of your own parts
Drop a PDF drawing or a STEP file. QuotedPart reads the print, measures the model and prices it in seconds, on default shop rates you can change.
Your STEP file or PDF drawingDrop a PDF drawing, a STEP file or both
Free. No account, no email. Priced at our default US rates until you set yours.
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Customers make us re-enter quotes in their supplier portals — how do other shops handle it?
Treat portal re-entry as measurable quote administration: export the approved quote, time the work, and decide whether the effort is included or charged.