Answers · Updated 2026-10-31
Should I quote repair and one-off work as time and material or a fixed price?
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 time and material for unknown teardown or condition, fixed price for controlled scope, and a not-to-exceed gate for customer control.
See how QuotedPart connects to your workflow with its API, MCP server, autonomous quoting and shop-specific learning.
The direct answer
A repair with unknown damage can start at $95 per hour plus material with a $600 not-to-exceed approval; a repeat repeat repair with known steps can be fixed at $420.
Test the decision against the shop evidence in this example: A repair with unknown damage can start at $95 per hour plus material with a $600 not-to-exceed approval; a repeat repeat repair with known steps can be fixed at $420.
Carry the measurable input from the worked case into the estimator's notes: A repair with unknown damage can start at $95 per hour plus material with a $600 not-to-exceed approval; a repeat repeat repair with known steps can be fixed at $420.
Evidence from a shop floor
Inspection at 1.5 hours × $95 plus $40 cleaning is $182.50; adding the pricing model’s $464.53 one-piece machining example gives a possible $647.03 subtotal after approval. Separate discovery from production and state the approval threshold in the quote.
Keep the commercial decision tied to the evidence, including a repair with unknown damage can start at $95 per hour plus material with a $600 not-to-exceed approval; a repeat repeat repair with known steps can be fixed at $420.
The handoff is complete only when the owner can restate the route without losing a repair with unknown damage can start at $95 per hour plus material with a $600 not-to-exceed approval; a repeat repeat repair with known steps can be fixed at $420.
Build the quote route
Define unknowns, rate, material basis, approval limit, stop point, evidence, and conversion rule before work starts.
A useful review question is whether the current RFQ still matches this route: define unknowns, rate, material basis, approval limit, stop point, evidence, and conversion rule before work starts.
The next estimator should be able to challenge the assumption behind this route: define unknowns, rate, material basis, approval limit, stop point, evidence, and conversion rule before work starts.
Use the source notes to date the assumption and record why this route was selected: define unknowns, rate, material basis, approval limit, stop point, evidence, and conversion rule before work starts.
Release and learn
A fixed price without a condition assumption transfers unknown risk to the shop; write the boundary.
If the buyer asks for a different outcome, explain the boundary in these terms: a fixed price without a condition assumption transfers unknown risk to the shop; write the boundary.
Before changing the total, verify whether the caveat applies: a fixed price without a condition assumption transfers unknown risk to the shop; write the boundary.
A customer-facing explanation should make the risk legible: a fixed price without a condition assumption transfers unknown risk to the shop; write the boundary.
Close the loop by noting the evidence that would make this estimate obsolete: a fixed price without a condition assumption transfers unknown risk to the shop; write the boundary.
Keep the commercial decision tied to the evidence, including a repair with unknown damage can start at $95 per hour plus material with a $600 not-to-exceed approval; a repeat repeat repair with known steps can be fixed at $420.
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.