Price a quote for a custom manufactured part
A transparent cost build-up for a custom part quote covering material, machine time, setup, tooling, and margin, plus the assumptions to state in the quote.
The prompt
Help me build a quote for a custom manufactured part.
Part description: [material, size, key features, tolerances, finish, from the customer drawing or RFQ]
Quantities requested: [e.g. "100, 500, 2,000 per year"]
Routing: [operations in order, e.g. "saw, CNC mill, deburr, anodize (outsourced), inspect"]
Times: [setup time and cycle time per operation, estimated or from similar jobs]
Rates: [shop or machine hourly rates, labor rate]
Material: [stock size, price per unit, scrap allowance]
Outside processing and purchased items: [costs and lead times]
Tooling or fixtures: [one-time costs, and whether we amortize them or charge separately]
Inspection requirements: [first article, CMM, certificates of conformance, material certs]
Target margin and payment terms: [DETAILS]
Steps:
1. Build the cost per part at each quantity: material, setup cost spread over the batch, run time, outside processing, inspection, packaging, overhead, and margin. Show the math.
2. Show how unit price drops with quantity, and where it flattens.
3. Flag drawing features that drive cost (tight tolerances, deep pockets, thin walls, special finishes) as questions to raise with the customer.
4. Recommend price breaks and a minimum order quantity.
Return:
- A cost build-up table per quantity.
- A quote summary: unit price per quantity, one-time tooling or NRE charges, lead time, validity period [ADD], and payment terms.
- A list of assumptions and exclusions to state in the quote (material price validity, tolerance interpretation, certification scope, freight terms).
Use only my rates and times; mark estimates [ESTIMATE] and missing inputs [ADD]. Do not invent supplier prices.
Highlighted [brackets] are blanks to replace with your own details.
Fill in the blanks and use this promptMore Sales prompts
What to fill in
- e.g. "100, 500, 2,000 per year"
- shop or machine hourly rates, labor rate
- stock size, price per unit, scrap allowance
- costs and lead times
- DETAILS
- ADD
- ESTIMATE
How this prompt is built
This prompt follows the Few-Shot structure (Few-shot prompting). A few-shot prompt includes one or more worked examples of the input and the output you want, so the model can copy the pattern instead of guessing it.
Related prompts
- Build a sponsorship package for my publication, newsletter, or podcastA sponsor-ready package with audience proof, tiered inventory, pricing logic, and the terms that protect editorial independence.
- Build a line-item estimate and bid for a construction jobA structured estimate with quantities, labor hours, materials, markup, contingency, and a bid summary you can check before submitting.
- Write a clear scope of work with inclusions, exclusions, and allowancesA client-ready scope of work that spells out what is and is not included, so fewer disputes and surprise change orders follow.
- Present good, better, best repair options to a homeownerA clear, honest explanation of the problem I found on a service call, with tiered options the homeowner can choose from.