Quoting · October 2026

What to Send for an Accurate Sheet Metal Quote

Most slow quotes are not slow because of the shop. They are slow because something is missing, and the estimator has to stop, ask, and wait. Send the right files and the right six or seven facts up front, and a precision sheet metal quote should come back in 24 to 48 hours, priced on your actual part instead of on assumptions.

This is the list our estimators work from in Miami Gardens. None of it is exotic. All of it changes the number.

Files

Send the Drawing and the 3D Model

The model gives us the geometry. The drawing gives us everything else. A STEP file tells us exactly what the part looks like, lets us unfold formed parts to an accurate flat blank, and lets us measure cut length and hole count instead of estimating them. The PDF drawing carries what the model cannot: material callout, tolerances, finish, hardware, weld symbols, revision and notes.

We cross-check the two on every job, because a lot of the time the missing information is on the drawing and not in the model, or the other way around. When they disagree, we ask which one governs rather than guessing. If all you have is a DXF flat pattern, send it with the bend information and material, and we can still quote it.

Material

Material, Alloy and Thickness

Be specific. “Aluminum” is not a material callout; 5052-H32 at 0.090″ is. Alloy and temper change how a part forms, whether it cracks on a tight bend, and what the raw sheet costs. Stainless grade matters the same way: 304 and 316 are priced and handled differently.

If the drawing says “or equivalent,” tell us whether we can substitute, because we quote what is specified. And if material certifications or a domestic-only requirement apply, say so up front. Every pound of raw material we buy is US-sourced and comes with mill certifications.

Quantity

Quantity, and the Next Quantity

Tell us how many now, and how many a year. Programming, setup, first-article inspection and packaging are mostly fixed costs per run. Spread over five parts they dominate the price; spread over five hundred they almost disappear. A quote at two or three quantities shows you exactly where the price breaks.

If you expect repeat orders, include the annual volume and the release pattern you have in mind. That is how we can offer blanket orders and scheduled releases, and hold material for you, instead of re-quoting every order from scratch.

Tolerances

Call Out the Tolerances That Actually Matter

Tight tolerances everywhere cost money everywhere. A title-block tolerance of ±0.005″ on every dimension forces inspection on features that do not need it. Mark the dimensions that truly control fit or function, and let the rest carry a standard sheet metal tolerance.

Laser-cut features hold ±0.005″. Formed features stack bend tolerances, so a dimension across two or three bends will not hold what a cut edge holds. When a feature genuinely needs tighter than that, tell us. We can machine it on our Mazak machining center, and we would rather price that honestly than discover it at first article.

Finish & Hardware

Finish, Hardware and Weld Notes

Finish is often the biggest line item nobody specified. Give us the coating type and the spec: powder coat color and gloss, anodize type and color, plating type and thickness. Without it we can only quote the part bare, and the real price shows up later.

Hardware should be called out by part number, PEM self-clinching fasteners and standoffs in particular, with the quantity per part. For welded assemblies, include the weld symbols and the code you need the work done to. Powder coating, anodizing and plating are performed by qualified local finishing partners on our schedule; parts come back to us for assembly and final inspection before they ship.

Timing & Use

When You Need It, and What It Does

A need-by date changes how we plan the job. Our typical lead time is three to four weeks. If you need parts sooner, say so in the request so the quote reflects a real ship date and not a hopeful one.

One sentence on what the part does helps more than people expect. A bracket that holds a sensor and a bracket that carries a load get looked at differently, and knowing the application is what lets our design-for-manufacturability review suggest a change that actually saves you money rather than one that only looks good on paper.

Behind the Quote

What Happens After You Hit Send

Every drawing gets a manufacturability review, at no charge. We unfold formed parts from your model to get the true flat blank, measure the cut path and hole count, count bends and hardware, and check that every bend radius, hole-to-edge distance and flange length can actually be made on our equipment.

If something is missing, we ask one clear question instead of padding the price to cover the unknown. If something is going to be expensive to make, we tell you why and what would make it cheaper. Then the quote goes back, usually within 24 to 48 hours.

The Short Version

The Checklist

Copy this into your next RFQ:

1. 2D drawing (PDF), with revision
2. 3D model (STEP)
3. Material, alloy/temper and thickness
4. Quantity now, plus annual volume
5. Finish or coating spec
6. Critical tolerances called out
7. Hardware part numbers and weld notes
8. Need-by date
9. What the part does

Controlled drawings: MJM is ITAR registered. If your drawings carry an ITAR or EAR marking, call us before you send them so we can agree on how they will be transferred. Please do not email controlled technical data.