How Much Does A PCB Design Cost?

What are the expenses one has to bear for availing services for PCB design? On a simple note, the total amount is equal to the product of hourly service rate and several service hours. The blog tries to dissect the topic from the perspectives of both manufacture and customer. 

Information requirements for the quote

 

If you require top-class PCB Design Services from a renowned manufacturer like GreatPCB, then as a customer, you have to share some important details to get the quote. You have to mention whether you need the design file in native format or PDF. Also, you should provide the information about the ‘Bill of Materials’. You must tell about the dimensional details to b fulfilled by the manufacturer.

 

More relevant information to get the quote

 

The customer can always support the manufacturing process by supplying more relevant details to the concerned manufacturer expert in delivering PCB Design Services. Such important informative details include Netlist and Routing Rules. Also, you need to discuss with the manufacturer regarding the Placement Floorplan. It is also crucial to have discussions on the usability of various component datasheets. Each stage of the manufacturing process should be transparently planned.

Calculating the total project hours

 

If you are a veteran manufacturer of PCB boards and an expert in PCB designs, then you need to meticulously consider certain factors to correctly determine the total number of project hours. 

 

Each board design has the same tasks. You have to create the library component, to begin with. Then, there is the task of critical placement of components, with the right finishing touches. Also, you have to technically consider all the aspects of Routing. Conclusively, you have to calculate the time to generate the output file for the overall project. 

 

There can be some ‘add-ons’

 

Some more time can inflate the total number of project hours when you consider implementing specific ‘add-ons’ in the project framework. In this case, the factors you have to take into account are the density of the component pin, routing density, HDI attributes, etc. Accordingly, the calculation is adjusted.

 

Estimating Baseline Time

 

Now, it is not very difficult to estimate the baseline time for the projects, when, as a manufacturer, you have all the requisite details. An industry standard in a competitive environment is a total baseline time of about 50 hours. It should be your target.

 

Considering the hourly rate

 

Estimating the costs means, as said earlier, you have to multiply the total project time with the hourly rate. You already have got a fair amount of idea about calculating the total project time. Accurate consideration of the hourly rate can be a tricky affair as there are multiple factors associated with it. 

 

Expertise, experience, and location

 

The amount of hourly rate is dependent on the expertise of the manufacturer, including the advanced technology it uses. Also, when as a business, you have several years of experience in the industry the hourly rate can easily rise. The location of the manufacturing plant is also a factor (for example, whether it is located in the USA or China).

 

Considering the range

 

You have to take into account a specific range as far as the hourly rate of PCB design is concerned. For example, in the US, the range is from USD 90 to USD 145 each hour. Point to be noted – a top-notch company does not outsource the services to offshore locations. 

 

Discuss with an industry expert

 

You always have the liberty to discuss the costing issues of PCB design n with an industry expert before quoting a rate to the client. Keep in mind that the rate should be competitive.