RFQs, tolerances, materials, and process — answered

A dimensioned drawing or CAD file (DXF/DWG for flat parts, STEP for machined geometry), material and thickness, quantity, and any critical tolerances that matter for fit or function. A complete RFQ with all of that up front is typically quoted much faster than one that's missing a file or a spec — if you're missing pieces, send what you have and we'll help fill in the gaps.

A complete RFQ with drawing, material, and quantity is usually quoted quickly. An incomplete RFQ — missing a file, an unclear material spec, or an unconfirmed quantity — typically adds a few days of back-and-forth before it can be accurately priced, which is why sending everything up front is worth the extra few minutes.

Lead time varies with process complexity, material sourcing, and quantity, but production runs for custom fabricated parts commonly fall in a typical range of several weeks from confirmed order. First-article or first-batch production — where a new part is being set up for the first time — often adds additional time on top of that baseline for fixturing and process validation.

Many parts can be quoted as a single prototype or a small batch, though per-part pricing for a low quantity is typically higher than a production run of the same part, since setup cost is spread across fewer units. Non-standard materials or unusual thicknesses may have their own minimum mill order requirements, which we'll flag during quoting if they apply.

Yes — many buyers want a prototype quantity to validate fit and function before committing to a production run, and we're set up to quote both in the same RFQ. Tell us both quantities up front and we'll price each accordingly rather than assuming one implies the other.

A dimensioned drawing or CAD file with a blanket general tolerance plus tight tolerances called out only where they're actually needed, a clear material and thickness spec, target quantity, and any required completion date. Vague specs are the single biggest cause of quoting delays — we'd rather ask one clarifying question up front than requote after a misunderstanding.

Start with a blanket general tolerance for all undimensioned features appropriate to your process and material (for example, a standard linear tolerance for cut and formed features), then call out tighter tolerances only on the specific features where fit or function actually requires it. Marking every dimension as tight tolerance inflates cost without improving the part.

Yes, for early-stage parts a clear, fully dimensioned sketch can be enough to start a conversation and even quote from, though a CAD file (DXF/DWG for flat geometry, STEP for machined parts) speeds up both quoting accuracy and production. If you're not sure what file format you need, describe the part and we'll advise.

A general tolerance is a single blanket value applied to all dimensions that don't have a specific callout — it's simple and covers most non-critical features. GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerancing) is a more precise system for specifying exact form, orientation, and position requirements on specific critical features, typically used on machined parts where fit against a mating component matters.

We review every RFQ drawing for manufacturability — checking for things like an unachievable bend radius, an over-specified tolerance, or a missing dimension — before finalizing a quote. If something looks off or ambiguous, we'll ask rather than guess and quote incorrectly.

Most custom fabricated parts do — a laser-cut blank that gets formed, welded, and finished is a normal production sequence, not an unusual request. We quote the full sequence as one connected part flow, planning tolerances and heat effects across every step rather than treating each process as an isolated order.

Carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum cover the large majority of custom fabricated parts we quote, across the common grades used in structural, industrial, and OEM applications. See our materials guide for a full comparison of strength, corrosion resistance, weight, and typical cost tradeoffs between the three.

Material certifications, mill test reports, and dimensional inspection documentation are increasingly standard requirements for industrial and OEM buyers, and can be provided when specified on your RFQ. Tell us your documentation requirements up front so they're built into sourcing and quoting from the start rather than requested after production.

Non-standard alloys and non-stock thicknesses are sourceable, but may require a mill order that extends lead time beyond a standard stocked material — we'll flag this clearly during quoting so it's factored into your schedule, not discovered later.

It depends on your application's structural requirements, corrosion exposure, weight sensitivity, and budget. Carbon steel is generally the most cost-efficient structural choice; stainless adds corrosion resistance and cleanability at a higher material and machining cost; aluminum reduces weight but has different strength characteristics. We'll walk through the tradeoffs for your specific part rather than defaulting to one material.

Documentation requirements like a Certificate of Conformance, dimensional inspection reports, or a PPAP-style submission package can be supported when specified up front — this is common for OEM and industrial buyers with formal supplier-quality requirements. Let us know what your program requires when you submit your RFQ.

Most parts are actually a sequence of processes, not just one. A flat profile with holes points toward laser cutting; a part that needs to be three-dimensional points toward forming; a part with a precision bore or threaded hole points toward CNC machining; multiple components joined into one structure points toward welding. Use our process finder on the capabilities page, or just describe the part and we'll map it out.

Yes — that's the normal path for most fabricated parts rather than the exception. We quote and manage the full sequence as one part flow, which keeps tolerances, heat effects, and finish requirements consistent across every step instead of getting lost between separate vendors.

Laser cutting produces flat, two-dimensional profiles and cutouts efficiently from sheet and plate stock. CNC machining removes material from solid stock (or a laser-cut blank) to produce true 3D geometry, precision bores, and threaded features at tighter tolerances than cutting alone provides. Many parts use both — a laser-cut blank that's then machined for critical features.

Yes — our processes scale from a single prototype part through a repeatable production run using the same programmed files and, where needed, dedicated fixturing. Tell us your quantity intent up front so we quote the right approach for where you are in the process.

Send us the updated drawing or file and we'll requote based on what changed — a revised tolerance, added feature, or material change can all affect price and lead time, and it's much easier to adjust before production starts than after.

We source and ship custom fabricated parts to contractors, OEMs, and industrial buyers across the United States. Delivery timing depends on the specific fabrication sequence your part requires and your location relative to production, which we'll estimate as part of your quote.

Dimensional inspection against your drawing's critical features is a standard part of our process before a part or production run ships, with the level of formal documentation matched to what your RFQ specifies — from a basic dimensional check to a full inspection report package for OEM and industrial buyers with formal quality requirements.

Contact us immediately with the specific discrepancy and we'll work through it — whether that's a measurement clarification or a genuine production issue that needs correcting. Catching and resolving an issue quickly is always better than letting it sit, especially on a part that's holding up your own production schedule.

Yes — many OEM and industrial buyers move from a one-time RFQ to a recurring production schedule once a part is validated. We can set up repeatable production runs against the same approved drawing and quality requirements for ongoing orders.

Call 844-967-5247 or email josh@contractorschoiceagency.com with your order reference and question — a real person who understands fabrication will help, not a ticket queue.