Electronics Repair, Refurbishment & Depot Operations worked example

Diagnostic Labor Cost at 58% units requiring full diagnostics: a worked example

This worked example runs the diagnostic labor cost numbers for a tougher week than the baseline: 58% units requiring full diagnostics instead of the typical 80%. Estimate diagnostic bench labor cost for returned electronics, circuit boards, power supplies, displays, modules, or industrial controls before a repair quote or warranty decision.

The inputs for this scenario

  • RMA units diagnosed: 100 units (held at the documented default)
  • Diagnostic labor cost per unit: 45 $ / unit (held at the documented default)
  • Units requiring full diagnostics: 58 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 80)
  • Fixed diagnostic setup cost: 250 $ (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Variable diagnostic labor cost = RMA units diagnosed × diagnostic labor cost per unit × units requiring full diagnostics.
  • Total diagnostic labor cost works out to 2,860 $ at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Diagnostic labor cost per RMA unit works out to 28.6 $ / piece at these inputs.
  • Variable diagnostic labor cost works out to 2,610 $ at these inputs.
  • Fixed diagnostic setup cost works out to 250 $ at these inputs.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where units requiring full diagnostics sits at 80% and the headline result is 3,850 $, this scenario comes in 25.71% below the baseline at 2,860 $.
  • Use it when quoting a depot diagnostics contract, costing an RMA batch, or evaluating whether a fast-screen step reduces the units routed to full diagnostics. A result at this level usually justifies acting on the stressed input before touching anything else, because every other figure in the table is downstream of it.

Results at a glance

  • Total diagnostic labor cost: 2,860 $ (headline result)
  • Diagnostic labor cost per RMA unit: 28.6 $ / piece
  • Variable diagnostic labor cost: 2,610 $
  • Fixed diagnostic setup cost: 250 $

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Diagnostic Labor Cost calculator, set units requiring full diagnostics to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.