Additive Manufacturing Service Bureau Quoting calculator
Finishing Subcontract Cost Calculator
Service bureaus often outsource finishing such as painting, plating, vapor smoothing, machining, heat treatment, or specialty inspection. This calculator helps pass through subcontract cost with appropriate handling, markup, and coordination charges.
What this calculator does
- Estimate outsourced finishing cost for AM quotes from subcontract quantity, vendor rate, billable capture, and handling markup.
- an estimator needs to include outside finishing cost in a 3D printing quote
- Returns the quoted cost for outside finishing or secondary operations.
Formula used
- Captured subcontract value = subcontracted quantity × vendor rate × billable pass-through
- Finishing subcontract quote cost = captured value + handling/coordination charge
Inputs explained
- Subcontracted parts or hours: undefined
- Vendor finishing rate: undefined
- Billable pass-through: undefined
- Handling/coordination charge: undefined
How to use the result
- Use it for coating, dyeing, machining, heat treating, certification, or inspection performed by a supplier.
- It does not validate supplier lead time, quality risk, minimum charges, or freight unless included in the inputs.
Common questions
- Why use pass-through above 100 percent? Use more than 100 percent when the bureau adds markup for vendor management, risk, payment terms, or warranty exposure.
- Where does supplier minimum charge go? Include it in the fixed handling charge or build it into the vendor rate.
- Should freight to the subcontractor be included? Include it here if it belongs to finishing, or use the AM shipping cost calculator if shipping is quoted separately.
- How does this affect quote validity? Supplier pricing and lead time can expire, so quotes with subcontract work may need shorter validity windows.
Last reviewed 2026-05-12.