Most stalled RFQs aren't stalled because the product is bad. They're stalled because the factory is missing the handful of facts it needs to price the job. This checklist is that handful — assembled for motorized products, where the drive is usually the variable that decides the number.
Why this matters
A factory prices what it can see. Every gap in your package becomes either a padded assumption or a question that delays the quote. A complete package gets you a real number faster. Going through the checklist before you send the RFQ also tells you something useful: the items you can't answer yet are exactly the gaps a feasibility read.
A factory prices what it can see. Every gap in your package becomes either a padded assumption or a question that delays the quote. A complete package gets you a real number faster.
Going through the checklist before you send the RFQ also tells you something useful: the items you can't answer yet are exactly the gaps a feasibility read would close.
Product intent and function
State what the product is and what it has to do, in plain language. Category, use, key performance the customer actually notices. This frames every other number.
State what the product is and what it has to do, in plain language. Category, use, key performance the customer actually notices. This frames every other number.
Motor / drive requirements
The part most often left vague and most important to pin down: the duty cycle, target power, torque and RPM range, acceptable noise and heat, supply voltage, and how the motor mounts. If you don't know these yet, say so — a factory would rather see a stated assumption than a silent gap.
The part most often left vague and most important to pin down: the duty cycle, target power, torque and RPM range, acceptable noise and heat, supply voltage, and how the motor mounts. If you don't know these yet, say so — a factory would rather see a stated assumption than a silent gap.
Bill of materials pressure and target price
Your target landed cost or retail price, and any cost ceilings that matter. This isn't about squeezing the factory; it's about letting them tell you early whether the design and the price can coexist.
Your target landed cost or retail price, and any cost ceilings that matter. This isn't about squeezing the factory; it's about letting them tell you early whether the design and the price can coexist.
Volume, timeline, and tolerances
Expected order quantity (and rough annual volume), the timeline you're working toward, and any tolerances or quality expectations that affect tooling and inspection. Volume and tolerance both move price more than founders expect.
Expected order quantity (and rough annual volume), the timeline you're working toward, and any tolerances or quality expectations that affect tooling and inspection. Volume and tolerance both move price more than founders expect.
Compliance and market context
The markets you'll sell in and the certifications the product will need. These shape components, materials, and testing — and a factory will price differently depending on them. Naming them up front avoids a re-quote later. Product description and primary function Motor duty, power, torque, RPM, voltage, noise/heat limits, mounting Target price or BOM pressure Expected order volume and annual.
The markets you'll sell in and the certifications the product will need. These shape components, materials, and testing — and a factory will price differently depending on them. Naming them up front avoids a re-quote later.
The factory quote checklist
- Product description and primary function
- Motor duty, power, torque, RPM, voltage, noise/heat limits, mounting
- Target price or BOM pressure
- Expected order volume and annual volume
- Target timeline / launch window
- Drawings, CAD, or a spec a stranger could read
- Tolerances and quality expectations
- Target markets and required certifications
- Your open questions, written down
Common mistakes
Sending dimensions but no motor spec — the single biggest source of padded quotes. Omitting target price, then receiving a number you can't evaluate. Forgetting compliance context, then getting re-quoted when it surfaces. Treating the checklist as paperwork instead of as your own readiness diagnostic.
- Sending dimensions but no motor spec — the single biggest source of padded quotes.
- Omitting target price, then receiving a number you can't evaluate.
- Forgetting compliance context, then getting re-quoted when it surfaces.
- Treating the checklist as paperwork instead of as your own readiness diagnostic.
Frequently asked questions
- Why this matters?
- A factory prices what it can see. Every gap in your package becomes either a padded assumption or a question that delays the quote. A complete package gets you a real number faster. Going through the checklist before you send the RFQ also tells you something useful: the items you can't answer yet are exactly the gaps a feasibility read.
- What is product intent and function?
- State what the product is and what it has to do, in plain language. Category, use, key performance the customer actually notices. This frames every other number.
- What is motor / drive requirements?
- The part most often left vague and most important to pin down: the duty cycle, target power, torque and RPM range, acceptable noise and heat, supply voltage, and how the motor mounts. If you don't know these yet, say so — a factory would rather see a stated assumption than a silent gap.
- What is bill of materials pressure and target price?
- Your target landed cost or retail price, and any cost ceilings that matter. This isn't about squeezing the factory; it's about letting them tell you early whether the design and the price can coexist.
- What is volume, timeline, and tolerances?
- Expected order quantity (and rough annual volume), the timeline you're working toward, and any tolerances or quality expectations that affect tooling and inspection. Volume and tolerance both move price more than founders expect.
This guide is educational. It is not a manufacturing quote, certification review, legal advice, or a guarantee that a product can be built. If you want this applied to your specific product, request a human-reviewed Motor Readiness Scorecard.
Want this applied to your product?
Request a Motor Readiness Scorecard for a human-reviewed read, or start with a short, no-cost quote-readiness screen.