How Laser Cutting Prices Are Worked Out in a Real Shop

If you run or work in a laser cutting shop, knowing how to quote jobs properly helps you stay profitable and avoid surprises. It’s not just about how fast the machine cuts. You need to think about the material, design, setup, and even things like power and operator time. Here’s a practical guide to how pricing is usually worked out—and how tools like Smart Cut Quote can make it easier.

What Affects Your Laser Cutting Cost?

Material Type – Some materials cut easier and faster than others. Mild steel cuts quickly. Stainless steel or aluminium may need different gases or more power, which adds to the cost.
Material Thickness – Thicker plates take longer to cut and use more gas and energy. This increases the overall cutting time and price.
Part Design – A basic square is quick to cut. But if a part has lots of curves, holes, or fine detail, the cutting time goes up. More time means higher cost.
Setup Time – If you’re setting up for a new job—changing sheets, adjusting parameters, or testing—it all takes time. For short runs or one-off jobs, this setup cost can be a big factor.

Why Smart Cut Quote Helps

Instead of working it all out manually, Smart Cut Quote reads your DXF or DWG files and automatically estimates how much material you’ll need, how long it will take to cut, and what the job will cost. You can also add costs for things like bending, finishing, and packaging.
It helps you avoid underquoting and saves time compared to spreadsheets or guesswork. You can also adjust your material prices and hourly rates easily to match local conditions.

How Machine Costs Are Calculated

Every shop works out a machine hourly rate differently, but it usually includes:
– Cost of the machine over time
– Maintenance and servicing
– Electricity and gas used while cutting
– Operator wages
– Rent, admin, and other general costs
– How often the machine is actually running

Once you know your hourly cost, you can make sure it’s built into every quote.

Keeping Up With Material Price Changes

Material prices don’t stay the same. If you’re quoting based on old prices, you could lose money. With Smart Cut Quote, you can update your material costs anytime and apply a margin to stay ahead of price increases.

In Summary

Laser cutting pricing isn’t just about cutting speed. Material type, thickness, design, setup time, and your real machine costs all affect what you should charge. Quoting software like Smart Cut Quote helps take the guesswork out, keeps your quotes accurate, and gives your customers a professional breakdown.

Want to try it out?
Visit: https://smartcutquote.com
Call us: +61 3 8618 6884
Or go to: https://nctools.com.au