The information needed for a PCB design quote varies according to the type and current status of the project. A new design may begin with a schematic and mechanical outline, while a revision may require an existing native PCB database, fabrication outputs and a list of required changes.
Providing the available source files and clearly identifying missing or developing information helps the PCB designer understand the work involved. It also reduces assumptions that could affect the quoted price or schedule.
1. Schematic Files
The schematic establishes the electrical connections, component relationships, power structure and functional organization of the product. For a new PCB design, it is often the primary source used to evaluate the expected layout effort.
Provide the schematic in PDF format for convenient review. Native schematic source files should also be included when available, particularly when the project includes schematic capture, correction, annotation or library work.
Helpful schematic information may include:
- Complete schematic pages
- Hierarchy or sheet organization
- Component reference designators
- Net names and signal classifications
- Power and grounding requirements
- Revision notes or marked changes
2. Native PCB Design Files
Native PCB design files are particularly important for an existing design revision, platform conversion, partially completed layout or design review. They provide access to the actual board database rather than only flattened manufacturing outputs.
Depending on the design platform, the project package may include Altium Designer, Cadence Allegro, Cadence OrCAD or Siemens PADS files together with associated libraries and configuration data.
Native files may allow the designer to review:
- Board geometry and layer structure
- Component placement
- Routing and copper features
- Design rules and constraints
- Net assignments
- Embedded libraries or project settings
Additional information about supported platforms is available on the PCB Design Tools page.
3. Gerbers and Fabrication Drawings
Gerbers, ODB++ data, IPC-2581 files, drill files and fabrication drawings can help document how an existing board was previously released. These outputs are useful when the native database is unavailable or when the project involves recreating, reviewing or revising an existing design.
A fabrication package may contain:
- Copper-layer artwork
- Solder mask and silkscreen layers
- NC drill files
- Board outline and routing information
- Fabrication notes
- Hole tables
- Controlled-impedance requirements
- Material and finish requirements
Manufacturing outputs are not a complete replacement for native design files, but they may provide enough information to begin evaluating the project.
4. Mechanical Files
PCB layout is constrained by the physical product. Board outlines, mounting locations, connector positions, component-height limits and enclosure clearances can directly affect placement and routing effort.
Mechanical information may be supplied as:
- Dimensioned PDF drawings
- DXF or DWG outlines
- STEP or IGES models
- Enclosure models
- Connector-location drawings
- Keepout and restricted-area definitions
- Component-height or fit requirements
Clearly identify which mechanical dimensions are fixed and which may still change.
5. Bill of Materials and Component Data
A bill of materials helps identify the components that must be represented in the schematic, libraries and PCB layout. It can also reveal package complexity, fine-pitch devices, large connectors and other components that may influence placement or routing.
The BOM should include, when available:
- Reference designators
- Manufacturer names
- Manufacturer part numbers
- Quantities
- Package or footprint information
- Approved alternates
- Do-not-populate designations
Datasheets should be included for uncommon, custom or mechanically critical components.
6. PCB Stackup Information
The stackup affects routing density, controlled impedance, power distribution, return-current paths, board thickness and manufacturability. A known or proposed stackup helps determine whether the layer structure supports the electrical and mechanical requirements.
Useful stackup details include:
- Total layer count
- Signal and plane assignments
- Finished board thickness
- Outer and inner copper weights
- Core and prepreg materials
- Controlled-impedance requirements
- Via structures and microvia requirements
- Preferred PCB fabricator capabilities
A preliminary stackup may still be used for quoting when the final construction has not yet been approved.
7. Design Rules and Constraints
Design constraints define the technical requirements that must be implemented and verified during layout. Complex or tightly controlled rules can significantly affect the work required.
Relevant requirements may include:
- Minimum trace widths and clearances
- Differential-pair geometry
- Controlled-impedance targets
- Length limits and matching tolerances
- High-speed signal classifications
- Creepage and clearance requirements
- Power-current requirements
- Via restrictions
- Placement or routing keepouts
- Applicable customer or industry standards
Requirements can be supplied in a formal design specification, constraint spreadsheet, marked schematic or project notes.
8. Existing Libraries and Footprints
Existing customer libraries can reduce duplicated work and help maintain consistency with established company standards. However, the library contents may still require review before they are used in the design.
Include available:
- Schematic symbols
- PCB footprints
- Padstack definitions
- 3D component models
- Library databases
- Approved naming or construction standards
Identify whether the supplied libraries are approved for use, require validation or are provided only as reference material.
9. Required PCB Design Deliverables
The expected deliverables should be defined before the project is quoted. A project requiring only PCB layout completion has a different scope from one that also requires schematic updates, library development, manufacturing outputs and release documentation. Projects beginning with an approved schematic can also be reviewed through our dedicated PCB layout services.
Deliverables may include:
- Native schematic files
- Native PCB design files
- Project libraries
- Gerbers, ODB++ or IPC-2581 outputs
- NC drill files
- Fabrication drawings
- Assembly drawings
- Pick-and-place data
- 3D board models
- Design-review documentation
911EDA returns all applicable native schematic, PCB and library source files with the completed project.
10. Target Schedule and Review Milestones
The requested schedule helps determine resource availability and whether the expected project scope can be completed within the required development window.
Include any known:
- Project-start date
- Placement-review milestone
- Critical routing review
- Mechanical-release date
- Final design-review date
- Manufacturing-release deadline
- Prototype or product-build date
The schedule should account for customer reviews, engineering changes, component-data questions and final release preparation, not only the time required for routing. A staged PCB design approval process can help identify changes before additional placement or routing work is built on previously approved decisions.
What If the Project Package Is Incomplete?
Many PCB design projects begin before every requirement has been finalized. Missing files do not necessarily prevent an initial quote, but the uncertainty should be identified.
Submit the information that is available and explain:
- Which files are complete
- Which files are preliminary
- Which items are still being developed
- What work 911EDA is expected to complete
- Which decisions remain open
The quote can then identify assumptions, exclusions or items that may require confirmation before work begins.
How a Complete Quote Package Helps
A well-organized PCB design quote package helps reduce the time spent clarifying basic project information. It also supports a more accurate evaluation of design complexity, available source data, required deliverables and schedule risk.
Before submitting a project, confirm that the package clearly communicates:
- What currently exists
- What needs to be created or revised
- Which technical constraints apply
- What deliverables are required
- When the work must be completed
For a broader explanation of how projects move from initial review through final release, read the PCB design process guide. For projects focused specifically on component placement, routing, constraints and manufacturing release, review our PCB layout services.
Common Questions About PCB Design Quote Files
Can I request a PCB design quote without a complete project package?
Yes. Submit the files and information that are currently available and identify which items are still in development. Preliminary information can often support an initial scope and schedule review.
Are native PCB design files required for a quote?
Native PCB files are especially useful for revisions, conversions and partially completed layouts, but they may not exist for a new design. Submit them when available.
Are Gerber files enough to revise an existing PCB?
Gerber files can help document the existing board, but they do not contain the complete editable design intelligence found in a native PCB database. The available files should be reviewed before the revision scope is established.
Should controlled technical data be uploaded through the public quote form?
No. Do not upload classified information or ITAR or export-controlled technical data through the public website form. Contact 911EDA first to arrange an approved transfer method.
Ready to review your PCB design requirements?
Send the available project files, describe the work required and identify the expected schedule and deliverables.