How to Get a PCB Copy Quote — and What You’ll Receive Back
A PCB copy quote from our team arrives within one working day of receiving your board details. You send photos, files, or the physical board itself; we reply with a fixed-price estimate covering Gerber generation, BOM extraction, schematic recovery (if requested), and any firmware or IC work the project requires. No deposit is needed for the quote, and every estimate includes a clear breakdown of deliverables, turnaround, and payment terms.
What Determines Your PCB Copy Quote?
Price is not pulled from a calculator. Our engineers review every inquiry individually because no two boards carry the same complexity. That said, the same handful of variables drive 90 % of the cost variation we see across projects.
| Cost Driver | Low-Complexity Example | High-Complexity Example |
|---|---|---|
| Layer count | 1–2 layers, through-hole | 10–16 layers, blind/buried vias |
| Board dimensions | ≤ 100 × 100 mm | ≥ 300 × 400 mm backplane |
| Component density | 50–80 parts, 0805 passives | 800+ parts, 0201 passives, BGA |
| IC protection | No locked MCU | Encrypted ARM Cortex or CPLD |
| Schematic needed? | No — Gerber + BOM only | Full hierarchical schematic |
| Turnaround | Standard (7–12 working days) | Rush (3–5 working days, surcharge) |
A straightforward 2-layer board with no IC work typically starts around USD 300–600. A dense 8-layer board with schematic recovery and one locked MCU can reach USD 2,000–5,000+. For a deeper look at what actually drives pricing, see our breakdown of PCB reverse engineering cost factors.
What Should You Send to Get an Accurate PCB Copy Quote?
The more detail you provide up front, the tighter the quote — and the less likely it changes later. At minimum, we need enough information to identify layer count, board size, and component complexity.
Minimum Submission
- Clear photos — top, bottom, and at least one edge shot (so we can estimate layer count from the board cross-section).
- Board dimensions — even a rough measurement with a ruler helps.
- Project scope — tell us whether you need Gerber files only, Gerber + BOM, or a full package with schematic.
Ideal Submission
- Everything above, plus any existing documentation: partial schematics, old Gerber files, datasheets, or even a working unit for functional verification.
- Quantity intent — are you reproducing 5 boards or 5,000? This doesn’t change the reverse-engineering quote, but it helps us advise on DFM adjustments.
Our detailed guide on what to send for a PCB copy quote walks through every file type and photo angle we find useful.
The Quoting Process — Step by Step
Step 1: Submit Your Inquiry
Email photos and notes, or use our upload form. There is no registration required. If you already have the physical board, mention whether you can ship it or prefer to work from scans and photos initially.
Step 2: Engineering Review (Same Day)
An engineer — not a sales rep — reviews your submission. We check layer count indicators, identify critical ICs (and whether any are likely protected), estimate BOM complexity, and flag anything that could affect feasibility.
Step 3: Quoted Response (Within One Working Day)
You receive a written quote containing:
- Fixed price for the agreed deliverable set.
- Estimated turnaround in working days.
- Deliverable list (Gerber layers, BOM format, schematic format, firmware status).
- Any caveats — for example, “IC X appears to use read protection; feasibility assessment required before we can confirm firmware recovery.”
Step 4: Confirmation and NDA
Once you approve the quote, we issue a mutual NDA if required. We handle confidentiality on every project — read about our NDA and IP protection process for specifics.
What Deliverables Does the Quote Cover?
Every quote explicitly lists what you will receive. Here is a typical deliverable matrix depending on the service tier you choose:
| Deliverable | Gerber-Only Package | Standard Package | Full Package |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gerber files (RS-274X) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Drill files (Excellon) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bill of Materials (BOM) | — | ✔ | ✔ |
| Component placement (pick-and-place) | — | ✔ | ✔ |
| Schematic (PDF + editable source) | — | — | ✔ |
| Netlist cross-check | — | — | ✔ |
| Firmware / IC readout (if applicable) | Quoted separately | Quoted separately | Included when feasible |
If you are unsure which package fits, mention your end goal (one-off repair vs. volume production) and we will recommend the right scope in the quote.
How Accurate Is the Initial Quote?
For boards where we can clearly assess layer count and IC status from photos, the quoted price holds in over 90 % of projects. The two situations that most commonly cause a revision are:
- Hidden internal layers — a board that looks like 4 layers turns out to be 6 once we delaminate. We always flag this risk in the original quote when edge photos are inconclusive.
- IC protection discovered after board arrival — a microcontroller that appeared standard turns out to have fuse-locked flash. We notify you before proceeding and provide a revised line item.
In either case, you approve the change before any additional cost is incurred. Understanding common PCB copy mistakes before you start can help you avoid surprises on both sides.
Turnaround After Quote Approval
Standard turnaround on a confirmed project ranges from 5 to 15 working days depending on complexity. A simple 2-layer board with no IC work can ship Gerber files in 3–5 days. A 10-layer board with schematic recovery and two locked MCUs may take 12–15 days. Rush service is available on most projects with a 30–50 % surcharge. For detailed timelines by board class, check our PCB copy turnaround time breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions About PCB Copy Quotes
Is the PCB copy quote free?
Yes. There is no charge for the initial estimate. You send your board details, and we return a priced response within one working day. No obligation, no deposit.
Can I get a quote from photos alone, without shipping the board?
Absolutely. High-resolution photos of both sides and one edge are enough for an initial quote on most boards. The physical board is needed later for the actual reverse-engineering work, but the quote itself can be generated from images. If layer count is ambiguous from photos, we will note the possible range and price accordingly.
Do I need the original schematic to get started?
No. Most clients come to us precisely because they have lost the original design files. We reverse-engineer everything from the bare board. If you do have partial documentation, it speeds the process and can reduce cost. Learn more about whether an original schematic is necessary.
What if my board has a locked microcontroller?
We will flag the IC in the quote and include a feasibility note. If the chip’s read protection can be bypassed through authorized recovery methods, we quote that line item. If recovery is unlikely, we tell you up front rather than charging for an attempt. Authorization and proof of ownership are required for all IC-related work.
How do I know the copied board will actually work?
Every project includes a netlist verification step where extracted Gerber data is cross-checked against the physical board. Our quality guarantee policy details the specific checks we perform and what recourse you have if a manufacturing issue traces back to our files.
Ready to Request Your PCB Copy Quote?
Gather your board photos or files, note the scope you need (Gerber only, standard, or full package), and send them our way. Our engineers — not an automated form — will review your board and return a fixed-price PCB copy quote within one working day. No obligation, no hidden fees, and a clear path from estimate to manufacturable files.
Check feasibility for your project
Send the chip marking or board details and tell us what you need to recover. Add clear photos if available.
Request a feasibility reviewWorking on a board like this?
Send the chip marking or two photos. You get feasibility, lead time and price within 24 hours, and the check costs nothing.
Get a free quote