Transparent pricing · real project data
What Does Engineering Automation Cost?
Honest pricing guidance based on 50+ delivered projects. No hidden fees, no surprise scope creep. Just clear ranges so you can plan with confidence.
Why we share this
Most Vendors Won't Share Pricing
Most automation vendors won't share pricing because every project is different. That's true, but it doesn't help you plan. You shouldn't need a sales call just to know if automation fits your budget. Here's what we can tell you from 19+ years of project data.
Investment ranges
Typical Project Investment
Real ranges from real projects, not marketing numbers.
CAD Plugin / Add-in
Single-purpose automation tool, custom commands, UI panel. Automates one specific workflow or repetitive task within your CAD environment.
TYPICAL: 2–6 WEEKSVariant Drawing Automation
Rule-driven drawing generation from parametric templates. Automatically produces accurate drawings, BOMs, and annotations for product variants.
TYPICAL: 4–12 WEEKSProduct Configurator (Web-based)
Sales-to-engineering automation with 3D visualization, BOM generation, and system integration. Eliminates engineering bottlenecks in quoting.
TYPICAL: 8–20 WEEKSEnterprise Integration
Multi-system automation connecting CAD, ERP, PDM, and manufacturing. End-to-end digital thread from sales through production.
TYPICAL: 12–30 WEEKSRANGES REFLECT TYPICAL PROJECTS · YOUR INVESTMENT DEPENDS ON SCOPE, COMPLEXITY, AND INTEGRATION REQUIREMENTS
Cost factors
What Drives the Cost
Six factors that most influence where your project falls within these ranges.
Variant & Rule Complexity
Number of product variants and the complexity of engineering rules that drive configuration.
CAD Platforms Involved
Single-platform automation is simpler. Multi-platform (e.g., Inventor + AutoCAD + Revit) adds scope.
Integration Requirements
Connecting to ERP, PDM, web portals, or other business systems adds integration development.
Output Types
Drawings, BOMs, calculation reports, 3D models, PDFs: each output type adds development scope.
User Interface Requirements
Internal engineering tools vs. polished customer-facing configurators have different UI demands.
Regulatory & Compliance
Industry standards (IS, AISC, Eurocode) and audit trail requirements add validation complexity.
Return on investment
How to Think About ROI
Most projects pay for themselves within 3–6 months. Here's why: the investment is one-time, but the hours it reclaims come back every single month.
Want to run the numbers for your specific workflow? Use our ROI Calculator →
Flexibility
Engagement Options
Choose the engagement model that fits your needs and risk tolerance.
Fixed-Scope Project
Defined deliverables, fixed price, clear timeline. You know exactly what you're getting and what it costs before we start.
Best for: Well-understood problems with clear boundaries.Phased Development
Start with a proof of concept, validate results, then scale. Each phase has its own scope and budget, so you control risk at every step.
Best for: Complex or evolving requirements.Long-Term Partnership
Ongoing development, maintenance, and feature expansion. Dedicated resources with deep knowledge of your systems and workflows.
Best for: Companies building automation as a strategic capability.Common questions
Pricing FAQ
Do you charge for the initial consultation?
What's included in the price?
Are there ongoing costs?
Can we start small and expand?
How do you handle scope changes?
Free · no obligation
Ready to Discuss Your Project?
Every project is different, but the conversation starts the same way: tell us about your workflow, and we'll give you an honest assessment of what automation would cost and what it would save.
- Free automation audit: no cost, no obligation
- All development, testing, docs, and training included in the price
- Source code ownership transfers to you
- Scope changes discussed and approved before any extra work