// pricing
How pricing works
Laser cutting isn't priced by the kilo or a flat sheet rate — it's driven by how long the laser spends cutting your part and how efficiently parts nest into a sheet. Here's exactly what goes into your price, so there are no surprises.
What goes into a price
Five things, in plain terms.
Cut-path length
The total distance the laser travels around every profile and hole. A part with lots of intricate detail takes longer to cut than a plain blank of the same size, so it costs more.
Pierces
Every hole or internal cut-out needs the laser to pierce the sheet before it cuts. More holes mean more pierces, and a little more machine time per part.
Material & thickness
Stainless and brass cost more than mild steel, and thicker material is slower to cut. The current cost of the sheet your parts are nested into is included in the price.
Nesting efficiency
We arrange parts to use as little sheet as possible. Tidy, tessellating shapes nest tightly and cost less per part; awkward outlines leave more waste.
Quantity
Setup is shared across the batch and parts nest better in volume, so the price per part falls as quantity rises. There's a £5 minimum order charge.
Finishing (optional)
Folding, welding, deburring or powder coating are quoted on top if you need a finished part rather than a flat cut blank.
Instant indicative price, firm price after review
Our online quoter gives you an instant indicative figure from your material, thickness, part size and quantity — perfect for budgeting and comparing options. It's a transparent placeholder, not a binding quote.
Once you submit your drawing, an engineer measures the real cut-path length and pierces from your file, checks nesting and live material cost, and sends back a firm, fixed price with a committed lead time — usually the same working day. You only commit once you're happy.
The essentials
| Minimum order | £5.00 ex-VAT |
|---|---|
| VAT | All prices are shown ex-VAT; 20% VAT is added at checkout |
| Indicative quote | Instant, online, free — no obligation |
| Firm quote | Returned after engineering review, usually same working day |
| Volume | Price per part falls with quantity — ask about scheduled call-off runs |
| Your own material | Welcome — supply your sheet and we'll cut it |
Ready for a price?
Upload your drawing for an instant indicative figure, and we'll confirm the firm price and lead time.
Questions first? Call 01264 527 017 or email sales@andoverlaser.co.uk.