When you’re comparing product design services, it helps to know exactly what you’re paying for—and what separates a pro service from a one-man CAD shop. Below is a quick guide to the process, costs, and red-flags to watch for.
Why Professional Product Design Services Matter
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- Manufacturing-ready models – SolidWorks or Fusion 360 files you can send straight to a CNC shop.
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- Faster prototyping – Clean geometry ➜ fewer print failures ➜ weeks saved.
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- Cross-disciplinary thinking – Engineers who “get” plastics, sheet-metal and assemblies.
The Typical 6-Step Process
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- Discovery call – goals, budget, timeline
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- Concept sketches & rough CAD – choose a direction
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- Detailed 3D modelling – full parametric model in SolidWorks
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- DFM review – tolerances, material, draft angles, fasteners
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- Prototype build – 3D print or CNC for fit / function
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- Release package – STEP/STL, 2D drawings, BOM & revision log
Cost Breakdown at-a-Glance
| Stage | Typical Hours | Low-Mid Rate (USD) | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concept & Ideation | 8-16 | $800 – $2,400 | Hand & CAD sketches |
| Detailed CAD | 20-40 | $2 000 – $6,000 | Fully featured 3D model |
| DFM + Drawings | 8-12 | $800 – $1,800 | 2D prints, tolerance stack-up |
| Prototype Iteration | 1-3 cycles | $500 – $1,500 ea. | Physical parts |
💡 Tip: Ask for a fixed quote per milestone instead of hourly billing to avoid scope creep.
How to Choose the Right Service
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- Portfolio depth – see at least three projects similar to yours.
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- Native CAD source files included, not just “viewer” formats.
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- Clear IP agreement – your company owns the final CAD.
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- Direct engineer access for weekly check-ins.
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- Offer of a paid pilot—design one part before committing big money.
Red-Flags
🚩 “We can’t share native files.”
🚩 No manufacturing or materials questions in the first call.
🚩 100 % payment up-front with no milestone gates.
Ready to Turn Your Idea Into a Real Product?
At FluidWorks we provide fast, professional product design services using SolidWorks CAD:
✅ Free consultations
✅ Sample projects available
✅ Files ready for prototyping or production
Want to see real work we’ve done? Check out our Projects page to see what we’ve built.