What lead time should I plan for?

For a reference custom project, plan for a 3D render in about two working days, then a technical drawing for approval. Sample and production dates are confirmed after the drawing and quantity are fixed.

Buyer guide · RFQ

What Information Do You Need to Quote a Custom Steel Tool Cabinet?

Q: Can I request a quote without a CAD drawing?

Yes. A dimensioned sketch, reference photo and drawer matrix are enough to start. The final price is confirmed after dimensions and included hardware are shown on the approved production drawing.

Q: What is the minimum information for a useful budget quote?

Send overall width, depth and height, quantity, drawer layout, finish, destination and the main load or electrical requirements. Missing details are listed as exclusions rather than silently included.

Send the cabinet dimensions, quantity, drawer layout, load requirement, finish, electrical scope, packing and destination. A sketch or reference photo is enough to start.

Updated 3 November 2026Reviewed by Stephen Liang8-minute read

Short answer

A usable quote needs seven inputs: overall W × D × H, quantity, drawer matrix, load and hardware requirements, finish, packing data, and destination. Production starts only after the drawing is approved.

The seven inputs that change the price

Input	Why it matters	Minimum you should send
Overall dimensions	Sets material use, drawer depth, worktop area and packing volume.	Width × depth × height in mm, including casters if used.
Quantity	Changes setup, purchasing, packing and freight planning.	First order quantity plus expected annual volume.
Drawer matrix	Two cabinets can have the same shell but very different slide and labour cost.	Rows, columns, drawer heights, widths and fixed internal dividers.
Load requirement	Drive slide class, steel reinforcement, fixing and cabinet stability.	Weight per drawer, load distribution and whether the drawer opens fully.
Finish and hardware	Determines coating process, lock, handle, caster and assembly scope.	RAL or sample colour, lock type, handles, casters and label requirements.
Electrical scope	Adds wiring, outlets, lighting, external power entries and inspection points.	Voltage, plug type, socket count, LED locations and cable-entry position.
Packing and destination	Controls export packing, CBM, gross weight and transport responsibility.	Destination country, city or port, shipment mode and any unloading limit.

Describe the drawer layout as a matrix

A photograph shows appearance, but not enough information to price the internals. Number the rows from top to bottom and state the drawer height in each position. For example:

Row	Left bank	Centre bank	Right bank
1	150 mm drawer	150 mm drawer	150 mm drawer
2	200 mm drawer	200 mm drawer	200 mm drawer
3–5	Three 300 mm drawers	Two 450 mm drawers	Three 300 mm drawers
Bottom	Door compartment	Power drawer	Door compartment

Do not write only “15 drawers” unless the drawer heights and widths are also shown in a sketch. The material and slide cost of 15 shallow drawers is not the same as one deep drawer bank.

What else belongs in the RFQ

Target price and the reason for it, if you have a benchmark product.
Required handling method: fixed, mobile, wall-fixed, free-standing or modular.
Environment: dry workshop, unheated garage, washdown, coastal air or food production.
Branding: logo location, nameplate, packaging artwork and private-label documents.
Standards or inspection requirements that the product must meet.
Whether drawings and product details must remain confidential.

RFQ email template

Subject: RFQ — Custom Steel Tool Cabinet — [quantity] sets 1. Product: [tool cabinet / garage wall / workbench] 2. Overall size: [W × D × H mm] 3. Quantity: [first order] / [annual estimate] 4. Drawer matrix: [attached sketch] 5. Load: [kg per drawer], [full-extension / partial-extension required] 6. Finish: [RAL colour or reference photo] 7. Hardware: [locks, handles, casters, dividers] 8. Electrical: [voltage, socket type, LED, cable entry] 9. Packing: [carton / plywood crate / client mark] 10. Destination: [country, city or port] 11. Target date: [sample date / shipment date] Attachments: reference image, sketch or drawing, packaging artwork.

What happens after you send it

Missing dimensions and optional items are identified before pricing.
A 3D arrangement render is prepared for the reference configuration.
The production drawing records dimensions, panel gauges, hardware and exclusions.
The price and lead time are confirmed against the approved drawing and quantity.

Do not compare only the unit price. Compare the same cabinet size, drawer matrix, slide class, lock, finish, packaging and delivery term. A lower price based on a simpler drawer box or partial-extension slide is not the same product.

Buyer questions

Can I request a quote without a CAD drawing?

Yes. Send a dimensioned sketch, a reference photo and the drawer matrix. The final specification is then confirmed on the production drawing.

What is the minimum information for a useful budget quote?

Send W × D × H, quantity, drawer layout, finish, destination and the main load or electrical requirements. Unknown items should be listed as exclusions.

Can one RFQ cover several cabinet models?

Yes. Give each model a code and attach one drawer matrix and packing estimate per model. This prevents prices from being applied to the wrong configuration.

Can you quote FOB, CIF or DDP?

The published quotation basis is FOB Qingdao. CIF or delivered terms require a separate review of destination, shipment scope and importer-of-record arrangements.

Send the seven inputs

Email your sketch, reference photo and destination. We will identify missing details before turning the configuration into a price.

Send your RFQ