The fastest quotes come from inquiries that describe the project the way a manufacturer has to think about it: what is being built, where, for what traffic, in what materials, on what schedule, with whom. None of that requires finished documents — it requires the right details.
Use this checklist when assembling a request for quote for cab, interior, entrance, or architectural metal scope.
The essentials every RFQ needs
Six details give a reviewable starting point on almost any project.
- Project location — city and building
- Elevator type — passenger, service, freight, or transit-style
- Scope — full interior, specific components, entrances, or metalwork
- Timeline — target dates and what drives them
- Finish direction — even a rough one
- Your role — elevator company, architect, contractor, consultant, or owner's team
Documents worth attaching when they exist
Attach what the project already has; do not wait to create documents an early inquiry does not need.
- Elevator layout or shop drawings
- Architectural finish schedules or design intent imagery
- Photos of the existing car, entrances, or lobby
- Specification sections covering cab or entrance scope
- The opening schedule for entrance work
Decisions that unlock accurate pricing
Some choices move a quote from a range to a number: whether existing components remain, how many cars share one design, which surfaces are priority-grade versus utility-grade, and how firm the schedule is. Flagging the undecided items is just as useful — they become the agenda for scope review.
What happens after you submit
Inquiries go into scope review: usage, dimensions, finishes, coordination needs, and budget are confirmed with you, then the project moves into design and manufacturing, and finally coordinated delivery with the installing team. Drawings and photos can be emailed alongside the form — PDF, JPG, PNG, or DWG.
Common questions
- Can I request a quote before the design is final?
- Yes. Early inquiries with approximate dimensions and a finish direction are normal — undecided items are handled during scope review.
- How should I share large drawing files?
- Submit the form first, then email drawings (PDF, JPG, PNG, or DWG) so the files can be matched to your inquiry.
- Does an RFQ commit my project to anything?
- No. A quote request starts a scope conversation, not a contract.
When the checklist is roughly together, the quote form takes a few minutes — and a well-framed inquiry gets a substantive response instead of a round of preliminary questions.
Request a project quote