Updated: November
Direct answer: CNC router job work in India prices at Rs 250-900 per hour of machine time, or Rs 40-250 per sqft for cutting and carving depending on material and pattern density (est.). Jali and 3D carving price per sqft with a density factor; flat cutting prices per linear foot or per panel. Rates must account for tool wear – router bits are a real consumable, and dense MDF work eats them quickly.
The Rate Card (est.)
| Work | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Machine time, small router | Rs 250-450 per hour | 1.3×2.5 m class |
| Machine time, ATC or large bed | Rs 450-900 per hour | 3×6 m and above |
| MDF or ply cutting, per sqft | Rs 40-90 | simple shapes |
| Jali cutting, per sqft | Rs 90-250 | density dependent |
| 3D carving, per sqft | Rs 150-400 | depth and detail dependent |
| ACP grooving, per running foot | Rs 15-45 | straight-line work |
| Stone or marble engraving, per sqft | Rs 120-350 | tool wear heavy |
| File preparation or CAM | Rs 300-2,000 | complex files at the top |
| Setup and jig per job | Rs 200-1,000 | protects short runs |
Quoting Logic (est.)
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | convert design to toolpaths and estimate machine hours |
| 2 | multiply by your hourly rate for that machine class |
| 3 | add material if supplied by you |
| 4 | add bit wear allowance – 5-15% on dense MDF or stone (est.) |
| 5 | add CAM/design, setup and handling |
| 6 | add dust extraction and finishing time |
Worked Examples (est.)
| Job | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|
| MDF jali panel, 3×2 ft, medium density | 1.5-2.5 hr | Rs 600-1,800 |
| Door carving, 7×3 ft, 3D | 3-6 hr | Rs 1,800-5,000 |
| 20 MDF cutout shapes | 40-70 min | Rs 400-900 |
| ACP panel grooving, 40 running ft | 45-80 min | Rs 700-1,600 |
| Marble nameplate engraving, 12×18 in | 35-60 min | Rs 500-1,100 |
Where CNC Pricing Goes Wrong (est.)
- Quoting per piece on 3D work – carving time varies enormously between designs.
- Ignoring bit wear – a marble job can consume a Rs 1,200-4,000 bit (est.).
- Forgetting finishing – sanding and edge cleanup are labour that must be billed.
- Underestimating hold-down – vacuum or clamping setup takes real minutes.
- No minimum order – small cutout jobs lose money without one.
Bit selection and costs are covered in the CNC bits guide, and jobs per material class in the CNC business ideas.
Our Verdict
CNC job work pays when you quote from machine hours plus bits plus finishing, not from area alone. Publish your hourly rates by machine class, charge CAM and setup, and always include a minimum order value. Machine prices sit in the CNC router price guide and business ideas in the CNC business ideas.
FAQs – CNC Router Job Work Rates India
What is the hourly rate for CNC router job work in India? (est.)
Rs 250-450 per hour for small 1.3×2.5 m class routers and Rs 450-900 per hour for ATC or large-bed machines (est.). Rates reflect machine cost, bed size and the operator skill needed for the material being cut.
What is the per-sqft rate for CNC jali cutting? (est.)
Rs 90-250 per sqft depending on pattern density and material, with MDF at the lower end and stone or marble higher (est.). Dense floral jali takes several times the machine time of open geometric patterns at the same area – always price from the actual toolpath.
How much does CNC 3D carving cost? (est.)
Rs 150-400 per sqft for wood and MDF carving, with depth and detail driving the range (est.). A 7×3 ft carved door typically runs 3-6 machine hours and prices at Rs 1,800-5,000 before material.
Do router bits cost extra in job work? (est.)
Yes – bit wear should be built into rates, especially on MDF, stone and marble where a single job can consume a Rs 1,200-4,000 bit (est.). Add a 5-15% wear allowance on dense-material work rather than absorbing replacements silently.
Should I charge for CAM and file preparation?
Always. Converting a design into toolpaths, checking feeds and speeds, and running a test cut takes real time, typically quoted at Rs 300-2,000 depending on complexity (est.). Free file work is the most common reason CNC jobs feel unprofitable.
What is a sensible minimum order value for CNC work? (est.)
Rs 500-1,500 depending on machine class (est.). Setup, hold-down, tool changes and clean-up consume an hour even for a small cutout, and without a minimum those jobs are performed at a loss.
Laser and CNC series: Laser Job Work Rates, Laser Safety and Fire Precautions, Ventilation and Exhaust, Service and Repair Business.
Essentials: CO2 laser price guide, CNC router price guide, laser business ideas, CNC business ideas, second-hand laser and CNC checklist.
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