How Long Does It Take to Get an Automation Quote?

You have been here before.

A vendor responds to your RFQ in 48 hours with a polished proposal. The number looks reasonable. You get internal approval. Engineering kicks off. And somewhere around week six, the whole thing starts to unravel because the proposal was built on what you asked for, not on what you actually needed.

That is not a quoting problem. That is a discovery problem. And it is exactly why Han-Tek does not quote before it is ready.

The honest answer to “how long does it take?” is that it depends on the project. A crane inspection quote can be turned around in a day. A fully integrated robotic workcell with custom controls architecture can take weeks. The variable is not our speed. It is the depth of understanding required to deliver a proposal that will not fall apart in engineering.

Here is how the process works, what you can expect at each stage, and what you can do to move faster.

Why the Right Question Is Not "How Fast?" It Is "How Accurate?"

A proposal that arrives in 48 hours and misses the mark does not save time. It creates a cascade of scope revisions, change orders, and budget surprises that dwarf the cost of a slower, more thorough process.

Han-Tek’s quoting process is built on one principle: a proposal built on incomplete requirements is a liability for both parties. We do not put a number on paper until we understand the problem well enough to stand behind the solution.

That principle shapes every stage of what follows.

The Han-Tek Four-Stage Project Process

We use a structured framework to move from an initial conversation to a signed contract. This ensures that the Safety, Quality, and Throughput “operating equation” of your facility is fully understood.

1. Survey Opportunities

Before we talk about hardware or pricing, we need to understand your operation. Your current material flow. Your production volumes. Your facility constraints. Your workforce challenges. The outcome you are trying to achieve.

We assess whether your challenge requires traditional fixed automation such as specialized conveyor systems, or flexible solutions like Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). We do not rush this stage because what we learn here determines the entire solution architecture.

For service requests, this conversation can happen in a single call. For complex integration projects, it may involve a facility walkthrough, equipment documentation review, and multiple stakeholder discussions. Either way, we do not leave this stage until we understand the problem.

2. Fit Assessment

Once we understand your operation, we assess whether Han-Tek is genuinely the right partner. This is a go or no-go decision point for both parties.

We ask ourselves: Can we deliver what this customer needs? Are we the best-equipped team to solve this specific problem? Do our capabilities align with the technical requirements?

You should be asking the same questions about us. This stage is designed to surface misalignments before they become expensive, not after.

3. Solution Development

With the requirements defined, we develop the automation solution that will meet them.

This is where our engineering team determines the best way to move, control, track, protect, and support your product through the process.

We evaluate the equipment, controls, safety systems, sensing, robotics, tooling, software and operator interfaces needed to make the system work reliably in your environment.

We also consider the practical details that often determine project success: maintenance access, fault recovery, ease if operation, product variation, available floor space, sanitation or environmental concerns, and future expansion.

Our goal is to deliver a system that is technically

4. Align Offering

The final stage brings together the complete proposal, including technical solution, commercial terms, project timeline, and scope of Han-Tek’s accountability. Because the previous three stages have established a shared understanding of the project, this stage is typically fast. There are no surprises because there were no shortcuts.

Realistic Timeline Ranges

While every project is unique, here are the typical durations you can expect for the quoting process:

Project Type	Typical Quote Timeline
Service & Maintenance (Inspections, Repairs)	1 to 3 Days
Mid-Size Integration (Robotic Workcells, Conveyors)	2 to 4 Weeks
Large-Scale Systems (Multi-system Integration)	6+ Weeks

The single biggest variable is information. The more clearly you can articulate your requirements, constraints, and desired outcomes at the start of the process, the faster and more accurately we can respond.

How to Prepare for a Faster, More Accurate Quote

Come to the first conversation with as much context as possible. These are the inputs that matter most:

Throughput Data: Current rates versus target rates

Facility Dimensions: Clearances, floor space, and existing obstructions

Product Formats: Weights, dimensions, and material types

Infrastructure: Existing SCADA systems or network architectures

Timeline and Budget Range: Even a rough range helps us calibrate the right solution

When you're ready to start the conversation, so are we.

Contact Han-Tek to Begin Your Project Discussion

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