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ESTIMATES

When it comes to providing cost projections, we have 4 options, depending on the complexity of your project:
HOURLY RATES
BALLPARK ESTIMATES
COST ASSESSMENTS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES





The governing rule is that we charge hourly rates, and ANY estimate,
cost assessment or cost defined by a feasibility study is ultimately subject to the hourly rate.

The ballpark estimates, cost assessments and costs resulted from a feasibility study are not a maximum cost or fixed fee quotation, and the final charges may be more or less than these amounts. Whenever any other number but an hourly rate is provided, it is done so with the clear understanding that the governing quote is the hourly rate.
This is because our production costs (cost of materials, consumable cost, utilities cost, labor cost)
can change without notice and because the type of work that we do is inherently hard to predict.

The final bill will represent the total amount of time spent on your project.
Our rates are the same regardless of the market value of the firearm.

GETTING YOUR FIREARM TO US
- WE ACCEPT WALK-INS and NATIONAL SHIPPING 
incl. ALASKA & HAWAII -


Before you Drop Off or Ship In your firearm, please contact us by phone or email.
You do not need an appointment,
but we'd like to know ahead and plan our schedule accordingly!


Our company is moving from WA to TX.
We currently do not accept any shipping.
 

Learn how to Safely Ship Your Firearm to Our Shop

HOURLY RATES
- OFFERED FOR E-MAILS, PHONE-CALLS, WALK-INS
AND SHIPPED FIREARMS -


We charge hourly rates, $80 / hour for bench time and $120 / hour machine time.
Due to the nature of our work, the only fixed quotations are our hourly rates. 
Our rates are fixed regardless the size of the project or the value of the firearm.


- Hourly rates usually suffice for small, maintenance projects. -

BALLPARK ESTIMATES
- OFFERED FOR WALK-INS ONLY -

In addition to our hourly rates, whenever possible, a ballpark estimate of the job cost might be provided at our discretion. Our ballpark estimate is typically based on a cost comparison with other similar jobs, our professional judgment and the condition of the firearm. For particular types of projects ballpark estimates are not possible.
We do NOT offer ballpark estimates without assessing the firearm in person.

Our ballpark estimates are free of charge.

- Ballpark estimates usually suffice for small and medium standard gunsmithing services. -

In order to be able to provide you with a ballpark estimate, we need you to have on you the following when you visit us:
1. Complete firearm - including magazine, ammo, bolt, etc.
- everything we need to safely operate and test the firearm + any additional parts that you wish to have installed.
2. Ammo - the type of ammo that you want to be able to use with this firearm
- positively no reloads; we only accept factory ammo
3. The firearm owner's Government Issued ID

COST ASSESSMENT

- WALK-INS AND SHIPPED FIREARMS -

If in addition to our hourly rates and ballpark estimates you desire to have a detailed assessment of your project, we can do so by investing time into performing a DCOA (diagnostic clean) on your project.
We do NOT offer cost assessments without assessing the firearm in person.

The Diagnostic Clean necessary for the Cost Assessment includes:
1. Initial testing of the firearm, in the condition it is in, when it comes in the shop;
2. Complete disassembly for deep cleaning;
3. Parts cleaning in the parts washer and with the ultrasound, for deep clean;
3. Manual inspection of all the parts;
4. If any parts are cracked, missing or need replacements, we will provide a list of the parts and labor needed in order to bring the firearm back to A+ functioning level;

5. Providing you with a written cost assessment.
This written assessment will be the closest we can get to providing you with the clearest estimate that we can provide you with.


Cost assessments are paid services, but they are optional for walk-ins.
If you are comfortable with our hourly rates or with our ballpark estimates,
you do not need to have your investment assessed.


Cost assessments are usually necessary for complete restorations
or projects that address mechanical issues.

In order to be able to asses your project, we need to have the following in the shop:
1. Complete firearm - including magazine, ammo, bolt, etc.
- everything we need to safely operate and test the firearm + any additional parts that you wish to have installed.
2. Ammo - the type of ammo that you want to be able to use with this firearm
- positively no reloads; we only accept factory ammo
3. The firearm owner's Government Issued ID
4. A complete Work Order signed by the owner.
The Work Order can be filled in online (if you ship the firearm)

or in person (at our office)
5. An Agreement signed by the firearm's owner

FEASIBILITY STUDY

- WALK-INS AND SHIPPED FIREARMS -

Feasibility studies are required when, based on our experience,
we decide that in order to protect your safety and your investment,
we need to conduct a very detailed analysis
of the costs involved in your project. 


Feasibility studies are mandatory for:
- obsolete parts manufacturing
- calibre change
- very unique projects (like machining brass lowers, etc.)
- any other gunmaking project with a high level of complexity

We do NOT offer technical opinions on the validity / feasibility of a project without conducting a feasibility study.

The sole purpose of feasibility studies is to protect your investment.
We have the capacity to design, manufacture and deliver any kind of firearm and any kind of firearm-related product. As we often say, the question is not "IF" we can make it happen, but "HOW?" and "HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?"

In our 14 years of experience, we have learned that projects that are presented on social media (or other questionable sources) as being easy to make, sometimes end up costing 4-5 times more than what our clients expect. The cost is usually a reflection of the difference between making the project happen and making the project SAFE to use on the long run, after the firearm went through significant alterations. 

We introduced mandatory feasibility studies in order to prevent you from having to pay an unexpected bill, or another unexpected and way too high cost (like injury or death), and in order to preserve our reputation as a fair-charge shop.

We positively reserve the right to decide, at our discretion and based on our experience, if your project needs to be subjected to a mandatory feasibility study.
We prefer to do actual gun work, instead studies, and in 14 years we have only asked for a mandatory feasibility study with a frequency of once or twice / year.
Mandatory feasibility studies do NOT occur often.  


If our gunsmiths decide that your project needs to be subjected to a mandatory feasibility study, you are welcome to refuse it; in that case, we reserve the right to respectfully decline assistance.

In order to be able to produce a feasibility study,
we need to have the following in the shop:

1. Complete firearm - including magazine, ammo, bolt, etc.
- everything we need to safely operate and test the firearm + any additional parts that you wish to have installed.
If your feasibility study does not involve an existing firearm, can conduct the study in the absence of the firearm, leaving room for errors.

2. Ammo - the type of ammo that you want to be able to use with this firearm
- positively no reloads; we only accept factory ammo
3. The firearm owner's Government Issued ID
4. A complete Work Order signed by the owner.
The Work Order can be filled in online (if you ship the firearm)
or in person (at our office)

5. An Agreement signed by the owner of the firearm
6. Feasibility Study Pre-Paid Cost - $250

 

The Feasibility Study includes, but it is not limited to:
1. Initial 
testing of the firearm, in the condition it is in, when it comes in the shop;
2. Complete disassembly for deep cleaning;
3. Parts cleaning in the parts washer and with the ultrasound, for deep clean;
3. Manual inspection of all the parts;
4. If any parts are cracked, missing or need replacements, we will provide a list of the parts and labor needed in order to bring the firearm back to A+ functioning level;
5. Technical research regarding any manufacturing / labor aspect that is uncommon;
6. Special materials hardness during manufacturing processes.
Special material costs and legal requirements for working with them, if needed;

7. Tooling availability, if needed.
Some projects require obsolete metric tooling, unavailable on the market.
In case tooling is not available on the market and tools need to be re-designed and manufactured for the project,
an assessment of the costs associated with manufacturing these tools.

8. Paid technical counsel from other high end peer gun makers, if needed.
Paid legal counsel from our legal team, if needed.


The results of the Feasibility Study will be shared with the client in writing and in person, depending on preference.

COST PROJECTIONS

WHAT TO SHIP OUT:
Your parcel needs to include:
- complete firearm, including magazines, bolts, anything we need to safely operate the firearm
- any additional parts that you’d like us to fit to your firearm (if any)
- Work Order (fill in online - or print, fill in by hand and include in the parcel)
- Contract (fill in online - or print, fill in by hand and include in the parcel)
- copy of ID  if you ship it out to us or copy of the FFL, if the firearm is sent through an FFL
- ammo - a separate parcel needs to include ammo for testing your firearm

We do not accept reloaded ammo, except for obsolete calibers.
 

HOW TO PACK YOUR FIREARM FOR SHIPPING:
Firearms shipped directly to Brubaker Arms Manufacturing, LLC need to be packaged in a sturdy box, preferably in a case and then in a box. Most carriers are not particularly delicate with handling the parcels. Bolts need to be removed and packed separately, wrapped in thick protective layers, and can be added in the same box. Ammunition needs to be shipped in a separate box. Firearms being returned to customers will be packaged by Brubaker Arms Manufacturing, LLC  to ensure safe arrival.

HOW TO SHIP FIREARMS FOR RESTORATION:
Handguns and long guns may be shipped by individuals directly to Brubaker Arms Manufacturing - Restorations, LLC. They can but do not need to be shipped from an FFL. We recommend that you do not use a third party FFL for shipping.  We recommend shipping your firearm via UPS, DHL or FedEx. USPS is not a reliable option for shipping firearms, but it is the only option for shipping ammunition, so if you ship ammunition please use USPS.
Contact us for our shipping address.


RETURN SHIPPING:
The firearm can only be returned to the customer directly if the customer shipped it out to Brubaker Arms Manufacturing, LLC directly. If a customer opts to use an FFL to ship out the firearm, the firearm MUST be returned to the same or another FFL; it cannot be returned to an individual, per ATF regulations.

INSURANCE:
Insurance – before return shipping the firearm, Brubaker Arms Manufacturing, LLC will contact you to inquire about the preferred carrier and the insurance amount requested.

 

NEW PURCHASES SHIPPING (ASSISTED ACQUISITIONS)
Firearms purchased from Brubaker Arms Manufacturing, LLC must be shipped to an FFL.
Brubaker Arms Manufacturing, LLC can only ship firearms directly to the customer when the parcel contains a firearm that was shipped out to Brubaker Arms Manufacturing, LLC by said customer. New purchases need to go through the Federal Firearm Transfer process (Form 4473) and local state firearm transfer process.  

WHAT / HOW TO SHIP

ALASKA and HAWAII RESIDENTS
Brubaker Arms Manufacturing, LLC - Restorations cannot mail firearms to P.O. boxes, except for FFLs who have the P.O. Box registered with ATF as a safe shipping address and it shows on the FFL copy. Private individuals living in Alaska / Hawaii who have a P.O. Box address on their ID will need to use an FFL for shipping out and receiving the firearm. All other private individuals will receive their firearms exclusively on the address shown on their ID. For details, contact our customer service team through our Contact page.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
Firearms shipped outside of the United States will be exported through Borderview International or Simpson Ltd. The customer will be responsible for ALL shipping/import/export fees.
For details, contact our customer service team through our Contact page.

DID WE ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS
ABOUT YOUR PROJECT?

Great! Let's schedule your project in our shop rota.
The sooner we pull the trigger (pun intended), the sooner your project is completed!

DO YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
Please hold that thought!
We're looking forward to helping you once our company is fully set up in Texas.
Moving our company from WA state to TX is not a piece of cake!

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