Make vs Buy Calculator - cost + strategic factors in one decision.

Make vs buy compares your true internal cost (materials + labor + overhead) against the supplier price, plus the strategic factors price alone misses. Enter both sides for a clear, defensible decision.

Most make-vs-buy decisions get made on gut feel. This calculator combines full unit economics (material, labor, overhead, setup amortization, defect costs) with strategic factors (core competency, quality, IP, supplier risk). Get a recommendation, not just a number.

Volume + part info

Component / process (optional)

Annual volume (units)

Expected production years

MAKE (in-house)

Material cost / unit ($)

Labor cost / unit (burdened, $)

Machine + overhead / unit ($)

One-time setup / tooling cost ($)

Defect rate (%)

BUY (outsource)

Purchase price / unit ($)

Freight / unit ($)

Inspection cost / unit ($)

Defect rate from vendor (%)

Strategic factors

Is this a core competency?

Quality control criticality?

IP / proprietary?

Supplier alternatives?

When the make-vs-buy decision drives capex and headcount

SimpleGrid runs the full unit economics - including overhead that spreadsheets miss.

True make cost includes loaded labor, machine depreciation, defect waste, and setup amortization. True buy cost includes freight, inspection, MOQ premium, and working capital impact. SimpleGrid posts every cost to the right job - so future make-vs-buy decisions use real data, not estimates.

Book a demo