## How do you compare three factory quotes fairly?

Only compare quotes when every factory answered the same brief. Put unit price, MOQ, lead time, inclusions, exclusions, payment terms, sample cost and revision rounds into one side-by-side sheet, then ask clarifying questions before you pick a winner. The lowest unit price is rarely the cheapest order once missing fabric, wash, labels or sampling rounds are added back in.

This guide is a working template for that sheet. It covers why brands pick the wrong quote, what must be identical across the three offers, a line-item comparison table, red flags, how to ask clarifying questions without restarting the quote, and a checklist to use after samples.

## Why do brands pick the wrong factory quote?

Founder communities are full of the same stories. Pricing felt opaque, and one brand later learned it had overpaid by about 22% once a clearer brief went out. Sampling rounds that looked free in the first email turned into separate charges. A sample quote and a bulk quote were treated as the same thing, so the "cheap" factory became expensive after the first fit round.

The pattern behind those stories is weak specs. When the brief is vague, each factory fills the gaps differently. One quotes full package with fabric and trims. Another quotes CMT on fabric you will have to buy. One includes two sampling rounds. Another charges for every revision after the first proto. You cannot rank those offers until the gaps are closed.

Comparing quotes is therefore not a spreadsheet trick. It starts with a brief complete enough that three factories are answering the same question. Our guides on [what a clothing factory needs before it will quote you](/hub/blog/what-a-clothing-factory-needs-before-theyll-quote-you) and [how to write an RFQ](/hub/blog/how-to-write-an-rfq-for-a-clothing-factory-template) cover that brief in detail.

## What must be identical across the three quotes?

Before you open the comparison sheet, lock these eight fields. If any field differs, you are not comparing like with like.

| Field | Why it must match |
|---|---|
| Tech pack or reference garment | Construction, measurements and tolerances drive labour and scrap |
| Fabric (composition, weight, stretch) | Fabric cost and wash behaviour change the unit price |
| Quantity per style and per colour | MOQ and unit price both move with colourway splits |
| Target delivery date | Capacity and fabric lead time change what a factory can offer |
| Incoterms | EXW, FOB and DDP put very different costs on the brand |
| Full package vs CMT | Full package includes fabric and trims; CMT does not |
| Sampling rounds included | Free first sample vs paid revisions changes true cost |
| Labels, hangtags and packing | Often missing from a "unit price" that looks low |

If one factory quoted full package and another quoted CMT, stop. Re-brief both on the same production model. The [full package vs CMT vs FOB](/hub/blog/full-package-vs-cmt-vs-fob-clothing-production) guide explains what each model includes so you can ask for the same scope.

For Incoterms, use the same named rule on every request. The International Chamber of Commerce publishes the current [Incoterms 2020 rules](https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020/). A quote that looks cheaper on EXW may cost more once freight, insurance and import formalities sit on your side.

## Side-by-side comparison template

Copy this table into a sheet. Fill one column per factory. Leave a cell blank only when the quote is silent, then treat every blank as a clarifying question.

| Line item | Factory A | Factory B | Factory C | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric included? | | | | Yes / no / which mill or stock |
| Trims and hardware included? | | | | Buttons, zips, rivets, elastic |
| Labels and hangtags included? | | | | Brand labels vs factory blanks |
| Wash / laundry included? | | | | Critical for denim and washed jersey |
| Packing included? | | | | Polybags, cartons, size stickers |
| MOQ (per style / per colour) | | | | Ask which rule applies |
| Unit price (same Incoterm) | | | | Same currency and Incoterm |
| Sample cost (per style) | | | | Proto, SMS, size set |
| Sampling rounds included | | | | How many, and what each costs after |
| Lead time starts when? | | | | Deposit, sample approval or fabric arrival |
| Production lead time | | | | Weeks after the start trigger |
| Payment terms | | | | Deposit %, balance trigger |
| Certifications required | | | | GOTS, OEKO-TEX, GRS, ISO |
| Quote validity date | | | | Must cover sampling |
| Extras / exclusions listed | | | | Anything not in the unit price |

Typical production lead time in Portugal is 6 to 10 weeks after sample approval. Sampling comes before that. Across the factories on NovaSupplier that publish a sample lead time, ranges commonly sit between 1 and 6 weeks depending on product. See [how long clothing production takes](/hub/blog/clothing-production-timeline-how-long-everything-actually-takes) for the full timeline.

Do not invent a "landed" total in the sheet until freight and duties are quoted separately. Rank the factories first on scope match, then on clear total cost for the same Incoterm, then on communication quality during sampling.

## What are the red flags in a clothing factory quote?

None of these alone kills a quote. Each is a reason to ask a plain question before you decide.

| Red flag | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Vague "starting from" price | Can you quote against this exact tech pack and quantity? |
| Missing wash or laundry on denim or washed styles | Is wash included, and which recipe is this price based on? |
| Different Incoterms across the three quotes | Please restate the price on [named Incoterm] so I can compare |
| MOQ that ignores colourways | Is the minimum per style or per colour? |
| Quote that expires before sample approval | Can you extend validity through sampling and SMS approval? |
| Unit price far below the other two | What fabric, trims and finishing are excluded? |
| No payment structure | What deposit and balance timing do you use on a first order? |
| "Sample included" with no revision limit | How many free rounds, and what does each extra round cost? |

A price that looks too good is usually missing fabric quality, wash, labels or packing. A price that looks high may already include everything the cheaper quote left out. The sheet forces that difference into the open.

## How do you ask clarifying questions without restarting the quote?

Send one message that lists every blank cell and every mismatch. Do not drip questions over five emails. Factories plan capacity around complete briefs, and a partial follow-up restarts the clock.

A clarifying message that works:

1. Restate the locked brief in five lines (product, fabric, qty by colour, date, Incoterm, full package or CMT).
2. Number the blanks: "1) Is fabric included? 2) How many sampling rounds? 3) When does lead time start?"
3. Ask the factory to reply by updating the existing quote, not by starting a new one from scratch.
4. Give a reply deadline that still leaves you time to compare the other two.

If a factory cannot answer the blanks, treat that as data. Communication during quoting predicts communication during production. Our guide on [what is happening when a manufacturer goes quiet](/hub/blog/your-manufacturer-went-quiet-heres-whats-actually-happening) covers the follow-up pattern if replies stall.

## Decision checklist after samples

Do not lock the factory on the quote sheet alone. Use samples to finish the comparison.

| Check after samples | Pass if |
|---|---|
| Construction matches the tech pack | Measurements and seams sit inside tolerance |
| Fabric hand-feel and shade match the brief | Approved against your reference, not a different mill lot |
| Wash or finish matches (if relevant) | Fade, hand-feel and shrinkage are what you approved |
| Communication stayed specific | Questions answered in one reply, dates held |
| Revised unit price (if any) is explained | Changes map to fabric, wash or construction you asked for |
| Payment terms still staged | Deposit and balance still reasonable for a first order |
| Capacity confirmed for your delivery date | Slot survives sample approval |

Keep the approved sample as the production reference. Read [why bulk orders do not match the sample](/hub/blog/why-your-bulk-order-doesnt-match-the-sample-and-how-to-prevent-it) and the [garment inspection checklist](/hub/blog/garment-inspection-checklist-and-aql-for-small-brands) before you pay the production deposit. Payment structure guidance is in [how to structure payment terms with a clothing manufacturer](/hub/blog/how-to-structure-payment-terms-with-a-clothing-manufacturer).

## Worked example: how to fill the sheet

Imagine three factories quote the same jersey T-shirt brief: full package, one style, two colours, 150 units per colour, OEKO-TEX fabric, EXW Portugal, delivery after sample approval.

| Line item | Factory A | Factory B | Factory C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fabric included? | Yes, OEKO-TEX jersey | Yes, stock jersey (cert unclear) | Yes, OEKO-TEX jersey |
| Trims and labels | Included | Labels extra | Included |
| Wash / laundry | N/A (unwashed) | N/A | N/A |
| MOQ | 150 per colour | 200 per style across colours | 150 per colour |
| Sampling rounds | 2 included | 1 included | 2 included |
| Lead time starts | Sample approval | Fabric arrival | Sample approval |
| Payment terms | Deposit then balance before ship | Full payment before cut | Deposit then balance before ship |

On that sheet, Factory B is not cheaper until you add labels, confirm the certification and accept a higher MOQ or a colourway merge. Factory C and A look similar on scope; the sample round and communication quality decide it. That is the point of the template: force scope into the same columns before you argue about the number.

## Where do Portuguese factories publish enough data to shortlist first?

You do not need three random quotes. Shortlist factories that already publish product, town, certification and MOQ data, then send the same brief to three that fit.

NovaSupplier's [manufacturers in Portugal](/hub/manufacturers-in-portugal) pages list factories by product. Useful starting points for a first comparison set include [T-shirt manufacturers](/hub/manufacturers-in-portugal/t-shirts), [knitwear manufacturers](/hub/manufacturers-in-portugal/knitwear), [denim manufacturers](/hub/manufacturers-in-portugal/denim) and the [low MOQ](/hub/manufacturers-in-portugal/low-moq) page. For certifications, check claims in the [OEKO-TEX Label Check](https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/label-check) and the [GOTS certified suppliers database](https://global-standard.org/find-suppliers-shops-and-inputs/certified-suppliers) rather than trusting a logo on a PDF quote.

:::faq

### How many factory quotes should I get for a clothing order?

Three is enough when the brief is identical. More than five usually means the shortlist was too wide. Fewer than two leaves you with no benchmark for scope or price.

### Should I pick the lowest clothing factory quote?

Not until every inclusion and exclusion matches. A lower unit price that omits fabric, wash, labels or sampling rounds is not lower once those are added. Compare scope first, then price on the same Incoterm.

### What is the difference between a sample quote and a bulk quote?

A sample quote covers development pieces and often revisions. A bulk quote covers the production run after you approve a sample. Treat them as separate costs on the sheet, and confirm whether sampling rounds are included in either.

### How do Incoterms change a factory quote comparison?

Incoterms decide who pays freight, insurance and import steps. An EXW quote and a DDP quote are not comparable until you restate both on the same named rule. Use one Incoterm across all three requests.

### When should I walk away from a quote?

Walk away when the factory will not fill blanks on inclusions, will not state when lead time starts, demands full prepayment on a first order with no sample process, or lets the quote expire before sample approval without extending it.

### What should be identical before I compare three quotes?

Tech pack, fabric, quantity by colour, target date, Incoterms, full package vs CMT, and the number of sampling rounds you expect. If those differ, re-brief before you rank prices.

:::

## Sources

All links checked 3 November 2026. Factory figures elsewhere on NovaSupplier are self-reported on factory profiles.

- International Chamber of Commerce, Incoterms 2020: https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020/
- OEKO-TEX Label Check: https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/label-check
- GOTS certified suppliers database: https://global-standard.org/find-suppliers-shops-and-inputs/certified-suppliers
- NovaSupplier manufacturers in Portugal data pages: https://www.novasupplier.com/hub/manufacturers-in-portugal
- NovaSupplier low MOQ manufacturers in Portugal: https://www.novasupplier.com/hub/manufacturers-in-portugal/low-moq

*Updated 3 November 2026. Founder experiences above are paraphrased from public posts in founder communities; no usernames.*

## Post your brief and let factories come to you

If you already know your product and quantity, you can [post a brief on NovaSupplier](https://www.novasupplier.com/onboarding?intent=brand) and compare replies from factories that make that product. Factories engage with a brief in under 30 hours. It is free for brands: NovaSupplier charges brands no fee, and you pay the factory for samples and production as usual. There is no agent in between, and the factory relationship stays with your brand. NovaSupplier lists 73 active manufacturers, all in Portugal; factories pay a 3.5% commission on every order, including reorders. [Read what NovaSupplier is and how it works](/hub/blog/what-is-novasupplier).

:::suppliers campelo-sa-leading-inovation kapuz cstrends fonte-and-faria top-trends marjomotex the-developers create-fashion-brand :::