Frequently asked questions
Working with us, pricing, technical scope and ownership of the work.
Working together
Can you continue a project someone else started?
Yes. Most of our projects start that way: a dev-board prototype built by a software team, a schematic from a freelancer who left, or boards that came back from the factory and do not work. We review what exists, keep what is sound and continue from there.
At which stage can you join a project?
At any stage: idea, dev-board prototype, schematic, finished layout, assembled boards that do not work, working prototype or ready for production. The estimator starts by asking exactly that.
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes. We sign our own NDA with every client before receiving documentation. It is written in your favour: your information and IP stay yours, and it does not restrict what you do next. Read its terms.
Do we need calls or meetings?
Not necessarily. We work in writing by default: e-mail, or a shared chat on an open-source platform, with a written report every week. If a call helps, we set one up.
How quickly can you start?
Usually within one to two weeks of the phase being paid. We do not sell rush service: hardware takes the time it takes, and testing is unpredictable.
Can we stop after the proof of concept and hire our own engineer?
Yes. Every phase ends with complete documentation written so that another engineer can continue.
Do you work with companies outside Spain?
Yes. We work in English with clients across the EU, the UK and Switzerland. All communication is in writing, by e-mail or in a shared chat on an open-source platform, so time zones are never a problem, and we are happy to schedule a call when it helps. Boards travel by courier. Invoices within the EU follow the reverse-charge VAT rules.
Can you work with our in-house engineers?
Yes. We can take a single phase, review their work, provide bench time for debugging, or cover a gap while they focus on something else.
Pricing
How much does it cost to develop an electronic product in Europe?
For a medium-complexity board, taking a working dev-board prototype to ten tested custom prototypes with firmware typically costs €13,000 to €17,000 with us, hardware included, over eight to twelve weeks. Starting from an idea, with feasibility and a proof of concept, it is typically €15,000 to €20,000. Our online estimator gives a figure for your case.
What is your hourly rate?
€75 per hour excluding VAT for all engineering work. Most work is quoted as a fixed price per phase based on that rate.
Can we stop after the proof of concept and hire our own engineer?
Yes. Every phase ends with complete documentation written for the next engineer, not for us. Many clients take the proof of concept or the first prototype and continue in-house.
Do you charge for a quote?
No. The estimate and the fixed quote after NDA are free. A detailed written design review that you keep is a fixed-price service from €290.
How is hardware billed?
PCBs, components, assembly and external lab fees are passed through at cost with a handling fee shown separately on the invoice.
When do we pay?
Each phase is paid in advance and starts when the payment is received. You never commit to more than the next phase.
What if testing shows that something does not work?
It happens in hardware, with our designs and with yours. The phase delivers the evidence and the options, and the next phases are re-planned and re-quoted. Prices include an allowance for this risk.
Technical
Which design tools do you use?
KiCad by default, because the files belong to you and need no paid licence to open. We can pick up projects from other EDA tools.
Which microcontrollers do you work with?
Mostly STM32, nRF52/nRF53, ESP32 and RP2040-class devices, in C and C++ with vendor SDKs, Zephyr or FreeRTOS.
Do you do power electronics?
Yes, it is our main speciality: DC-DC and AC-DC converters, isolated and bidirectional topologies, motor drives and chargers.
Do you work with batteries?
With small batteries for small products: one to four lithium-ion cells, charging, protection and fuel gauging. Not with high-power, traction or high-voltage battery packs.
Do you design high-speed digital boards?
No. We do not take designs with DDR memory, PCIe or multi-gigabit links. We will tell you so at the estimate stage rather than learn on your project.
Can you get our product CE marked?
We prepare the product and the technical documentation, run pre-compliance tests and coordinate accredited testing. The CE declaration itself is signed by the manufacturer, which is usually you.
Do you manufacture?
We manage prototype runs and small batches of about 50 to 1,000 units through vetted manufacturers, and prepare a production package for larger contract manufacturers.
Ownership
Who owns the design files?
You do. On payment you receive the native source files (schematic, layout, libraries, firmware), manufacturing files and test reports. There are no licence fees and no lock-in.
Do you reuse our design for other clients?
No. Your design, firmware and documentation are yours and confidential. We reuse only our general engineering knowledge.
What if we want to take the project in-house later?
That is expected. Every phase ends with a documented handover so your team, or anyone else, can continue.
Send us what you have. We tell you what it takes to finish it.
Answer five questions and see an indicative budget in two minutes. When you are ready, sign our NDA, upload your documentation and get a fixed quote. Everything by e-mail, with a call whenever you prefer.