Compare preliminary inspection costs for common non-destructive testing methods using area or length, unit rates, setup costs and job assumptions.
Enter the estimated rate for the inspection unit. Setup cost and material cost are added separately.
| Method | Rate / Unit | Setup Cost | Material Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
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Visual Testing (VT)
Visual inspection
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Dye Penetrant (PT)
Liquid penetrant testing
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Magnetic Particle (MT)
Magnetic particle testing
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Ultrasonic (UT)
Ultrasonic testing
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Radiographic (RT)
Radiographic testing
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| Method | Inspection | Setup | Material | Total |
|---|
The calculator applies each method's entered inspection rate to the effective inspection quantity.
Setup cost, material cost and additional labor are then added:
The method with the lowest calculated total is highlighted as the lowest-cost option based on the entered assumptions.
The cost of non-destructive testing can depend on inspection area or length, method selection, equipment requirements, technician time, surface preparation, setup, consumables, reporting and access conditions.
Two methods can therefore have very different costs even when they inspect the same physical area.
Some inspection jobs are naturally estimated by surface area, while others are better described by weld length, pipe length or another linear measurement.
This calculator allows either type of quantity to be entered. The selected unit is treated as the unit associated with the rate entered for each method.
Visual testing can have relatively simple equipment requirements, but the actual cost depends on inspector time, access, lighting, documentation and the complexity of the inspection.
Penetrant testing typically involves surface preparation, penetrant application, dwell time, excess penetrant removal, developer application and examination. Consumable usage and preparation time can therefore influence job cost.
Magnetic particle testing requires suitable magnetization equipment and inspection media. Component material, geometry and magnetization arrangement can affect inspection time and cost.
Ultrasonic testing can require trained personnel, suitable probes and equipment, surface access and potentially more inspection time for detailed scanning or thickness mapping.
Radiographic testing can involve additional equipment, exposure arrangements, safety controls, exclusion zones, image processing and documentation. These requirements can substantially affect the total job cost.
The cheapest method is not automatically the correct inspection method. The appropriate NDT technique depends on the material, expected discontinuity type, defect orientation, component geometry, accessibility and required detection capability.
The default values are example planning inputs. Replace them with your own contractor quotations, internal labor rates, equipment costs and consumable estimates for a more useful comparison.
Keeping the same job assumptions across all methods makes the comparison easier to interpret.
This calculator does not provide market pricing, contractor quotations, regulatory costs or certified inspection estimates.
It also does not determine which NDT method is technically acceptable for a particular component. Applicable specifications, standards and inspection procedures should control the actual inspection plan.
What does the NDT Inspection Cost Calculator compare? It compares estimated costs for common NDT methods using your entered inspection quantity, rates, setup costs, material costs and labor assumptions.
Which NDT methods are included? The calculator includes VT, PT, MT, UT and RT as configurable comparison methods.
Can inspection rates be entered per metre? Yes. Select metres or feet and enter the corresponding rate for each method.
Can I compare area-based inspections? Yes. Select square metres or square feet and enter rates using the same unit.
Are the default prices actual NDT market prices? No. They are example values intended to demonstrate the calculator. Replace them with relevant local or company-specific rates.
Does the lowest cost method mean it should be selected? No. Technical suitability and the applicable inspection requirements must be established before cost becomes the deciding factor.