Two quotations for “the same” valve can differ by 40% — and the cheaper one is sometimes the better product. The gap is almost never dishonesty; it is unstated differences. Here is the checklist we use internally when normalizing offers for clients.
The 10-Point Comparison Checklist
- Design standard & edition — API 600 vs generic B16.34 gate: different wall thickness, different cost. Standards decoder here.
- Body material & origin — WCB is WCB, but foundry origin drives both price and approval on EPC vendor lists.
- Trim number — 13Cr (Trim 1/8) vs Stellite (Trim 5/16) can be 20% of valve cost. Trim codes explained.
- Bonnet type — bolted vs welded vs pressure-seal on small bore changes both price and leak performance.
- Overlays — NACE, fire-safe (API 607), low-E (ISO 15848-1), cryogenic (BS 6364): a quote silently omitting one overlay looks cheaper and fails document review later.
- Testing level — standard API 598/EN 12266 vs added cryo tests, PMI, witnessed inspection.
- Documentation — EN 10204 3.1 baseline vs 3.2 third-party; IOMs, weld maps, NDE reports. Certificate guide.
- Operator scope — bare stem vs handwheel vs gear vs actuator; ISO 5211 pad included or not.
- Delivery terms — EXW factory vs DAP site is routinely 5–10% on international orders; check packing spec for sea freight.
- Warranty & origin certificates — ask explicitly; retrofit paperwork after shipment is painful.
The Two-Minute Method
Build a one-line spec string for each offer — e.g. 6” 150# API 600 WCB/Trim 8, bolted bonnet, RF, API 598, 3.1, bare stem, EXW — and lay the strings side by side. Every difference becomes visible in seconds, and the “40% gap” explains itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I always take the compliant-but-expensive offer?
No — ask the cheaper bidder to re-quote against the full string. If the gap survives spec alignment, negotiate with the expensive one.
Can ValveAtlas do this normalization for us?
Yes — it is a standard part of our quoting: send us competing offers with your datasheet and we return an aligned comparison plus our own bid.
