Typical eddy current testing prices by job
Ranges for US ECT providers, for budgeting before you request quotes.
| Job | Typical planning range | What to confirm in the quote |
|---|---|---|
| Small heat exchanger bundle, 100 to 300 tubes | $1,500 to $4,000 | Cleaning, bundle pulled or in place |
| Large bundle, 500 to 2,000 tubes | $4,000 to $9,000 | Tubes per shift, analyst review |
| Per tube rate on a campaign | $3 to $12 per tube | Minimum charge, probe wear |
| Surface crack check on machined parts | $25 to $150 per part | Lot size, coating removal |
| Bolt hole inspection, aerospace | $15 to $80 per hole | Probe type, procedure |
| Weld inspection through paint, array probes | $90 to $200 per hour | Weld length, report |
| Conductivity or coating thickness | $50 to $400 per part | Calibration standards |
| Mobilization and travel | $500 to $3,000 per trip | Remote site, per diem |
For how the method works and what it misses, see our eddy current testing page.
What drives eddy current testing cost
- Tube material. Non ferrous tubes (copper nickel, titanium, stainless) take a standard bobbin probe. Carbon steel needs remote field or IRIS, which is slower and costs more.
- Tube count and length. Probe speed is fairly fixed, so the price follows tube meters.
- Cleaning. Deposits stop the probe or distort signals. Hydroblasting is usually billed by whoever does it.
- Analysis. A certified analyst reviewing every tube costs more than a screen, and is worth it when you decide to plug or retube.
- Certification. Aerospace and nuclear procedures need qualified Level II or III staff and written procedures, which raises rates.
- Reporting. A tube map with defect depth and plugging list costs more than a pass or fail letter, and is useful next year for trend comparison.
Illustrative budgets with the scope added up
These are planning illustrations, not offers.
- Chiller condenser with 400 titanium tubes. Bobbin ECT, analyst review and a tube map. Roughly $2,500 to $5,000 plus cleaning.
- Refinery air cooler with 1,200 tubes. Remote field ECT, written report and plug list. Roughly $5,000 to $9,000.
- Batch of 300 machined aluminum aerospace parts. Surface probe crack checks at the lab rate. Roughly $7,500 to $25,000.
- Weld check on a pressure vessel through coating. One technician day with array probe and report. Roughly $900 to $1,800 plus travel.
How to lower eddy current testing cost without cutting coverage
Schedule the bundle inspection with the outage so the crew mobilizes once. Pull and clean tubes before the crew arrives, so probe time is spent testing. Ask for a per tube rate with a minimum, rather than a day rate, when the tube count is known. For parts, test in lots and keep the same calibration standard so the lab does not requalify each time. If you track invoices from many testing vendors, a bank statement converter such as statementsconverter.com can turn their PDF statements into spreadsheets for reconciliation.
When another method costs less
ECT is quick on tubes and surface cracks, but not always the cheapest option. For simple wall thickness on accessible pipe, ultrasonic testing is cheaper per reading. For surface cracks in ferrous parts, magnetic particle inspection can cost less per part and needs only a yoke. Choose by the damage you expect, then compare quotes on the same method.
Standards that set the scope
Tube and part procedures usually reference ASTM E309 and E426 for tubing, and ASTM E243 for copper tubes. Aerospace work follows written practices from the customer and ASTM E2884 for eddy current of metals. The ASNT certification scheme defines technician levels. Confirm the code in your purchase order so quotes cover the same procedure.
What to send for comparable eddy current quotes
- Site and number of exchangers or parts.
- Tube data: material, outside diameter, wall, length and count. For parts, drawing and alloy.
- Question to answer: pitting, cracking, wall loss or conductivity.
- Bundle status: pulled, cleaned or in place.
- Code, customer specification and acceptance limit.
- Deliverables: tube map, plugging list, raw data, certificates.
- Outage window and permit rules.
- A price per tube or per part, the minimum charge and a not to exceed total written out.
Where this fits in the rest of your inspection budget
Heat exchanger work often combines ECT with borescope and tubesheet checks, priced on our heat exchanger inspection services page. For the full NDT picture read NDT inspection cost.
How much does eddy current testing cost?
Eddy current testing usually costs $1,500 to $9,000 per heat exchanger, about $3 to $12 per tube, or $25 to $150 per machined part. Field technicians bill $90 to $200 per hour plus travel.
How much does eddy current tube inspection cost per tube?
A campaign usually prices bobbin probe ECT at $3 to $12 per tube, depending on length and material. Small bundles pay a minimum charge, and cleaning and analyst review may be billed separately.
Is eddy current testing cheaper than ultrasonic testing?
Per tube, ECT is usually cheaper because the probe runs fast through the bore. For wall thickness on an accessible pipe, UT is often cheaper. Choose by the damage and material, then compare quotes.
Why do eddy current quotes differ so much?
Quotes differ because scope and access differ. One may price a sample of tubes, another every tube with analyst review, and one may leave cleaning out. Ask each company to list inclusions separately.
Does eddy current testing need the bundle pulled?
Not always. Tube side ECT works with the bundle in place if the channel heads are removed and tubes are clean. Pulling the bundle is needed for shell side checks and heavy cleaning.
