Many PC brands start by building in-house. At some point the question comes up: keep growing our own line, or hand assembly to a partner? There’s no single right answer — but there are clear signals.
The trade-offs at a glance
| In-house | Outsourced | |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Full control of every step | Shared — set by your build standard and agreement |
| Upfront cost | Space, benches, test gear, hiring | Little to none |
| Scaling for peaks | Hire and train temporary staff | Use the partner’s spare capacity |
| Focus | Your team runs production | Your team focuses on product and customers |
| Storage & returns | You build these too | Often included |
Signs it’s time to outsource
- Launches or holidays regularly create a backlog
- Quality varies when volume goes up
- Your team spends more time on the line than on product
- You’re about to lease more space just for assembly
Signs to keep it in-house (for now)
- Very low, steady volumes
- Highly experimental builds that change every week
- Assembly itself is part of your brand story
The middle path
Outsourcing doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Many teams start by handing over one piece — peak-season overflow, testing, or returns — and expand from there.
Not sure which side you’re on? See how our services fit together, or tell us about your line and we’ll give you an honest take.