PCB Review Service
Built by engineers, for engineers.

Let your schematic, PCB layout, and BOM be reviewed by a senior hardware engineer. Get a prioritised report of what to fix before you order boards. The difference between a first-time-right PCBA and a costly respin is usually caught in review.

For Hardware startups Solo developers & freelancers Small product teams Anyone who needs a senior eye
Request a review → See what we review

Not sure if you need one? Send us a message. We will tell you honestly.

10+
Yrs hardware engineering
Many
Designs shipped without a respin
2–3
Day turnaround
Close-up of a professionally assembled PCB showing ferrite beads, vias and SMD components
What you receive

A report that tells you exactly what to fix - and why

You will receive a report with all the issues which have been found and possible fixes. This can be mistakes or improvements.

  • Specific component or net reference for each issue
  • Wrong symbols or footprints flagged against the datasheet
  • BOM cost savings - alternatives and over-spec'd components identified
  • Concrete fix recommendation per finding - not vague suggestions
  • Optional review call - walk through the findings together

We offer three review packages depending on how deep your design needs to be checked - from a focused schematic scan to a full analysis with annotated files and a video call. Compare packages →

motor_controller_v2_review.pdf
Example PCB design review report showing findings with severity ratings

Example report - Motor Controller v2.1

Services

Schematic Review

Electrical correctness, power sequencing, protection circuits, decoupling, pinout validation, and datasheet compliance.

  • → Power & sequencing
  • → ESD & protection
  • → Interface termination
  • → Symbol validation
Details →

PCB Layout Review

Return paths, signal integrity, EMI risk, decoupling placement, thermal management, and DFM compliance.

  • → Return current paths
  • → Impedance control
  • → EMI/EMC risk
  • → Footprint validation
  • → Thermal & DFM
Details →

BOM Review

Component lifecycle, lead times, EOL flags, second-source mapping, single-source risk, and cost reduction opportunities.

  • → EOL & lifecycle risk
  • → Lead time check
  • → Second source selection
  • → Cost optimisation
Details →
Why it matters

You will miss things in your own design. Everyone does.

When you draw a schematic yourself, you read it the way you intended it. A second pair of eyes sees it the way it actually is. We regularly catch issues that the designer had simply stopped noticing: a pull-up that was forgotten, a footprint that does not match the datasheet, a decoupling cap that is placed too far away to do anything useful.

Beyond mistakes, we also flag where your design deviates from industry best practices. Not because it will necessarily fail, but because knowing the tradeoff helps you make a better decision. That kind of feedback is hard to get unless you have a senior engineer on your team.

Even with fast and affordable fabrication services, an unnecessary respin costs you time and delays your project. A review is the cheapest way to increase confidence before you order.

What we look for Request a review
Things we commonly find
Pull-up or pull-down missing on a reset or boot pin Critical
Footprint does not match component datasheet Critical
Decoupling cap placed too far from IC power pin Advisory
Return current path broken by ground plane slot Advisory
I2C pull-up value wrong for bus capacitance Advisory
Component substitution that reduces BOM cost Tip
Best practice or industry-standard worth knowing about Info
Array of populated PCBs with white connectors ready for assembly
Dark PCB macro showing SMD resistors with gold solder joints
Assembled PCB showing electrolytic capacitors, IC and connectors
Packages

Pick the depth that fits your project.

All packages include a PDF report with severity-rated findings and fix recommendations. Pricing is based on design complexity - most projects fall between €150 and €600. Contact us and we'll give you a fixed quote before you commit to anything.

Basic

High-level scan

Quick sanity check before layout starts, or for low-risk designs needing a second opinion.

High-level schematic review
Key risk flags identified
Written summary report
1–2 day turnaround
Get started
Advanced

Deep engineering analysis

For complex, regulated, or high-risk designs where a failure would be costly.

Everything in Standard
Signal integrity analysis
Thermal analysis
EMI/EMC risk deep-dive
Stackup recommendations
Fully annotated files
1h engineering call
Get started
Process

From files to report in 2–3 days.

No lengthy onboarding. Share your files, we review them, you get a report. Simple process, engineering-grade output.

Step 01

Send us your files

Submit your schematic, layout, and BOM through a secure link after initial contact. We accept all major EDA formats.

Altium KiCad Eagle Gerbers PDF OrCAD
Step 02

Engineers review it

Senior hardware engineers go through your design. No automated tools, no templates - just engineering judgment applied to your specific circuit.

Schematic Layout BOM DFM
Step 03

You get the report

Structured PDF with severity-rated findings, specific references, and concrete recommendations. Annotated design files included.

PDF report Annotated files 2–3 days
About

Senior engineers. Practical feedback.

We are a small team of hardware engineers with backgrounds in consumer electronics, medical devices, and industrial systems. We have worked at both large companies and small startups.

We review designs the way we would want our own reviewed: looking at what the circuit is trying to do, not just whether the rules pass. Every finding comes with a clear explanation and a concrete recommendation.

About our team →
Consumer Electronics

IoT, wearables, connected devices. RF design, power optimisation, manufacturing at scale.

Medical Devices

IEC 60601, patient safety isolation, design history file. Regulatory experience from concept to certification.

Industrial Systems

Fieldbus, motor control, high-voltage isolation, IEC 61000. Tier-1 supplier experience.

Hardware Startups

Moved fast, shipped products. We know what it's like to review under time pressure with limited resources.

FAQ

Common questions

Is my design kept confidential?+
Yes. We treat all submitted designs as confidential. We do not share, discuss, or reference client work. If you need a signed NDA before sharing files, we can arrange that. Just mention it when you reach out.
What does it cost?+
Pricing depends on the scope and complexity of the design. Most projects fall between €150 and €600. We give you a fixed quote before you commit, based on a short description of your design. There are no surprises.
How long does a review take?+
Most reviews are returned within 2 to 3 business days. More complex designs or the Advanced package may take 4 to 5 days. If you have a tight deadline, let us know and we will see what we can do.
Can you help before I start designing?+
Yes. If you want a second opinion before committing to a component, a topology, or a stackup, we can help with that too. Just send us a message describing what you are trying to figure out. Early input is often more useful than a review after the fact.
Who will actually do the review?+
A senior hardware engineer from our team, not a junior, not an automated tool. The person reviewing your design has real product experience, has seen what fails in the field, and knows the difference between a textbook concern and an actual risk.
Can you guarantee a defect-free design?+
No, and we will not claim otherwise. A review significantly reduces risk, but it is not a guarantee. What we do guarantee is that we will go through your design carefully, flag everything we find, and be honest about anything we are uncertain about.
What if you find nothing wrong?+
That happens, and it is still useful. You get confirmation from an independent engineer that your design looks solid. We will still note any best-practice deviations or minor improvements, but if the design is good, we will say so clearly.

Send us your design. We will take a look.

Describe your project and we will get back to you within one business day with a fixed quote. No commitment needed. Reach us directly at info@pcb-review.com