In Poland it would cost 2 to 3k euro. Can help with it.

These guys are trying to solve this problem - https://early.smander.com/

At least they replied, lol. I still have dozens of Chinese saleswomen wishing me good morning on WhatsApp more than two months after I sent my RFQ, the EU companies didn't even reply.

Same experience, go with China to start, as you said you'll likely change the design and need to certify again.

testing in china is not the same as testing in europe