knifemaker3

Hey all,
First I'd like to say Thanks Rodney for the sub forum!

Ok, I haven't done much with signs but have done a few window decals and truck lettering. Mostly small decals and the truck lettering was for our local fire department brush truck at no cost (I'm a Captain at the department ). So I haven't priced much signage before.

I just priced a job to a guy this morning who is wanting the following:

2 windows, each a 12"x48" area with the name and phone number of company in white. Name in 4" lettering Phone in 3"
1 window 12"x 30" Area same lettering and phone number.
1 bug shield business name and phone number.
10 double-sided corrplast white signs black lettering w/4 words and 2 phone numbers including area code. Stakes to put signs in ground included.

I guesstimate(fancy word for I'm guessing) total job can be done in 10 hours or less. I figure $100.00 labor and $50 trip charge to travel to install on site.

windows are back glass of s-10 pickup and camper shell of another.

I also figured a 40% markup on materials. I'm using Oracal 651 on this job.

Quoted a total of $250.00

Am I close? Please consider that in this area of Southern Missouri people think they have a fantastic job if paid $8.00 an hour. We work cheap in this part of the world.

So, what would you charge? Just trying to figure out how bad I'm screwing myself over on sign pricing.

Thanks!
Craig

 

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billm75

40% markup isn't awful, but you could probably go higher with that. The $50 trip charge will help make up some of that though.

I usually charge about 100% markup on product though. Labor is pretty good that you've quoted.

Of course, these are MY opinions, someone else may have a different opinion.

 

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hammered

Its a little low but in all if youre going to make money on the job, thats what matters. I always go by this,
Square foot of job, number of colors, number of layers and most important thing in any job, how detailed is the work. If you bid X amount and the level of detail is crazy, you lose your tail in weed time. Its good to stick working large like you mentioned. Just one thing I would add to the job. Anywhere there will be vinyl to paint, use a top name prep like Rapid Prep and finish it with a sealer. I use Sealit. This will keep the edges from curling as quickly and leave a lasting impression by the customer not thinking about the work he had done. Its an inexpensive way to making a lifelong customer. And you may want to tweak your material markup a bit to say 50% to 75%. Its not unheard of. Ive worked in the DC area and now in Po Dunk South Carolina and its roughly in the range.

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OR Shirts

That price is low for my area. Get yourself a sign price guide. This is a book that most big chain shops use to quote jobs. Use it as a guide. If you want to price Time / Material don't forget about application tape, masking etc. Those things are often overlooked when pricing out a job. All else fails call the nearest chain shop and get a quote Price it so you get the job but try and keep the price close to what everyone else is charging. To cheep and they will expect cheep all of the time. You also don't want to be known as the cheepest shop because a lot of people believe you get what you pay for. You want to be known for quality at a decent price. There was a great column in Sign Builder mag. about this. I made the mistake with one customer and bid a job real cheep because I needed the work, next thing I know he brings me all kinds of crap jobs that have to be done last week. I finally told him no on a job and broke it down for him. Good luck to you.
Sean

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Disabled Sign Painter Just getting started with T-Shirts.

 

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Reddawgs

I am doing a job on a van 3 color logo on both rear back windows 18x7, 3 color logo on back glass 24x18, 1 color logo on back of both quarter panels 24x7, 4 color logo on both back doors 24x 10, logo on both rear windows 1 color 18x7, 3 color above on both windows 24 x 7, logo on both front doors 24x10 3 color and 3 color on hood cant remember the size but big. I charged $830.00 dollars is that some where in the ballpark?
Thanks,
Greg

 

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badalou

I do signs for a trucking company and do 18 x 12 (2) one for each side. I get $35.00 I do a set of number 4 x 8 and get $10.00 I use Avery 6. I don't have to apply so that is even better. Just weed and mask. I also use the square foot system.

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mystysue

You would be low according to what i charge.. but Im in so. calif.. so that im sure has somthing to do with it.. but.. you didnt break it down (other than what labor would be).
but taking away the 150 for labor and travel time that leaves only 100.oo for the vinyl and coro and stakes.

I can tell you for vinyl on coro.. If im doing one single sided i would charge 28.00 and get it all the time.. a double sided coro sign would be about 39.oo
In selling 10 of them i would prolly go as low as 25 each for the double sided (mabe if i was feeling generous) the stakes we charge 2.oo a piece.

I would really suggest this site Sign Business Free Sign Price Calculators
to anyone just getting into the sign business as the price calculators are really good there..

I really think that even in your area ( I used to live in south central Missouri and do know the area) You are leaving some money on the table..

hope i helped some.. sue

 

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