[zanekiser]

Hey everyone,
I never know what to price and I don't want to throw a price out that is too high, but I also don't want to low ball myself.
I've been trying to do research for this but can't really find anything that has been posted recently, mostly from before 2013. and I don't have permission to see the pictures to compare complexity.

I try to do the per long side inch. I don't know how well this works..

I recently did my first large store front decal. it was 48x 40 inch (not sure how to attach picture...) I charged $100 total for the decal it self and to apply it.. I feel like I really low balled myself, what do you think?

 

[1ArmBandit]

what was the cost of the vinyl used

 

[proworlded]

Why don't you call 2 or 3 other companies that offer the same and ask for a quote. That will give you an idea if you are 'in the ballpark'.

 

[zanekiser]

I used oracle 651. And it was two colors. Cost of vinyl was about $50 bucks and I don’t even use half the rolls
Calling around is a good idea. I suppose I could try that

 

[TABOB]

Why don't you call 2 or 3 other companies that offer the same and ask for a quote.

When people do this, I wish there was an eject button, or a trapdoor button. Either one would be OK.

 

[K Chez]

$120 for the decal + install.
Don't call around to see how to price jobs, you're not comparing apples to apples as no two companies are going to have the same overhead & therefore, pricing. If they're bigger companies, they might also have the ability to get material cheaper is they're going through rolls of vinyl per week. It's a way to check where you're pricing falls, but no way to set your prices.
Figuring out how to price jobs is THE FIRST THING YOU SHOULD LEARN before even accepting a job. (I don't know why this is such a a hard concept for people to understand) Knowing your material cost is essential - if you don't know what it's costing you, how can you know if you're making proper money or making $4/hr.?
Simple formula: material cost X2, plus labor (shop rate + time of job)

And don't worry about being too low or too high, price where it's worth your time to do the work. Usually, if you're getting every job, you're pricing too low. When I give people a fair price and they ask if "that's the best I can do" & try to low ball, I tell them that $150 more would be better for me.

 

[pippin decals]

I used oracle 651. And it was two colors. Cost of vinyl was about $50 bucks and I don’t even use half the rolls
Calling around is a good idea. I suppose I could try that

Are you using a pricing Calculator to see what your actual material cost is? If not send me your email and i will send you what i have. I use oracal 651,751,3m etc. My Calc Very easy to use etc.If you don't have Microsoft excel ,then go download Libre Office 6.0 ,It works exactly the same as Microsoft but its free......After you use it a few times you will use it less unless you want to double check yourself on new job quotes.

 

[zanekiser]

I sent you a pm thank you

 

[zanekiser]

$120 for the decal + install.
Don't call around to see how to price jobs, you're not comparing apples to apples as no two companies are going to have the same overhead & therefore, pricing. If they're bigger companies, they might also have the ability to get material cheaper is they're going through rolls of vinyl per week. It's a way to check where you're pricing falls, but no way to set your prices.
Figuring out how to price jobs is THE FIRST THING YOU SHOULD LEARN before even accepting a job. (I don't know why this is such a a hard concept for people to understand) Knowing your material cost is essential - if you don't know what it's costing you, how can you know if you're making proper money or making $4/hr.?
Simple formula: material cost X2, plus labor (shop rate + time of job)

And don't worry about being too low or too high, price where it's worth your time to do the work. Usually, if you're getting every job, you're pricing too low. When I give people a fair price and they ask if "that's the best I can do" & try to low ball, I tell them that $150 more would be better for me.

I'm really just trying to get my name out there at this point. I know that I low balled this one and probably did if for $5 an hour. But its already leading to more business.. so hopefully it works out..
but thank you

 

[K Chez]

I'm really just trying to get my name out there at this point. I know that I low balled this one and probably did if for $5 an hour. But its already leading to more business.. so hopefully it works out..
but thank you

Just hope the the new work isn't coming your way due to being priced too low. Business wise, that's not the best precedent to set (pricing low to "get your name out there") - it will attract cheapo customers expecting everything for nothing. It's always better to start with pricing where it should be with room for adjustment so you can go a little lower if you have to. The thing about people expecting everything for next to nothing is they have zero loyalty-they'll usually walk for a .25 cheaper price even if you've bent over backwards for them. Had it happen a lot when I started.

 

[2minteeswaldo]

For me I price my vinyl (oracal 651) like this...

Length + Width = Answer
Answer/2

For example a 48" x 40" decal

48+40=88
88/5=$44

I mean this would just be for the decal. Not including installation if they wanted that.

I have about $0.001 per inch of vinyl so it costs me pennies to make this stuff.

 

[binki]

13.3 square feet times 2 for the 2 colors. You are right in the ballpark for wholesale or lower around SoCal. 651 is ok material but it is not good for anything but flat substrates.


Here are a few places to look
https://www.signcraft.com/sign-pricing/
http://thesignexpert.com/sign-pricing-calculators/
https://www.signs.com/price-calculator/
https://blog.signwarehouse.com/a-basic-guide-to-pricing-signs-banners-and-signs/

Good luck.