Wondering if anyone could help value a used 8'x16' doubleSided Cabinet sign. I've been asked to see about purchasing it, replacing faces and installing for another customer.
I HAVE NO CLUE...
it's currently in working service, several years old. Except for bulbs, and transformers, what else would "depreciate" a cabinet's value??
thanks for any insight.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Matthew,
It has been my experience to give them no value when pressured to purchase one. I figure by the time you remove, re-ballast, rewire, re-lamp, and repaint; you really need to ask where the savings are.
I am sure someone will come in and tell you what a great value they are but I vote a big negatory.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Another thing to consider is whether or not you can get it up to current code after your rehab.
I'm with Bruce.
Posted by Chuck Churchill (Member # 68) on :
Rust
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
Tell them you will do them a favor ,, and haul it off for them for free..
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
go ahead and take the thing for free. then freshen it up its still freshened junk.......... that reputation gits around
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :
Hiya Mattew, I tried something like this once. And like the others said, it ended up being a headache that cost us money. But, I'm sure it can be done. The sign isn't worth anything as far as I'm concerned. The value of the scrap metal probably won't offset your labor costs to remove it and/or cost to properly dispose of it's hazardous components. If you want to quote anything, just quote the cost of a new cabinet with faces priced seperately. I estimate $125-$150 sq. ft. for a new lighted sign cabinet. I would suggest that you stay out of the way with regards to the sign purchase. Let the 2 parties negotiate their own price. You can offer your services to remove the sign, reinstall it at the new location and install new faces. Beyond that, I wouldn't offer any guarantees. The project that I learned from was a single faced sign that was about 3' x 16'. I tried using an 8' trailer to transport it back to the shop. The first bump I hit blew out the faces and folded the sign. Boy did that hurt.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by John Arnott (Member # 215) on :
Ive had a 4'x4' double sided with new clear faces for about 15 years now!
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Having worked in a shop that built and maintained such signs, I'm of the opinion that if the frame and recepticles are in good condition, replacing a ballast and faces, and some internal cleaning is no big deal.
Lit cabinets, if built right to begin with can last for years, and often have to undergo this very same maintenance without an entirley new cabinet.
The real lack of saving any money in this case, is the labor and use of equipment and moving the thing twice -from where it is, to your shop, then to where it's going.
Having all those costs and time involved over the cost the new materials and that labor involved in new materials, is gonna cost the same as a brand new sign today. . . if not more.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
I am in the process of replacing a cabinet that is less than 10 years old. Why? It blew over in the wind. After analysing the structure, it is a miracle that it stayed up that long. Absolutely zero internal structure.
What I'm saying is that the used value would definatly be determined by the original fabrication. Be sure to check it out.
Posted by Jerry Mathel (Member # 526) on :
Some good (and interesting) comments so far. I guess it would all depend on the sign condition and how well is was originally built. 8' x 16' is a pretty big sign and first of all you would want to be sure it meets current code.
Another real "kicker" would be "Does the sign have a UL label on it". In our area they will not let you install ANY electrical sign that does not have a valid UL approval label.
Posted by Cam Bortz (Member # 55) on :
I once took in two cabinets, in nearly-new condition, (for free) when we replaced them with carved signs. They sat out back for three years, before selling them for $200 apiece.
But would I have paid for them to begin with? Naaaaaah.....
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
Letterville is looking for a good, reliable supplier of sign cabinets. We've talked to one, but they are not prepared to take on additional work at this time. If you know of manufacturer of sign cabinets that ships across the USA, we'd love to see them as Merchants.
What about a Canadian and Australian supplier while we are at it?
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
Steve, did you already try FACES in Birmingham Al.??
1-800-800-FACE
Posted by Teresa Bostic (Member # 6214) on :
I deal with the folks at Faces a lot. Good people.
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