I just got a call from a firm in South Bend, Indiana; "Site Enhancement Services". They want me to do a "photo/measurement survey" of a shopping mall in the next town. Anyone ever done this? How do I know what to charge?
They wnat me to take all kinds of photos of the buldings, windows, awnings, signs and specify construction materials etc. Then they want the data uploaded to their ftp site. Wouldn't I we need some kind of contract to ensure that I got paid? Sounds like fun, but is this worth fooling with? Thanks!
[ July 24, 2009, 03:57 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
Wayne...it's a site survey, pretty common when out of town folks want to do work local to you.
It takes a lot of time to do one of these correctly. Scale drawings, photos, etc. Sometimes it involves obtaining a site plan for the site.
Remember that their signs and install are dependent on your measurements, especially if it involves lighted sign faces/cabinets.
I would charge alot for this service. At least enough to make it worth your while, because if you do it right, they'll want you to do it again.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Thanks Jeff, I have no idea how long this would take. Do it by the hour?
Posted by Blake Koehn (Member # 5984) on :
Wayne I do a lot of these, however they are never as extensive as the one you have. Usually it just involves one cabinet sign the the faces need to be replaced in or something like that. Maybe some additional window lettering.
I go out take a photo of the sign, measure it, measure the retainers, depth of the sign cabinet, make any recommendations based on my experience. Maybe measure the door where you would put the name and hours of operation, take a picture of the door etc...
Anything you would need if you were doing the work your self.
It usually takes less then 30 minutes. I charge $250. I add travel time if it is over 10 miles from the shop.
Most of the time this leads to me installing the new faces and vinyl for the company. Which I charge anywhere from $500 to $1000 to do.
I just did one last week, I went out and measured the sign and door. It was 5 miles from the shop. I charged $250. It took less then an hour total.
Then they shipped the faces and vinyl to me. I went with a lift and installed the faces and slapped the vinyl on the storefront window. This took no more then 2 hours total including travel and everything. I charged $550 to install the faces and $150 to install the vinyl.
So for a total of 3 hours work I made $950.00 and basically no expense, just a little fuel.
I am not telling this to brag, I am only telling you that this is what those companies are expecting it to cost. I could have figured my hour rate at like $125 for the three hours and been happy with the $375 I made, but I would have left a bunch of money lying on the table.
Don't sell yourself short. I hope this info helps you out, I realize it is a little different scenario then yours.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Thanks Blake, I was going to have to drive an hour, take about 10 elevation shots of the exterior signs, measure the freestanding sign/s, windows, doors on a shopping mall, make sketches then come back to the shop and upload it all to his ftp site.....and do it on Saturday. He was only willing to pay $150. I told him to find another sucker.
Posted by Jon Butterworth (Member # 227) on :
I do a lot of these site surveys.
You have to realise that they would have to pay their own staff heaps in travel and time to do it themselves.
Even at shop rate per hour plus 50% you are probably saving them a lot.
One customer questioned a 1/2 hour minium charge on a 10 minute single decal instal on a shop door I pass most days. Said I don't charge enough! Their minium charge on any job is $1OO!!!
Posted by Brad Farha (Member # 931) on :
I do these all the time for $240 minimum. It usually leads to an install for $1200-$2500. I let them pay net 10 on the survey and then 50% down on the install, net 30 on the balance. If they don't like the terms, I tell them to keep looking. You should always keep some leverage when working for someone you can't see to physically intimidate. Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Thanks for the replies guys. I'll know what to charge next time. This is the first time I've ever been asked to do this but I knew it was worth more than $150.
Posted by Felix Marcano (Member # 1833) on :
I get hired from stateside companies to do this from time to time. They usually pay between $250 & $300.00. Its about a couple hours worth of work (If you want to call it work).
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