Had a couple recent post about doing my first sandblasted sign and determined the going rate between 98.00 - 115.00 per sq. ft. My question is for the difference in sq. ft. price, does one get gold leaf over enamal or is that just a general price then add the extras? Also, with this type of sign the installs are more elobrate such as decorative post with finials, so how do you know what to charge on that construction part. Just materials, mark-up, labor install hours added to the sign face price? Or does the 98.00 - 115.00 per sq. ft cover a typical install too? Of course I know to charge for everything you can get, but just wanted to hear from those who do it in an effort to price it at it's full worth so to speak.
Thanks for the help...
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
First thing is to figure out what your materials costs are, then try to guess-timate the hours that it will take you to make the sign. Keep in mind that if you are doing the sandblasting and are using a medium size compressor and maybe a pressure pot, that it will probably take you most of the day to blast.
We do our own sandblasting to keep the price down but we only have this med cost setup. It takes most of the day to blast a 3x6 or larger sign. The reason is that you can only blast for a few minutes and then you have to wait for the compressor to build up pressure in the pot. Also we use a sandblasting head cover but we don't have air pumped into it so its constantly streaming up inside. I told my husband recently that we are going to have to figure out how to pump air inside before the next sandblasted sign order comes in.
A second thing to keep in mind is that when you figure out how much time that you think that it will take to paint it-add more time for touch-ups. We just never seems to guess this right.
Third, figure out how long it will take to do the pre-install work. Do you have to cut and trim post, pre-drill for finials, paint, cut grooves?
Fourth, figure out how long it will take to install. Be generous with your guess-timate. There sometimes are snags that eat up our time.
After all this, add up your figures and divide by sq. footage and you might be surprised to see what it turns out to be per sq. ft.
Posted by Chuck Gallagher (Member # 69) on :
.....Aaalllrighty then!
Thanks Laura!
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Chuck, laura, The lens fogging up is the least of your worries. Most important thing is an air supplied hood. You will get silicosis from breathing the dust and it will permanently destroy your lungs. You can get the pump, hood/helmet and hose for about $1300.
Also, a 7.5hp, 27 cfm compressor will keep up with a 1/8'' nozzle with no waiting.
Posted by Cam Bortz (Member # 55) on :
Chuck, we have a price range for installations; for anything in the ground the minimum is $100. For "basic" posts, caps/finails on a sign, the installation price goes to $250 and up; then we have "premium" posts (Ipe, Ironwood or Pau Lope) which go for $450. We've also done signs on cut-granite posts; installation of which which can go as high as $800 to $1000 depending on size (the bigger ones we hire the monument company to set).
I get very little price resistance on installation charges. We figure them separate from the sign; occasionally clients will decide later (after the sign is ordered) whether they want us to install. I have found out through my spy network among the construction tradesmen that clients have called around checking prices on installation; usually they are told A.) My prices are fair, or B.) They will have to wait for a break in a contractors schedule to get their sign put up, or C.) The contractor tells them they can't be bothered for such a small job, or don't want the responsiblity for damage or mistakes.
At these prices, it becomes very much worth our while to do our own installations. Rarely does an installation take more than 2 to 3 hours (including loading the sign and equipment and driving to the site). I've also learned to give us an "over budget" clause, in the event of unforseen problems, such as ledge or massive boulders three inches below grade (always a distinct possibility - they don't call this town Stonington for nothing!) Most of the heavy work is handled by my employee, he's very detail conscious, and that leaves me to go collect payment and schmooze with the clients, who generally love having someone to help them admire their new sign, and while they're feeling good, write the check.
