posted
I've got a call to remove graphics (copy, logo, etc.) from some company vans and reinstall some new ones that are supplied by the customer. Since I haven't done this before (I typically make my own) I'm wondering what kind of pricing I should use. I've looked at the pricing guide and it wasn't any help. I think I'd just charge a flat per hour rate for removal and installation. Any thoughts Bueller? Bueller?
-------------------- Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa
posted
per hour is your best bet. If they don't want the unknown factor (I know I wouldn't) then you should start removing several letters from each side & each color to find out as well as possible what your in for. I've charged $500 for a medium coverage on a van & would have done it again... but not for much less. I've done it cheaper before & hated it.
posted
As for pricing, I'm not going to touch that because I don't know your area.
As for customer supplied vinyl.... make sure they know that there are NO guarantees. You do not know what the material is since you did not supply it and cannot guarantee anything about it. They also need to know that if there are any problems during installation, they will have to buy more materials from whoever they bought it from, at their expense. Explain that if you were supplying the graphics & installing & screwed something up, your replacing it would be at your cost but with unknown materials, etc. you will not be responsible.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Yes, charge by the hour. It's really hard to tell how long the job will take until you start removing the old vinyl. Best case, it will peel off clean and easy. Worst case it will come off bit by bit and leave all the adhesive on the surface.
-------------------- Jean Shimp Shimp Sign & Design Co. Jacksonville Beach, Fl Posts: 1267 | From: Jacksonville Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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Thanks all for confirming my thoughts on an hourly rate. Now... if I only use 3 fingers on the left hand (no finger nails) and charge $10,000/hr
Thanks Chris about giving "NO guarantees" for their supplied graphics. From the looks of things it will be a fairly straight forward install but as we all know anything can happen and as long they know it, we'll all be fine.
Thanks again folks,
-------------------- Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa
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Brian, Tell them by the hour, or they can remove them. Usually after trying and struggling, they will understand the per hour cost. Just my $.02 worth
-------------------- Mike Duncan(from the left coast) Astoria, Oregon Posts: 367 | From: Astoria, Oregon 97103 | Registered: Nov 1998
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You "hit the nail right on the head" Duncan
I always give my customers the option of removing old lettering. Nine times outa ten they learn the price I charge is justified. Especially when I point out the glue residue has still got to be removed!
Talking out removing vinyl letters. Struck a similar problem today. We had install new vinyl graphics on a brand new illuminated sign box ( 2ft x 10ft) installed, complete with new acrylic face, for the customer by the shop fitters. Nice box ... BUT!!!!
The "D**K HEADS" did not remove the clear plastic film off the sign face before installing it! A couple of months in direct full sun cooked that plastic on like 5 year old reflective!
Solution: Drop the face out. Turn it over and easily remove plastic from the inside of the face. Apply graphics. Replace face and charge the customer an extra hour. He paid when we explained the problem
We did leave the plastic on the "now inside" face. Don't think it will effect the illumination. Must go down one night and check. Looked OK in daylight.
posted
Hourly...bill for the trip out if needed...
and don't forget your cost in materials!
The customer may have the new stickers, but I doubt they have everything else needed. Figure what you'll be using adhesive remover, cleaning fluids, tape for positioning, etc.
my 2 cents... Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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I priced a van once and charged for the removal of old lettering seperatly. The guy wanted the graphics done, but wanted to remove the lettering himself to save the $$.
He was back with all the lettering still on but half of one letter that he picked off. "I'll pay the money, you can do it" was about all he said when he came back.
posted
An Hourly rate is always the best bet when removing vinyl’s you know nothing about. Some cheap vinyl’s leave tons of glue. Some vinyl’s strip a treat & leave no glue. Some Reflective vinyls leave a yucky paste that takes ages to remove and the actual top coat of vinyl comes away in tiny peaces… Some cast vinyls (regardless of make) are damn hard to remove altogether & come of in small bits. The advice above is good, & always take a heat gun. If you have a sunny day park the vehicles facing the sun and spin it round 5 mins before finishing the first side. That way the other is hot for you starting it. If you get glue residue left, try a wipe with mentholated spirits. If you have stubborn glue let some white spirit soak into it for five mins then scrape away gunk with lil chizler then wipe with meths... Not sure but if you guys have tar & glue remover over there, that breaks it down great, but let it soak 5 mins.. Tar and glue can be bought from auto valet suppliers very very cheap. Or you could buy some purpose made stuff for sign makers, normally pretty pricey compared to the above.
Before starting, have a good look at the vehicles paint work... if the paint work is dull Let the customer know upfront he is going to have to t-cut it when graphics are removed; the reason for this is when you remove the vinyl it will have preserved the paintwork below, leaving it shiny new and he will still be able to read the old text even though gone! Also, let him know tuff vinyl will sometimes remove some paint on badly (non-factory painted) vehicles. Always best to point that out incase he holds you liable.
I have removed vinyls from fleets of trucks and re-lettered. Some have taken about 30 mins, while the exact same truck sitting next to it with same vinyl and graphics takes 4 hours… be prepared, the only way is to charge by the hour. If you’re stripping lots of vehicles and they take a long time, you need to include a charge for every day you drive back-out to complete the job, if located far from you.
For fitting: give two prices. Charge high incase you make a mistake and swallow the cost of buying the graphics from your customers source. Or. Charge a fair rate and tell the customer the price is based on HIM supplying any damaged graphics due to fitting.
Hope this helps some….
[ August 25, 2004, 08:26 PM: Message edited by: Robert Lambie ]
-------------------- Robert Lambie Glasgow Scotland UK
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