posted
Customer has existing sign pole with (3) 5' x 5' internal lit double faced cabinets. They want to add another 5' x 5' to very top. We would like to farm out cabinet and install. We are a small operation and not equipped. Also, do we need to involve an engineer? Basically we want to provide the sign faces, but the customer wants us to take care of the whole job. How would you bid this and any advice appreciated. This could be one of our biggest jobs yet and could also be a potentially good repeat customer for jobs more in our field, but are we biting off more than we can chew?
posted
There are formulas for wind loading. Some factors involve square footage of exposure, hight of load, size of pole, depth of pole, foundation, and soil types. This is a simple job for an engineer and usually costs under $400 around here. Often times an electrical sign contractor with a boom truck for lifting and a welder that would be hired for the install, will posess a seat of the pants experienced knowledge of whether or not it will work. The engineering is usually required for a permit. If you're not needing a permit....well, just consider the liability if it falls in a storm. Will it be over a sidewalk, parket or moving cars, or in a field? Calculate your risks before doing the job.
Another option is to find an electrical sign contractor that will take on the whole project and pay you your fee to decorate the faces and kick you back 10% finders fee. Then you need to let them run it through their books and they pay the taxes on that income and hold the liability.
PS. Perhaps if you called Pierre St.Marie there in Kallispell he might direct you to a stable contractor to align yourselves with.
[ February 24, 2005, 09:03 AM: Message edited by: Rick Sacks ]
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6879 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
-------------------- Jerry VanHorn, Pres. Pure Sports Designs, LLC Pro Sign Design / United Wholesale Signs www.prosigndesign.comwww.unitedwholesalesigns.com West Liberty, OH 937-465-0595 866-942-3990 Since 1990 Posts: 925 | From: West :Liberty, OH | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Adding a sign onto the top of an existing sign is ify at best. First I would check with the municipal authorities for permit requirements and determine if the new height of the sign is allowable. You are completely changing the physics of the load on the steel and base. You must have the structure evaluated by a competent sign structure expert that has details of the construction of the base. Then submit his drawings including the new addition to a structural engineer. This is not an area I would peersonally recommend for an inexperienced person in this field
posted
The original sign pole was designed for the current signage. I agree with Duncan that adding an additional sail to the top is asking for major trouble. Now if you added another pole on the other side then it would be fine. I'd personally do what Rick mentioned and find an electrical sign company and let them handle it while you would get a slight commission for the referral.
Like drinking, know when to say when...
-------------------- Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa
![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic