posted
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.
-------------------- Matthew Rolli AdCraft Sign&Design Hudson, WI Posts: 280 | From: Hudson, WI | Registered: Aug 2003
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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.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6461 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
Tell them you will do them a favor ,, and haul it off for them for free..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
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
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Ive had a 4'x4' double sided with new clear faces for about 15 years now!
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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posted
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.
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
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.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3496 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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posted
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.
-------------------- Jerry Mathel Retired Grants Pass, Oregon signs@grantspass.com Posts: 916 | From: Grants Pass, OR USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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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.....
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
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?
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
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