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Hi everyone - I'm trying to work out how much to charge for this job, and my trusty SignCraft pricing book is of no use this time. I've got 3 lighted signs to replace the faces on, so using white polycarbonate and translucent vinyl. One 3' x 8', and two 22" x 6'.
What should I charge??
thanks, karen
-------------------- Karen Stanley Signs & Wonders Amherst, VA Posts: 136 | From: Amherst, VA | Registered: Jan 2007
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Karen, since you don't have many specifics there, I'll just tell you how I'd figure this... I'm sure everyone has their own opinion about this and will probably tell me I'm doing it wrong, but this one of those jobs where I'd figure my time and materials and mark it up...
I'd cut the faces out of 4'x8' sheets of polycarbonate, so for materials, I'd figure 1 full sheet for the 3'x8' and 1 full sheet for the two 22"x6' signs... that way the drops are paid for whether you use them or not later.
Then I'd figure the amount of vinyl. Since I don't stock translucent, I'd get a 10 yard roll of each color the sign needed... and I'd figure the full 10 yard roll of vinyl into the cost of my materials... again, who knows when you'll use what's left.
Normally, I would then double my cost and use that price for the materials...
Then I'd figure my time... On my time, I'd be very generous with it. Design time, time on here asking questions, ordering time, sales, layout, production, delivery and installation time. Figure worst case scenario. I'd add at least 4 hours to the final number of hours, just in case of trouble while installing. Make sure the customer knows that replacing bulbs, etc. while the can is open will be extra. I usually figure $75 for each man-hour (or 'lady-hour') when I'm pricing these.
At this point I know I'm covered, but that price is usually lower than what they'll get from other companies around here, (most would have to drive about 45 miles from Pensacola), so I add another 15% to the total amount. Doing it this way has put me right in the ballpark...
-------------------- Jon Jantz Snappysign.com jjantz21@gmail.com http://www.allcw.com Posts: 3395 | From: Atmore, AL | Registered: Nov 2005
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Hi Karen, I have tried in the past to calculate the materials costs, labor and installation and it always ends up real close to $20. a sq. ft. Of course installation is extra and depending on where it is, how high up, do you need to rent a lift, etc.
Also if you are using flat faces, the cabinet better be at least 9" deep or you will see hot spots where the bulbs are too close to the face.
I'm sure you know all of this already, but sometimes we get in a hurry trying to get a bid out and forget some of the simpliest things.
The 3'x8' with translucent vinyl would run $480. without installation. the 22" x 6' is close enough to 12 sq.ft. which would be $240. each.
You didn't say if they were all single-sided which you would double that price if needed. Installation is on the average $65. per hour per man around here with a minimum of 2 hours.
Hope this helps. Good Luck.
Sign-cerely, Steve
-------------------- Steve Luck Sign Magic Inc. 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 (618)466-9120 signmagic@sbcglobal.net Posts: 870 | From: 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 | Registered: Dec 2004
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$870.00 for lettering and faces $80.00 for installation IF they are all the same location
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
Actually lighted signs are mostly new territory for us, and we're just sticking to the easy ones - slide old flat face out, slide new flat face in. So I'm definitely learning here... (I must really scare some of you experts out there )
Thanks for the info.... I'm off to calculate
-------------------- Karen Stanley Signs & Wonders Amherst, VA Posts: 136 | From: Amherst, VA | Registered: Jan 2007
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Oh yes - is it worth using the high performance translucent vinyl? It's usually my preference with the opaque, not just in offering quality but it handles so much easier I figure the extra cost is paid off by saving me time and aggravation with cheaper stuff.
-------------------- Karen Stanley Signs & Wonders Amherst, VA Posts: 136 | From: Amherst, VA | Registered: Jan 2007
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Hiya Karen, IMHO, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. However, I would probably quote both materials and let the client decide.
I would be in the same price range as Bruce and using intermediate vinyl versus premium would save about 5%-10%.
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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