Topic: $ for Sub-Contracting - Helping Another Sign Shop Out
Diane
unregistered
posted
Another sign shop in our town has called and asked if I was interested in sub-contracting my time to help them out for a big project they have. They will need me a couple of days.
What would you charge? An hourly rate. I have approximately 10 years experience.
Thank you.
Diane
------------------ Summit Signs Sellersville, PA summitsigns@erols.com
posted
I think a lot of factors come into play here. How well do you know the sign shop. Are you good friends that go back 5+ years? Have they ever helped you out? If so, how did they charge for your services.
If you don't know them that well & are busy. I would charge very close to my shop rate per hour.
I hope I was of some assistance.
thanks,
------------------ Justin Booher Vital Signs, Inc. Edmond, OK 405/348-7227 "Custom Hand Crafted Signage!"
Posts: 33 | From: Edmond, OK U.S.A. | Registered: May 1999
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posted
As a courtesy to a very few select shops in my area I will sub for them at a rate of $35.00 an hour versus my normal $50.00. They all know up front that my customers come first but I will do what I can to help them out. Most of the work that I do for them is scanning and cleaning up logos and installs on fleet graphics. The main reason I do this is for a backup if I ever need help, I have never had to use anyone as of yet but someday, somewhere It will be needed.
------------------ Greg Gulliford aka MetroDude Metro Signs and Banners 1403 N. Greene St. #1 Spokane, WA 99202 509-536-9452
posted
Do they want you to work in their shop or at your shop?
If they want you in their shop, charge them your full shop rate.
If you will be doing the work in your own shop, develop a wholesale rate. My wholesale cost on anything I do, whether it's strictly labor or production, is 50% of what I would normally charge for whatever I am doing.
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics Lake Havasu City, AZ http://www.stickerpimp.com
Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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Diane
unregistered
posted
Yes I'd be working in their shop. I am meeting with them tomorrow. They said it's a bunch of vinyl work.
I think shop rate will seem high to them; it's a funny situation and I'm not sure if I want to get into this. Thank you. Diane
------------------ Summit Signs Sellersville, PA summitsigns@erols.com
Whether I am hiring a sub or hiring myself out as one, the method I always prefer is piece price. Regardless of the person's expertise, a certain job is worth a certain amount to me - based on what I know I'm getting for it. When hiring, my profit is assured going in. If the sub screws something up, they have to make it right before they can be paid for it. If they are brilliantly efficient, they're outta there quick and my money is made. Remember, you're making THEM money. Standard procedure to figure piece price is half of what I'm getting for the job, minus materials. There was one fella I used to hire whenever I could who charged me 70% - but he was exceptionally talented, I paid it gladly for the calibre of product returned.
That's a little more complicated if you're only doing a small part of a big project, but the concept is the same - everybody has to make some.
posted
Hiya Diane, Like the others said, "it depends". There's many things you have to consider when working for another shop. Most depend on your situation. Will you be supplying your own materials & tools? What about insurance? What if something does go wrong, who pays? And most importantly, how will you get paid and when? While you don't want to loose money in this situation, you want to be fair to the other guy too. Last weekend I helped another shop wrap a truck with digital prints... one of my specialties. Without really seeing the truck before hand, I wouldn't give a quote. My price was $38.50 an hour with a 4 hour minimum. The job took 19.5 hours and we both made money. My real job pays me less than 1/2 that. You mention that the situation is a little funny. I could guess at the reasoning but just remember that you are the expert. They want to hire you to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Havin' fun, Checkers
------------------ a.k.a. Brian Born Harrisburg, Pa 717.652.9073 members.home.net/sign-it/ This isn't Burger King, you can't have it your way.
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