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What would some of you charge for this job.4 3 signs, advertising "lots for sale". 4X8 feet, 1/2 inch RTG board - our cost is $50 ea. Using 4X4 wood posts plus vinyl and installation. Just curious. I don't think we're charging enough for our work and I have that "spinning our wheels" feeling. Thanks in advance.
-------------------- Sharon Bigler A Good Sign Chambersburg, PA Posts: 202 | From: Chambersburg, PA USA | Registered: Jul 2001
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Out here we would get $300 - $450 for a 4x8 panel only. simple "lot for sale" based on 3 signs probably $300. As for installation, go with shop rate + material & mark-up. for a short drive & soft dirt $100 - $150 treated posts - no paint
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On the average, I charge $14.50 sq ft. for MDO, $16.00 .sq ft. for alumalite, $35. for install for anything I can do on the ground, $90 if I require a ladder, and $135 to put in 2 posts first. All these prices are for installs close by and average layouts (art fees are charged if I have to scan and re-create real estate plots, subsdivisions, etc.). Higher prices per sq ft. for more extensive graphics. All the above are for single sided signs.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Bruce's post was the most helpful but I'd like to thank the rest of you also.................LOL! Everybody have a fab weekend. Oh God, my age just came out in that statement. Time to go take a valium. See ya.
-------------------- Sharon Bigler A Good Sign Chambersburg, PA Posts: 202 | From: Chambersburg, PA USA | Registered: Jul 2001
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What's your overhead? How much will your market bear? How much do you want to make? If you're questioning your pricing, it's probably not enough, so you need to figure out how much you need to make per billable hour (4 hours a day for the typical shop) for starters. There is a formula to calculate this out, but is detailed enough that I can't really cover it here (I'm sure I'd forget something). It was from an article in Signcraft magazine. Maybe it's at their site? Anyone remember this?
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
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This is precisely the point that i have been making for years. It makes absolutely no difference what someone else charges for a particular job.
What it costs us to do business in North Tonawanda, NY has no bearing on what it might cost to do business in Chambersburg, PA or East Rumpbump, ID for that matter.
The cost of living, taxes, material costs, labor rates, insurance rates, utilities, what individual signmakers want to make for a living wage,and so on vary from area to area. It would be impossible to anyone here to calculate what a job would be worth given the individual parameters we all have.
I will admit it is sometimes interesting to see what other people get for what they do, but invariably, the comparisons come out. It can be very disillusioning to some and discouraging to others when they see signmakers charging a whole lot more or less than they are.
It is imperitive that signmakers, as business people, learn what it costs them to do business. If you don't make enough, you will join the ever expanding list of failed businesses. We have to learn from other people's misstakes and try not to repeat them. However, coming here and looking for others to do their footwork for them isn't the answer. They have to learn how to do it for themselves.
The articles that Tim mentioned are these:
SHOP RATE Know your true labor costs. By Kathy Jenkins Issue 99 Page 82
BUSINESS PRACTICES IN THE SIGN SHOP Determining an hourly shop rate, by Joyce E. Freeman, C.P.A. Issue 33 Pages 30-32
IMHO... I believe that signmakers who do not learn how to bid these things correctly out are doing themselves and the craft a disservice.
Have a great one!
-------------------- 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: 6464 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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I believe that Bruce is exactly right and that's what's been bothering me for the past few weeks-that we may not be charging enough. I found an article in the Signcraft archives that helped me and pretty much assured me that we are close to target on our prices (at least this particular kind of job). Owning this business has been quite an experience and being introduced to this BB was an act of Divine guidance, for sure. Peace to all. Sharon
-------------------- Sharon Bigler A Good Sign Chambersburg, PA Posts: 202 | From: Chambersburg, PA USA | Registered: Jul 2001
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-------------------- Best Regards, Mark Smith EstiMate Sign Pricing Software It's Not Luck. It's EstiMate.™ http://www.EstiMateSoftware.com 1-888-304-3300
Posts: 724 | From: Asheville, NC, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Southern ...less populated areas seem to always be under the norm but for something as simple as you describe...in this area would bring $260.00 to 300.for the first face 70% of that for the second face stucture would be around $60.00 and permit and install is extra...I agree with the basics of Bruces post but I think it is good to know what different areas are getting ...I won't price anyones work but I don't mind sharing info either...
Besides your market is probably different from mine anyhow...I'm in a town of approximately 90,000 and there is no real mainstay industries ...Oklahoma University is probably the closest thing to industry...we are also a "bedroom" community for Oklahoma City, some 20 miles to our north.
good luck...
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
Monte Jumper SIGNLanguage/Norman.Okla. jumpers@itlnet.net
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