The Letterville BullBoard: Uncharted teritory / help

This is topic Uncharted teritory / help in forum Letterhead/Pinstriper Talk at The Letterville BullBoard.

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Posted by jake snow (Member # 5889) on :

Have a customer with a box truck. 15' long. He wants "one of them big picture things" on the sides and back.

I already got the price for the prints. [Eek!]

How much would you charge to put these on?

Yes the truck has rivets... ugh

Thanks in advance.

Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :

Hiya Jake,
I normally estimate about $1.50 to $2.50 a square foot for installation on a vehicle with rivets. But, I've charged more and normally bill by the hour.
Without seeing the truck or knowing the material, I would estimate an installation price of around $750.

Havin' fun,

Checkers

Posted by jake snow (Member # 5889) on :

Thanks Checkers, There being printed on Control tact.

Posted by John Arnott (Member # 215) on :

$2.50 to $3 per square foot. Should be a snap after the first piece is layed. Remember to tell "him" to clean it real good. Then you simply wipe it down with some alcohol or wax and grease remover.

Posted by jake snow (Member # 5889) on :

Thanks John,

Seems to be that $2.50 is the average.

Thanks again guys!

Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :

See how charging a flat $14-15 per square (prints and install) compares to these other guys' suggestions. Maybe add another $1-$1 per square for the rivets.

Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on :

Mike's numbers are a good guideline.
I used to be able to quote $25 a square foot for full color graphics, but those days are long gone [Frown]

Now I estimate $15-$20 sq. ft. for 3M Scotchprint electrostatic prints, and $10-$15 sq. ft. for solvent prints. Both depend on the size of the project though.

I thought through the process a little and, as for pricing this job out, this is my take...

Design $xxx

My cost for the prints including shipping X 2
(This covers me, so I don't loose money, if I somehow manage to trash the job)

Then I estimate the time for installation.
I can stick a 4' x 8' panel over rivets in about 40 minutes. But, it can take anywhere from 15 minutes to another hour, or more, to heat and re-squeegee the rivets properly.

I tack on a few hours for cleaning, prep and other b.s.

Add some to cover rags, cleaners, etc.

And add a trip charge if necessary.

I would estimate about 12.5 hours to complete the installation and the complete project would be somewhere around $5,500 done with 3M warranted solvent prints.

Havin' fun,

Checkers

Posted by roger bailey (Member # 556) on :

Rapid products to clean (designed for it) not wax and grease remover (oil derivitave) then you know it will last.

Roger

Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :

[Cool]

Posted by Denis de Leon (Member # 5844) on :

How's things Jake.

I could be off-base on the price but I just attended a vehicle wrap seminar and the two senior installers from my area (different sign comps) both agreed that besides materials the installation could be about $7 sf. And, it really depended on a survey of the vehicle (could be higher).

Posted by jake snow (Member # 5889) on :

Doin' good Leon. How's your neck of the woods?

Thanks everyone for the input. I had no clue and don't wanna' lose my butt on this if I get it.

Posted by Dave Draper (Member # 102) on :

Jake,
I would alow 2 days (16 hours) for one man, and you may need a helper so allow 20 to 24 man hours.
(and that is if nothing goes wrong.)

See if your shop rate times the estimated hours is anywhere in line with the sq ft price and then let us know how you came out.

It would really be helpfull to a lot of us...its new territory to many here. [Smile]

Posted by Brent Logan (Member # 6587) on :

I agree with Dave. I think you'll have the better part of 2 days installing your prints over rivets. I did a similar job recently. Luckily you've got Controltac which is nice to work with.

Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :

Laminated prints- design, client consult- 3 or 4 times, design to print files, prints installed including CLEANING the truck(big time/labour)

$15 sq ft.-rivets- 5 minutes a piece extra- most will take you 2 minutes, some will take you 10 and a whole lot of cursing

Posted by Randy Campbell (Member # 2675) on :

You don'tcurse do you Deri?

Posted by jake snow (Member # 5889) on :

[Rolling On The Floor]

You guys are too fun.

Still palyin cat and mouse with the customer. I'll update when it go through.

And thanks again for the input. Moochoo help [Big Grin]

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