posted
I'm probably what you guys call a wannabe sign painter. After many years of reading Signcraft magazine I decided a good way to get into sign painting would be to do Window Splashes. I bought some videos from Signcraft as well as reading several articles I found on the net. I painted one for a local flower shop. I really enjoyed it and also got some good feed back. Now a business owner from a near by town wants some window splashes and Black Boards for his package store. I have no idea how to price. I think the average window splash will take from 2 to 5 hours depending on how complex they are. I was thinking looking at each job and assigning a price based on the hours required X shop rate. The problem with this is he asked me to come up with a design. My other thought was to charge per linear or square foot then add a basic charge for going on site and setting everything up. There are very few materials needed as you folks know. Any feed back in this are would be greatly appreciated. I feel bad asking for information in my first posting. Hopefully I will have afew answers for others in the future.
-------------------- John Browning JBG John Browning Graphics 439 East St Hebron CT Posts: 2 | From: Hebron Ct | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
I spent roughly five years where I did splashes exclusively. When I first started 95% of the work I did was charged out on an hourly basis but that changed after time as my "new" customers became regular repeat customers. Most of my regulars had flat rates for their specific jobs. That helped them in budgeting for an advertising campaign and allowed me to make some pretty decent money if I hustled. Car dealership showroom windows were my best paying once I had set pricing. You can cover a lot of glass in a short time....windshield lettering I liked the least...it killed my back because I'm left handed but you can make some good coin if you're fast.
It won't take you long to get a knack for looking at a window and knowing exactly how long its going to take to lay that paint down.
As far as designs for customers....all mine ever got was a thumbnail done on location when I arrived. If they wanted color on the sketch I'd pull out the fluorescent highlighters and give 'em color. I rarely knew ahead of time what I was painting so pre-done designs and customer proofs were not an option....man...I miss that part
Hope that helps a bit and good luck!
-------------------- Lawrence Armstrong Employed at Galaxy Graphix 1059 Price Road, Parksville B.C. Canada V9P 2X1 Posts: 68 | From: Parksville B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I do a lot of window splash. As for pricing them. It always depends on a lot of factors. Size Height of window Degree of difficulty (like bushes to work around or uneven ground) I charge (in my mind) a basic rate of $100 per window pane of average size and more if it's a small job like 2 panes, I'll try to get $250 for the job. If there's multiple panes and the customer is only covering the top of them i'll give a better price. Also, if it's a repeat customer I'll give a better price as well. Depends on the situation.
Basically, get a feel for how long these windows are taking you and then price according to how much you'd like to make with your time. You set the standard.
posted
Thank you very much Lawrence and Dawud. Your input is very helpful. It's so nice of you guys to share your hard earned and learned experience with me. I was amazed to get responses from different parts of the country, even Canada! I think the hourly approach is the most fair way to do it for now. Just starting, my hourly rate may be lower but the jobs will take longer. As I gain more experience I should get faster at which time I would be able to increase my hourly rate. I like the idea of giving repeat customers set per job prices after getting to know them and their needs, demands etc. I also like the idea of doing sketches on site. I think I am losing a lot of time sketching out work in Corel and hoping the customer will be able to or want to take the time to open it. Thank you both again for your help!
-------------------- John Browning JBG John Browning Graphics 439 East St Hebron CT Posts: 2 | From: Hebron Ct | Registered: May 2008
| IP: Logged |
![[Rolling On The Floor]](graemlins/rolf.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic