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do you ever sub contract to a sign fitter ?
hey all, i’m working on a quote for a high street shop at the moment, i dont envisage any probs in making the signs themselves, but fear i may be a little out of my depth with regards to fitting it,
it’s only bout 5m long, but is 12ft above a busy high street pavement, i just dont have the access equipment for the job, nor a helper i can trust to help, and if i did, i’m a litle unsure about the regs for cordoning of some of the pavement, i think i might just admit defeat here and get it fitted for me !
so, has anyone used a sign fitter for erecting signs ? and how did it work out, if nothing else, i’d like to at least make some enquiries, before i go trawling the yellow pages, could anyone recommend a fitter in the south east ? sussex preferably, i’d rather usesomeone on recomendation, than pot luck from yellow pages !
thanks in advance.
Hugh -
11 Replies
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have you priced for fitting mate?
is it a panatrim sign etc
will existing sign need taking down?
if so, whats behind the existing sign?sorry for quick reply just thought ide start the ball rolling.
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Hi Rob,
I’m not too sure whats behind the existing sign, looks like it’s been fixed to an old one !it’s actually three horizontal signs,
the main being aprx 5m x 600mm, wil be alupanel (like dibond) with some kind of frame,
the next one down is really a panel of about 300mml which looks to be covering some iffy looking facia timbers, again it’ll be alupanel, but with no trim, ,
and one below that which is about 420mm will also be alupanel, probably with no trim,
there’s a bit to go on the windows, which i can and will do, and a projecting sign that i’ll do, it’s just the main signs i can see problems with
I’ve only just started to work on the designs, so havent costed anything yet,
thanks
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I’ve never subcontracted the fitting work – I’ve always done it myself. You’re right to be concerned though Hugh – With all the current H&S legislation (working at heights etc.) it’s becoming more and more difficult to do work of this type. On a busy main road it’s usually diiffcult to even park outside the shop you’re working on. 12ft is not that high and can be easily done using ladders but H&S legislation means this would not be a satisfactory method.
I would say you need to cost this out assuming worst case scenario – two or three people working antisocial hours (e.g Sunday) using trestles or a cherry picker and so on. If your quote is accepted and you are able to subsequently do the work by yourself on a normal weekday using ladders it means more profit for you 😉
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cheers Phil,
I reckon that for a couple of guys with the right access, ie a couple of scaffold towers and a few planks, it would be an easy half days work, the old signs are simply screwed on (countersunk and disguised with vinyl) so all the old should come off ina 1/2hr !
i nkow it’s not that high, but i dont really have the gear to work to that height, nor if i’m totally honest, the experience with mounting a frame and sliding in such a big sheet on my own with one ladder ! i doubt i’d have much bother with the lower two panels, just the larger top one,
i guess t’s off the the yello pages then !
Hugh
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just waded thur yell.com and all it comes up with is general sign makers like myself, any idea’s how or where i can find a dedicated sign fitter who takes sub contract work ?
Andy Gorman, do i recall you saying you used one in the past ? cheers. Hugh
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look in sign update magazine. their directory have sign fitters in it, My standard fitting rate is £225 per man per day based on two men per job and standard scaffold access, you hire scaffolding from HSS etc , will only cost about £100 delivered to site and collected, save a lot of cost compared to buying if your not using it often.
1 bay high will do the job your after.little tip if you get any hassle for blocking pavement or road,
"the law states" any person can close an area of public access for a period of up to 30 min without having to giving notice, at any one time. just make sure you come down the scaffolding every now and again and they can say nothing to you. -
Hugh, there’s a firm called Professional Sign Installations (01273 512818) in Newhaven who you might want to try, their rates are £300 for a 2 man crew complete with van and access equipment etc. The rate is based on a 10 hour day but as you’ll only need their services for a couple of hours and you’re local you may be able to negotiate a price for a couple of hours work.
One thing to note is that although they are trade sub contractors the firm is ultimately owned by the Sussex Sign Company.
Good Luck
Guy
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thanks for the advice idgni, i had thought of scaffold and taking my time over it, but figured that someone who did this type of thing day in day out, would be alot quicker than I,
Guy, many thanks for the contact, i’l get something together and give them a ring, i would think that for people who know what they’re doing, it’s only a half days job !
thanks again.
Hugh -
Hi Hugh
We did a van for a client last year and I noticed the van had a ladder on the back and a purpose built walkway on the roof.
When the client came back to pick up his vehicle I asked him if he would be interested in helping me out from time to time fitting shop signs and the like on an hourly rate and he said ok.
Cool, so now I just factor in his hourly into any quote that needs his help and off we go.
It has worked out really well, He fitts PVC windows and does general property maintenence and has an envyable range of tools and ladders and stuff.
So look out for a friendly local guy with a walkway on the roof of his van and see if he is interested in some extra work.
dreckly
paul r
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I’ve never had anyone fit signs for me. I would have a look on a Sunday morning to see how busy it gets. Hire a set of trestles and a van if necessary.
What I did do once was swap a bit of labour with another local sign co. I went out and fitted a couple of jobs with their lad, and then he helped me fit a big lightbox, using all their equipment. Nice arrangement if you can get it!
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Its no help to you hugh, but I use a contractor all the time here. I don’t have he access equipment, and they have all the kit and licenses.
I pay per man per hour.
I figure he has all the insurance, and with the work place rules now, it is not worth my hassle to do and pay for the license and pay the insurance for something I don’t do everyday.
End of the day, I can earn better money doing what I do, and just leave them to get the job done, and I can get on with something else.
I charge the client for my work, plus fitting. They can pay the fitters direct if they wish, or I’ll include it in the overall invoice.
Just my 2c, but I’d ra5ther be home with my family on a sunday that fitting some blokes sign, especially when I can pay soimeone else to do it and pass the costs on.
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