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Signmaker for Hire, your thoughts please?
i have had an email from an individual whos offering services as a “signmaker for hire” not just as a fitter or vinyl wrapper as is the typical type of contractor emails I get, its a vast list of machines the individual is capable of using and types of fabrication etc, is this a common thing and I’ve just never come across it and is it something other people are using with staff shortages etc that seem to be going on at the moment interested to see peoples thoughts
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16 Replies
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Hi David
Freelancers do exist, but finding a decent, honest one is like finding a Hens Teeth!Did it state how many years in the industry?
Any accreditations he holds?
i.e. IPAF, 3M approved wrapper, blah blah
The companies he has worked with? -
I’ve heard of sub contract installers, and recently sub contract designers with specific signage/vehicle experience.
I’ve not heard of sub contractor ‘sign makers’ although perhaps there is a need for it?
Provided they’re are truly ‘self employed’, I’ve seen sign companies recently advertising for ‘freelance’ staff, but it sounded more like employment without the benefits and security.
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they have alot of experience and have no list of companies worked for but they are offering a non disclosure agreement type paperwork so they cant spread word of jobs from company to company , no vinyl accreditations but have pasma and in process of obtaining ipaf , i looks like a new venture to me but just never come across this type of contractor i have a need for it at the moment but not sure as never used this type of contractor before
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They claim to have all the skills needed to be a fully fledged sign shop so that’s probably what they are. Maybe just not a very busy one. I know most of us wouldn’t have the time to go moonlighting for another company as we are busy running our own businesses so my question would be ‘why do they have the time?’
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i dont think its ment in the way of he will do the work for you in his shop more like hell come to yours and use you machines to do your jobs during staff shortages etc or need for extra hands sounds like a good idea to me but its like how do you judge someones quality or experience without references or credentials
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What we’re struggling with locally is sub contract fitters, speaking with a few friends.
Prices from £300 – 500+ a day for teams for pretty routine jobs 😟
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Surely you have installers up that way David ?
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Yes, and no. You’re getting end user prices, and quotes for ‘trade’ that kill the job.
Will give you a call for a moan 😂
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Out-of interest what would you say was the going rate for sub contract vinyl fitters and or sign fitters? , we have a massive jump in prices from one to the other , we have been advertising for sometime now for various roles and just can’t fill them the type of staff required a good all-rounder for example either just don’t exist,have started there own small business or have all gone subcontract
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when i was doing it and i still have contacts in essex sub contracting, rate was something between 140-180 a day. travel may be on top but like everything prices have gone up and people seem to have got a bit greedy in all trades. I hear often now that they arnt getting out of bed for less than 200 a day
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Seems about right, we’re getting prices between £360-425 for a 2 man team, + mileage, another ‘trade’ fitter is quoting £525 a day. Been quoted £275 for 1man, or half day.
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im clearly in the wrong job 😱
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Had similar conversations with a few friends – Considering the overheads, and investment in machinery etc we have, it’s disproportionate. I’ve always been of the opinion they sign industry undervalues itself, especially the time we invest with customers, surveys, design etc.
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yes definitely i get that feeling in respect to all the technical aspects of the job but as for people that only specialise in one aspect of the entire process these prices are not justified
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£1000 job, and over 25% goes to the fitting.
I’m not knocking the fitters, they need to earn a living, and like us aren’t working every day of the week, have their own costs. I just think the signage industry needs to increase prices, instead there’s a hesitancy to increase prices.
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yes for sure the amount of times i get knocked down on price or knocked back for not budging on the price is frustrating
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