Steel Sign Pricing

[Robert Lambie]

Hi Patrick

Looks like you have been busy, mate!

I enjoy constructing large signs like this. designing, fabricating, welding, digging and installing. going through the whole process in-house gives you great job satisfaction, once its standing in all its glory and turning on the power, to see it illuminate. 😃

The downside is, just as you have said, you encounter problems, and unforeseen material costs are incurred. Not forgetting the extra man-hours involved, and all the time while working against the clock.
The most frustrating part for me is all too often, you spot things you wish you had done differently, little bits not just so! 😏

I bet if the same order came in tomorrow, you would price and tackle the whole project very differently.
Because you learn from your mistakes and price better, accounting for those extra costs and time.

As you can probably tell, I have done this many times over the years, and what I have learned is, my time and energy are better spent project managing the job, outsourcing the fabrication and overseeing the installation.

1. If the customer supplied you with visuals, you simply send the visuals to several reputable Trade Suppliers that will do everything in-house.
2. These suppliers will come back to you with a cost breakdown and outline how they would advise on manufacturing the sign.
3. You can now compare who is offering you the best option.

4. Installation:

The same can be done with the installation.
* If they offer it, ask the trade supplier if they can also do the installation.
* If not, you could sub the installation out locally to excavate the ground, drop in the base cages and backfill with concrete. When the truck arrives with the sign, it will be lifted and lowered onto the threaded rods via a hiab holding the sign by eye-hooks on the top of the sign. I am sure you get the picture…

5. At this point…
* You have actual “job done” Price comparisons.
* You have experienced methods of fabrication.
* You have realistic estimated turnaround times.

6. Summarise all the above and then add the money to the job that you would like for project managing the whole thing, and submit your quote to the customer.

Keep in mind that your trade suppliers price these jobs comparatively to allow you to make a decent mark-up. But you’re not just quoting for the manufactured sign, you are charging for the entire process.

Remember… while all this is happening above, “you are free” to get on with your day-to-day sign work. so you are making more money, keeping customers happy, while this project is underway, in the background.

Hope this is of some help to you, mate.