Van Graphics – Costing help and advice please?

[Phill Fenton]

I’d say you should be looking at in the region of £750 + VAT for any of those as all involve part wrapping . What sort of budget does your customer have? And as for wanting something "more creative" make sure you get a deposit before doing anything further.

[Mike Thornley]

Hi Phil
Budget is £350.00

[David Hammond]

I wish we could get £750 for something like that down here.

I agree, we should probably be charging that kind of figure, but there’s always someone driving the price down.
If you’re clever with the design, there are ways around it.

The MJH van, would you need a full on cast wrap film for that? No recesses, joins at the slider, doors, you may even be able to get several of the pieces out of the same bit of vinyl. Stick joins where needs be… even then £350 wouldn’t be enough.

It’s always worth showing the customer the kind of thing they can expect for their budget, to set their expectations, and don’t start the design until you’ve some ££’s your hands.

[Phill Fenton]

It’s unreasonable to expect a job like that for only £350.

My stock answer to the customer in situations like this is to explain that you need to charge enough in order for you to maintain a viable and profitable business. If that’s the type of thing he wants for his van he must be prepared to spend more or accept a simpler less time consuming job.

[David Hammond]

I had a lad in last week.

"How much to my van?"

Little Berlingo, he shows me his logo, very nice it was too, but would need to be printed.

The vans caked in glue residue from the previous owners wrap.

I work quick price out, we’ve been really quiet, I’m guessing with school holidays and bank holidays, nobody is doing much.

£280 to clean all glue off (2 hours), redraw the logo and mock it up (1hr) and full colour printed & laminated prints for the panels, plus a couple of hours to fit.

"Nah mate I can get it cheaper"

Fine, crack on. Someone will do it cheaper I am sure, but I’m not a charity, it was barely worth doing at £280.

Sometimes if the place it tidy a quick tour, show them the machines etc, they can see what they’re paying for.

[Robert Lambie]

the top and bottom van, I am with Phill on price.
I reckon £600-£700+vat
the middle van I reckon about £450+vat

[Mike Thornley]

Hi

Thanks for the replies, politely told customer to go away this morning after receiving a patronising email from him expressing surprised that we had spent anytime on his project after I mentioned an artwork charge.

I have explained several times that the quote we gave was for a standard style van signage and we were working to achieve a good job within his 350 quid budget.

He only sent me the examples posted here after seeing our proof, which again explained that they are at a higher level, so are more costly. He seemed to think that our design and artwork services are free and wanted to see more ‘creative design’ before making a decision. I saw little point in doing designs on paper that I know would cost the amounts discussed on this thread to implement on the van, when the client didn’t want to spend that much, which he didn’t seem to get

So because of the tone of his email I decided to move on.
Thanks all

[David Hammond]

It’s a good feeling isn’t sacking a customer 😆

I saw another company pushing ‘free design’, but take a deposit before doing anything. We’re currently trialling that at the moment.

[Robert Lambie]

why not advertise…

FREE Vehicle Graphics
with every £250 spent on artwork!
Hourly artwork rates apply

[Mike Thornley]

Hi David

Customer was a stretch it implies they are spending money…. he was a condescending time waster.