Hi everyone!

[noelway]

Hi, to start off my name is Noel and I'm very new to the business. My back ground is, I've ran other businesses before and have done well, while making mistakes is human; I learn from each one. Well decided to settle down and get a normal 9-5 and sold my lawn care and car detailing businesses last year. Months latter realizing this is not for me started playing with the idea of starting a new company, where could make more then lawn care and car washing. I notice my high school friend's dad making a lot of money with no professinal sp? skills at all. I talk to my high school friend saying lets get in on this. I have the money to at least get us started and you have the know how. Bought a used 24 inch plotter, computer, and LXI software off craigs list for $900 in October. Been doing small jobs, then we got a break. Did 16 single color, simple font, 4 x 8ft signs for $2400. We did not have to install them, and told after the new year they will be needing 30 more. Now I have set up to be Inc. Jan first, plan on buying a used fleet van from my work, and have some questions.

What type of insurance do you have for your company? cost?

How do you find most your new work? (becideds word of mouth)

Can you use adobe to cut instead of LXI software?

I want to get into wraps, atleast printing muti color signs. I dont have the money to buy the equipment up front. The package deals from other websites any good? ones that say $500 a month(unsure if I can post it or not and dont want to break rules my first post lol)

Or do you guys think be better to get a heat press before wrap hardware? It will be cheaper, but sure wont profit as much.

fyi: still doing my 9-5, have a magic jack for company phone (great product, e-mails me with new voice mail. I work in the field so between jobs I can check e-mail and I call future customers)


Sorry if a little long, Im a detail type of person. haha

Thanks,
Noel

 

[Mosh]

Save up and get a cutting progam like signlab or flexi for vinyl cutting, to do wraps you are going to need around $25,000 worth of equipment. You can sub out the printing. As far a insurance we have 3 milllion in damage coverage and 2 mil on our property and equipment.
Do you have any experience in layout? Design? Fabrication? There is way more to it than getting a cutter of C-List and opening a sign shop. Our vinyl cutters are almost the cheapest things we have in our shop, they are a dime a dozen anymore.

I would suggest if you want to be in the sign industry to get a job at a sign shop and learn the trade, then go start a sign shop.

 

[noelway]

To be honest never thought about signs before a couple months ago. I know better then to jump into this with out any back ground. That's why I have hire someone who has done it for years and is 3rd generation sign maker. Its a huge help that I can trust him, and we both have same goal of being a known name in Fl. I let him handle the production stuff and teach me as we go, while I handle the business stuff and customers.

 

[noelway]

As far a insurance we have 3 milllion in damage coverage and 2 mil on our property and equipment.

Do you install with large machines (ie bucket trucks or cranes)? I do not understand why a sign business would need so much in damage coverage otherwise. I maybe way off base here, as I admit I am a newbie. Isnt the worst that can happen is dent or broken window unless taking on huge projects?

 

[Fred Weiss]

You need to check into the requirements of the licensing and permitting authorities at the county and municipality level. Chances are, also being from Florida, you're going to go through a rude awakening as to the requirements to do many kinds of jobs legally.

The simple fact is that much of what you will be asked to so affects buildings and structures. Some requires engineering and/or electrical, and much requires the possession of a state sign contractor's permit. Acquiring a state contractor's permit can be a major stumbling block which will severely limit what you can do legally. The last time I checked, Florida requires two years experience as a supervisor of a work crew employed by a licensed state sign contractor before you are even allowed to buy the books and take the test.

As far as insurance, what you may not be considering is the personal injury and property loss that can result from a simple broken piece of glass ... or a sign face flying hundreds of feet from where it started out in a hurricane. In any event, and whether you see the need or not, the various governing authorities are going to require you to have substantial insurance protection as well as workman's comp if you have any employees.

 

[Replicator]

Welcome to 101

 

[Mosh]

We do all types of signs. Even if you are only lettering a window you need at least 1-2 million in insurance. Welcome to the real world of sign making.

 

[noelway]

thanks everyone!

Fred,

I've done the the basic research for Orlando and Orange County occupational license I'm waiting for my Inc. effective date to apply for local level. If they give me a hard time, have other countys that I will pay sales tax to. I do not plan at the moment to build construction signs, I know a local shop I use to work next to who does that. They agree to give me a percent for each job I find them. If that is what the permit you mention is for. I'm starting off with lettering, and want to move to warps, heat press, embroidery, engraving, and that sort of work.

After hearing that about insurance it makes since now. How much do you guys pay monthly/yearly for it? I must be able to install vinyl on cust. business. The one person who works for me is an independent contractor. I think this clears me of having to provide WC and having to take taxes myself.

I realize I should sit down with a lawyer and accountant, since never had contractors, employees or Inc. From what i've read I should be an S type to avoid double tax.

 

[Fred Weiss]

thanks everyone!

Fred,

I've done the the basic research for Orlando and Orange County occupational license I'm waiting for my Inc. effective date to apply for local level. If they give me a hard time, have other countys that I will pay sales tax to. I do not plan at the moment to build construction signs, I know a local shop I use to work next to who does that. They agree to give me a percent for each job I find them. If that is what the permit you mention is for. I'm starting off with lettering, and want to move to warps, heat press, embroidery, engraving, and that sort of work.

After hearing that about insurance it makes since now. How much do you guys pay monthly/yearly for it? I must be able to install vinyl on cust. business. The one person who works for me is an independent contractor. I think this clears me of having to provide WC and having to take taxes myself.

I realize I should sit down with a lawyer and accountant, since never had contractors, employees or Inc. From what i've read I should be an S type to avoid double tax.

An occupational license simply gives you the right to conduct whatever business you can do which does not fall under local or state requirements to pull permits. It has nothing to do with what I was describing ... such as your other thread where you are describing removal and replacements of lettering on a structure which may require a permit. An occupational license does not qualify you to pull permits. Neither does collecting state sales tax have anything to do with anything nor incorporating eliminate your need to be insured. And the first loan you take out, or equipment you finance, or property you rent will also carry with it the requirement to co-insure whomever you're borrowing or renting from.

An occupational license will grant you permission to do business covered by the occupational license. You can for example, make a sign and hand it to a customer over the counter. You can even go and place it on his door if the door is not visible from the street. A permit may or may not be required by any governing authority for any kind of installed work visible from the street. If a permit is required, then you will need to determine whether or not the authority requiring the permit requires you to be a licensed county or state sign contractor. Some do and some don't. For example, in my city ... Lake Worth, as permit must be pulled to do something as simple as apply business hours to a stores window or door because it is counted as part of the store's total allowed square footage. The permit does not require me to have any licensing beyond a Lake Worth sign contractor license (just under $200 a year). But I am required to

• Make a scale drawing including all existing signage and what I propose to add.
• Pay a fee and wait for approval.
• Call for inspection after I have done the installation.
• Wait for the inspector to come out.

When all is said and done, a simple business hours job now costs around $300. There are just under 40 licensing and zoning authorities in my immediate market ... each with their own set of rules and fees.

All of which causes many, many shops to chase after the work you propose to do. Small signs, interior signs, vehicle graphics, vehicle wraps, banners, etc. have all become havens for price competition and inferior business skills.

 

[noelway]

thanks fred lol, you gave me stuff to research after x mas. If im going to have to do all this, I thinking of buying a bucket truck from my 9-5 instead of van. This way can go much larger. How much does a pro sign tech make working for a shop in this economy? Will wait till business can surport itself.I know those type of signs can bring big profits if done right, just thought would req much more then i want to do. Im just bouncing ideas right now... sorry if im just rambling on.:Oops:

 

[Just Me]

every single week..............

 

[noelway]

every single week..............

necessary?

Im hype up about this after tripling my investment in months when starting with no connections in the business. Just trying to find best ways to move forward. Im by no means a pro and never said that (Im still finding tips on weeding). At the same time know im not an idiot, and this is a good business if I surround myself with people who know what their doing.

 

[The Big Squeegee]

Welcome from OK

 

[noelway]

damn, you guys were not kidding about these permits. Pulled an all nighter last night plus since holidays reading about this and still confused. lol

 

[DOGraphics]

:Welcome: .......... 2 ........... :signs101: