Lightbox signs

[reQ]

Hello there. Just would like a feedback on situation with prices. I know that prices are different everywhere but general idea should be the same anyways.
Had to do a quote for a new furniture store for 2 light cans. SIZE: 54x216, brand new with graphics, installation on building on site (20ft up in the air) and doing electrical work, since there is no wiring going to outside walls of the building My price was $6788 per box including install & electrical. Talking to them after a week and they say that the winning bid they have is $9000 for two boxes including installation and everything else. Question is, am i nuts or whats going on lol

 

[Gino]

A few things to consider.

• Are you comparing apples to apples ??
• Are they both extruded ??
• Or is one a wrapped can/frame ??
• Are you both using florescent lamps or is one LED's ??
• Are both of you licensed and insured to do this work ??
• Are you building everything from scratch inside your shop or is some of it farmed out ??
• Is this a normal type of sign for your shop ??
• Are you both using the same face substrate ??
  [*]Do you do your own electrical work ??
  

Down here, we can't run electric lines, an electrical contractor must run it to within 4' or 5' of our connection.

I doubt those things will make a huge difference like $2,300, but a shop that does this day in & day out can knock things out much faster than someone who just knows how to do it.

 

[reQ]

Gino,

We buy brand new sign cans (not including graphics etc) from a wholesaler, who does not sell direct to end user. We use big bucket truck to lift & install boxes ($585 per box) Have in house electrician who does electrical work.
And its simple rectangle flourescent box, nothing fancy.
Also talked to different shops in our area and non of them would even touch it at $4500 price range. I am just wondering if $4500 for new 54"x216" box, lexan & graphics + installation + electrical work is reasonable at all? Or customer just trying to get better pricing, since from time to time we have people like that:

Customer: How much for this kind of sign?
Us: $200 (just random number)
Customer: Oh i can get it done for $50. Can you match the price?
Us: That is awesome price, if i would be you, i would order it right now for $50, since we can't even buy materials for that price!
Customer: Whats the best you can do? i want to order from you

And 80% of the time they pay full asking price.

 

[Gino]

This really isn't a section/category for discussing prices and costs of things, but let's just say, for some shops, that's a good price installed, while for others, like yours, some won't touch it. Evidently, up your way, someone thinks it's a good enough pricing structure.

I think if the shop doing the work does this kinda work all the time, it's nothing to get these things into the schedule, gang 'em up with other jobs and treat it like an assembly line kinda project.

 

[J Hill Designs]

I know I wouldn't touch that job for 4500 each installed with electrical pull needed...

 

[TimToad]

Wow! $55 per square foot for an illuminated cabinet with decorated lexan faces and installed.

We don't do much of this type of work, but the vast majority of the wholesalers we use are in that neighborhood for just the cabinet and blank faces.

Must be some real scrimping going on at that shop on EVERYTHING! Maybe they only employ folks who can't work in legitimate shops for far less than a fair market wage.