Quoting Hand Painted

[Rick]

As most of you know, we design here but we have been
getting ready to start manufacturing and installing. We have a chance
to do some hand lettering. I have experience in this, but the last time
I worked on any paying hand lettering project was some 15 years ago.
So my numbers are a little rusty.

We are bidding on 3 similar graphics shown below on brick and plaster,
all interior. A total of 192 Sq. Ft. @ $12.50 a square foot. ($2400.00)

My breakdown is:
Materials: $100.00
2 of us, 3.5 Days from buying all the materials, pouncing to painting and
giving it the final distressed finish.

Am I in the ballpark? How much would you be?

(By the way, there is also an illuminated sign, exterior dimensional sign,
window graphics, and custom ADA signs to match the interior decor.)

--- the name has been changed to protect the innocent ---

 

[Billct2]

Your quote sounds about right (edited after rereading)
The ones I've seen like this weren't "distressed" they were just dry brushed.

 

[J Hill Designs]

IMO $800 seems quite cheap per graphic

 

[John Butto]

hand painting

First of all I would never figure a hand painted sign by the square foot. Second, a good sign painter gets as much as he feels the customer can pay. Since there will be two people working and you do not do this very often it will take longer than you are guessing. It looks like brick veneer so that will slow you down and getting the "old look" will too, so I would say $1650.00 for each. If I was doing it by myself, $2500.00 each plus sales tax.

 

[ddarlak]

i don't see where the sq ft price matters at all, but, i do think you have enough in there for time and materials and profit...

so, all in all, i think your right on.

looks like a fun job

 

[visual800]

I would charge about $600 for the mural shown.

the one below we did for jimmy johns was $500 and it was double coated. The MC logo we did in school gym was $2500 but the stripe ran all the way aroound. All latex paint and vinyl stencils. Embellishments were freehand

 

[SignManiac]

I would charge about $600 for the mural shown.

the one below we did for jimmy johns was $500 and it was double coated. The MC logo we did in school gym was $2500 but the stripe ran all the way aroound. All latex paint and vinyl stencils. Embellishments were freehand

Awesome school logo

 

[John Butto]

cost of living...

I would charge about $600 for the mural shown.

the one below we did for jimmy johns was $500 and it was double coated. The MC logo we did in school gym was $2500 but the stripe ran all the way aroound. All latex paint and vinyl stencils. Embellishments were freehand

The cost of living in CA to Alabama is about 30-40%, so if you charge $600 in Alabama for wall, you would have to charge $800 in CA. which is what he is charging, which I still think is cheap for hand crafted work which not everyone can do anymore.

 

[visual800]

Awesome school logo

ty sir

 

[Jwalk]

I wish the fact that it's hand painted mattered. I find people don't really care they want it cheap and they want it good. When it comes to the mural and sign painting game in my opinion artist is a bad word.

 

[visual800]

I wish the fact that it's hand painted mattered. I find people don't really care they want it cheap and they want it good. When it comes to the mural and sign painting game in my opinion artist is a bad word.

I can tell you now, folks in this town could care less.

 

[Jillbeans]

Is the $2400 for one or for three?
I would definitely recommend using Novacolors paint for this job.
Love....Jill

 

[Jwalk]

2400 would be a very reasonable rate for all 3. I would probably use lcd projector if I could , spend a day or two tops working on it in a leisurely fashion looks like a no brainer. I wouldn't complain.

Or you could tell him to buy you a pizza and a pop for all three, I mean some people think that's reasonable, geesh.

 

[Rick]

I would charge about $600 for the mural shown.

the one below we did for jimmy johns was $500 and it was double coated. The MC logo we did in school gym was $2500 but the stripe ran all the way aroound. All latex paint and vinyl stencils. Embellishments were freehand

I'm digging these!

 

[Rick]

Is the $2400 for one or for three?
I would definitely recommend using Novacolors paint for this job.
Love....Jill

2400.00 for all 3, all very simple design. Hadn't figured out the
exact paint I wanted to see how the brick took the paint. as going to
test a few... I'll try Novacolors... thanks!

 

[Rick]

2400 would be a very reasonable rate for all 3. I would probably use lcd projector if I could , spend a day or two tops working on it in a leisurely fashion looks like a no brainer. I wouldn't complain.

Or you could tell him to buy you a pizza and a pop for all three, I mean some people think that's reasonable, geesh.

Oh were getting paid! They are spending quite a bit on the exterior sign, remodel, and refitting the bar and kitchen. They can afford it.

 

[Rick]

First of all I would never figure a hand painted sign by the square foot. Second, a good sign painter gets as much as he feels the customer can pay. Since there will be two people working and you do not do this very often it will take longer than you are guessing. It looks like brick veneer so that will slow you down and getting the "old look" will too, so I would say $1650.00 for each. If I was doing it by myself, $2500.00 each plus sales tax.

I use a square footage price because it's the way it was taught to me...
simple is one price, and goes up depending on complexity. Now
obviously that was a different time, and he was a production shop.
But my old boss was a shrewd business man, and a darn good
craftsman, not about to question the way he taught me when
it's served me well for this long.

I consider myself a good sign painter even if it's been a long time
since I've done this. If I went by what I feel he could pay, it would
still be some B.S number... I know Si Allen prices that way, and even though
there is something to it. I am competing with other sign painters so...

getting a baseline price seems like a good idea...

especially when this place gets 2 illuminated ID signs, interior art pieces,
window/sandblast, water jet cut pieces, custom menus, logo/branding....
We are actually working on 3 restaurants for the same client. From branding
to social media to signage and environments, so we are dealing with a large
chunk of change here

This kind of work is cutthroat around here. I want the work, but not going
to lose me arse on it.

1650.00-2500.00 each is way too high, and you know it. The 2 illuminated signs
that need permitting are not even $7500.00. Not all of California is LA,
San Diego or San Francisco... and even if it was, we have a lot of competition.
We are already twice as much as our competition when it comes to design, were not
about to be 3 times the price others are charging for simple graphics... I appreciate the
comments, thanks...

 

[Rick]

Your quote sounds about right (edited after rereading)
The ones I've seen like this weren't "distressed" they were just dry brushed.

We are dry brushing it, but might add some added colors depending on how the client directs us. (I am adding combat pay for that)

IMO $800 seems quite cheap per graphic

This comment scares me... thanks!

i don't see where the sq ft price matters at all, but, i do think you have enough in there for time and materials and profit...

so, all in all, i think your right on.

looks like a fun job

Thanks...

 

[John Butto]

I do not know it...

I use a square footage price because it's the way it was taught to me...
simple is one price, and goes up depending on complexity. Now
obviously that was a different time, and he was a production shop.
But my old boss was a shrewd business man, and a darn good
craftsman, not about to question the way he taught me when
it's served me well for this long.

I consider myself a good sign painter even if it's been a long time
since I've done this. If I went by what I feel he could pay, it would
still be some B.S number... I know Si Allen prices that way, and even though
there is something to it. I am competing with other sign painters so...

getting a baseline price seems like a good idea...

especially when this place gets 2 illuminated ID signs, interior art pieces,
window/sandblast, water jet cut pieces, custom menus, logo/branding....
We are actually working on 3 restaurants for the same client. From branding
to social media to signage and environments, so we are dealing with a large
chunk of change here

This kind of work is cutthroat around here. I want the work, but not going
to lose me arse on it.

1650.00-2500.00 each is way too high, and you know it. The 2 illuminated signs
that need permitting are not even $7500.00. Not all of California is LA,
San Diego or San Francisco... and even if it was, we have a lot of competition.
We are already twice as much as our competition when it comes to design, were not
about to be 3 times the price others are charging for simple graphics... I appreciate the
comments, thanks...

Your the guy who puts up things about designers Saul Bass and people like Paul Rand. They had just as much competition as you and they charged enormous prices for their work. Sounds like you have a fear of overcharging, even though you say you are a good sign painter and do not want to lose the work. Do not take this as criticism, I have known and experienced what you are going through, just trying to tell you that when you face fear you need to meet it head on and not cower to the pressure. Most people have been bit by a dog when they were young, so when you grow older and are comforted by a dog your first instinct is to run, and then you will be at the dog's mercy and get bit in the arse.

 

[Marlene]

do you have access to Sign Craft's pricing guide? it might help