I sub out this type of work for the same reason that I sub out anything else like silk screening or business cards... My customer doesn't have to think next time "What
sign shop should we call for this type of
sign?" they just call me and I handle it. I already have their art, can provide mock ups... I can also mark up my product and make a slight profit. We give a quality service because we select subs that stand behind their work.
I would say that he should let the electrical contractor evaluate the integrity and viability of the innards. Graphix is assuming quite a lot and this
sign might just need an inexpensive ballast and a couple of bulbs and run for years and years to come. On
signs like this I give my customer a best case and worst case price and then say that there is a chance that if everything is shot that a new
sign would be the best option... We have many customers in poorer parts of the city that just can't afford much. Many will even opt for stretching a new face and leaving the
sign un-lit. We try to sell them the best marketing tool for the buck but sometimes the buck just isn't there. I have had clients who I was so sure about the signage changing their business that I have financed an upgrade out of my own pocket. Not a very smart business model in general but it has worked for me so far (knock on MDO).
Thanks too for the comment in the beginning Gino. Not to knock some of the folks here because they have valid points as well but sometimes I don't even want to ask a question because I don't want to deal.
As far as offering help about something I know absolutely nothing about (Not that I am the first, lol). First, I didn't say that I know absolutely nothing about this, I said that I don't do this type of work as I am not licensed as of yet here in this city to do it. That being said, it is true I don't know much. What I do know is that this guy is asking for a little more information so that he can more intelligently choose a contractor to sub to and learn more. I do know how to get him the information that he desires and since I don't think that he was getting what he wanted I offered to help provide it to him. Might not be the best choice but my info was better than no choice (I thought). This is how I learned and I like to try and support the forum as best I can.
All of us have a different standard of what deserves a response and what kind. I just happened to think that I should respond to this one.
As for price, if he wants that info from me it will be in the form of a PM.