So eddie, tell us the methods you're presently using to prevent going down the wrong road and wasting time..... per your own request I didn't realize you had some sorta business. We are not supposed to help people not registered properly. Please join the forum properly.
I am not USA english native so please bare with me.
The way I calculate a price for an illuminated channel letter
sign:
1. You have to know your
operational costs, I make a sum o following:
+ the cost of the machine divided by the depreciation period (or calculate the monthly leasing costs)
+ the footprint of that machine on the
sign shop multiplied by the rent fee per sqm/sqf, including raw materials deposit space, operating space
+ monthly consumables parts
+ monthly maintenance
+ other fees associated with that machine
+ costs of consumption in kw/hour
+ operator costs per hour multiplied by the daily hours assigned to that machine (or how many hours that machine work/day)
+ what quantity will machine operate per hour
all the costs above will give you the cost of operating a machine
+ calculate how long will take to start the machine (e.g. for cnc: how long will take for the operator to prepare the file, calibrate the sheet on the table, cleaning the table) (i add this costs for every sheet small or big)
2. Costs of materials
+ where is possible i optimize the material (e.g. cnc: i do the nesting)
+ plexiglas + vinyl, komatex/forex/pvc foam... +return + vinyl/paint
+ miscellaneous (usually i put a percentage of 5% to cover these costs): adhesive, cables, screws, solder wire,
paper wipe, cleaners
3. LEDs
+ How many LEDs will fit in the area of the letter
+ Transformer from 110/220v to 12v
5. Costs of packaging
+ material
4. Costs of labor:
+ how long will take for one man to glue the face letter to the return
+ how much costs to apply adhesive for linear meter/inch
+ costs of applying the LEDs
+ costs to apply the vinyl
+ assembly
+ packaging
5. Transport
6. Installation
I might forgot something but roughly its all here.
Now I have a clearer cost of the
sign, on top of all costs you add up your margins.
The market will give you feedback if you priced your margins too high or too low (this is good for another topic
)
That's me, how about you?
