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Installer question

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crny1

New Member
Is there a site or list of some sort for installers near Houston Tx on the web somewhere? I am in need of finding someone to do a install for a client of mine that cannot get the project to me and nor do I have time to go to him. Its printed on Avery 1105. At one time I thought manufactures had installer lists but I dont see any. Maybe I am blind or looking in the wrong area.
Thanks all.
 
Texas_Signmaker

Texas_Signmaker

Very Active Signmaker
crny1 said:
Its Avery 1105 with 1360 laminate. Flat install. 540" wide by 210" tall.
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doesn't matter, call a 3m wrap installer. I've sub contracted out hundreds of wraps.. i had so many problems because you can't tell who knows how to do what and at what level they can do it. they all advertise and accept wrap jobs but most people SUCK at wrapping properly. one instance I sent a wrap to explosive signs in saraland, al. they said they were very skilled at installing wall vinyl. I flew out to visit the jobsite while they were installing the wrap (because i had several signs going up) and the guy they sent to install it told me he hasn't installed vinyl in over a year. i had to show him how to install the first panels, then walked away only to come back to a completely fucked up wall that had to be redone because he had no idea how to line up panels property. Since then I ONLY use 3m certified wrappers and never have issues. I don't think they are brand loyal, I can do 3m and avery just the same.. it's the skill level of lining up the panels right and experience of dealing with the things that can go wrong and how to correct them. I also pre-register my panels using masking tape every 2-3 feet along the seams so that way the installers in the field don't have to guess where it lines up.

so use the 3m installers website and call them and ask if they'd do avery. oh and 9 times out of 10, they will be cheaper than the non-certified wrappers because they actually know how to get a job done property and quickly and not fuck around all day struggling.

and because i like to toot my own horn, this is a wrap i did a few months ago in mississippi. 20 panels on a curved wall and only one got squirrely on me and i was able to correct. did it in 8 hours and had a perfect registration on all the seams.
1769479121287.png
 
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P

packratsigns

Premium Subscriber
Texas_Signmaker said:
doesn't matter, call a 3m wrap installer. I've sub contracted out hundreds of wraps.. i had so many problems because you can't tell who knows how to do what and at what level they can do it. they all advertise and accept wrap jobs but most people SUCK at wrapping properly. one instance I sent a wrap to explosive signs in saraland, al. they said they were very skilled at installing wall vinyl. I flew out to visit the jobsite while they were installing the wrap (because i had several signs going up) and the guy they sent to install it told me he hasn't installed vinyl in over a year. i had to show him how to install the first panels, then walked away only to come back to a completely fucked up wall that had to be redone because he had no idea how to line up panels property. Since then I ONLY use 3m certified wrappers and never have issues. I don't think they are brand loyal, I can do 3m and avery just the same.. it's the skill level of lining up the panels right and experience of dealing with the things that can go wrong and how to correct them. I also pre-register my panels using masking tape every 2-3 feet along the seams so that way the installers in the field don't have to guess where it lines up.

so use the 3m installers website and call them and ask if they'd do avery. oh and 9 times out of 10, they will be cheaper than the non-certified wrappers because they actually know how to get a job done property and quickly and not fuck around all day struggling.

and because i like to toot my own horn, this is a wrap i did a few months ago in mississippi. 20 panels on a curved wall and only one got squirrely on me and i was able to correct. did it in 8 hours and had a perfect registration on all the seams.
View attachment 180781
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Great work !!!
 
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C

ChaseO

Premium Subscriber
I have had "certified" installers who I wouldn't trust to put a bumper sticker on. I have had such bad luck subbing things out that I try my best to avoid it altogether. I have had to do a little travelling to keep a customer happy. I have met some good subs on jobsites as well, but I find it better to keep things in house whenever possible.
 
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netsol

Premium Subscriber
ChaseO said:
I have had "certified" installers who I wouldn't trust to put a bumper sticker on. I have had such bad luck subbing things out that I try my best to avoid it altogether. I have had to do a little travelling to keep a customer happy. I have met some good subs on jobsites as well, but I find it better to keep things in house whenever possible.
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that was my impression. that certification was a "has attended" certificate for a 3M pep rally/sales opportunity
 
Texas_Signmaker

Texas_Signmaker

Very Active Signmaker
ChaseO said:
I have had "certified" installers who I wouldn't trust to put a bumper sticker on. I have had such bad luck subbing things out that I try my best to avoid it altogether. I have had to do a little travelling to keep a customer happy. I have met some good subs on jobsites as well, but I find it better to keep things in house whenever possible.
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i don't think it's bad luck... subcontracting takes skill and experience, just like installing vinyl or designing. I've been doing it now for 7 years, subbed out tens of millions of dollars in projects all over the country and learned A LOT. You can't just call up someone on Google and call it a day, if it was that easy you would have kept doing it. It's like saying i got bubbles and wrinkles in my vinyl so I'm not doing it anymore.
 
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S

StickerUniverse

New Member
I have used a guy named Patrick Lopez reveral times. I have been pleased with his work. He's based in San Antonio but he is willing to travel. He's 3M certified. I'm happy to send his info along if you want it.
 
C

citysignshop

New Member
netsol said:
that was my impression. that certification was a "has attended" certificate for a 3M pep rally/sales opportunity
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Hmmmmm, yes, it's true that even taking a 2-day course, the skill level to get the 3M certification isn't a guarantee of proficiency in all areas!
If a shop advertises that they are 3M certified, my understanding is that ONE person there has to have the certification, and they could, of course, send one of 10 other staff to do YOUR installation!...apparently the certification magically transfers to the rest.... by osmosis! :)
 
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C

ChaseO

Premium Subscriber
Texas_Signmaker said:
i don't think it's bad luck... subcontracting takes skill and experience, just like installing vinyl or designing. I've been doing it now for 7 years, subbed out tens of millions of dollars in projects all over the country and learned A LOT. You can't just call up someone on Google and call it a day, if it was that easy you would have kept doing it. It's like saying i got bubbles and wrinkles in my vinyl so I'm not doing it anymore.
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I understand what you are saying. And it's great that you have figured out how to do it and make money at it. That was never my intent though. The only time I have looked for subs is when I didn't have time to do the job in the first place, and it has never gone well so it has become easier to say "no" instead of relying on anyone else.
 
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Stacey K

Stacey K

I like making signs
The closest 3M installer is 38 miles from me??? All the big sign shops in my area and nobody is certified? Or do they have to voluntarily sign up for the installer program to be listed on the site? I used Plymouth, WI as a location.

1770138013616.png
 
H

Hal D

New Member
Texas_Signmaker said:
doesn't matter, call a 3m wrap installer. I've sub contracted out hundreds of wraps.. i had so many problems because you can't tell who knows how to do what and at what level they can do it. they all advertise and accept wrap jobs but most people SUCK at wrapping properly. one instance I sent a wrap to explosive signs in saraland, al. they said they were very skilled at installing wall vinyl. I flew out to visit the jobsite while they were installing the wrap (because i had several signs going up) and the guy they sent to install it told me he hasn't installed vinyl in over a year. i had to show him how to install the first panels, then walked away only to come back to a completely fucked up wall that had to be redone because he had no idea how to line up panels property. Since then I ONLY use 3m certified wrappers and never have issues. I don't think they are brand loyal, I can do 3m and avery just the same.. it's the skill level of lining up the panels right and experience of dealing with the things that can go wrong and how to correct them. I also pre-register my panels using masking tape every 2-3 feet along the seams so that way the installers in the field don't have to guess where it lines up.

so use the 3m installers website and call them and ask if they'd do avery. oh and 9 times out of 10, they will be cheaper than the non-certified wrappers because they actually know how to get a job done property and quickly and not fuck around all day struggling.

and because i like to toot my own horn, this is a wrap i did a few months ago in mississippi. 20 panels on a curved wall and only one got squirrely on me and i was able to correct. did it in 8 hours and had a perfect registration on all the seams.
View attachment 180781
Click to expand...
Nice! Graphics for the Built Environment. One of my favs!
 
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Hal D

New Member
As a consultant, I have rarely come across projects requiring large scale interior digital graphics and that's not my forte. But the few projects that I have taken on, (a local hospital here in northwest Florida) I brought in a mom & pop sign & vehicle wrap shop out of Panama City, FL. These guys knew their stuff and installed the graphics on multiple walls on multiple floor levels of the building without one damn flaw or complaint from the end-user. Just like young lawyers starting out, these guys were hungry, aggressive, eager to please and wanted their paycheck in return. My advise? Anyone taking on an interior graphics projects like this, look for a reputable vehicle wrap shop in that particular area. They have extensive experience in installing graphics on a three dimensional platform. They should have no problem installing your graphics on a flat 2-D surface. And yes, you might want to be present and on-site during the installation for guidance and moral support. Some of these guys don't fully speak or understand English but they do understand the gravity and importance of getting the fucking job done right if they want to get paid.

PS, you'll need to make it worth their while financially to get them fully on board with your project. If possible, get an estimate or quote from the installers and factor that into your proposal & contract with the end-user.
 
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