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Re: Misc.
>I price both retail and wholesale by the letter (graphics by the foot of
>course) with a minimum unit price. Retail approx double the wholesale
>rate (but this varies). Script around 1.3-1.5X of block. Double tube
>considerably more. For a window sign, I charge a retail-rate for the
>glass, mark-up the trans & plex (or metal) 1.5-2X, and charge addional if
>I have to go hang it up.
>
> -John Anderson
When I do a spread sheet on materials & labor, I come up with an average of
a RAW cost a little less than $1/ft glass,trode,gas + $1/ft labor (mileage
may vary). Trade price in NY can be from a low of $3.50 to $5.
Retail could double to triple that and there is an in between level for
contractors.
No wonder I'm confused half the time :-)
Assuming a $25-$30/hr labor&overhead, a letter can Raw cost $4 or more each.
Here of course we get into the 'How many bends per hour discussion" . Though
I can certainly push myself to a bend a minute - I find that 2-3min per bend
is a more comfortable range to take into account interuptions, burn out, etc.
Particularly for the one person shop.
Did Jim say they were cranking 200 letters a day?
Graphics are evaluated by density and compared with the price per foot that
results from similarly dense lettering (i.e. bends per ft).
Installation is a whole other ball of wax. When I do a theater job, I
generally have a series of meetings with scenic, lighting, and even sound
designers. I have a couple of rounds of drawings and sometimes meetings
with the scenic shops. Often the job is prefit at the scenic shop,
deinstalled and installed on stage. Stage time will vary considerably
depending on how well the production company is keeping on target. The job
is usually a contract bid and I stipulate some amount of time over which I
bill by the hour.
Film is worse - because the schedule and turn around is beserk.
This compared to putting up a hanger at the local pizza joint is a different
thing.
What do you folks do with standard vs double coat vs soda lime? I've
noticed many shops just have two categories "non-exotic" and "exotic". I
suppose Clear Gold (lead glass) is non-exotic and say Ultra Blue is exotic
then?
Transformers, dimmers, etc, I agree markup 1.5 to 2X, but make sure you are
getting a good price to begin with.
I have a few different software hacks I've done on pricing. I may finish my
Windows version this year ( in my spare time:-| ).
Alright enough of this pricing stuff - it drives me nuts.
Kenny
Kenny Greenberg Neon Artist, Scenic Specialist, Columnist - Internet World
c/o KRYPTON NEON 34-43 Vernon Blvd Long Island City, NY 11106
Ph: 718-728-4450 Fx: 718-728-7206 Email: kenny@neonshop.com
http://www.neonshop.com gopher://gopher.panix.com:70/11/nyart