Newbie needs help with pricing...

[SterlingSigns]

I've been cutting decals for roughly a year as a side job but everything I have done is small minor jobs.  Nothing substantial.  This would be what I consider my first "real" job and I need some help.  A friend of mine is giving me an opportunity to quote him a price (see attached image).  It will be roughly 52"w x 42"h and will be installed on a metal lift gate that is on the back of their delivery truck.  I believe that they have 3 trucks.  I want to give him a good price as he is a friend and I feel like he is doing me a favor by giving me a shot at this but I don't want to do it for peanuts. 

Any pricing help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[BannerJohn]

there's a lot of work in that. Are you going to install it or just do it for him to install?

[SterlingSigns]

I am going to install it.

[FBRsportmod68]

seriously......I would try to talk him into maybe a 48" x 40"....at 52" , you will have to buy 3 sheets of substrate. (48"x96").....the other way you will only need 2.....theres a savings..........at, according to most on here, $.12 per square inch you're looking at 262.00 each, and thats not considering the additional colors....another savings.  Heres what I would offer..... him being a friend......$850 all 3 installed. 

[SterlingSigns]

Thanks FBR.  The back of the lift gate is a smooth metal so I was just going to apply the decals to that (using Oracal 651) instead of using a substrate.  Would that be acceptable?

Thanks for your help.  This gives me a good idea of where I should be.

[Oakwood]

For jobs that are 3-4 colors, I would say find a printer, mark it up, and make some money off the install (I'm assuming you only have a cutter). A good wholesale printer will print, laminate, and contour cut a 3-4 color job cheaper than you can cut 3-4 colors for (providing you only have a cutter). Again, mark it up and charge for the install. Doing that, you could easy make $300 for installing some vinyl. Not bad IMO.