dimensional pricing

[jaybyrd 3,770]

I just sold a job for some interior signage that consists of 10 letters 20" tall (bauhaus font) and I'm trying to figure a price for the. The plan is 3/4" plywood primed and painted and mounted to the wall with cleats hidden behind the letters to give them a shadow effect. I have never done this type of work before so I am at a loss as far as pricing.

[mopar691 281]

if you do plan on making these I would suggest HDU or expanded PVC, even pink foam is going to be much easier to work with in shape and going to hold paint a lot better.

[jaybyrd 3,770]

The plywood will match other work at the location. Had thought about foam board but I don't have time for a learning curve on this job and I priced a sheet of primed mdo and damn near fell out of my chair. Not factoring substrate what would you think of labor wise say with mdo or plywood.

[mopar691 281]

what kind of finishing is that mean are they a rough what are they rustic looking? are they stained and clear coated? prime painted polished? Mounting are they going to be on standoffs about an inch off of the wall?

I would not suggest mdo unless you have a cnc. Stuff cuts harder than plywood.

10 letters that big depending on finish I would be at least 500. Finished nice and mounted if I made them well over a grand. Why not order from gemeni?

[jaybyrd 3,770]

This is going to come down to time. Gemini was an option but the other stuff appears to be A/C plywood and the want to match that. Finish is going to red paint and as far as shine level it doesn't need to be any smoother than a painted sheetrock wall. My mounting system will leave the letters 3/4" off the wall for a reveal. I have used this type of mount for cabinets in the past with good results. The letters will just drop down on the cleat.

A small block will be attached at the bottom of the letters on the back to keep the spacing off the wall consistant.

[mabscotthandyman 1,410]

Jay the lettering on this was 3/4 mdo all voids filled and sealed on the edges and primed and painted 2 finish coats. Used cut vinyl as the templat.

[mabscotthandyman 1,410]

The file was too big.

[jaybyrd 3,770]

Here's where I'm at so far:

1: 1/2" plywood with a super smooth panel veneer 2 sides.

2: already cut vinyl template in reverse so I can cut from the back side with the jigsaw and reduce the risk of splinters on the face.

3: Marked for mounting holes in Corel draw and the ran the sharpie on craft paper for full size template for layout on the wall.

4: Bought a gallon of red latex paint and primer in 1. I prefer enamel  but I can't be sure the fumes will be gone in the time I have and this is going inside a grocery store so fumes are a no-no.

Anything jump out at you that I'm missing here? Doesn't help I've felt like crap the last few days so I know my thinking is not 100% (not that it ever really was anyways).

[mabscotthandyman 1,410]

Let me see if it works off my phone. These letters have 3/4 scraps of the mdo for stand offs .

[jaybyrd 3,770]

I was thinking that the scraps that I'm gonna use to install will be 3/4" also, just kept in from the edge so they are not visible. I have woodworking experience but not wood sign experience so I keep second guessing myself. Doesn't help they need to be installed Wednesday and I haven't cut the first pc. yet.

[jaybyrd 3,770]

If you don't mind me asking what is mdo running money wise up your way? I almost fell over when I priced it down, seem crazy to charge that muck for sawdust and glue.

[mabscotthandyman 1,410]

3/4 is about 90.00 1/2 about 70.00 I usually get the pre painted for signs but just the regular for cutting letters. I will try to post the photo from the computer where I can resize the file.

[jaybyrd 3,770]

That's in line with around here. 1/2" plywood with that panel veneer and solid core (no voids) was $35. I figured the ply would be easier to cut also.

[mabscotthandyman 1,410]

I like the mdo because of the ease of finishing. The letters arenot that bad to cut just use a fine upcut blade if you are cutting from the back another tip is you can use masking tape on the cut areas to help with tearout.

[jaybyrd 3,770]

I was wondering if the vinyl pattern stuck down would serve a similar purpose to masking tape to hold everything in place. I can't wait to get this 1 over with so I can feel more comfortable next time someone asks about this. I plan on making a small sample to display at the store while I'm making these letters. Got to love the time line though less than a week from looking at the job to needing to be installed. He doesn't even have a price yet, just bill him when it's done, nice to deal with repeat customers.

[mabscotthandyman 1,410]

Yeah the vinyl will help.. And the upcut blade saves the face when cut from the back. The upcut blade cuts on the upstroke only.

[jaybyrd 3,770]

I'll be starting on it Monday and will post some pics. I really want to learn to work with foamboard but I didn't think it would have the same feel as what was already there and if I screwed up there isn't enough time to start over.

[mabscotthandyman 1,410]

jay here is the lettering i was refering to ............ the file was 10 times larger then the site allows i resized them. as far as pricing i tend to run a little high from the pricing i have seen on the forum i would be between $700.00 and $1000.00

[jaybyrd 3,770]

Edit. I misread your post

[jaybyrd 3,770]

Anyone want to play a game of giant scrabble.

[skarekrow 1,842]

My kinda Fun!

[jaybyrd 3,770]

I guess I'm disqualified since I already know what it spells. Gonna start with the jigsaw and circular tomorrow to get them into shape.

[SeeJaysPlace 476]

Pizza Something LoL

[jaybyrd 3,770]

Is food all you think about? North Pizza. They've been a good customer for a while now and I do all of their signs, t-shirts, hats, etc.

[SeeJaysPlace 476]

I knew it was pizza lol