I have a remodeling biz. the jobs are small to medium. So the sign will move alot. Which is the best to go with.
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Replies
the least expensive one is my vote.
Have you thought about door hangers?
-worth exactly 2 cents!
red,
I prefer metal in a rigid frame. They cost more initially, but they last longer and IMO, look more professional.
The popular thing in these parts is a shop built wooden sign of intricate design. I hate yard signs, but I've seen some pretty classy looking units, recently.
http://grantlogan.net/
I just spray paint on the front of the client's house. Maybe you've seen my sign in disaster areas.
Forrest
Snork. You are reimbursing readers for their coffee soaked keyboards, yes? LOL
Aluminum plate with vinyl lettering, nice wooden frame.
we use metal real estate type signs they cost around 30 bucks a piece when we buy 8+ at a time and they last 3-5 years before they start to look bad.
We also have made some nice wooden signs that we use on upper-scale/larger projects.
Don't forget to check your local ordinances.
Some places will yank the sign out of the ground and fine you for putting it up.
"Roger Staubach for President"
I'll just relay this experience I had this past week.
Got my driveway redone, Small, went from 3 cars parking to 6. First day the "prep" crew came over with lotsa equipment, removed old and dug it down, 3 hours max.
Second day the "finish" crew came (about 7 or so) and put the black top down. Another 3 hours. They "banged it out". Everybody worked like clockwork, owner had told me they do ~ 3 a day.
They left one of those inexpensive plastic signs (like corrugated cardboard) with metal wire frame in my front yard. No problem, work was good, they deserve some advertising. A couple days later I call the office, thank them for the work and told them about them "forgetting" the sign. Lady goes "we don't go back and collect these, throw it whenever you want."
What is the protocol on how long you leave a sign up? Does anyone write up letters and pass them around the neighbourhood stating who you are, and sorry for any inconvinience? Or with homeowners consent,, feel free to drop by at lunch time to see what we are doing?
Just curious,
Its a horse thing!
dropping by the neighbors is a good idea.
I try to do it at all of our jobs.
My typical spiel is basically: Hi, I'm Neil with Natural Breeze Remodeling, You may have heard we're working on your neighbors home. Please take one of my cards, It has my cell phone number on it. I don't anticipate you will have any/we will cause you any problems but if you do, do not hesitate to call me at any time about anything.
Which usually leads to a short conversation, that I end with.
Again, if you feel the need to call please do not hesitate, and if there is anything we can do for you now, or in the future we would be happy to help you.
It's amazing how happy people are about it and the good will it generates.
Agreed! No one wants to listen to construction noises, but If you pop by and apologize (or just state you're doing work), gotta be better relations! And if you have a problem,, here's my cell--- fantastic! Gotta keep the neighbours happy
I just trimmed a condo, lots of old hags with nothing better to do than try to get organised to try to shut the job down. (not my job!) If a letter had gone out first of all, with a phone number, and hours of construction, and sorry for the inconvienience, and all,, they wouldn't be trying to get orgainised!
stich in time!Its a horse thing!
there are occasionally the old hags that are a PITA.
We had a job recently where we parked our dump truck on a side street in the evenings. I had two neighbors call to bitch about it being there after 2 days.
Like they have nothing else to do. Parking wasn't limited by any means, they just didn't "like looking at it" and this wasn't an upscale neighborhood.
Half of me felt like telling them to shove it, but no reason for bad PR I suppose, we just brought the truck back daily after that.
It is pretty damn ugly....
Next time I'll get a roll off and park it in front of their house ;)
sometimes you just can't win! There are some miserable people out there! But it is always ALWAYS worth one try to win them over!Its a horse thing!
It's maybe just me-----
but I think people would be ENTIRELY justified if complaining about you leaving a dump truck parked on the street over night----upscale neighborhood or not.
I am kind of suprised you would even consider parking a dump truck like that----!
I won't even leave a dump truck in the customers driveway overnight-------can't even imagine considering leaving it on the street.
Stephen
>>>>>I won't even leave a dump truck in the customers driveway overnight-------can't even imagine considering leaving it on the street.What about a dumpster? I don't see any problem with leaving a dump truck over night if it's not ready to be dumped yet. Customer that I'm currently working for told us to start as early as you want, work as late as you want. Just get this over with as fast as you can.http://grantlogan.net/
grant,-- i am trying to remember---but i think it has been 12 years or so since i left a dumpster at a customers house.
whatever get's torn off today------gets cleaned up and hauled away today.
son and i tore off back side of a house weds---it was in a dumptruck and GONE by 9:30 AM----we were done roofing at 2:50 PM
son and i tore off the front of the same house yesterday------it was in a dump truck by 8:37---gone by 9:00------ we were gone for the day at 2:15
I won't leave a ladder, a pic, a saw horse, a dumpster---ANYTHING at a customers house-----other than a roof top delivery or a wrapped skid of shingles( Actually I prefer THOSE stay on my truck.)
Stephen
I can see where you are coming from thought I don't entirely agree.
My thought on it at the time was, "it wouldn't bother me, whats the big deal"
and like was mentioned below, not much of a difference between a dumpster and a dump truck other then my dump truck rolls.
On the other hand, what ever keeps the peace.
The main problem was the job was far enough away from the shop so it made sense to leave it there and not waste the time everyday.
CAGIV,
see -----------you thought" It wouldn't bother me--what's the big deal?"
that's the start of the problem---it wouldn't bother you----because you presently have an economic insentive NOT to let it bother you.
you are letting what is convienient for you----influence what you THINK other peoples perception should be.
I realize I am in the minority on this among contractors----but a dumpster blocking my driveway---or killing my grass----or a dumptruck left on the street overnight( really STILL can't wrap my mind around the blatant rudeness of that one, LOL)------well all that would just say to me" well there is a contractor who doesn't give a flying eff ,ewe, see kay about his customer---or his customers' neighbors.
I would accept being treated like that-----so i try NOT to treat MY customers like that.
I am sure I must fail from time to time------but I TRY not too.
Stephen
My jobs are obviously quite a bit different from yours. It's seldom that we're gone in two days. My average job lasts about 2 weeks. Also, I clear it with the owner about where our trailer and materials need to be left - I don't use a dump truck and I seldom use dumpsters anymore. If they would rather have it out on the street than in their driveway, that's where we'll put it. It's not "what would or would not bother ME". It's "how do I make this job flow as smoothly as possible" and there has to be compromise on both sides.http://grantlogan.net/
really STILL can't wrap my mind around the blatant rudeness of that one,
Opinions are like ......... :)
I don't see it as blantant rudeness, most people I speak don't either. Not to say I do not see your point, and if you were, like the two seperate homeowner's, were bothered, we'd move it.
I would see it as rude if we were taking up valuable or limited parking, but we weren't there was plenty of parking. What harm does it cause to have the truck on the street, or how is it different then any other car or van being parked by any other neighbor?
It all goes back to you can't please everyone all the time. We try hard to do it and mostly we succeed, everynow and then we fail and we try to make up for it.
But the truck won't be left on job's in that neighborhood again.
9/10 days it comes back. For job far from our office it's going to stay there. Next time I will run it by the neighbors ;)
Edited 6/8/2007 6:42 pm ET by CAGIV
" but the truck won't be left on jobs in that neighborhood again"
BINGO!!!!!
now think about that for a bit.
If the people in THAT neighborhood appreciate NOT having a dumptruck or a dumpster left on the job
don't you think people in OTHER neighborhoods might appreciate the same courtesy?
for me---- i am not only interested in the customers' attitude------but the neighbors---and the neighbors,neighbors---and their mother-in-law, and their co workers----etc.
think anybody ever complained that the roofer working across the street kept the neighborhood TOO CLEAN ?
on the other hand---think anybody forms impressions of your work based on dumptrucks left behind, dumpsters piled with debris for weeks on end, trash blowing around?
think your actions impact the relations between your customer and his neighbors???
tell ya what---- if you were working on my neighbors house---and you parked your dumptruck in front of MY house overnight--it wouldn't be there in the morning
stephen
BTW-----" how is it different than having a car or a van parked by any other neighbor"?
c'mon----you don't see a difference between parking a DUMP TRUCK in front of somebodies house overnight---and parking a car there?????? If you don't see the difference---- I guess I inderstand how you wouldn't consider it pretty rude.
Edited 6/9/2007 6:53 am ET by Hazlett
tell ya what---- if you were working on my neighbors house---and you parked your dumptruck in front of MY house overnight--it wouldn't be there in the morning
Who are you... David Copperfield?
Oh yeah, :-) (sorta)
>>>>>>>>>>if you were working on my neighbors house---and you parked your dumptruck in front of MY house overnight--it wouldn't be there in the morningStephen, since when do you own the street? I'm sure there are laws on how long a vehicle can sit before it's towed and they probably vary from locality to locality, but I bet 24 hours is a minimum. Now, I agree with your basic premise, but I think you're using a one size fits all rule that may not apply in all cases.http://grantlogan.net/
nonsense ,Grant.
the truck would be gone---because the contractor would have moved it.
the contractor would have moved it----because the homeowner would have arranged it.
why would the homeowner have arranged it?--- because i asked him too. Because I am the guy He called yesterday to examine his roof after we were hit with hockey puck sized hail-----because my son works for his landscaping business, because HIS wife works for my wife, because we are all alumni of the same school, because i shop at his relatives business, because i roofed his in-laws house, because i roofed his church-----
because we all depend on one another.
fact is--- i wouldn't DREAM of leaving a dumptruck parked in front of a neighbors house-----and fortuneately THEY wouldn't dream of leaving one parked in front of mine
despite what the other poster thinks--there isn't anything alpha male about it-----it's a matter of being considerate of the other guy as a neighbor----and as a contractor--- I ain't paid to do what's convienient for me.
does any of this matter??---- hmmm---does it matter if this miter is this tight?---or This tight?, Or THIS tight?---does it matter if this cabinet is in oak, or cherry,or maple,or walnut?
should the materials be stored here--or Here, or perhaps HERE?
should the siding be white vinyl--or redwood?
what matters---and to who?
remember- i am working RIGHT where i live--primarily in the same 8-10-12 block radius or so----it ALL matters to me.
BTW,----- just because as a contractor we think" what's the big deal about leaving a dumptruck on the street overnight?"----the neighbors might think differently---even if they don't say anything
stephen
Oh---almost forgot----------
can't have a truck towed because of a 24 hour limmit????
maybe so-maybe not.
house i owned and lived in---about 5 blocks away-------- owned that house for 20 some years-----------
neighbors daughter a few years ago---bought a new car.
parked it on the street at night----a lot of us parked on the street at night-------------anyhow Cheryls car got sideswiped one night------------
insurance company says---"when was the car parked there?"--cheryl says---from when I got home from work about 5:30---untill the next morning when I went out to go to work about 8:00"
insurance company says" sorry---we are not paying---car was illegally parked-can't park in front of that address for more than six hours at a time"
that was news to everyone on the street as at least 2/3rds of us parked at least one car per household on the street at night. untill then---who ever left for work first in each household each day usually parked on the street----AFTER that which ever car was closest to beater status parked on the street
so----before anybody thinks they are ENTITLED to park on the street--just because they think they can at THEIR house---might wanna check it out first, LOL.
stephen
You sound like one of those old codgers with nothing better to do but complain.
I don't know what kind of "Dump Truck" your picturing. I'm picturing the truck I have. A newer F-550. It's not that big, I've seen bigger crew cab pickups. I take pride in keeping it and all of our trucks clean and respectable looking. All matching in color with matching company logos.
If the trucks not full and needs to be there for more debris the next day. It stays. If there is plenty of parking and the homeowner OK's it. It stays. Trash will not be blowing out of it or around the site. When the demo is done or the truck is full that is when it will be gone and not be back.
In this day of building green and saving energy it makes no sense to drive a truck that gets 8-10 mpg back and forth to a job or landfill without a full load on it.
I'm scared to hear what you think about job trailers on the job. Heaven forbid.
Legal Disclaimer: The preceeding comments are for entertainment purposes only and are in no way to be construed as professional advice. The reader of these comments agrees to hold harmless the poster, EJCinc, from any and all claims that EJCinc offered professional advice, ideas, or comments to the reader that may or may not have resulted in the damage, injury, or death to the readers property or person.
Edited 6/9/2007 3:20 pm ET by EJCinc
>>>>>>>>and as a contractor--- I ain't paid to do what's convienient for me.Yup, but you are paid to do what you do. If you drive the dump truck off every day, whether it needs to be dumped or not, then you're driving up your overhead. That's fine with me, but the customer has to pay for that. The more inconveniences a contractor has to deal with, the more he has to charge. I'm not trying to tell you how to run your business - you've obviously got your system down. But your system would not be practical for me.http://grantlogan.net/
interesting view Grant.
actually for me--------- i have zero overhead in dumptrucks.
As a roofing contractor---- i find it MORE profitable NOT to own a dumptruck---and NOT to rent dumpsters.
I sub out the cleanup primarily----it's a direct job expense.
the job my son and i did weds./ thursday.----just under 20 square.
cleanup i usually sub out at $10-$12/ square-----on this job---cleanup was LESS than a dumpster would cost----and i don't have to load it!---plus--cleanup guy finds it easier to throw down into truck----so he will come and work throwing down as fast as I can tear-off----which is how we got 9 plus square tore off, thrown in the dump and cleaned up--in well under an hour----- for $10-$12/ square.
we have used the same dump guy for 10 plus years--we will use him again on another job monday----then we might not need him for weeks
meanwhile-- i don't have to pay to own,maintain,insure, park etc. a dump truck---but i have more than the full use of one anytime I need it---for less than it would cost me to own one.
sooo--- bringing a dump truck and parking it in the customers driveway for a couple of days--or a dumpster--would be MORE expensive, MORE inconvienient--for me, the customer, the neighbors etc.
which is why i don't think you could PAY me to leave a dumpster in a customers driveway.
the way i see it-----what's the accepted way of doing things?- the way most of my " competitors" will do things?---what ever they are doing-- i am going to look for a demonstrably BETTER way----verifiably better for the customer and the neighborhood.
for us--NOT leaving a dumpster or truck in the customers driveway------is VERIFIABLY better.
i actually sold a job this morning--a roof tear-off and replacement on a small cape cod style house---homeowner had already given me the thumbs up--i am hired---when he brings up" i have one small concern----cracking the driveway?"
well---you should have seen his eyes light up when i explained that--------
A) no dumpster would be in his driveway---EVER
B) a small dumptruck--"about the size of that pickup truck there"
would be in his driveway for a hour or so both days--but that's it!
C) shingle supplier would remain on the street with the big truck and his materials would be delivered to the ground with a small tow motor---and we would stack them wherever he wanted them---ONLY the day before we start work
better for the customer, better for me, better for the suppliers---everybody happy----and the neighbors won't know a thing---except one day they will come home from work and BINGO---the neighbors have a new roof--surprise!!!!!.
what did Sonny Lycos used to call it---" the WOW! factor"
not what's convienient for me---but what's BETTER?
good luck,All
i am off to an Irish festival--think there will be beer?
( saw a good t-shirt there last night--" fight me, I'm irish!"
stephen
I don't have the options of a "dump truck" contractor or a "clean up" contractor. I tried hiring a dump truck guy once, but he gave us an hour to get him loaded while he sat in the cab and bitched about the load and never came back for the second one. I haven't used a dumpster since I bought a dump trailer and it is much less obtrusive than a dumpster or a dump truck and not hard on driveways. My way of making the customer happy.http://grantlogan.net/
Stephen,
Yes I realize we impact the neighbors as well as the neighborhood and we try to do everything we can to make it as painless as possible for everyone.
No I still don't think the dump truck parked overnight is a big deal, and it wasn't directly in front anyone's home except the homeowner, who had given us approval.
as for: tell ya what---- if you were working on my neighbors house---and you parked your dumptruck in front of MY house overnight--it wouldn't be there in the morning.
Now you're acting all alpha male and being stupid, there is no legal way you could have the truck removed, at least not in my town.
Either way, I think this conversation has run it's course and we'll just keep going back and forth.
What I'm after is keeping Everyone happy, including neighbors as most (85-90%) percent of our business is repeat & referal, so the neighbors do matter to me, I was very apologic and polite when I talked to them about the truck, I just don't have to agree with them.
Edited 6/9/2007 10:52 am ET by CAGIV
A dump truck would be a novelty parked in front of our house. The kids would love it.
I used these guys to do up some custom signs for me for a rental property I have.
http://shop.banditsigns.com/custom-signs-c-39.html?osCsid=
A friend did up the graphics with my logo - phone - and URL she e-mailed off the files and less than a week later I had signs.
Cheap enough that when the highway dept mows them down I don't complain.