Replies

1. 
   DanH | Mar 24, 2010 08:21pm | #1

   Well, you could always split the difference and get magnetic signs.  (But they often look kinda tacky.)

2. 
   runnerguy | Mar 28, 2010 05:56pm | #2

   Sure. By all means go ahead and letter up the truck.

   The one thing that's a little bit of a pet peeve is the carpenters/GC's  who throw the label "Design/Build' on the truck when "design" is nothing more then a six letter marketing word. A fair percentage couldn't design their way out of a wet paper bag.....but their building skills are excellent!!!

   Doug

3. 
   raymond128 | Mar 30, 2010 10:15pm | #3

   My vote is yes

   I don't sub out to anyone so my truck is lettered. If you want more name recognition for your own jobs in the future then by all means. I think it makes you look more professional. If the GC doesn't like it then too bad on him. Let him put a bigger job site sign to mark his territory:)

   In a business where we are seen so aften as run of the mill joes. I think it is important to do whatever you can to look and act professional. whether it is for a homeowner or another contractor you are working for. so hold you head up high as you pull into the next job with you new logo splashed all over you rig.

   ..... Uh..That's just my opinion;)

   Ray

1. 
   DanH | Mar 30, 2010 10:19pm | #4

   Of course it's important that the job be tasteful:

   
1. 
   raymond128 | Mar 30, 2010 10:34pm | #5

   I have seen this picture before and i LOVE it

   It's the best plumbing truck  lettering job. You never forget it  that's for sure :)

4. 
   Shep | Apr 01, 2010 11:57am | #6

   My current van isn't lettered, but there's a reason- it's registered as a passenger vehicle, and lettering isn't allowed.

   Another guy who sometimes hangs out here recently got a ticket for having signs on his van, which is registered passenger.

   In NJ, you MUST have lettering or signs if your vehicle is registered commercial, and you cannot if its registered passenger.

   You might want to check with your state before you decide.

1. 
   rlrefalo | Apr 02, 2010 09:23pm | #7

   NJ

   Like you say, and it is also against regulations to use a vehicle registered as a  passenger vehicle for business purposes.

   I've been ticketed for it. Twice.

5. 
   robert | Apr 03, 2010 06:32pm | #8

   I'll go against the grain here.

   DO NOT get your truck lettered just yet. Go get a set of magnetic signs.

   By your own admission you're doiung sub work for some GC's and teaming up with other carpenters.

   Fishing in someone else's pond is bad form if you intend to keep busy that way.

   Until you reach the point where maybe 80% or more of your work is on your own jobs? It's not worth the risk of pi$$ing of the guy who's feeding you.

   You never know how the GC's or other guys feel about it until the day you roll up with the truck all painted up.Then it may be too late.

   I stayed very busy in much the same way, subbing from GC, custom stair shop and teaming up with other guys I knew. We had a simnple rule. The only guy who got to have his signs on was the guy who landed the job.

   You can roll to work on those jobs with the magnetic signs on, stop a block away and pull them off, put them back on a block from the job at the end of the day.

   Ya can always get that fancy painted on stuff later.

   On a side note.............friend of mine works for a bank. The last time things were slow he half jokingly asked me to have all my construction friends STOP lettering thier trucks..............he was paying too much to have the detailer remove the lettering after they repo'd them.

   Let's hope you never find yourself in that position.

1. 
   DanH | Apr 03, 2010 11:19pm | #9

   It occurs to me that he might instead want to get the truck lettered, but also pick up some blank magnetic sign material to cover the lettering if need be.

6. 
   JeffyT | Apr 09, 2010 12:10am | #10

   do it

   Working out of an unmarked vehicle looks unprofessional - like you're moonlighting from your day job or working as a laborer for someone else.  No GC that I have ever met has complained about my signage.  If you're known for your good work the GC will be proud to have your vehicle in front of his site.  

   Pays to keep the truck clean and drive conservatively if it's got a sign on it. 

   j

   edit - i was thinking about truck signs today.  There's one situation where it's a poor idea.  I know a very good trim carpenter who does kitchen installations for a local cabinet shop.  It's not all he does, but a lot of it.  He pull the cabinet shop's trailers when he's working for them.  In that case, it would look poor to have the truck advertising one business and the trailer advertising another one and he's got no sign on his truck.   

7. 
   EGHMS | Apr 09, 2010 11:12am | #11

   After a few months without signage on my work van i finally broke down and spent the dough to add 2-60" x 30" signs on the vehicle. That very day while at the bank I picked up a new customer for a large deck. So my vote is to get the signs.

   One thing to remember. Once you have the Co. name and number on the side of the truck. Drive the thing like your mother is sitting next to you, you are advertising 24 hrs a day.

   I do sub work for a national handyman company and it only adds to the professional look if you show up in a vehicle that is clean,  and  displays your chosen profession.

8. 
   BURT | Apr 16, 2010 05:23pm | #12

   I'm not a pro but I would suggest that your signage be simple and readable.  Fancy script and tiny phone numbers make it hard for people to remember you and contact you.