Introduction
When you’re looking to hire a signwriters Sydney, you want to make sure that the person you hire is suitable for your project and understands what you want. That’s why it’s so important to ask the right questions when hiring someone, so that there are no surprises down the road. Here are the top 10 questions I recommend asking before hiring a signwriter:
Do you have any past customers I can talk to?
You want to make sure that this is a good fit for you and your business. One way you can do this, without having to talk to the signwriter directly, is by asking for references from previous customers. You can get a feel for how the signwriter works and what their strengths are through these references.
You should ask each reference the following:
- What was it like working with them? Was there anything unique about their process?
- How did they handle any challenges that arose during this project? Did they come up with creative ways around them?
- Do they have any advice on how I could work more effectively with my new sign writer (if applicable)?
How is the price calculated?
When you’re looking at the price of a sign, it’s important to know that there are several factors that come into play. The size of your sign and the materials used are two key factors that affect how much your sign will cost.
On top of this, there’s also complexity—the more complex your idea is, the longer it will take for someone to create it and therefore add to their time and material costs (and therefore yours).
The good news is that by asking these questions about both cost and design before hiring a signwriter, you can ensure that you get both what you want AND great value for money.
What should I avoid before installation?
You should avoid painting the sign before installation. The paint can chip, flake or scratch off during installation. As a result, it may not look as good as you had hoped when it’s done.
You shouldn’t use a power washer on your sign either. This could harm your sign in multiple ways: It could damage the surface of the material and cause it to rip or tear; it could get into tiny cracks and crevices within the letters or logos that are hard to see with just your eye alone; and worst case scenario, if this happens while you are installing your sign then water will leak inside and ruin everything!
If at all possible then avoid using any chemicals on the surface of your new signage – we recommend avoiding chemical strippers for example because these often contain abrasives which could scratch off some layers of material leading to premature aging/deterioration over time (not good). If there’s no way around using them then make sure that everything is well protected first by covering up delicate areas such as lettering/logos etcetera first with masking tape etcetera so that nothing gets damaged during application process.”
How long will it take to make my sign?
The time it takes to make your sign will vary depending on a number of factors, including how soon you need the sign and how many changes you want to make. A simple, straightforward design can be completed in as little as a few hours, while more complex designs or those with multiple colors can take weeks or even months.
To get an idea of how long it might take your signwriter to complete your project, ask them about their average turnaround times for similar projects. This will help you set realistic expectations and prevent any surprises down the road!
What’s going to happen if I want to switch something up during the project?
If you have any changes to your sign once it’s installed, there will be an additional charge. This is because the sign has already been made and installed, so a new one needs to be built from scratch.
The price of this will depend on the size of your change, but most often it’s around $100-$200 for small changes such as adding or removing characters or words.
You may also need to get a permit if you want to change something after the sign has been installed (for example: changing the colours).
What kind of maintenance and upkeep is needed after installation?
After installation, there are a few things you need to be aware of. Your signwriter should be able to tell you what kind of maintenance will be required and how often it should be done. If they can’t, this may be a red flag that they’re not as experienced as they say they are.
If your sign is going up outside, it will need to be cleaned regularly in order to stay looking good. The average cost of regular cleaning by an expert is $50-$75 per visit but could vary depending on location, size and materials used. It’s also important that the right materials are used for cleaning depending on what type of surface the sign is made from (e.g., acrylic or metal).
In addition to regular cleaning after installation, there may also need to be repairs carried out at some point down the track—so make sure your contractor has experience doing this as well!
How are you planning to communicate with me throughout this project?
- What is the best way to contact you?
- How long should I expect it to take for you to respond to my questions and concerns?
- If you are not available, who will be managing my project and how can I get ahold of them?
You should also ask about their preferred method of communication. If they use email but prefer phone calls, it doesn’t make sense for them to communicate with you exclusively via email. The same goes if they’re not big on social media but love text messages.
Will you help me fill out any permits or applications that need to be done before installation starts?
If your sign is going to be posted on public property, or if it has potential traffic safety implications (like a billboard), you might need to get a permit for it. This can be an expensive and time-consuming process, so if a sign company doesn’t offer this service as part of their contract—or even ask you about it—it may be a red flag.
Does your proposal include a warranty or guarantee for the work being done? If not, what would happen if something goes wrong after the sign is installed?
A good signwriter should offer a warranty or guarantee. You should also ask about the details of this warranty and what it covers. A good signwriter will provide a warranty that includes:
- product quality;
- installation quality;
- product lifespan;
- product performance, such as weather resistance and scratch resistance;
- paint quality and type of paint used, including UV protection and durability;
- supply of materials, such as vinyls or substrates (the material that the finished sign is printed on);
and customer service
Who’s involved in this project for your company, and what are their roles?
When hiring a signwriter, you should ask questions about their company and the project. You’ll want to know who’s involved in this project for your company and what are their roles.
What is the contact information of your company? Who will be the point of contact? Who will be the project manager? Who will be in charge of installation and maintenance?
Asking these questions will help ensure a smooth working relationship.
Asking these questions will help ensure a smooth working relationship.
- How many years have you been in business? If they’re new to the industry, ask what kind of training and experience they have.
- Are there any examples of your work that I can see? If so, ask for more detailed information about what was involved in producing each piece.
- What type of payment terms do you offer? Don’t be afraid to ask if they will accept credit cards (or other forms of payment) and how long it may take for them to receive their funds after receiving your deposit. Don’t be afraid to negotiate – if they accept credit cards, but want an additional 3% surcharge on top of their standard fee because “it costs us money every time our customers pay by card”, tell them no thanks!
Conclusion
So, when the time comes to start a project with your signwriter, make sure you ask these questions. It’s important that you get answers from someone who knows what they’re doing and will take care of your project from start to finish!