SIGNS & MORE, INC. BLOG - Sign, Banner & Vehicle Graphics Facts & Information

Signs: Comparing Your Bids Apples to Apples

Posted by Signs & More on Fri, Oct 22, 2010 @ 09:10 AM

You have decided to install a sign and need to get a few sign companies to bid for the work. You contact them to get a bid. Do you send them your information about the type and size of sign you want? When you get the bids back there is quite a bit of difference between them. Should you automatically take the cheapest?

There are important questions you need to ask about the bids before you decide. 

Are the bids truly the same?  There are many variables in signage from the size to the quality of substrate to the quality of vinyl. Are the signs truly the same size? Did you get a “to scale” proof? Is it a lighted sign or not? Is the material on the light box flat acrylic or pan face?  Is the sign 3-D or flat? Is the lettering / logo painted or cut vinyl or 4 color printed vinyl?

Are the materials the same? Substrate: This is the material that supports the print.  This can be anything of substance from aluminum to pvc.

Cut Vinyl on Aluminum SignCut Vinyl Aluminum Sign

Routed HDU SignRouted HDU Sign

Large light boxes need to have pan face acrylic as opposed to flat acrylic to give the sign strength so the face does not crack or get blown out of the frame.

Embossed Pan Face on Light BoxPan Face Light Box Sign

Are the letters dimensional or embossed into the acrylic?

Did the bid include installation, permitting or even delivery?

And many more potential bid differences.

The more information you include in the bid, the closer each of the bids should come to each other, however they will almost always be different with some important aspects due to interpretation of the information.

So how do you know that your bids will be comparable to each other?  Seek the expertise of a sign company you can trust to give you an unbiased look at your bids.  At Signs & More, Inc (770-383-8808) we promise to review your bids unbiasedly and make sure you are comparing Apples to Apples.

Tags: Cost, Buying Signs, Comparing Quotes