How do you size up unfamiliar projects?

[a_suede_shoe]

I have been asked to do a project that is a little off the normal path.

A local software development company wants the text from a quote redesigned to be aesthetically appealing and then painted onto the wall above their conference area. This is part of a office makeover and the part of the project being handed off to me is to surprise the CEO (and he is unaware that this is being done, with exception that a surprise of some sort is budgeted in). What makes this unfamiliar to me, is that my physical work (not printed) will be showing in the main room of this business.

I know we are not to discuss pricing, and we won't. I am however trying to size up the situation so that I can make my final quote for them.

I have discussed coloration, sizing, amount of time the room will be available to me, and who the project is aimed at pleasing. I feel that as of now this job is as good as mine unless I quote myself out of it (I'm striving to be fair to the client and myself)

So what would you take into consideration when trying to deal with a new type of project such as this?

[Buda]

I'd factor in time and materials.

Do you have any painting experience at all?

[PrintDriver]

Are you doing this install yourself or are you hiring a sign company to do it?
We do this type of office decor all the time in everything from vinyl wallcover to die-cut vinyl to high end 3D metal letters with LED halo lighting.
You have to know what your options are before you start to consider what is going on that wall.

If you are physically painting this, yeah, you really need to include time and materials on top of your design fee.

Hope you're insured... Working in someone's office isn't like sending them a box of prints and leaving.

[kemingMatters]

Originally Posted by PrintDriver

Are you doing this install yourself or are you hiring a sign company to do it?

If you are physically painting this, yeah, you really need to include time and materials on top of your design fee.

Hope you're insured... Working in someone's office isn't like sending them a box of prints and leaving.

Pretty close to my thoughts, do you have any experience sign painting? It's far more difficult than it sounds.

[PanToshi]

Originally Posted by Buda

Do you have any painting experience at all?

Do you have any sign painting experience at all? It's not at all like painting a canvas.

Materials: Do you know what materials to use for this specific installation? What is the wall made of? What kind of paint? What compensations need to made for lighting?

Tools: Do you have the necessary tools and equipment? Ladders, scaffolds, drop cloths, measures, not to mention brushes, etc.

Permits: Does this need any kind of permit? Are there are any restrictions to access the office building with your equipment? In my area, you can't bring in a package bigger than a breadbox without a building permit, never mind hauling in ladders and scaffolding.

And as PD mentioned, Insurance.

I am not an experienced sign painter, so I would subcontract the production of the job out. Get quotes from 2-3 pro's, add their production numbers to the project estimate. Save a pile of hurt.

My 2¢ FWIW

[a_suede_shoe]

Thanks for all the input everyone. I have experience in what I would call 'detail' painting. However this would be very tedious considering the amount of lettering in this quote. The owner of the business has already secured a building permit to accomodate the rest of the building's updates.

What type of insurance are you guys referring to? I have all the equipment I foresee that I will need to complete this job.

However, farming out the production side of things is a option I have not yet considered.

[PrintDriver]

Professional liability insurance. To cover you if you fall off your ladder and break your head, to covering your ass if you fall off the ladder and land on someone else. A lot of times too, bonding is required, which is another kind of insurance.

[a_suede_shoe]

Ok, that's what I thought. I do not have insurance outside of my current health insurance. I will be talking with the client tonight to talk about having the production side outsourced.