[mark mann]

Hi Guys

with me and the mre starting out and watching the pennys as the business grows were now mainly spending on neceesaties we wondering how effective having a sign written van is at attracting new customers?

does it pull new customers from the street your working in and generally how worthwhile is it?

one concern tho its also an advert that youve got expensive euipment in your van worth nicking to would be villians as mentioned in previous posts on here.

[SteveAllan]

Its a must

[dazmond]

mark if you just put your name(or business name)and WINDOW CLEANING on the side it is bound to be good for business!

i never bothered with sign writing until recently and i know  loads of successful windys with no signwriting!

if your going after more commercial work then signwriting is a must IMO.

as for nicking expensive equipment i dont think most thieves look at a window cleaning van and think wow!lets rob it!!!there more likely to go for builders/gardeners van tools!

i use a trolley and bring it in every night to put on charge so only a few poles and containers in van.hardly a kings  ransom is it!!

for a cheap option try a few van magnets.that what i use and i must admit ive picked up one or two new jobs and ive only had them a month!talking of which..!i better get to work!!


regards

dazmond

[SPE]

look at it this way, it wont have a negative effect on your business.
If your worried about theft dont have a van with windows in the back, keep everything inside the van e.g. poles and dont advertise pure water tecnology, ladderless, reach n wash whatever etc. all over your van, customers dont care, say what you do, contact details and as big as you can, thats enough.

[Nick Wareham]

dont advertise pure water tecnology, ladderless, reach n wash whatever etc. all over your van, customers dont care

Disagree, I think they do care, especially commercial ones.  They may not care what brand of stuff you use, but I think they do care that you are ladderless.

[sunshine windows]

I personally don't think it has that great an impact on attracting street traffic. If they see you in operation they tend to approach you then.

I've only picked up a handful of jobs through people taking my number off the side of the van

[Steve CM]

i picked up 3 houses, one gutter, fascias and sofits. From having my van seen outside a shop.

They were all from one lady but still it worked

[Nigel Lee]

If you intend to stay in the business its an absolute must, no question.

[rg1]

A sign written van can be effective and a useful supplement to your business. But if (as you say) you are watching the pennies, then I would not place it at the top of my priority list.

[SPE]

dont advertise pure water tecnology, ladderless, reach n wash whatever etc. all over your van, customers dont care

Disagree, I think they do care, especially commercial ones.  They may not care what brand of stuff you use, but I think they do care that you are ladderless.

sure, maybe , not wanting to start an argument but the guy was asking / concerned that it would be an advert for thieves. Posts have been put on here of vans with exspensive systems having been nicked, thieving scumbags are becoming wise to how exspensive this equipment is. My van gives nothing away as to whats inside it other than state my company name, number and what I do in big letters. If you have reason to be worried about theft of exspensive gear then dont advertise it on your van, advertise it through a website and flyers etc.

[mark mann]

than ks for all the feedback guys

i meant to ask and find out what kinda prices you all pay for the sign writing
so i have a benchmark for prices.

i have a peugot expert and figured i could get all done for 150 tops for just vinyl letering logo on sides and back doors (which have no glass in)
maybe the bonnet too

sound about right? re van magnets ive heard so many people having had them nicked or lost coz they came off the van at 30quid a time could end up being dear i think.

[SPE]

yeah I reckon on a budget of about £150 too, I also have an expert. Think mine was about £180 but I had some fancy glittery vinyl in my design. Go for it, its a worthwhile investment.

[wezzy32]

iv got a expert and getting it sign written for £75 ,sides and bak doors

[jonboywalton75]

iv got a expert and getting it sign written for £75 ,sides and bak doors

Where from wezzy?

Jonboy

[C.C.S.]

signwritten does work especially if you are looking for work i picked up a few nice jobs trough my van.last one 2 weeks ago.did the job today.gutters ,fascias and windows worth £250 .i only paid £90 for my signs from sign builder.cheers

[Richard Neal]

Ive picked up work filling up with deisel, tescos carpark, all sorts of places i think customers take you more seriously if youre signwritten, got front back and sides done for £120.00 best advertising you can have, make it stand out and people will remember you.

[Ian Lancaster]

We have many hundreds of customers and about 90% of the ones we didn't get by canvassing came from them having seen the vans.

[Central Window Cleaners]

I have had loads of work from my sign writing and it only cost me £40 for all 4 sides of VW Caddy van

[DaveG]

ive got magnetic signs on my van (for nearly 18 months now and they havent flown off) and theyve brought in loads of work. Like the other guys have said, its a MUST to get your van sign written

[mci services]

There is only one downside to sign writing a van and that is some contractors will not sub to guys with sign written vans. Apart from that its gained me loads of work, I have an expert and paid £220 but if you shop around £150 will be more than enough