Erik,
I'm not sure if Engineering is listed in the National Sign & Service Companies directory. I haven't read anything about the engineering side of the sign business on this site but I've heard my share of pros/cons from sign companies.
P.S. I liked your comment regarding the "low ballers" - sell and market the "quality" you CAN produce. Hold the line!, don't blend yourself in with the others. Then Jack's comment on how he doesn't chase shit work, but he'll dig and dig and dig until he finds a diamond. It's not easy and it's not cheap, but the reward is truly doing business with someone he want to do it with.