coffeebiz

I am going to investigate the permits, etc., but it being a holiday, I can't do much until tomorrow. He did say the sign was being made in a nearby city, so he farmed it out. He did make opening soon, and now open banners for us, and the vinyl lettering on the windows look good. I am wondering if he didn't pay the neon bender due to financial troubles and the bender just told him to take the race way and letters and be gone. All is speculation. He has done several signs in the area, including competition of ours in a nearby town, and they all look good. Looks like this guy has fallen on hard times and apathy has set in. It's hard to care much about that when we have a new business under a week old, and no way to light our sign. I have printed out these posts and am very grateful for all of your help. We now won't be confused by arcane speech if he tries to cover his handling of this with "The neon tubing isn't added until afterwards" or something we wouldn't have known one way or the other. Would each letter require its own transformer, or is it possible he intended to use a transformer already in place from the prior business. From what joemomma says, the transformers would be in the raceway? The proposal was for a 3x6 shadow box with vinyl lettering (we got a 3x3 and it looks awful and it's not lighted, either) 1 set of 18" channel letters on raceway (raceway to match the color of the building it doesn't) - supply all permits - 3 week delivery and install - all repairs for one year with double stroke neon. I will look for a local shop to see what it will take to get this sign lighted, and when I find out about the permits or any other questions posed, I will let you know. Guys, I really appreciate your help. It's made all the difference in how we will approach this.

Hello, Thank you very much for your fast rsponses. I will provide more detailed answers, I am just checking in, I have to get down to the store. Yes, we did verify he did the sign for the business next to us, yet that was 7 years ago, and their only complaint is that the vinyl he put in their window (store hours, etc.) is peeling up, but the sign has had no problems. Westcoast, thanks for posting the pictures, that really helps. And yes, Joemomma, hindsight is 20/20. We did ask for 2 bids which were about 1K higher than his, and he stated it is because he doesn't have the overhead they have and it's a second job for him so he isn't solely dependent on signage for a living. He manages the buliding dept. at Home Depot. If he returns my calls today, I'd like to ask him why there is no neon tubing behind the letters. He may say he was going to add them when he connects the electricity. I would like to know if can can realistically put the neon light tubing in after the fact it is already on the raceway and mounted, and if he says he had intended to, if it's a tall story? In other words, if I am armed with knowledge as to how the assembly is done, then I can call his bluff. Thanks so much guys, this is unreal and I apprciate your kind help.