Vehicle Wraps.. Great?! Or Too Much?

nEighter

exactly. Back to square one again.

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CookeCarpentry

nEighter - my opinion - they are too much.

I am in the same position as you, gradually moving from mid-range to high end remodels.

I have my truck and trailer lettered with company name, logo, number and website. The trailer has a bit more info with services, etc.

The only vehicle wraps I see around here are for plumbers, HVAC, and the cable industry. I think they are too much for a residential remodeler. Cost can be very prohibitive as well - had my truck lettered for like 20% of a vehicle wrap, and I think it looks way better.

Spend your money on a nicely designed logo and design, and go with vehicle lettering.

HSConstruction

I am thinking of doing the dump truck in 1/2 wrap.... More like bikini.

http://www.shirtandsign.com/ check the portfolio for "Degan" truck, thats what I want minus the hood.

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Thewoodman

How about something in between? I saw a roofer driving around with this and It really stood out. So I went out and did the same thing. Here is a picture.





This cost under $400 and It really catches your eye. I always park strategically were ever I go. It can be seen all the way across the parking lot.
And the nice thing is you can take them out if needed or even have two or three that you can rotate.

Mark

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RizzoMaryland

I think all of those ideas are good depending on what type of work you perform. A full wrap in my area is usually done by specialty contractors (granite, cabinetry, etc) and not full service contractors.

However, the van wrap in the above post looks very sharp, probably more affordable, and gets the message out the same.

All in all, vehicle recognition = branding. Even if you are just driving through neighborhoods that you advertise in, you'll be burned into memory subconsciously.

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CScalf

I really like the two or three rotate idea, good stuff.

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Thewoodman

When I drive through subdivisions I wave at everybody. Most do not wave back but they do look and see my advertising on my truck.

Mark

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RizzoMaryland

Are they looking at your advertising or writing down your license plate #?

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J F

Another vote for Rich.

modterry

Rich- Borntofly
Looks Very professional, Creates confidence in your company.

Good graphics,
Nice job

Terry

born2fly

Hey Guys,

Thank you all for the nice compliments.

No, unfortunately, I haven't increased my leads yet as a result of doing the van. It was just done up in June. I'm sure if times were like they were 8-10 years ago, that would be a different story. I was *hoping* it might be an instant success (desperately need work) but like any other form of advertising - it takes time and repeativeness. I am now trying to incorporate local direct marketing in the area that i do a specific job in, to try and increase the visibility of my van's advertising as well. For me - print media advertising has gotten too expensive and has become non productive, I just can't afford to throw money away these days ... none of us can.

Pro: I spent the money once for the ad that keeps on giving. To me, given how bad things are economically for me, it was a 'smart way' to spend my shrunken advertising buget. And Yes - I get a lot of 'head turners' so I know it's doing what I intended it to do, catch the eye. I've had a couple of people tell me they thought when they first saw it, I was a radio station truck, but after looking a bit longer thay saw otherwise. Either way - it caught their eye.

Con: Gotta be a bit more patient on the road dealing with the morons that should be riding the bus instead. Can't flip em off or curse them out anymore, so I bought a louder horn Oh yeah -if you a larger type person(weight problem), being seen often parked at the local deli (my competition?) leaning on the hood of your lettered truck while stuffing food in your face while everyone drives by ..... not cool advertising.

Initially I was going to go with a full wrap - but not only was it three times what I paid, I thought it would be overkill. I wanted 'just enough' without over doing it, a bit 'elegant' if you will, like my work. I've read numerous books on advertising and copywriting, found it to be a very educating experience & would recommend it to anyone who's serious about their business.

I also have some graphic design skills, which helped. My sign guy allowed me to work with his designer to create what I had in mind. Originally they had an american flag for the backround, nice, but not what I was looking to advertise, I chose a house instead. I also came up with the phone number lay out and the text, along with colors.

As for high end clients, from my experience, they want a good craftsman with a 'clean looking truck'. I haven't had any negitive feed back from mine, again, a wrap might be a bit too much. Sometimes 'less is more'.

If you just want to put an identity on your vehicle, I've seen it done in a nice way too, small but it does what it was intended to do. It depends on what you want to accomplish. For me - it's advertising. I wished I had done it 8 years ago. Truth be told - if you are in business & want people to know what you do, you need to market in different but as visible ways possible. I had to swallow some pride and do it. Glad I did.

And if you decide you want to change it or take it off - comes right off no damage to paint.

Oh yeah...almost forgot ...total cost was $1K. I didn't have the back done becase I'm getting my doors repainted first. Another $500 to do the back.


May your phones start ringing,

Rich

user38755

All though I don't have my truck lettered at all I used to think an old beater gave the impression of a lower costing contractor. Over time I have found that customers find a nicer looking rig makes them feel they are getting a good deal and raises them in their neighbors eyes too when a good looking work rig is sitting in front of their home. Even cheap customers like to have a good looking rig outside opposed to a beater doing work for them, I would think the same would hold true for a wrapped vehicle. Homeowner feels like they are getting a top notch pro and you are getting noticed, win win.
Very nice looking van, and I like the removeable signs on the pickup. Thanks for the ideas guys.

Aframe

Talk about being over the top. With the music my wife thought I was watching a "movie"

nEighter

hellz yeah!! bom chica baw wow!!

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nEighter

thank you man. I want this type of discussion. There has been others like this discussion.. but I still want to see it from this angle

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nEighter

thanks man, yours too! Thanks for taking the time and writing out your experience.

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Stevelsc8721

Looks Nice

TxElectrician

I guess people will know what you do but where is your company name and phone number?

Ohmy

Wraps are great. They stand out. Generate buzz and total mind awareness in your community, make other contractors jealous, stir up conversation if you drive it during the weekends, let your customers know your serious about your work and plan on being around for a while, makes it easy for you customers to identify you before they open the door, lets neighbors know your company is in the area, builds your reputation among other contractors (THEY WILL NOTICE), helps other contractors and vendors find the job site when your parked outside, builds company pride in your employees, Etc. Etc. Etc. I think wraps will be standard in coming years. They pretty much area now in Atlanta.

IMO, a contractor without AT LEAST a lettered truck is a big red flag. I immediately think the following.

1. He can't afford it and is under capitalized.
2. He is new to the business and inexperienced.
3. He doesn't pull permits so he tries to remain anonymous in the driveway.
4. He is Shady and needs to change his name often.
5. He is thinking of getting of the business soon and my warranty jack.
6. He is moonlighting and Doesn't want his boss to know.
7. He is part time GC and part time caterer or something.
8. He is not licensed and doesn't want to get caught.

FYI, I think the same thing when I see a guy with magnates.

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tshirtprinting

I think it is good, save your car from the unwanted scratches. hahah