How to tear down this sign?

WTF owner should use sign!?!

Another thing to consider is the proximity to power lines.

I agree with Auburn completely.

For some reason I thought of this as my first option, not serious, but would maybe make a good episode on a tv show or something.

Attach a cable to an anchor and throw into dumpster. Attach the other end of the cable to the sign. Garbage truck pulls over sign after compacting in anchor and driving away. Simple, right?

Ummm .... some jobs just aren't worth doing. Too much liability.

If things go sideways can you make good on the damage ?

As previously mentioned: It's hard to guage the distance from the power lines but they're a factor in the mix.

It's close to the road. What happens if a soccer mom with a minivan full of children has a chunk of lose metal come crashing through the windshield ? You would probably need the police to shut down the road for awhile to rule out that possibility.

It's awfully close to that building. The value of the building, and the cars inside, has to be at least a quarter million dollars. Are you insured for that much ? You definitely want to get the people out of the building before you start work.

You probably want to get all those cars in the parking lot moved out of your work area.

Is it really worth all of the risk for what little you would get out of it ?

I wouldn't touch that with a 20 ft pole.

i am well known for bringing down large things that everyone else refuses to do, or wants an arm and a leg to do....i am getting a bit more cautious after several near misses and several direct hits over the years.......anyhow in my opinion with those public streets and power lines not to mention the building all in such a tight area....id pass or else id charge them a very healthy amount.

Great thread with fantastic insights, valuable information, and knowledge laden. The perspectives in this thread will be valuable to me for many challenges. Thank you to all. This type of discussion is what SMF is all about in my opinion.

A redneck option: Use tires as Pnutfarmer mentioned to protect the streets and sidewalk. Hook straps or cables to the top of the post. Anchor to two trucks 50 degrees from each other. The tow lines should be longer than the length of the pole. This will force the sign to fall away from the building and between the two trucks. Use a torch to cut the bolts, cutting the bolts closest to the building last and with tension on the tow lines. Timber. The sign could be resold instead of scrapped if the torch cuts are washed or feathered.

Equipment needed:

Permits and closing streets - Let dealership deal with this, they have more pull than an individual.
Trucks or other anchor points
ladder to attach tow lines - dealership probably has one.
scrap tires - no cost, just make sure you can return them. The dealership might have them.
Four tow straps - cost $ 50.00 ea. Once again the dealership might have them.
Torch or wrenches - The base was probably painted after the sign was placed making it hard to use a wrench.
Liability insurance - I would have the dealership provide the insurance and have this in writing. They may put you on their pay role for half a day to cover the work.

$ 1,500 + sell sign for $ 200 = $ 1,700 for half days work. I think I would do it for $ 500 and the pole, if the dealership accepted liability. You could offer to be a consultant, charge $ 250 and the dealership provides all equipment and labor. The best strategy is to sell the sign and let the buyer remove it. Being a broker is much easier than being a laborer.

Sorry about the rambling, but this is the thought process I use. Think of all options and pick the best.

here is how taking down sign poles works. Keep in mind there are things to check into legally, each town is different. If it is within a 20' RADIUS of any power lines, you have to contact the power company and get their permission, they may even want to come out and sleeve the lines, which they WILL charge you for. as far as taking it down, you have 2 options. I saw someone else mention a lift, this is a BAD idea. That pole weighs a lot, and unless you are going to cut it down into 1' sections, someone is going to get hurt or something is going to get broken. The only real way is to get an overhead crane out there, weld a bracket to the top of the pole, and torch it off half way, lower it all onto your trailer. then torch off the rest, same way. (this will also require a lift, unless you have really long arms). The electrical can be killed off easily

Unless you are charging for the removal and disposal of the entire unit, I'd say $600-$800 at least, plus the scrap... walk away. let a sign company that owns their own crane take care of it. crane service is usually $150 - $275/hr, depending on what size crane they have available, and that usually is charged from the time they pull out of their driveway, until the time they arrive back to it. So a 1 hour job might wind up costing you 2 hours. Just food for thought.

Simple solution to this situation.

Call a sign company , tell them what you want to do and ask them what they charge to do it.

Don't tell them where it is just ask a "hypothetical" question.

this is not at all a bad idea. if you can get a price from a sign company to take it all down, and let them know that it does not include removal of the material, get their price, mark it up 10-20% and pass it on, then you walk away with either a guaranteed profit, with zero liability, or you don't mess with it at all. you can't lose anything but a few minutes of your time in that scenario. a lot of times a sign shop will just charge time and materials for something like that. you would just want to be clear that you want a solid bid, not a time and materials estimate/contract.

Originally Posted by sledge

Chances are if the sign company says "$1500 bucks" they will be asked to be paid by the property owner that the sign resides. I doubt highly that you will be able to "broker the deal" and get anything out of it.

Secondly, if they are asking someone to "tear it down for the metal" they are way too cheap to call and have it done by a licensed, bonded and insured sign company.

My take- they already called XYZ sign company.. were quoted the $1500 bucks.. said "No way in heck are we paying that" and someones cousin's, brother's, friend of a friend said "Put it on CL and some scrapper will tear it down for free!"

This is all true. it isn't likely to happen. my initial instinct is "just walk", but i'd always rather lay down a set of guidelines to avoid a bullet hole in the foot too. Anything that requires extensive equipment rental to make happen, is more than likely a money pit project with nothing but red ink waiting for you.

i completely get that. i am the same way. i just know a lot more about signs than i want to. i worked for a sign company for years. most of these threads teach me a lot more than i can offer in return.

i am by no means a seasoned vet in 90% of the topics here, but the other 10%, i have been drug around the block a few times kicking and screaming and i would feel guilty if i didn't speak up on anything with the potential to become a disaster.