I ranted previously about a sky install we had booked, first technician turned up, battered white van with no markings, fag in hand, complete with dirty clothing and traipsed dirty boots throughout the house as he assessed were the cabling needed to go. Typical to appearance after much sucking of breath through teeth informed me it was a two man job and he’d have to rebook it. Spent 20 minutes flicking fag ends on the drive and left.
Week later, two liveried Sky vans (discovery channel) arrive, both technicians wearing clean polo shirts and trade pants (the ones with the external pockets), on entering house both pulled out plastic shoe covers without blinking an eyelid, sussed everything out and had the job complete in 30 minutes.
They both got a cup of tea and some of the SO chocolate cake, while the first one got a rant on STW.
People judge by appearance, if you take pride in that then chances are you’re work will reflect with the same level of attention to detail.
As to sign writing, I’ve booked a few trades after being stuck behind them at lights, I’ve also cancelled a contract after getting cut up by one of them on an onramp so its a double edge sword.
Its argued marketing / branding is the key to business longevity, and given the low outlay of some vinyl graphics I’d say its money well spent for a mobile billboard, if not just to tell the neighbours of the next job they’d best get their chequebooks out if they want to keep up with the jones’s.
Leave them with a pen with your name on it, and a fridge magnet that they can pass to said neighbours.