Sign making: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What sign making is

A sign maker designs, makes and often installs signs for storefronts, offices and events, using materials such as vinyl, metal, acrylic or wood. Businesses need signs to be found, to show their name clearly and to meet the rules that apply to the location.

Signs you need it

  • Your storefront or office is hard to find from the road, and customers are driving past
  • Your current sign is faded, cracked or damaged, and the name or phone number is hard to read
  • You are opening a new location and need signs for the building, the door, the windows and the parking area
  • You are holding an event and need temporary directional or information signs that are safe and easy to read
  • Your sign needs to meet a landlord's rules or a local permit before it can be installed

What the pro does

  • Visit the site, measure the mounting area and check the sight lines from the road or walkway
  • Confirm the wording, the logo, the colors and the size with you, and check the spelling of every word
  • Design the sign to fit the space and the materials, and send you a mockup for approval
  • Fabricate the sign from the material you chose, with the finishing and lettering the design requires
  • Install the sign where the site allows, using the mounting method and hardware that suits the surface
  • Check the sign after installation for level, alignment and attachment, and leave you the warranty and care notes

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The size of the sign and the number of signs needed for the site
  • The materials and finishes, such as vinyl, metal, acrylic, wood or illuminated panels
  • Whether the sign is lit, which requires electrical work by a licensed professional
  • The height and the mounting surface, since high or unusual installations take more equipment and time
  • Whether a permit, a landlord approval or an engineering review is needed before installation
  • Whether the sign includes design work, logo redrawing or a site survey

What a written quote should spell out

  • The sign sizes, materials, finishes and the wording or logo on each sign
  • Whether installation is included, and who is responsible for the mounting surface
  • Whether electrical work is included, and who performs it
  • Whether a permit is included, and who applies for it and pays for it
  • The warranty on the materials and the workmanship, and how long it lasts

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you handle the permit application, or should I apply myself?
  • Who does the electrical work for an illuminated sign, and are they licensed?
  • How do you install on my building, and will the mounting damage the surface?
  • How long will the sign last outdoors, and what care does it need?
  • Will you send a mockup for approval before fabrication starts?
  • Do you carry insurance that covers installation work on my property?

Red flags

  • Starts fabrication before the design and the size are approved in writing
  • Offers to wire an illuminated sign without a licensed electrician
  • Cannot explain how the sign will be attached to the building
  • Asks for the full payment before the sign is made, with no written contract

What you can do yourself

You can make a simple, unlit sign for a small space using a vinyl cut kit or a painted board, if the sign is light and mounted on a surface you can reach safely. Do not wire, light or install a large or high sign yourself, since electrical work and work at height need a licensed professional. Hire a sign maker when the sign is large, lit, mounted high or needs a permit.

Licenses and permits

Sign making is usually not licensed, but electrical work for illuminated signs often needs a licensed electrician where local rules require one, and many local areas require permits for signs. Check with your local building or planning department about permits, and confirm that the electrician is licensed with your state or local licensing agency.

Sign making questions

Do I need a permit for a sign?

Many cities and counties require a permit for some or all signs, based on size, location and whether the sign is lit. Check with your local building or planning department before you order.

Can my sign company wire the sign?

Only if they hold the electrical license your area requires. Ask for the electrician's license number and check it with your state or local licensing agency.

How long should a sign last outdoors?

It depends on the material, the finish and the weather where it is installed. Ask the sign maker for the material warranty and the care steps for your location.

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