3 Things to Remember When Comparing Sign Quotes

The sign industry is vast. There are many different companies specializing in many different types of signs. One company may call a product one thing while another refers to the same product as something else. That’s why it is important to look at the details when comparing sign quotes from multiple companies. Here are a few of our tips to remember when comparing sign quotes.

1. Compare Apples to Apples

You may get two or more estimates that are drastically different. It’s important to check into the details to compare what each company is offering you in their quote. If one company’s price is significantly lower than the rest of the pack try to see if there are any discrepancies. They may be offering you a sign made out of thinner materials than the others. In that case sure, you may be paying less up front but the sign they deliver may be flimsy and may not last as long as a slightly more costly alternative.

2. Make Sure the Company can Meet Your Needs

Many times we’ve had customers who need many signs but they will just start with one or two. When shopping between companies, it’s best to look at your overall project rather than what you need right now. Find a company that will be able to handle every sign project you throw at them. Working with a single company for every project you have will be easier and less costly for you in the long run. As you build a relationship with the company they will begin to know what you are looking for. In turn, the company will be able to potentially get you better deals as they already have your artwork/design assets.

3. Avoid Hidden Fees

It’s extremely important to be thorough when reading over your quotes. The sign industry inherently has tricky areas that often come with costs associated with them. Things like permits, installations, and product design can all sneak up on you after a company has already won over your business. A few things to ask yourself are:

Am I planning on having the sign company install the sign? If so, is that reflected in their quote?

The installation of a sign can be simple or challenging depending on the product. For simple signage that’s simply being mounted on a wall, you may be able to install yourself without any problems. Other products such as LED message center signs, wall mounted lettering, or window lettering often require more expertise to ensure proper installation. Sign companies will usually have an installation team that will be able to properly install the products but this service usually isn’t free. If you aren’t planning on installing the sign yourself make sure the company is including installation in their quote.

Do I need the company to design the sign? Do they charge extra for that service?

Unless you or someone you know is a graphic designer, chances are you are going to need to have the sign company design the sign for you. The design phase of your project could be simple or a bit more difficult depending on what you are asking for. For quick and simple signs, some companies will include an art proof for no charge. If the company is designing a fully spec’d out monument sign or has to recreate your company’s logo there may be costs associated with that. If your quote is unclear about whether or not design time is included ask the company for clarification.

Does my sign need a permit? Does the quote include their permit fees? 

Permits are an especially tricky area in the sign world. Some projects will need to get permits from the city in which the sign is being installed. Other projects will not need permits. The biggest deciding factor is usually your municipality and the costs vary from city to city. Sign companies should be aware of whether a permit is going to be needed before they quote your sign. Permits can be expensive so it is important for you to know what the sign company’s policy is and how much they will need to charge you in order to get your permit.

Remember to Read Carefully

Always examine your entire quote when shopping sign companies. If you’ve explained your sign project the same way to a few different companies and their quotes are drastically different then there may be discrepancies caused by hidden fees.  At Easy Sign, we’ve seen customers become frustrated with other companies because of hidden fees. We understand that the sign business is tricky so we try to explain our costs up front when sending you a quote so you know exactly what you are getting.

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