The Top Challenges in Signage Construction & How to Overcome Them
Your brand’s signage creates crucial first impressions with your customers. But behind every impressive display lies a complex construction process that many businesses don’t fully appreciate until they’re facing unexpected delays, budget overruns, or regulatory roadblocks.
With over three decades of industry experience, Atlas Sign Industries has learned that the difference between implementation and costly setbacks often comes down to identifying – and handling – any challenges before they arise.
When deadlines are tied to grand openings or rebranding initiatives, having a partner who understands potential pitfalls in signage installation matters.
Want to learn more about how to take advantage of the best signage services in the business? Atlas Sign Industries has helped companies across industries handle their signage needs for over three decades – and we’re ready to help you too!
Challenge 1: Signage Permitting
The permitting process is one of the most significant hurdles in signage construction. Industry data shows permitting delays frequently push back store openings – which can directly impact a business’s revenue.
The biggest challenge when it comes to permitting is that there are so many variables at play depending on where you are putting a sign and what kind of sign you want to install:
- Municipal Regulations: Did you know that each city and county often has its own unique sign codes that govern size, height, illumination, and other key signage details?
- Landlord Requirements: Many property owners can impost additional restrictions – especially in shopping centers and mixed-use developments.
- Zoning Considerations: Different zones within the same city or county can have varying signage allowances.
- Historical Districts: Areas with historical designations typically have strict guidelines to preserve architectural integrity.
When permitting isn’t handled proactively, the consequences can grow quickly:
- Postponed store openings delay revenue generation
- Marketing campaigns require costly rescheduling
- Lease payments continue while spaces remain unused
- Installation teams face scheduling conflicts
Working with a sign company with an in-house permitting department for businesses managing multiple locations makes a critical difference. At Atlas, our dedicated permitting team navigates these complex requirements daily, maintaining relationships with regulatory authorities nationwide.
As we often say, “If you have red tape, we’re the scissors.”
Challenge 2: Installation Logistics
Even when you have all the right permits secured, the process of installing signage itself can quickly create challenges you’ll have to overcome.
Whether you have a single location or multiple physical sites, each installation process brings its own needs and strategy. Think about the moving parts that go into each sign installation process:
- You’ll likely require specialized equipment like cranes or lifts, which will require advanced scheduling and site preparation.
- Outdoor installations may be vulnerable to delays due to weather – particularly when it comes to adhesives and electrical components.
- Structural issues often aren’t discovered until installation begins, leading to on-the-spot engineering solutions.
The Ripple Effect of Installation Delays
You can imagine how quickly these challenges can get out of control. For example, when installation logistics aren’t properly managed:
- Grand openings and marketing events face postponement
- Installation crews incur standby charges
- Additional travel costs accumulate for rescheduled installations
- Brand inconsistency emerges when some locations complete before others
To help you avoid these delays and roadblocks, our team at Atlaas always has a nationwide network of certified installers on hand – ready to step in and handle any issue that comes up in the process. Plus, our project managers work alongside you to coordinate all aspects of the installation process – helping you avoid issues before they arise.
Challenge 3: Budget Management and Cost Overruns
When we talk to our clients and partners, one of the most frustrating aspects of signage is when projects exceed their allocated budgets.
We’re a business, so we get it. Unexpected costs often grow when details are overlooked, or there’s been inadequate planning along the way. In our experience, most budget overruns stem from:
- Insufficient Site Assessments: Electrical capacity issues or structural reinforcement needs discovered late in the process lead to expensive modifications.
- Design Changes: Revisions after manufacturing has begun are significantly more costly than those made during the design phase.
- Permit Revisions: When submissions are rejected, redesigns and resubmissions add both time and expense.
- Material Fluctuations: Prices for key components like aluminum, LEDs, or specialized materials can change unexpectedly.
If you have multiple locations (see our next challenge), these issues can quickly multiply across sites, potentially turning a manageable project into a financial burden.
That’s when having a strategy in place to see budget problems ahead of time is key. For instance, thorough site surveys identify potential issues before they become expensive problems – and clear documentation prevents miscommunications that lead to rework.
Challenge 4: Keeping Quality Brand Consistency Across Locations
For businesses with multiple locations, keeping consistent brand representation can be a challenge – even when you have a great strategy in place. The slightest variations in signage can dilute brand recognition and customer experience.
It’s often not until you are in the midst of a multi-location process that you even see the challenges that can appear:
- Different building facades, visibility factors, and mounting options can affect how signage appears.
- Local fabricators might interpret brand guidelines differently without central oversight.
- Local regulations might force modifications to standard designs.
Worst of all, these factors can all play into a “close enough” approach that ultimately undermines your brand integrity over time.
Our team approaches multi-location projects with a program management mindset. That means we bring a centralized design, manufacturing, and project management style that makes certain that your brand’s integrity is protected.
Avoid These Challenges with Experienced Program Management
The challenges in signage construction require companies to look for more than just “technical expertise.” It means finding a systematic program management approach that anticipates problems before they arise.
For over three decades, Atlas Sign Industries has developed a full-service approach that integrates every step – from initial design through ongoing maintenance.
Whether you’re updating a single location or managing a nationwide rebranding initiative, having an experienced partner can transform potential obstacles into opportunities for your brand to shine. After all, it’s your name—and we believe it deserves to be treated with respect.
Ready to overcome your signage construction challenges? Contact Atlas today to schedule a consultation with our experienced team.