Best FabricatorsSignage and displays fabrication
Sign fabrication builds channel letters, cabinets, monument and pylon signs, and the steel structures that hold them up.
Materials and processes
Aluminum sheet and extrusion, stainless steel, acrylic faces, and steel pipe and plate for sign structures.
Standards and certifications to know
- UL 48: the UL standard for electric signs.
- Local sign permits: most cities require a sign permit, and large structures need engineering for wind loads.
- Approved fabricator programs: some building departments list approved fabricators for sign structures.
Questions to ask a shop
- Are electric signs built to UL 48, and does the shop apply the UL label?
- Who provides engineering for the sign structure and foundation?
- Does the shop handle permits and installation?
- How is the sign serviced after install?
What drives cost
Size, illumination, structure and foundation engineering, permits, and crane time drive cost.
Metros with strong local demand
Questions
What should I look for in a sign fabricator?
Relevant certifications, finished work similar to yours, the right equipment, and clear documentation. Start with: Are electric signs built to UL 48, and does the shop apply the UL label?
Where is sign fabrication concentrated?
On this site, these metros have strong local demand: Phoenix, AZ, Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, Dallas, TX, Las Vegas, NV, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, Nashville, TN, Washington, DC.