When it comes to exterior building signage, bigger is better, but it’s also a lot more complex. From permitting and electrical requirements to structural integrity and long-term durability, large-scale permanent signage demands more than good design. It demands expertise, compliance, and accountability throughout the entire process, from concept to installation.
That’s why working with a licensed sign company makes a measurable difference. Explore how a licensed contractor can help Las Vegas businesses manage the intricacies of installing building signage.
What is Building Signage and Why is It So Complex?
Building signage refers to any sign placed on or near your business premises. It helps identify your company, attract customers, and share important information. There are several different types of building signage to consider when planning signs for businesses. Some of the most commonly used types include vinyl banners, channel letters, monument signs, and pylon signs.
Read our latest article to learn more about the various types of signs and how they can help boost your brand identity: Building Signage: 10 Types to Consider | AlphaGraphics Central Business District | Las Vegas
At first glance, a custom building sign may seem straightforward. Properly managing the logistics involved in installing a business sign is crucial. A licensed contractor offers contributions essential for a smoother and more efficient overall process that accounts for the following steps:
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Structural and load considerations
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Electrical components (especially for illuminated signs)
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City permitting and inspections (each city has unique requirements, and Las Vegas is no exception)
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Proper materials for long-term outdoor signage
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Safe installation at height
Without the proper licensing and experience, these factors can quickly become costly or even dangerous. Partnering with a licensed and registered sign company provides businesses with professional expertise, simplifying the complexities of sign compliance and ensuring alignment with local regulations.
7 Key Benefits of Working with A Licensed Sign Company
Working with a licensed contractor isn’t just a formality. It protects your investment and your property.
Here’s how:
1. Compliance With Local Codes and Permits
One of the requirements for a licensed contractor is familiarity with local and state regulations, zoning requirements, and electrical codes. This requirement ensures that signage is approved, inspected, and compliant, thereby avoiding delays, fines, or forced removal.
Ever wondered how to obtain a permit for your project? One of the benefits of working with a licensed sign contractor is that they are familiar with the processes, paperwork, and requirements, and can guide you through them.
2. Safety During Installation
Large signs require lifts, electrical connections, and secure mounting systems to ensure stability and safety. With a licensed contractor, installers are equipped with the necessary training and insurance to perform this work safely and efficiently.
3. Structural Integrity
It’s crucial that permanent signage can withstand wind loads, weight, and mounting stress. Ensuring these requirements can be a particularly complicated and technical aspect of the process, especially at scale. A licensed contractor is equipped with the knowledge and skillset to ensure signage that lasts.
4. Long-Term Durability
Licensed sign companies can create high-quality signage that not only meets regulatory standards but also provides long-term durability. From polycarbonate illumination panels to powder-coated aluminum finishes, licensed contractors select materials designed for outdoor longevity, not short-term solutions.
5. Project Management
As business owners, there’s often no shortage of tasks to manage. A licensed sign company takes on a majority of those tasks when working on your signage project, from design and permitting to production and installation. Coupled with the expertise of a contracted sign partner, businesses can rest assured that the signage process is professional and in compliance, while maintaining focus on their core operations.
6. High-Quality Design Solutions
Professional sign companies can leverage graphic design expertise that meets both the branding needs of the business and the specific location's regulatory requirements. They can ensure that the signs are not only eye-catching but also compliant with size, height, lighting, and other specifications.
7. Risk Mitigation
Executing building signage is complicated enough as it is. Factor in the risk of legal consequences and navigating the law, and it can be overwhelming. A sign company with a contractor's license understands the serious implications and can help businesses feel confident that their projects won’t expose them to legal risks.
A Las Vegas Example of Building Signage: Kite Realty
AlphaGraphics Las Vegas recently completed a project highlighting the importance of licensing for signage. The project included multiple permanent exterior signs installed on a commercial property managed by Kite Realty. The signs came with different technical requirements and included:
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Two large backlit polycarbonate signs, each measuring 22 feet wide by 3 feet tall
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One aluminum sign, powder-coated and installed on a large pylon marker
Kite Realty wasn’t just installing decorative elements; the signs were structural, electrical, and permanent fixtures designed to withstand the harsh Las Vegas weather conditions, as well as the demands of time and visibility.
Executing the installation safely and correctly requires careful planning, proper permitting, and precise technical execution.
The Difference Shows: Before and After
In the Kite Realty project, the transformation is clear in the before-and-after photos, but the completed signage also contributed to various benefits for the business, including:
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Enhanced visibility and readability, attracting more customers to the business
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Clean, professional installation that reflects a reputable business
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Modern illuminated signage that elevates brand reputation
The real value lies in what’s behind the scenes: a properly licensed contractor delivering a compliant, durable, and high-impact signage solution.
Choose AlphaGraphics Las Vegas, A Licensed Sign Company
Building signage is often one of the most visible representations of a business or commercial property. It’s not the place to cut corners.
By working with a licensed signage contractor, like AlphaGraphics Las Vegas, businesses and property managers gain peace of mind knowing their signage is:
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Code-compliant
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Professionally installed
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Built for longevity
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Backed by expertise
For projects involving large-scale building signage, experience and licensing aren’t optional; they’re essential. Contact AlphaGraphics Las Vegas to get started.