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I have a friend opening one of those ladies' workout studios which is a franchise. She is wanting channel letters and I probably can dig up some prices for those. I explained that she may have to pull the permit and use her own electrician since I don't desire to handle that. She wants it across a bar so it can be easily attached to the building. Have any of you ever had any experience with this type of sign and if so, have you run into any problems, when ordering or drawing up sketches for permits? Is there a standard or are some areas a little more lax? I will check with the city there, since it is out of town here to find out the specifics. Are there any companies you could suggest, even though I know there are plenty of them throughout the sign magazines. I am about 90 miles northwest of Chicago and southeast 80 miles from Madison, WI? I am a newbie at this but she also wanted me to handle her interior graphics on the wall also so it may be a package deal.
[ October 16, 2002, 03:53 PM: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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The first thing is find out what is allowed, the "bar" or "raceway" as it is known, may not be allowed in the city, in California, some cities do not allow them. Also there are square and/or linear footage restrictions as it relates to the building, and if it in a strip mall, there is possibly a sign program guidline you might have to follow regarding size, typestyle and color. Usually the person submitting the sign to the city is the one who is supplying and installing the sign, which requuires a Contractors Licence and a business license in the city the sign is going to be installed. I only know of a few areas where thay are lax on sign codes, but being it is a friend I would do it by the book, otherwise someone will have to eat the cost. If it were me I would sub it to a reputable sign company in the area, under your guidance, and that way you can concentrate on the interior. YOu can learn by watching the sign company and seeing thier documents, and be better prepared for the next one that comes along.
Rick
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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thanks Rick! Even though I have dealt with cabinet signs and sign ordinances, I picked up a few pointers. I have had my own electrician before and subbed it out also, but never dealt with channel letters, other than giving prices. Are most companies that make these about the same? Are there different materials involved, better quality in making these, for instance, I always suggest polycarb instead of acrylic in the cabinet signs, so in this, what do I have to know in purchasing these Also, I have run across situations where we could not install in the next large city unless we had a permit in that county.
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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Deb, Rick pretty much covered the neon story.
You need a building permit to install neon, and you always have to have a business license to pull the building permit. If you do much of this you will have business licenses from all over the place. You add this to the cost of the job.
You do not want amateurs installing neon. Improperly installed neon can burn down the building. Don't count on building inspectors to understand neon code because some of them don't know what to look for. Stated the other way, always hire experienced and licensed (and properly insured) neon installers.
You might want to consider LED's instead of neon. This technology is just becoming popular, and it gets you away from the safety issues of neon. The LED people claim they can match the brilliance of single row neon. If the typestyle is simple block, Gemini has a line of pans and faces. They display these at shows with LED lighting. I don't know if they will help you with LED's, but they will probably give you the names of some LED sources.
Hope this is helpful. Vic G
-------------------- Victor Georgiou Danville, CA , USA Posts: 1746 | From: Danville, CA , USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Vic made some good points, and I have something to add...
In the construction of the letters, ask how they are made. The thicker gauge material, the better. How are the returns (sides) attached to the backs? Staples will pull out eventually (and use thinner material), rivits are better, and will last, but welding is the best method, but will cost more (not only in labor, but in material as well).
For channel letters, give Greg Florio at Superior Signage a call. His number is (800) 963-4478 or you can visit him on the web at Superior Signage. He can help explain any questions you have.
-------------------- Mark Kottwitz Kottwitz Graphics Ridgely, MD www.SeeMySignWork.com -------------------------- Imagination is more important than knowledge. -- Albert Einstein Posts: 746 | From: Ridgely, MD | Registered: Oct 2000
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Another source of internally illuminated channel letters is Diamond Signs 972/554-6781. You can talk to Nathan, Debbie or Brian Lohri. They are currently manufacturing a set for me that will be installed about 75' up on a building. They have fabricated hotel signs that have been shipped all over the country.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5092 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Deb, we recently have done a channel letter job for Curves along with colorful vinyl murals on the interior latex painted walls and also some vinyl graphic enhancements on the exterior glass. We will be doing a third store later this month. I have done around a dozen similar channel letter jobs with subs and like you, we were a bit aprenhesive in the begining...but its not very complicated to price the sign itself, but be careful with the installation quote. Your sub can determine all the pertinent issues in one short site inspection. In most cases, many of these excercise places are in strip malls where there were likely previous channel letters mounted by previous tenants. I might suggest you try to split a job or two with a sub who would be willing to teach you the ins/outs. They will benefit down the road when you get comfortable with the process and start sending them fabrication and installation orders in the future.
-------------------- Tony Lucero Eagle Graphics Waterford, MI www.eaglegph.com Posts: 305 | From: Waterford, MI, USA | Registered: Apr 2000
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Tony! IT IS A CURVES STUDIO! AREN'T YOU HITTING THE NAIL ON THE HEAD. I didn't know we could use names here, so I am glad you are guiding me right down the path, (amazing)!
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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Just don't let anyone sll you on "Channelume" it's junk...looks great for a year or two then start falling apart...especially the plywood backing ...who ever you deal with, make sure the letters are "all" metal (usually .063 aluminum)
Average cost in my area is somewhere between $15.00 and $20.00 an upright inch (plus install)
Good luck!
-------------------- "Werks fer me...it'll werk fer you"
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