But before you order any sign, SmartBizChoices recommends that you check to be sure that your space has been wired for an illuminated sign. If it has electrical connections for a lighted sign there will be channel letters in place left by a former tenant already affixed to the building (which the landlord generally, although not always, takes down before you take possession of the leased property). It is a good idea to be sure that the specifics of who is to remove the former tenant's sign is written in, before you sign your lease.

Another way to check if your building might be set up for a lighted sign is to look for a little metal plate on the outside of your building. This plate will cover a small box projecting from the wall about halfway from the ground to the roof, situated above your entry door and located at the halfway point of the linear frontage of your leased space.

Simply noting if this metal plate is affixed to your building or if there was a box sign already installed by a former tenant is no guarantee that the proper electrical wires are available to install a lighted sign. The best thing to do is contact your landlord for verification that the proper wires have been pulled or "pigtailed" for a lighted sign. This pre-planning saves time and money in the future.


If the wires are not already pulled from the inside to the outside of your building, then you will need to verify with your landlord and local permitting authorities that you will be allowed to install a lighted sign. Verifying that you can permit such a sign before designing a sign or paying for the fabrication of one will help you avoid disappointment later on. Signs are custom made for each client and as such are non-returnable. If you don't do a little homework ahead of time and order the wrong sign ahead of time, you have a sign that you have paid for and can not utilize.


If you are allowed to install such a sign, then you can either negotiate with your landlord that the appropriate wires be pulled BEFORE you sign a lease or you can pay an electrician to pull the wires for you.

Another way to check if your building might be set up for a lighted sign is to look for a little metal plate on the outside of your building. This plate will cover a small box projecting from the wall about halfway from the ground to the roof, situated above your entry door and located at the halfway point of the linear frontage of your leased space.

Metal plate that denotes power


Simply noting if this metal plate is affixed to your building or if there was a box sign already installed by a former tenant is no guarantee that the proper electrical wires are available to install a lighted sign. The best thing to do is contact your landlord for verification that the proper wires have been pulled or "pigtailed" for a lighted sign. This pre-planning saves time and money in the future.


If the wires are not already pulled from the inside to the outside of your building, then you will need to verify with your landlord and local permitting authorities that you will be allowed to install a lighted sign. Verifying that you can permit such a sign before designing a sign or paying for the fabrication of one will help you avoid disappointment later on. Signs are custom made for each client and as such are non-returnable. If you don't do a little homework ahead of time and order the wrong sign ahead of time, you have a sign that you have paid for and can not utilize.