Listen, you have probably wondered exactly how long it takes to install a sign. It’s one of those questions that looks so straightforward on the surface but then gets really complicated, really fast.

The truth? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, which I know you would rather not hear.

But here’s what I can tell you after working in the industry for years: knowing the timeline which is involved in signage installation for Perth businesses, which have come to expect it, can prevent you from having those uncomfortable chats with your landlord or missing out on a grand opening day that you’ve already pumped up on social.

Why Business Sign Installation Duration Varies So Much

Think about it this way. Yes, putting a small shopfront sign up isn’t quite the same beast as applying a three-storey high wall-mounted neon or LED advertising board (Jerusalem is drowning in these things). Obviously, right? But people still want a magic number.

Could you please let me know how long it typically takes to install commercial signage? The time it takes to install commercial signage depends on a whole host of factors that you haven’t even thought about yet. Size matters, for sure. The same factors apply to the type of sign you are installing, its location, the materials of the building, and whether local council approvals are required (which they likely are).

Here’s something most people don’t consider: the weather. When you’re trying to stick a sign on the side of a building, Perth’s weather can be your best friend or worst enemy. Wind, rain, and high temperatures – they all put spanners in the works.

The Real Timeline Breakdown (No Fluff)

But now let’s look at the actual figures. This is not the optimistic “best-case scenario” nonsense that some companies often present. This is the reality we see on real-life projects with real data and delays.

How Long is the Timeframe for the First Consultation and Site Survey: 1-3 days

A reputable installation signage company will first come out to your “yard”. They’ll monitor things, notice the structure and see where potential problems might arise before they do.

This site visit takes place as soon as possible on commencement of works by Complete Projects WA. They may be able to see “that wall can’t hold that weight” or “there’s electrical wiring right where you’d like to hang this”, among other potential problems — all based on more than 25 years in the business.

Design Approval and Council Permits: 1–6 weeks

That’s when patience gets you points. If you need to get council approval (and most signs outside of a private residence will), hold tight.

Council approval times vary wildly. Some of Perth’s councils are quicker than others. You might get approved in two weeks, or maybe you have to wait six weeks.

All signs over footpaths or roadways need a sign permit from the City of Perth, and bigger ones may also require development approval if they’re big enough or in an awkward position.

Pro tip: get this out of the way early. Do not wait until two weeks before whatever opening you plan. Check specific signage requirements with your local council, as there are subtle variations in processes and timeframes between Perth’s councils.

Sign Fabrication: 1-4 Weeks

Your sign’s likely being made while you wait on approvals. Minimalist signs may need just a week. More intricate things with LED parts or speciality finishes can stretch out to a month.

This timing generally coincides with approvals, so it does not necessarily tack onto your total timeline. But if you backtrack partway through, you’re resetting this clock.

The Installation Day(s) (Actual): 4 Hours to 5 Days

Finally, we reach the main event. How long does it take to install the physical signs?

Here’s what to expect given the kind of project you have:

• Basic to low-end installations (small shopfront-type signs, basic wayfinding): 4-8 hours. Installers come in the morning; you’re finished by afternoon.
• Medium complexity (bigger shopfronts, lit signs, electrification): 1-2 days to install it properly with wiring and testing.
• Complicated installations, such as those involving tall buildings, large sign jobs, or the use of cranes or boom lifts, typically require 3 to 5 days or more. Height work and speciality equipment are slow.

The larger or more technical the sign, the longer it’ll take. There’s no way around it.

Finishing Touches & Final Fitting: 2–4 Hours

Once the sign’s up, responsible installers don’t just drive away. They test everything. Lights working? Sign straight? All fixings secure?

For signs with lighting, the procedure involves testing by both day and night. You’d be amazed at how different a sign can appear under various lighting.

Real-World Example: Shopping Centre Signage

Let me illustrate this for you. Imagine you’re putting up external signage for a new store in a Perth shopping centre.

Here’s what actually happens:

• Week 1: Site visit and survey. Complete Projects WA gets the size right, talks about access times (shopping centres have restrictions on when work can be undertaken) and finds out if there are any structural issues.
• Weeks 2–4: Confirm design and approval from centre management. Shopping centres can actually be fussier than councils. They want to know exactly what is going up and where.
• Weeks 3-5: Signs are made while approvals are wrangled.
• Week 6: Installation day. That one was probably after hours, as shopping centres are a bit resistant to the sounds of construction during business hours.

Total timeline? The entire process takes about 6 weeks from start to finish. While this may not be a swift process, it is a common practice in commercial projects.

What Slows Things Down (And How to Avoid It)

And guess what’s going to blow up your timeline?

Here are the main culprits:

• Vague specs: when you don’t know what you want, everything is up for debate. Please determine your requirements before starting.
• Access issues: Finding out on the day of installation that you need a cherry picker isn’t great. Effective site surveys prevent this.
• Weather delays: You cannot put up signs in heavy rain or when the wind is strong. Plan buffer time throughout your schedule.
• Structural issues: Sometimes you never know what lies behind an old building. That wall may not be as unbreakable as it seems.
• Last-minute changes: Any change after the fabrication process begins costs you time and money. Choose what it is you want and then be all in.

If you plan properly upfront, you can avoid most of these issues. Experienced installers play a crucial role.

Different Sign Types, Different Timelines

Some signs are more equal than others.

Here’s what you can expect for different colours:

• Backlit light boxes: 1-2 days minimum to allow for electrical aspects.
• 3D letters and logos: 1-2 days (according to the letter quantity). Individual mounting takes precision.
• Pylon signs: A few days, and maybe more if installing and pouring footings. These roadside signs are major projects.
• Digital LED display: Minimum 2-5 days. Complex mounting plus electrical work.
• Window graphics and wraps: Usually the same day if we have a design ready.

The type of sign you choose can influence your timeline, so please keep this in mind when scheduling your project.

The Maintenance Factor Nobody Talks About

Here’s something we typically don’t start contemplating until after we actually place them on our walls: cleaning. Signs need looking after.

Signs are maintained as part of the contract with Complete Projects WA. They know how the sign went in, what fixtures were used, and what to look for.

Routine service helps avoid emergency call-outs: “Your sign’s blown loose” or “Half the lights stopped working”.

Factor in annual maintenance checks. It’s cheaper than emergency repairs.

Working with Professional Sign Installers Makes All the Difference

Bring your own sign, or BYOS. Cole states that occasionally, “we inherit signs that our clients had installed before working with us.” “I tell them it looks unprofessional.” Signage and clunky DIY are a disastrous match on commercial properties. Overall, DIY in-store branding often leads to poor results. In addition to the safety risks associated with working at heights, it’s important to take into account legal requirements, structural implications, and warranty issues.

In Australia, government legislation classifies work above 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) as “working at height”. That means proper fall protection, qualified installers, and specific safety measures are a matter of law.

Installers are knowledgeable about this information, have received the necessary training, and ensure that appropriate methods are applied.

A professional Perth signage installer is versed in local building codes, carries adequate insurance, and knows what to do if something goes awry.

Everything is managed by the project manager at Complete Projects WA – from inception to finalisation, so you don’t have the stress of chasing lots of people and wondering if things are being done right.

When It Comes to Your Project, Manage Expectations

Start early and communicate clearly. Allow yourself more time than you think you need.

No one can install your commercial sign in half the time everyone else is telling you (if someone does make that claim, be sure to ask questions). They’re either skimping, or they’re failing to factor in the time for approvals and fabrication.

The most realistic lead time for a commercial sign in Perth is 6-10 weeks from initial conversation to completed installation. Simple projects might move faster. Complex ones might take longer.

Line on Sign Installation Duration

The duration of commercial sign installation depends on its complexity and several other factors, such as approval processes and weather conditions. But having some sense of what to expect makes the whole thing less stressful.

Deal with installers who perform adequate site surveys in advance. Some companies take advantage of your inexperience: companies like Complete Projects WA, which has been servicing Perth for over 25 years and has navigated every good, bad, and ugly scenario.

That first site survey isn’t box ticking; it’s about finding out as much as possible about your circumstances and formulating a plan to counteract problems.

Don’t rush the process. A positive sign is an investment in your business exposure. No matter if you’re putting up signs at a hospital, shopping centre, school or business office, the right installation option can save time – and money.

Need help with your specific project? Contact Complete Projects WA for a completely accurate description of what your timeline will look like based on your specific needs, not generalisations.

Because, as it turns out, when discussing how long sign installation takes, the true answer is always: it depends on YOUR project. But at least now you have an idea of what it is.