We see this over and over again. So we want to give everyone a heads up on this issue. When opening a new business or moving your existing business to a new location, REMEMBER YOUR SIGNS.
More often than not the last thing many business owners think of is their signs, probably the most important aspect of visibility and advertising. And signs are not made in minutes, the process takes hours. Layout and design has to be approved, materials ordered, permits approved, installation scheduled and that’s just a simple sign that meets the by-laws the town has set up, Never mind going before design review or dealing with a cranky inspector who is choosing to interpret the by-laws a different way each week (we are lucky here in North Andover and in Andover, Great inspectors who are a pleasure to deal with).
Did you know that in North Andover and Andover self-illuminated signs are not allowed? In North Andover, you can’t just decide to put up a banner….ALL banners have to go before the selectmen for design review. So before you just stick up a banner know that if you get caught you could face a fine and be forced to take down that banner you may have spent a lot of money on. I could go on forever about regulations and inspectors and permits in different towns all over Ma but I’ll save it for another day.
Here is the MOST important reason to give your sign guy as much notice as possible….RUSH CHARGES! Yes, we all charge them. For a 24hr turn around you are looking at 100% of the cost of the job ADDED to the job. Seem unreasonable? Think of it this way, what if your sign guy called you up and told you that the sign you ordered 2 weeks ago is going to be late because someone else needs their sign tomorrow and they just ordered it today? You’d be looking for a new sign guy pretty quick I bet. So the alternative is long hours and overtime wages.
Most of us will do our best to make it work for you without huge rush charges if we aren’t crazy busy. But keep in mind our busy season is April to September and this year our busy season is started early because of the mild weather. Our shop is full tilt, and so is every other shop I have been in contact with.
So the thing we hate to hear the most is “I’m opening tomorrow and we forgot about our signs, can you make them for us and put them up tomorrow?” We want to make you happy, we want you to come back to us and tell everyone how wonderful we were to get it done for you. But…..we are only human contrary to what we accomplish most days.
I’m “signing” off now. I need to go home and get my sleep so I can finish the other 4 jobs ordered today for install tomorrow.
