About the sign that has been there for years… if it is not maintained or is in bad shape get the permit number or phone number off of it and try to buy or lease it, but only if you can get a permit for it.
Go see the sign permit office in your area to see if their are any sign owners that are in arrears in paying for their permits, they may be big income earners for you if you can own or control them.
If your sign is placed in the wrong place or area you may not like the punishment for violating the sign ordinances, they DO fine fine people for violations, one of our city fathers (read, power brokers) made sure I understood that.
The bigger the sign, the beter, 30x40 is best, 10x40 is good, 4x8 will do. Make the colors Loud and Proud with big letters.
Question about Sign material - Posted by Doug (ON)
Posted by Doug (ON) on August 18, 2001 at 20:10:49:
There’s a very busy street near my house which is lined by the backyards of a number of homes. So I’m thinking of persuading one of those homeowners to let me hang a big old “We Buy Houses” sign on their fence.
My question is about the board to use for this sign. I’m thinking maybe just a nice big sheet of plywood or chipboard, painted bright yellow. Any experience as to how this will stand up to rain and snow? I know either way it will be awfully cheap and easily replaced, but I’d rather it last at least for a time without looking all ratty.
Re: Question about Sign material - Posted by Tillman (DE)
Posted by Tillman (DE) on August 18, 2001 at 21:20:53:
I would not suggest chipboard, it would deteriorate quickly in wet/humid conditions. An exterior grade treated plywood should stand up ok.
Are you going to paint the sign yourself, or have it professionally done?
You could use an aluminum or galvanized sheet metal sign or a large canvas banner, but you would need to check prices on the materials in your area. The metal would last 20-50 times longer than plywood. A canvas banner, depending on conditions, should last 50-70% the time of a plywood sign.
Re: Question about Sign material - Posted by Doug (ON)
Posted by Doug (ON) on August 18, 2001 at 22:12:10:
Thanks Tillman. My uncle has been a signmaker for 30+ years, but if he doesn’t want to do it I’ll just use a cardboard stencil and spray paint the text.
I would imagine the aluminum or sheet metal would also be more expensive. I think I’ll take your suggestion on an exterior plywood and paint the thing myself. I don’t want to spend more than a few bucks on a sign the city might tell me has to go.
Re: Question about Sign material - Posted by Doug (ON)
Posted by Doug (ON) on August 18, 2001 at 22:17:29:
I have, and they don’t like it. But that’s theory, and I want to test them out in practice. I’ve seen several homes with signs, including one on this very road I’m speaking of, and they’ve sat there for years. So I thought I’d try my luck, even if it stays up a couple of days, with the amount of traffic there’s a chance I might get a deal.
I figure the sign has got to be at least 4’ x 3’, and it will read only:
