Your signs are one of the first things people notice about your commercial property. They welcome tenants, help customers find businesses, and create an impression every time someone drives past. Because they stay in place for decades, choosing the right sign company once can save you from unnecessary repairs, delays, and frustration later.
We have installed and serviced signs on commercial properties across Arkansas, from single storefronts to multi-tenant shopping centers. We put this guide together to help make your decision easier.
By the time you finish reading, you'll know what separates a reliable sign company from the rest, which questions are worth asking before you sign a contract, and what to look for before trusting someone with the signs your property will rely on for years.
Key Takeaways
- If your project includes a lighted sign, make sure the company has the proper electrical license. It's one of the most important questions many owners never think to ask.
- One full-service sign company is usually a better choice than coordinating multiple companies for different parts of the job.
- The installation takes a day. Your relationship with the company lasts as long as the sign does, so choose one you can rely on for years.
- You can check most of this before you ever make a call. A sign company's work is already standing throughout the communities it serves.
What Does a Commercial Property Need from a Sign Company?
A commercial property depends on several types of signs, not just one. They serve different purposes, change as tenants come and go, and need service at different times. The right sign company can design, build, and care for all of them, so one call covers whatever comes up.
The types of signs you'll typically find on a commercial property can include:
- A tall pylon or monument sign on the road, the one that carries your property’s or tenants’ names
- Wall signs on the building itself
- Channel letters, the lighted letters mounted above storefront entrances
- Wayfinding signs and directories that help visitors find the right suite
- ADA signs, the ones required so every visitor can navigate your property
- LED message centers, the changeable displays that let you or your tenants share what’s new
While each of these signs serves a different purpose, they work together to create a complete visitor experience. A customer may first notice a pylon sign from the road, use a directory to find the right suite, and finally identify the business through its illuminated channel letters. None of these signs truly replaces another. Instead, they complement one another, with the right combination depending on your property's layout, tenant mix, and communication needs.
That's why commercial property owners continue to invest in professional signage. Well-designed signs improve visibility, make navigation easier, strengthen tenant branding, support accessibility, and create a more polished first impression. A full-service sign company brings all of these elements together, providing the expertise to design, manufacture, install, maintain, and update every sign on the property as its needs evolve.
Factors That Identify the Right Commercial Sign Company
Sign companies can look nearly identical from the outside: similar websites, promises, and photos. The differences that matter show up in six places. Walk through these, and the right choice usually makes itself clear.
1. Licensed for Electrical Sign Work
Most of the signs on a commercial property light up, and a lighted sign is electrical work, running on far more power than a wall outlet. Arkansas takes that seriously enough to have a specific license for it:
- The name to know: the license is called Licensed Sign Electrician, and it is not the same as a general electrician’s license. Not every sign company carries it.
- The work it covers: lighted wall signs, pylon signs, and message centers, which is exactly what your property runs on.
- Where Seiz Sign Company stands: we've been helping Arkansas businesses with their signage for decades, and we have Licensed Sign Electricians on staff. Our combination of experience and in-house expertise helps ensure your signs are installed, maintained, and repaired safely, correctly, and in compliance with applicable electrical and sign codes.
2. Design, Production, and Installation Under One Roof
Some companies design but send the building work elsewhere. Others build but hire out the installation. Keeping design, production, and installation under one roof offers several advantages:
- Fewer handoffs: Every transfer between separate companies creates another opportunity for delays, miscommunication, or unexpected changes. A single team keeps the project moving from concept to completion.
- One company accountable: If a question or issue comes up during installation or years later, you won't have to figure out which contractor is responsible. One company stands behind the entire project.
- One point of contact: Instead of coordinating with designers, fabricators, and installers individually, you work with one team that manages every stage, from the first design sketch to the day your sign is installed, illuminated, and ready to represent your property.
3. Proven Work on Properties Like Yours
A shopping center, an office building, and a medical complex each ask different things of their signs. A company that has done your kind of property has already solved your kind of problems, and the proof is easy to get:
- Ask to see similar projects. Look for shopping centers, office buildings, medical complexes, or other commercial properties that resemble yours and require the same types of signs.
- Visit completed installations. Photos can be helpful, but seeing signs in person tells you far more. Look at how the channel letters, monument signs, and other exterior signage have held up against weather, sunlight, and everyday wear.
- Evaluate the full sign system. A capable sign company should be able to deliver more than one type of sign. Look for properties where they've successfully designed and installed everything from roadside identification signs and storefront signage to interior directories and way finding signs.
4. Permitting Handled for You
Nearly every sign on a commercial property needs a permit, and the rules change from one street to the next. On Malvern Avenue in Hot Springs, for example, commercial businesses along the highway are required to use monument signs, and other freestanding signs are not allowed.
Property owners shouldn't have to worry about permits or local sign regulations. An experienced sign company, like Seiz Signs handles the entire permitting process for you, ensuring your sign meets local requirements so you can focus on running your property instead.
5. A Service Department Behind the Install
Your relationship with a sign company truly begins after the install. Over the years, your property will need:
- Tenant panel changes: when a business moves in or out, its name on your road sign changes too.
- Lighting service: when a section goes dim, it needs attention before your property looks unkept at night.
- A refresh: after years in the sun, faces and colors are brought back to new.
A company with a real service department treats sign repair and maintenance as part of the job, not a favor. That is the difference between a company that sells signs and one that stands behind them.
A Company That Will Still Be There
Your signs will be working for you ten and twenty years from now, so it is fair to ask whether the company will be around that long, too. The years tell you how a company treats people, because word travels and only the good ones last.
We can offer our own record plainly: Seiz Sign Company was founded in 1908, and 118 years later, the same family is still running it, four generations on.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Sign
By now, you should have a good idea of what to look for in a sign company. Before making your decision, ask a few simple questions. An experienced, reputable company won't hesitate to answer them.
| Ask This | What a Good Answer Sounds Like |
|---|---|
| Are you insured for this work? | "Yes, we're fully insured, and we're happy to provide proof." |
| Who will be my point of contact? | A dedicated contact who manages your project from start to finish. |
| Can I get the project timeline in writing? | "Absolutely. Your timeline is included with your proposal." |
| Who handles the installation? | "Our own installation crew." |
| Can I see examples of similar projects or speak with a past client? | References and completed local projects they're proud to share. |
| What does the quote include? | A clear breakdown covering design, fabrication, permits, installation, and any other applicable costs. |
Pricing is the one answer no honest company gives before seeing your property, because every sign is built for its building and its street. When you are ready for real numbers, contact us for a quote, and we will put them in writing.
The right sign company assesses your property layout, traffic patterns, local code, and tenant mix to recommend the combination that actually works for your site, then handles everything required to get it installed.
How We Work with Commercial Properties at Seiz
Our process is designed to make commercial signage as straightforward as possible. From the first site visit to long-term maintenance, here's what you can expect when you work with us:
- Property visit: We assess your property, discuss your goals, and take on-site measurements.
- Custom design: Our team creates signage tailored to your property, and you approve every design before production begins.
- Permitting & production: We manufacture your signs and handle all required permits.
- Professional installation: Our installation team completes the project on an agreed schedule.
- Ongoing service: We remain available for repairs, maintenance, lighting service, and tenant updates whenever you need us.
Whether you're planning signage for a new commercial property or updating an existing one, choosing the right sign company can make the entire process simpler. If you're evaluating your options, we'd be glad to be one of the companies you consider. Call Seiz Sign Company at (501) 623-3181 or get in touch to discuss your property. We'd love the opportunity to help bring your signage project to life!
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I contact a sign company for a commercial project?
Earlier than you might expect. The best time is while you are still planning, whether that is signing tenants, renovating, or building new, because designs, permits, and production all take their own time, and starting early keeps your signs off the critical path. Reach out when the project is still on paper, and we will give you a clear timeline with your quote.
Can one sign company handle every sign on a multi-tenant property?
Yes, and it is the arrangement we recommend. Your road sign, building signs, and interior signs end up matching in look and quality, tenants coming or going deal with one company instead of finding their own, and you keep a single point of contact for the whole property. At Seiz Sign Company, we offer all of these services under one roof, making it easier to manage your property's signage throughout its lifecycle.
Should I choose a local or a national sign company?
For a commercial property, we believe local wins! Local companies understand the area's sign codes, permitting requirements, and environmental conditions, making it easier to design and install signs that comply with local regulations. They're also nearby when you need routine maintenance, tenant updates, lighting repairs, or emergency service.
My property already has signs. Do I still need a sign company?
Yes, and this is when the right one earns its keep. Existing signs need care as they age, panels change with tenants, and older lighted signs can often be upgraded to modern LED lighting that looks better and costs less to run.
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