“How long does it take to get a business sign?” is one of the most common questions we hear at RMS Sign Company.

It seems like a simple question. But the honest answer is that it depends.

Unlike ordering a product off a shelf, a business sign is a custom-built structure. It is designed around your brand, your building, local regulations, and your specific goals. Every one of those factors influences the timeline.

What we can tell you is this: understanding the process from start to finish will help you plan smarter. It will also help you avoid the costly mistakes that come from rushing a project that deserves careful attention.

Why Sign Timelines Are Not One-Size-Fits-All

No two sign projects are exactly alike. A vinyl banner for a grand opening looks very different from an illuminated monument sign at the entrance of a commercial property. The steps involved, the materials required, and the approvals needed vary significantly from one project to the next.

The type of sign you need is one factor. The size and complexity of the design is another. Whether your project requires electrical work, permitting, or the removal of an existing sign all adds layers to the timeline.

This is not a process designed to be slow. It is a process designed to be right.

The Stages of the Sign Process

Understanding what happens at each stage of a sign project helps set realistic expectations. Here is a look at what goes into the process from first conversation to final installation.

Consultation and Site Evaluation

Every project begins with a conversation. We want to understand your business, your goals, and the impression you want to make.

From there, a site evaluation is conducted. This is where our team visits your location to take accurate measurements, assess the building structure, review mounting conditions, and identify any electrical access points. We also look for potential challenges before fabrication begins.

This step is not optional. Skipping it leads to surprises later, and surprises in the sign industry almost always mean added cost and added time.

Design and Estimating

Once we have the information we need, our team gets to work on the design and estimate.

This stage is often more involved than people expect. A well-crafted sign design accounts for visibility, proportions, brand standards, material choices, and how the sign will look both during the day and at night. Building an accurate estimate requires just as much care. We factor in materials, fabrication time, installation requirements, permit costs, and any site-specific considerations.

There is also a back-and-forth nature to this stage that is worth understanding. Designs often go through revisions. You may want adjustments to the layout, the sizing, or the color. Your landlord may have requirements that need to be incorporated. Occasionally, a design needs to be reworked to meet local code standards.

The more responsive you can be during this stage, the smoother things move. Delays in feedback or approvals on your end will naturally extend the timeline.

Permitting

For most business signs in Colorado, a permit is required before fabrication can begin. This is the stage that surprises people the most, and it is often the biggest variable in the entire timeline.

Permitting requirements vary widely depending on your municipality. Colorado Springs, Denver, Pueblo, and smaller Front Range communities each have their own regulations governing sign size, placement, illumination, and mounting methods. Some applications are straightforward. Others require engineering drawings, zoning review, or multiple rounds of revision before approval is granted.

Working with an experienced local sign company makes a meaningful difference here. With over 30 years of experience in Colorado, RMS Sign Company knows these processes well. We handle permitting efficiently and accurately, helping businesses avoid unnecessary delays and stay compliant from day one.

Fabrication

Once the design is approved and permits are in hand, fabrication begins.

This is where your sign is actually built. Depending on the sign type, this can involve cutting and routing aluminum or HDU, forming channel letters, assembling LED components, applying vinyl graphics, powder coating, and quality control inspections at multiple points along the way.

How long fabrication takes depends on the complexity of the project. A simple flat-cut sign moves through the shop quickly. A large illuminated monument sign with multiple components requires significantly more time and attention. Rush requests can sometimes be accommodated, but quality craftsmanship cannot be compressed beyond a certain point.

Installation

Installation is often the most visible part of the process, but there is far more to it than mounting a sign to a wall.

Our installation team assesses the site conditions, prepares the mounting surface, handles any necessary electrical connections, and ensures everything is properly secured and level. For larger signs, this may require lift equipment, multiple crew members, and coordination with the building owner or property manager.

A final inspection confirms that your sign is safe, compliant, and performing exactly as designed. That last step is not something we skip, because a well-installed sign protects both your investment and your customers.

What Affects the Timeline Most

After 30 years in the industry, we have seen projects move quickly and projects get delayed. The factors that most often affect the timeline are within your control or involve things you should know going in.

• Permitting is consistently the biggest variable. Some municipalities process applications quickly. Others have longer review periods, especially for larger or illuminated signs. Starting the permit process as early as possible is always the right move.
• Client feedback speed also plays a significant role. When design proofs and estimates are reviewed and approved promptly, projects move forward. When approvals sit for days or weeks, the timeline shifts accordingly.
• Landlord or property management approvals are another common source of delays. If your lease requires sign approval from your building owner, it is worth initiating that conversation early in the process.
• Finally, sign complexity matters. A simple banner or flat-cut wall sign moves through the process faster than a large freestanding monument sign with LED illumination and multiple panels.

What “Rush” Really Means in the Sign Industry

We understand that businesses sometimes need signs quickly. Grand openings get scheduled. Lease agreements have deadlines. Rebrands happen on tight timelines.

We will always do our best to move efficiently. But there are limits to how much a timeline can be compressed without sacrificing quality, safety, or code compliance.

Cutting corners on a sign project rarely saves time in the long run. A sign that fails inspection must be revised and re-submitted. A sign fabricated without proper permits can be ordered removed. A sign installed incorrectly may need to be reinstalled. Each of those outcomes costs more time and money than the original process would have required.

The best way to get your sign faster is to start the process earlier. The sooner we can begin the consultation, design, and permitting stages, the sooner your sign will be installed and working for your business.

Tips to Help Your Project Move Faster

There are several things you can do to keep your project on track from day one.

Have your logo files ready in a vector format when you reach out. Review design proofs and estimates promptly. Communicate any landlord or property management requirements upfront. And most importantly, do not wait until the week before your opening to start the process.

If you are in the early stages of planning a new location or rebrand, that is the ideal time to bring in your sign company. Involving RMS Sign Company early gives us the runway we need to do the job right, without unnecessary pressure on any stage of the process.

Start the Process Before You Think You Need To

The businesses that get their signs installed on time are almost always the ones that started planning early.

Asking how long it takes to get a business sign is a great first step. The next step is reaching out to get the process started.

At RMS Sign Company, we have helped businesses across Colorado navigate the sign process for over 30 years. We offer free site evaluations, transparent pricing, and the kind of hands-on guidance that makes the process feel manageable from start to finish.

Your sign is your first impression. Let’s make it count.

Contact RMS Sign Company today to schedule your free consultation and get your project moving in the right direction.

RMS Sign Company – Exceeding Expectations