Buyer’s guides
Sign guides
Straight answers on consent, costs, materials, lighting, vehicle wraps and window graphics — written for business owners, not sign makers.
Do you need permission for a business sign?
Many non-illuminated signs on your own premises are allowed without applying, under what England calls deemed consent, but most illuminated signs and anything over the size or height limits need express consent from the council. Decisions usually take up to 8 weeks, and consent is normally granted for 5 years.
Signs in conservation areas and on listed buildings
In a conservation area, illuminated signs lose the deemed consent they might have elsewhere, and a sign fixed to a listed building usually needs listed building consent as well as advertisement consent. Councils often prefer painted timber or aluminium, external or halo lighting and discreet fixings, so design for that from the start.
How much does a shop sign cost?
A flat aluminium composite fascia sign is a guide £495–£1,650 + VAT supplied and fitted, a tray sign £1,250–£3,450 and an illuminated letter set for a typical business name £2,400–£8,900. Size, materials, lighting, access and consent drawings drive the final figure, which we confirm after a survey.
Face-lit vs halo-lit letters: which suits your business?
Face-lit letters glow through an opal acrylic face, so the name reads clearly from a distance at night, while halo-lit letters shine light backwards onto the wall for a softer outline glow. As a guide, a typical business name costs £2,400–£8,900 + VAT face-lit and £2,800–£9,800 halo-lit, confirmed after survey.
Fascia sign types compared: panel, tray, letters or lightbox?
A flat aluminium composite panel is the simplest and lowest-cost fascia sign, a tray sign adds depth and a crisp folded edge, and built-up or flat-cut letters give a premium look with no visible panel. Lightboxes suit businesses that need a bright, evenly lit sign at night.
How to measure your fascia for a new sign
Measure the full width and height of the fascia at several points, its depth or projection, the height of the bottom edge above the pavement, and note what it is made of and anything in the way. Add straight-on photos, and we can give you a guide price before a survey.
What does an LED sign cost to run, and how bright should it be?
An LED sign's running cost is its power in watts, multiplied by the hours it is on, divided by 1,000 and multiplied by your price per kWh. LED signs use far less power than fluorescent or neon, and a time switch, sensible dimming and brightness within ILP guidance PLG05 keep costs and complaints down.
How big should sign lettering be to read from a distance?
As a rule of thumb, allow roughly 25 mm of letter height for every 3 m of viewing distance for basic legibility, and more for impact or for drivers passing at speed. Strong contrast, a clear font, generous spacing and fewer words matter as much as size.
Van wrap or sign-writing: which is right for your van?
Sign-writing applies cut vinyl lettering to the van's own paint, at a guide £245–£895 + VAT, while a wrap covers whole panels in printed cast vinyl, from £795 for a part wrap to £3,850 for a full wrap on a large van. Prices are confirmed once we see the vehicle, and many businesses choose a hybrid.
How long does a vehicle wrap last?
Quality cast wrap films are commonly rated by manufacturers for around 5–7 years on vertical surfaces, with the bonnet and roof ageing faster. Real life depends on sun exposure, washing habits, parking and care, and a simple hand-washing routine helps a wrap reach its rated life.
Can you wrap a leased or financed van?
Usually, yes, but check the lease or finance agreement first, because most require the vehicle back in its original condition with graphics removed. Record the paint condition before wrapping, update the V5C if the main colour changes, tell your insurer, and plan removal before the return date.
Window graphics options explained
The main options are full-colour printed vinyl, cut vinyl lettering, frosted etch-effect film and one-way vision film, and each balances visibility, privacy and light differently. Printed vinyl is a guide £28–£58 per m² + VAT fitted, and lettering for a door or window from £95, confirmed after an artwork check.
Glass manifestation rules explained
Large areas of glazing that people could walk into must be made visible, usually with manifestation. England's Approved Document K suggests marking in two zones, 850–1000 mm and 1400–1600 mm above floor level, and the Workplace Regulations 1992 require transparent surfaces in workplaces to be marked where necessary for safety.
Chapter 8 chevrons explained: does your vehicle need them?
Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual is the guidance for vehicles that stop or work on the highway, and it calls for rear markings of alternating red and fluorescent yellow retroreflective chevrons pointing upwards. Clients and contracts often require it, so always check your contract's exact specification before fitting.
Planning signs for a new shop: from lease to opening day
Start planning your signs as soon as the lease is agreed, because landlord approval and any advertisement consent can take longer than making the sign. Allow up to 8 weeks for a council decision if consent is needed, then typical manufacturing and fitting, and use window graphics to promote the opening while you fit out.
Sign maintenance and repairs: keeping your sign in good order
Most signs need little more than an occasional clean and a regular visual check from the ground for loose fixings, lifting vinyl or failed lighting. Faults such as a dead LED section or a faded lightbox face can usually be repaired, but leave any work at height to people with proper access equipment.