Can a tray sign cover an old fascia completely?

Yes, in most cases. A tray can be sized to the full fascia board with folded ends that wrap the corners, hiding the old timber. We still check the board is sound and fix through to solid structure, because hidden rot can loosen fixings over time.

Could the consent process affect the timing of my job in Northampton?

It can. Not every job needs an application, but where express consent is required the council's decision typically takes several weeks, and fitting typically waits until it is granted. We check this at the start, so the timetable you receive with your quote allows for consent where it applies, along with the proof approval stage.

Who carries out the work on tray signs in Northampton?

The work on site is done by installers working under our contract, and anything that needs making is produced by specialist fabricators. You deal with Smart Signs throughout: we take the enquiry, survey, prepare the design and quote, check consent and coordinate the fitting, so there is one point of contact from first message to handover.

What colour should the tray be?

Pick a colour that contrasts strongly with your lettering and suits the frontage. Charcoal, anthracite and black with white or metallic letters read clearly on most buildings, while light trays with dark letters suit darker brick. Matching the RAL colour of your window frames gives a coordinated look.

How much should I budget for tray signs in Northampton?

As a guide, £1,250–£3,450 per sign + VAT. Where your job falls in that range depends on size, materials, access height, whether old signage has to come off and how much design work is involved. We confirm a fixed price after a survey or artwork check, before anything is ordered.

Do tray signs suit office buildings and business parks?

Yes. Trays suit entrances, canopies and plain cladding as well as shop fascias, and can be fixed to brick, render or cladding rails. For cladding we confirm the fixing method with the building owner first, since drilling some panel systems can affect how they perform.

Tray signs in Northamptonshire

Tray signs are fascia signs folded from aluminium sheet so the face turns back at the edges into returns, typically 50–75 mm deep, then powder coated and hung on concealed fixings.

Why choose tray signs in Northamptonshire?

An estate agent in Northampton may change window displays weekly but keep the fascia for years, which is where a durable powder coat pays back.
Professional practices in Northampton, such as dentists, opticians and solicitors, may prefer a tray because a clean folded edge suggests care.
Businesses moving into a refurbished Northampton building can use a wrap-around tray to hide an uneven old fascia without stripping it out.

Guide prices in Northamptonshire

We publish guide prices so you can plan before you get in touch. For tray signs the range is £1,250–£3,450 per sign, not including VAT, and the final price is confirmed after we survey the site or check the artwork.

Tray signs in Northamptonshire: guide prices, supplied and fitted
Item	Guide, ex VAT	Inc. VAT (20%)
Tray sign up to 3 m, vinyl lettering	£1,250 – £2,100	£1,500 – £2,520
Tray sign 3–5 m, raised acrylic lettering	£1,850 – £3,450	£2,220 – £4,140
Push-through or routed letters (non-lit)	£350 – £950	£420 – £1,140

Guide prices, supplied and fitted and excluding VAT, are £1,250 to £2,100 for a tray up to 3 m with vinyl lettering, and £1,850 to £3,450 for a 3–5 m tray with raised acrylic letters. Routed or push-through letters on a non-lit tray add a guide £350 to £950.

Do you need permission for a sign in Northamptonshire?

Will you need permission? For a non-illuminated sign at your own business address in England, usually not, as long as it stays inside the deemed consent limits: letters no taller than 0.75 m (0.3 m in an area of special control) and nothing above the bottom of a first-floor window. Historic streets need more care. In a conservation area the details matter more, and fixing to a listed building usually needs listed building consent, with fixings into mortar joints rather than brick or stone faces generally preferred. We check with you before anything is ordered, and can prepare drawings and photos for an application, or submit it for you.

Options worth considering

Routed tray with push-through letters

Letters cut through the face with acrylic pushed through, ready to light.

Wrap-around tray

Sized to the whole fascia with folded ends, hiding the old board.

Tray with vinyl lettering

Cut-vinyl text on a powder-coated tray: the entry point.

Towns in Northamptonshire

Pick your town below to see the page for tray signs there. The list shows the main towns in Northamptonshire; smaller places around them are covered too.

Tell us where you are in Northamptonshire and what you need. We quote for tray signs free of charge, and the design proof always comes before any making or fitting.