Property managers have enough on their plates in the course of a day, to not need to constantly answer the same questions from tenants, owners, and visitors, all day long. In this article, we provide tips designed to specifically address the signage planning strategies for property managers, types of signs they need to consider, design to fit within the architectural style of the community, budgeting, maintenance and permitting. The signs that properties require to welcome people, advertise vacancies, and keep tenants and visitors well-informed and safe are many, so it’s advisable to plan your signage to meet these various needs.

How do you know what signs you need?

You probably already use some types of signage on your property. Do your signs need an update? Renters and owners want to live in a place where the signs are welcoming, up to date, in good physical shape, and properly maintained. Broken signage, especially in illuminated signs, makes a negative impression on visitors and may cause potential tenants to rethink their decision to rent an apartment or purchase a condo on your property. Curb appeal is real and red flags, such as poor signage can drive renters away from your property.

Sign Refresh?

Taking a look at your current signage, is it cohesive and customized for your brand, across all applications? Is the style of your architecture reflected in your signage? Some more traditional Old-World styles resonate with rich, jewel tones for logos, and metal lettering incorporated into your signage. Your complex may be more contemporary with clean lines and natural materials in the design. Signarama’s design pros can help evaluate your current signage as well as suggest solutions that reflect your complex’s style. Starting with your exterior signage, here are some of the types of signs you will need to update your brand.   

Exterior signage

Depending on the style of your apartment or condo complex, you can create a sense of permanence with:

• Monument signs that mimic your building materials and architectural style – Monument signs can be made from concrete and hardscape materials, metal cabinets with routed lettering and backlighting, armored foam with stucco finish and dimensional letters, or acrylic faced sign cabinets with digitally printed signage.
• Post and Panel signs may fit better with contemporary themed complexes, constructed from wood with or without routed lettering that incorporates your branded colors. These signs should be illuminated so visitors and residents can easily see them at night.

Welcome signs, in addition to your main exterior signage, are helpful to make people feel like they want to live in a place with good vibes. Feather flags can welcome visitors to your properties, as well as advertise availability and move-in specials.

Wayfinding signage

Once drivers enter your property, they should be able to easily find their way around. Wayfinding signage should incorporate your brand colors and style and help guide the flow of traffic. Types of wayfinding signs include:

• Directional signage —Important at points where drivers have to make decisions. Good directional signage— At intersections guides visitors to buildings and units.
• Identifying signage, in the form of plaques or numbers attached to buildings or mounted at the front of buildings will help visitors find their way.
• Informational signage— Is crucial for visitors and tenants to find administrative offices, clubhouses, laundry rooms, plus pool and fitness centers on your property. Plaques, post and panel signs and awnings can help identify specific areas and provide information, such as hours of operation, maps of the complex, pool rules, and other information that adds context to locations. In addition to branded wayfinding, directional, and informational signage, safety signage is needed to keep visitors, residents, and workers from harm on your property.

Safety Signage

In order to protect visitors, residents, and workers from harm on your property, and to protect your property from legal liabilities, safety signage is crucial. Many of these signs are regulated by law and prescriptive. Our sign experts at Signarama know the laws for safety and ADA signs, as well as where and how safety and accessibility signs need to be installed. Our sign experts are also available to evaluate your existing safety and ADA signs. Safety signage includes:

• Traffic signs, such as speed limit signs, crosswalk signs, and exit signs
• Parking signs, such as handicap spaces, loading zones, reserved spaces and visitor spaces
• Playground signs
• ADA accessibility signs
• Braille signage
• Construction work area signs

Interior safety signage

Along with well-lit hallways, signs that indicate elevator locations, stairways, exit signs, accessibility signs and braille signs make your property more welcoming and inclusive to everyone. 

Take the guesswork out of your signage project

When it comes to getting signage that is cohesive, well-designed, up-to-code, and in compliance with all traffic laws, in addition to all local laws and regulations, you should use a professional sign company, such as Signarama. Our sign experts can help you determine the signage that works for your property and your budget, the design and branding of your signs, as well as help you with the correct placement of signs. Our pros know which materials and production methods will work best for your brand and budget.

Budgeting your project

As a property manager your signage is important to retain tenants and to attract more renters or owners. A sign refresh can involve a number of signs that can cut into a big chunk of your budget. Need a sign refresh but don’t think you can afford it, right now? Here’s an idea! Signarama offers Signancing, a financing program that allows you to pay low, manageable monthly payments that work best for your budget and allows you to move forward with your sign project!

Leave permitting to us

Our sign project management pros are tuned into the ins and outs of the permitting process for your area’s property signage, should a permit be required.

Maintaining your new signage

Keeping your signage in good shape can be a matter of regularly monitoring signs, periodically cleaning your signs, and checking that all lighting in your illuminated signs is working. Signarama signs are protected by a UV overlaminate from weather elements, dust, grime, and pollution. We also offer a signage maintenance program, geared especially for electrical or illuminated signs to ensure your signage investment continues to perform in top condition throughout its use.

In order to keep your tenants satisfied and gain the interest of new tenants, your property needs to be welcoming and easy to navigate! Your signs are important, and they need to be maintained, refreshed or repaired, as soon as possible to elevate your property’s curb appeal. Contact Signarama pros to learn about how we can help refresh your signage to keep your tenants and visitors happy about the places they call home!