Signage takes six months. Most owners find out on month five.
I'm Rob — a working sign fabricator and installer. TradeShadow is where I translate the permit codes, landlord fine print, and fabrication math nobody hands you at lease signing, before it costs you a season of rent.
Three things that quietly blow up a sign budget
Permit Timeline
Most municipalities take 4–8 weeks just to review a sign permit — before fabrication even starts.
ask before you sign the lease!Landlord Criteria
Your lease references a "sign criteria package" almost nobody reads — it can dictate size, color, even font.
read the fine printStructural & Electrical
Channel letters and monument signs often need their own dedicated power run — not covered by existing building power.
not included in "the sign guy quoted $2k"Consulting services
| Item | Service | Scope | Timeline | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Signage Readiness Audit | 30-min video walkthrough + written report flagging code, landlord & structural risk | 2–3 business days | $175 → |
| 02 | Pre-Construction Consultation | Full review of lease sign criteria + a permit roadmap before you commit to a location | 3–5 business days | $350 → |
| 03 | Full Sign Strategy Package | Audit + budget breakdown + vendor RFP prep + on-call support through your install | 2 weeks | $750 → |
Field notes, three times a week
The Trade They Don't Teach in Trade School
The 6-Month Rule
The Secret Lifespan Math
From plan to install
TradeShadow is where you get clear before you spend a dollar. When the plan is solid, I install through Signarama — a certified fabrication shop, where I work as lead installer. No middleman, no upsell. Same guy who ran your audit, now running your job.