How to Start a Real Estate Sign Installation Business: Tips and Strategies

When you start a real estate agent sign installation business, you have access to a wide variety of potential business sources, from residential to commercial to vacant lots. You will also need to establish the geographic area that you can reliably cover.

When considering how to start a real estate sign installation business, the first consideration should be to organize the production of sign materials. To print custom logos and colors, you will need to make arrangements with a screen printing company. This is a specialized process in which the pattern is created on the fabric with a strong material, then the ink is pressed in multiple passes of color. You’ll also want to organize the storage of the entire signs in a dry area covered with dividers to protect their surface when not in use.

The signs themselves are almost universally mounted on standard construction grade four-by-four Douglas fir poles, apart from larger commercial real estate signs that may occasionally require four-by-six poles. Letter plywood should be exterior glued plywood with a smooth PTS “plug and touch sanded” surface on both sides. The half-inch thickness should be sufficient for most applications.

You will need a good knowledge of the area to accurately locate the sign locations. A GPS device comes in handy here, and you’ll also want to be able to read maps from the County Assessor’s platform if you’re going to be posting signs on vacant lots. You will also need to check local ordinances on signs in developed areas. Learn about restrictions on posting signs in gated communities, within homeowner association controlled developments, and in all covenant, condition and restriction (CCR) areas such as planned unit developments or townhomes.

You also need to have reliable transportation consisting of a full-size pickup truck with wooden spacing attachments designed to secure standard yard signs during transportation.

Once your production capacity and storage arrangements are in place but not yet activated, you must protect your accounts. In addition to marketing for conventional real estate offices, you’ll also want to look at the bank’s REO (real estate property) departments that need to liquidate foreclosed properties and independent agencies that sell foreclosed properties in bulk.

Set your prices and services by comparing them to sign companies in areas adjacent to your service area. Much of your marketing will consist of networking in person with real estate office managers in your area. Be presentable, persistent, friendly, and serious. These people need to know that they can trust you to put up and take down their signs quickly and reliably.

Almost all businesses today can benefit from an online marketing presence. A digital camera can provide you with promotional photos for your website, and templates are available online to simplify the process of setting up your site. Be sure to include a call to action on every page to encourage your visitors to request a quote via email. Also get their name and phone number on their online form to follow up with them constantly. Forms can be found by searching response forms online.

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