Casting the First Stone

Monument signs have become a large part of my business. I enjoy building them and have found that, when using the correct materials and tools, constructing them can be highly profitable.

I fabricated a two-sided sign for Wycliffe Properties, a regular customer for whom I’d also created a 20-ft.-wide sign on the same property. We installed the new sign to help make the back driveway more attractive and visible.

I always ask clients for a budget before I draw or design anything. It’s important to know what they expect so no unpleasant surprises arise later in the process.

For me, construction sites are akin to Letterhead meets; they inspire a slew of ideas. I recommend browsing hardware stores and investigating new housing developments for material ideas.

Whether discussing houses or signs, new materials have changed construction methods. Synthetic stones, as well as the concrete-board laminate used as the skin, were unheard of until six or seven years ago. Until recent years, options entailed only real stones and plywood.

When seeking synthetic stones for a monument sign, I refer to one of my favorite Internet stops, www.culturedstone.com. The first company on the market, it has become as generic as Xerox