How Much Are Sign Companies Charging in 2026?

Service calls, design time, surveys, banners, wraps, bucket-truck time and more.

Published

2 months ago

March 24, 2026

Signs of the Times Staff Signs of the Times March 2026 Issue Online Extra

HOW MUCH DO YOU CHARGE?

THE RESPONDENTS CHARGING in most of the lowest ranges overall are located in various parts of the US and Canada, all have been in business for more than 10 years, all but one have fewer than 10 employees (one has 30-49), and one reports $1M to $5M in annual sales last year. No respondents are charging in the highest ranges across all or even most categories; instead their ranges are mixed. Still, don’t be fooled by such wide ranges in charges, as signwork varies from vinyl lettering to stadium displays.

61. How much do you mark up materials on service calls?

Less than 25%
5%
25% to 49%
27%
50% to 99%
35%
100% to 199%
26%
200% or more
7%

62. How much do you charge for design time, per hour?

Less than $50
8%
$50 to $74
19%
$75 to $99
25%
$100 to $124
25%
$125 to $149
15%
$150 or more
8%

DESIGN ON A DIME. As many are charging more than 3x ($150 or more) as those charging less than $50. At the very least, in our quest to encourage sign companies to place value on design time and charge accordingly, only 1 in 12 is under $50/hr.

63. How much do you charge for a straightforward physical site survey?

Less than $50
15%
$50 to $99
11%
$100 to $149
14%
$150 to $199
12%
$200 to $249
8%
$250 or more
40%

OUTTA SITE! Last year’s top range of $200 or more garnered 37%, a plurality, so for this year we bumped it up by $50 and still have a plurality — this time 40%.

64. How much do you charge to fabricate a 3 x 10-ft., 13-oz. banner with art provided and grommets every 2 ft. on all four sides (no installation)?

Less than $150
19%
$150 to $199
35%
$200 to $249
21%
$250 to $299
15%
$300 or more
10%

65. How much do you charge to install a 3 x 10-ft., 13-oz. banner with art provided and grommets every 2 ft. on all four sides, 8 ft. or less from the ground (one-person job)?

Less than $150
19%
$150 to $199
39%
$200 to $249
18%
$250 to $299
9%
$300 or more
15%

66. How much do you charge to fabricate a 4 x 8-ft., 3mm ACP panel with digital vinyl and laminate, art provided (no site-survey or installation)?

Less than $400
15%
$400 to $449
15%
$450 to $499
18%
$500 to $549
22%
$550 to $599
14%
$600 or more
16%

ACP CLAPS BACK. In 2025 a combined 39% charged $449 or less (vs. 30% this year), and a combined 22% charged $550 or more (vs. 30% this year). That’s an 8-9% swing of those charging at least $100 more compared to 2025.

67. How much do you charge to install a 4 x 8-ft., 3mm ACP panel with digital vinyl and laminate, art provided, 8 ft. or less from the ground (one-person job)?

Less than $200
22%
$200 to $249
27%
$250 to $299
13%
$300 to $349
14%
$350 to $399
11%
$400 or more
13%

68. How much do you charge for a designed, full vehicle wrap, per square foot?

Less than $10
7%
$10 to $14
17%
$15 to $19
45%
$20 to $24
18%
$25 or more
13%

69. How much do you charge to install (only) a customer-provided vehicle wrap, per square foot?

Less than $5
12%
$5 to $9
30%
$10 to $14
21%
$15 to $19
13%
$20 or more
24%

WRAPPERS, DELIGHT. The percentage of respondents charging $20 or more doubled from last year’s 12%. However, the percentage charging less than $5 also ticked up 2%.

70. How much is your minimum charge to send out a service crew?

Less than $100
13%
$100 to $199
37%
$200 to $299
28%
$300 to $399
14%
$400 or more
8%

71. How much do you charge for 1 hour of labor and crane/bucket truck time for a service call?

Less than $100
3%
$100 to $149
8%
$150 to $199
34%
$200 to $249
22%
$250 to $299
13%
$300 to $349
8%
$350 or more
12%

72. What’s the most you’ve ever charged for one sign project?

Less than $10,000
3%
$10,000 to $24,999
10%
$25,000 to $49,999
17%
$50,000 to $99,999
13%
$100,000 to $199,999
20%
$200,000 to $499,999
17%
$500,000 to $999,999
10%
$1 million to $1,999,999
5%
$2 million or more
5%

MILLION-DOLLAR SALES RESUMES. Of the 14 respondents reporting a combined $1M or more, 6 got into the sign industry because they “just needed a job” and 3 did “by accident.”

Go to part 10 Respondent Suggestions for the 2026 Big Survey.

Signs of the Times Staff

Signs of the Times has been the world leader in sign information since 1906. Contact Signs of the Times' editors at [email protected].

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