8 Signage Mistakes That Cost New Businesses Time and Money
Each of these is avoidable. Each of them has happened to a business near you.
Starting signage too late
Exterior signs requiring permits take 6–12 weeks from design to install in Ottawa. Starting the process after you have signed your lease often means opening without signage. Start the signage conversation the same week you sign.
Skipping the permit
Installing a sign without the required permit in Ottawa can result in a removal order at your expense. The permit cost is almost always less than the cost of removal and reinstallation.
Not reading your lease sign schedule
Most commercial leases have a sign schedule that specifies permitted sign types, sizes, and locations. Ordering a sign that violates the schedule means starting over after landlord rejection.
Choosing the lowest quote without checking what is included
Many sign quotes cover fabrication only — no installation, no permits, no hardware. A quote that looks 40% cheaper often becomes more expensive once all-in costs are calculated.
Underestimating the impact of sign visibility
A sign that looks great in a design file can be unreadable from the street if letter height, contrast, or placement are not optimized for the actual viewing distance. Always have visibility reviewed as part of the design process.
Ignoring the interior signage experience
Many new businesses invest in an exterior sign and neglect the interior. Lobby signage, wayfinding, and branded wall graphics reinforce the quality signal your exterior sign started.
Ordering from an online sign supplier without site verification
Online sign suppliers produce to a size — not to your specific building. Signs that are not sized for your fascia, your landlord criteria, or your permit requirements often do not fit once they arrive.
Not documenting the installation
Permit records, installation photos, and warranty documentation matter when your lease renews, when you sell the business, or when the sign needs service. Ask your installer for a completion package.