How to Start a Real Estate Sign Installation Business – Tips and Strategies
When you start a Realtor sign installation business, you have access to a wide variety of potential business sources, from residential to commercial to vacant land. You will also need to establish the geographic area that you can reliably cover.
When considering how to start a Realtor sign installation business, the first consideration should be to organize the production of signage materials. To print custom colors and logos, you will need to make arrangements with a screen printing company. This is a specialized process where the pattern is created on fabric with a strong material, then the ink is pressed in multiple passes of color. You’ll also want to organize the storage of completed signs in a dry area covered with dividers to protect their surface when not in use.
The signs themselves are almost universally mounted to standard construction grade four by four Douglas fir posts, in addition to larger commercial real estate signs which may occasionally require four by six posts. The plywood for the letters should be plywood with exterior glue and a smooth surface of PTS “tapped and sanded to the touch” on both sides. Half an 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 is helpful here, and you’ll also want to be able to read County Assessor’s plan maps if you’re going to be putting up signs on vacant land. You will also need to check local sign ordinances in developed areas. Learn about restrictions on posting signs in gated communities, within developments controlled by homeowners associations, and in all covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CCR) areas, such as planned unit developments or townhomes.
You must also have reliable transportation consisting of a full-size pickup truck with wooden spacer attachments designed to secure standard yard signs during transportation.
Once your production capacity and storage arrangements are established but not yet activated, you need to secure your accounts. In addition to marketing to conventional real estate offices, you’ll also want to seek out bank REO (real estate ownership) departments that need to liquidate foreclosed properties and independent agencies that sell foreclosed properties wholesale.
Establish your price and service 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, be persistent, be cordial and practical. These people need to know that they can trust you to put up and take down their signs quickly and reliably.
Almost every business 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 your online form for constant follow-up. The forms can be found by searching online for response forms.
