Almost everyone commissioning a sign starts with the same question: what is the price per square metre? It is a hard question to answer, because a sign is not a fixed-price commodity. Two signs of identical size can differ in cost by a factor of two depending on materials and where they must be installed.
1. Total surface area
This is the starting point, but the per-square-metre rate is not constant. On small signs the unit cost is higher, because cutting, welding and setup time do not shrink proportionally with area.
2. Cabinet depth and structure
Depth governs both material volume and lighting quality. In a shallow cabinet the LEDs sit too close to the face and produce bright spots. Greater depth diffuses the light evenly — at the cost of more aluminium profile. For totems, wind-load-engineered steel and a reinforced foundation form a substantial share of the total.
3. Face material
This is where hidden differences live. A quote that only says 'acrylic' is incomplete — thickness and type must be stated.
| Material | Typical use | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic 3 mm | Small to mid-size illuminated signs | Can bow across wide spans |
| Acrylic 5 mm | Large shopfronts, channel letters | Heavier, needs more support |
| Composite 3–4 mm | Non-illuminated façades and cladding | Fire class must be stated |
| Vinyl film face | Temporary and budget work | Short-lived without UV laminate |
4. Lighting: LED count and rating
Modules are spaced at set intervals. Widening the spacing lowers cost but creates shadow banding. Outdoor work requires IP65-rated modules; a sign built with indoor modules will take water in its first winter.
- Module spacing should follow cabinet depth, not a fixed number.
- Driver capacity should exceed total load by at least 20%.
- Nothing below IP65 belongs outdoors.
5. Installation conditions
This is where quotes most often go wrong. A façade reachable from the ground is not the same job as one on the third floor. Cherry picker hire, scaffold, road closure permits and working-at-height insurance all enter the cost.
Comparing two quotes properly
Before putting prices side by side, check that both quotes state five things: face material type and thickness, cabinet material and depth, LED brand and IP rating, installation method, and warranty term and scope. Without those, you are comparing numbers, not offers.