Engineering Required for Channel Letters?

[The Doo]

Curious as to how many of you have applied for sign permits only to discover the City requires engineering for every wall sign to be installed on a building.

This is a first for me. Did not include the fees in our quote.

AND.......what type of info is needed to get these drawings stamped (attachment method, wall type, anything else?)?

Input is appreciated. I don't like being sideswiped!

 

[Billct2]

We have towns that require a stamped drawing for a 1x8 dibond wall sign..permits cost way more than the sign.

 

[JBurton]

Even UL will let this fall into the realm of 'decoration' as opposed to electrical sign these days. I've never had to engineer anything on a building, plenty of pylons... knock on wood...

 

[visual800]

maybe its time to get creative and not get permits and do job on weekends...sometimes thats easier than going to red tape and wasted time and money

 

[The Doo]

We have towns that require a stamped drawing for a 1x8 dibond wall sign..permits cost way more than the sign.

Gotta get on that money train!

 

[The Doo]

maybe its time to get creative and not get permits and do job on weekends...sometimes thats easier than going to red tape and wasted time and money

Visual800: may be...however the client is the City!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

Client pays for permits and engineering... Tell them the city is requiring it and it's X amount.. they can make the decision to move forward or not. Out of 100 permits I filed maybe 3 or 4 require engineering... Mostly in hurricane prone areas. I just did one in your area (Harris County) and they required it on dibond signs.

 

[The Doo]

Client pays for permits and engineering... Tell them the city is requiring it and it's X amount.. they can make the decision to move forward or not. Out of 100 permits I filed maybe 3 or 4 require engineering... Mostly in hurricane prone areas. I just did one in your area (Harris County) and they required it on dibond signs.

Good advice. Thanks. Sometimes I tend to stick to my guns a bit too much when it comes to "my price is my price". All ground signs around here require engineering; this is the first encounter with wall signs. Harris County? Whatchoodoin' down here, Tex?

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

Good advice. Thanks. Sometimes I tend to stick to my guns a bit too much when it comes to "my price is my price". All ground signs around here require engineering; this is the first encounter with wall signs. Harris County? Whatchoodoin' down here, Tex?

I stick with my price too, but the only exception are permits because it's tough to know exactly how that's going to play out.

Every now and then I have to go down there to remind myself that Dallas is nicer.

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

Sometimes you just can't predict it. I like to ask if a sign "would be approved" in its current state before I get engineering. Some cities won't even talk to you or look at it before having everything, which sucks when you think ya followed the code and they surprise you with "it's actually in XYZ district and restricted to these sizes" and you got to resize and re engineer.

 

[Zendavor Signs]

I put a line item on all exterior sign quotes that says permit fees are procurement fee (with a dollar amount) plus actual permit costs. If municipality requires a stamped engineer drawing, it is $X amount extra. Of course if I know an engineer drawing is required, I include it. I never quote a firm amount for permits. Too many surprises. Very few customers ever question that line item, and those that do totally get it when I explain. Permits can be a pain, but I would highly recommend NOT circumventing the process.

 

[AndersHerp]

but I would highly recommend NOT circumventing the process.

This guy gets it!