At Visual Impression Signs, we take pride in crafting eye-catching signage to help businesses in Chattanooga, Hixson, and the surrounding areas make a bold first impression. But even the most durable signs experience wear and tear over time. If your signage has seen better days, you probably have questions about the repair process.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll address the most frequently asked questions about sign repair in Hixson, TN and beyond. Read on to learn how to spot damage, weigh replacement vs repair, prevent future breakdowns, and more. With experience revitalizing signs of all types, sizes and materials, we’re your one-stop resource for sign refreshment.
How Do I Know If My Sign Needs Repair?
It’s easy to overlook minor sign damage, allowing it to worsen over time. But letting problems go unchecked can lead to safety issues, compliance violations, and negative perceptions of your brand.
Watch out for these common indicators that your sign needs repair:
- Visible cracks, holes, dents or scratches in the sign face
- Faded colors or peeling paint/vinyl
- Flickering, dim or burnt out bulbs in illuminated signs
- Loose hardware or attachments
- Tilting, sagging or misaligned sign structures
- Exposed or frayed wiring
We also recommend proactive annual sign inspections. Our technicians will thoroughly examine your signage and point out areas needing repair – often before they become bigger issues.
What Types of Signs Can You Repair?
We have experience with repairs and maintenance for virtually any sign, including:
- Dimensional channel letters & logos
- Monument/pylon signs
- Pole & building-mounted signs
- Digital displays & LED signs
- Vehicle graphics & wraps
- Window & door signs
- Neon, halo-lit and reverse channel letters
- Metal & wood signs
- Murals & custom artwork
If it’s broken, faded or damaged, chances are we can fix it! We can even modify or upgrade signs during the repair process.
How Long Do Repairs Take?
Repair timelines vary widely depending on factors like:
- Type of sign
- Extent of damage
- Customization needs
- Permitting requirements
Minor repairs may take just 1-2 days, while large sign structures with extensive deterioration could require 2 weeks or more. For emergency repairs to get your sign operational quickly, we work ASAP and follow up with more permanent solutions.
To set accurate expectations, we provide detailed project timelines with every quote based on your specific needs.
Should I Repair or Replace My Sign?
This is one of the most complex questions we address. There’s no definitive threshold dictating when to repair vs replace. Factors we consider include:
- Cost: At what point do new sign costs outweigh investing more into repairing the existing one? As a general guideline, if repairs exceed 50% of a new sign’s cost, replacement may be the smarter financial decision.
- Age & Condition: How old is the sign, and what is its current state? Extreme deterioration often warrants replacement, while signs in good shape may justify repair costs.
- Brand Consistency: Do you still use the same logo, fonts and colors as when the sign was made? Outdated branding may make replacement preferable over repairing a sign that no longer aligns with your image.
We perform detailed assessments weighing all these factors. If replacement emerges as the better option, we can provide new sign solutions that fit your budget.
How Much Does Sign Repair Cost?
Every sign and repair project is unique, so costs vary widely. But here are some ballpark figures:
Minor repairs: $200 – $750
Includes small crack repairs, paint touch ups, bulb/ballast replacements
Moderate repairs: $750 – $1,500
Includes panel replacements, wiring fixes, installing new lighting components
Major repairs: $1,500+
Includes large section replacements, custom retrofitting, heavy structural damage
Extensive repairs nearing replacement may exceed $5,000 or more. Extreme weather damage often falls into this category.
We provide free, no-obligation quotes outlining exactly what you’ll pay before starting repairs so there are no surprises. Multi-sign discounts may also be available.
Can You Match Existing Fonts, Colors and Materials?
Our talented sign artisans take great pride in their work – right down to matching dyes, paints, vinyls and other materials used in your original sign. We can recreate specific fonts and colors through:
- Digitizing original font files
- Performing paint color analysis
- Matching PMS colors for vinyl and digital prints
- Sourcing replacement materials that replicate existing substrates
While exact matches aren’t always possible, we’ll work closely with you to blend repairs seamlessly into your signage.
Do You Offer Emergency Repair Services?
We understand the massive impact a damaged sign can have on customer traffic and brand visibility. That’s why we offer 24/7 emergency sign repair services.
Our technicians are available nights, weekends and holidays to perform immediate fixes and get your sign operational again quickly. Common emergency repairs include:
- Replacing broken bulbs
- Rewiring loose connections
- Reinforcing unstable structures
- Patching holes
- Replacing shorted transformers
After the initial emergency service, we’ll follow up to schedule any supplemental work required. Let us know if you need after-hours assistance!
How Can I Prevent Future Sign Damage?
They say “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Keeping your signage in peak shape requires proactive maintenance like:
- Regular cleanings to prevent buildup of dirt, grime and environmental contaminants that can degrade materials over time
- Annual professional inspections to catch minor damage before it worsens
- Weatherproof coatings and treatments to protect against UV rays, moisture and other outdoor exposure
- Proper installation by experienced sign makers reduces risk of structural deficiencies over time
- Lightning/surge protection, leak sensors, and other warning systems can mitigate catastrophic damage
Following preventive best practices preserves the aesthetic appeal, structural integrity and functionality of your sign for years to come.
Do You Service Signs You Didn’t Originally Make?
Absolutely! We have extensive experience providing repairs, maintenance and modifications for signs of all makes and models from any manufacturer. We don’t just fix our own products!
We’ve worked on thousands of signs fabricated by other companies. Our skilled technicians can handle everything from minor bulb replacements to large sign rebuilds and retrofits.
We also offer comprehensive assessments of pre-existing signs to identify current or potential deficiencies for any business wishing to maximize their sign investment, regardless of original source.
Will My Repairs Require New Permits?
In many cases, repairing a legally-installed sign does not require updated permitting. But if your repairs include modifications like:
- New lighting systems
- Structural reinforcements
- Technology upgrades
- Size/shape changes
…revised permits may be needed. We stay current on local sign codes and handle the permitting process start-to-finish so you don’t have to worry.
What If My Sign Suffers Storm Damage?
We understand the panic business owners face when their signage suffers damage. If your sign is impacted by severe weather:
- Ensure the sign does not pose safety hazards like exposed wires or unstable structures
- Document damage thoroughly through photographs and video for insurance claims
- Contact us immediately for emergency repairs to get your sign operational quickly if needed
- We’ll interface with your insurance adjuster directly to facilitate approvals and reimbursements
Having an experienced partner expedites repairs, improves claim outcomes and gets your signage restored ASAP after storms.
Can You Upgrade My Sign During Repairs?
Repairs create the perfect opportunity to implement sign upgrades or refresh your messaging. We can seamlessly incorporate improvements like:
- New LED lighting
- Digital display integration
- Graphic modifications
- Structural reinforcements
- Relocation or resizing
Planning upgrades in conjunction with repairs saves you money compared to future standalone projects. We’ll advise on innovations that align with your brand and budget.
Ready for a Sign Refresh?
Well-maintained signage conveys professionalism and quality to customers while reinforcing brand recognition. At Visual Impression Signs, we make the repair process efficient and affordable so you can keep your signage looking its best for decades to come.
We encourage Hixson area businesses to schedule an annual check-up to catch damage early and identify opportunities to improve your signs’ performance through upgrades. Waiting for problems to become urgent is never ideal and usually more expensive.
As your local sign experts, we’re here to help whether you need minor touch-ups or a complete sign overhaul. Contact us today to schedule your free design consultation and quote. Let’s discuss how custom sign repairs and upgrades can revitalize your brand visibility.
We hope this overview helps you make informed decisions about maintaining and improving your business signage in the Hixson, TN area. Remember, consistent branding across high-performing signs fosters customer recognition and loyalty over time.
If you have additional questions not covered here or need assistance with inspections, repairs, permitting, insurance claims or anything else related to your signs, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re Chattanooga’s trusted resource when it comes to keeping your signage looking its best!
