Rebuilding with Confidence: Key Tips for Managing Disaster Reconstruction

A building’s signage isn’t just a visual limb hanging off the façade—it’s a strategic statement about your brand, your tenants, and how the public interacts with your property. At The Barton Group, we help owners plan signs that deliver readability, compliance, and branding, without creating budget or regulatory surprises.

1. Brand & Visibility

When you drive by a facility, the sign is your first handshake. Ask:

• Is it visible from the main approach?
• Does it reflect your organization’s identity?
• Is it consistent with your building’s aesthetic?
  Clear, well-placed signage builds recognition, supports tenants, and adds value.

2. Regulatory & Maintenance Considerations

Visibility alone isn’t enough—you must navigate:

• Local zoning and sign-ordinance requirements (size, placement, lighting).
• Permitting processes and fees.
• Ongoing maintenance (brackets, wiring, lighting, wear).
  Early coordination avoids hard stops and unexpected cost escalation.

3. Placement & Site Context

Signage should reflect how the property is used and entered:

• Main entrance vs tenant suite vs shared complex.
• Directional or wave signage for parking, way-finding, service access.
• Exterior materials and lighting—does your signage look good at dusk, in snow, at driver speed?
  These decisions affect budget, schedule, and user experience.

4. Budget-Smart Planning

While signs can be relatively modest, they can also become high-cost items if not planned. Consider:

• Modular systems that allow tenant swaps without full demolition.
• Standardized electrical/fixture paths to reduce cost later.
• Lifecycle costs: LED lighting, maintenance access, replacement panels.
  Budgeting for these early protects your bottom line.



5. Tenant Transitions & Flexibility

In multi-tenant properties, signage strategy changes fast:

• Specify tenant signage criteria up front (material, size, location).
• Build signage zones with flexibility so new tenants can brand easily.
• Define termination and hand-off responsibilities in the lease.
  This avoids ad-hoc decisions that compromise appearance, quality, or cost.

Signage is more than branding—it’s an experience, a compliance item, and an investment. Whether you’re building new, renovating, or re-leasing space, the right plan puts you ahead. At The Barton Group, we help owners ask the right questions, align the team, and deliver a sign program that serves your project—not surprises it.

– The Barton Group