17Mar
No Place Too Difficult: Installing Signage in Hard-to-Reach Locations
When people look at a finished sign - whether it’s a clean run of fascia lettering or a sharp shopfront - it’s easy to assume the process behind it is fairly straightforward.
The reality is usually very different.
A big part of installing signage isn’t just about the sign itself, but about access - how you actually get into the position needed to install it properly. And more often than not, that’s where the real challenge lies.
ACCESS CHANGES EVERYTHING
In an ideal world, every sign would sit at eye level, with clear space and no restrictions. In reality, signage is often positioned high above entrances, across full building frontages, or in areas where space is limited and access isn’t immediately obvious.
That’s when the job becomes less about “fitting a sign” and more about planning how to do it properly.
Depending on the site, that might involve using a cherry picker, a MEWP, or even full scaffolding where longer access is needed. Each option has its place, and choosing the right one comes down to the environment, the height, and how much room there is to work with.
On busier streets or tighter shopfronts, even getting equipment into position can take planning. Timing, safety, and minimising disruption all become part of the process before any installation even begins.
IT STARTS WITH THE SURVEY
Before anything else, the most important step happens right at the beginning - the site survey.
Every location is different, so rather than trying to make a sign fit a space, we assess the space first and design the signage around it. That means accurate measurements, understanding the surface we’re fixing into, and identifying any access challenges early on.
Experience plays a big part here. Knowing what to look for - and what might cause issues later - comes from working across all kinds of sites. It’s why planning matters just as much as the install itself.
Our designers and installers work together from the start, thinking through the details so everything has already been considered before we even get to site - not worked out on the day.
WORKING AT HEIGHT, DONE PROPERLY
High-level fascia signage is one of the most common examples of this. From the ground, it can look simple - but once you’re dealing with height, reach, and building structure, it quickly becomes more technical. Safe access needs to be established first, and everything has to be set up in a way that allows the installation to be carried out cleanly and securely.
The type of surface you’re fixing into also plays a big role. Different materials require different approaches, and getting that right is key to making sure the signage not only looks good on the day, but stays that way over time.
A well-installed sign should sit perfectly, feel solid, and hold up against weather and general wear - not just for months, but for years.
WHY PROPER INSTALLATION MATTERS
Installation is often the part people think least about, but it has a huge impact on the end result.
If signage isn’t installed correctly, it can affect everything from how it sits visually to how long it lasts. Poor fixing, rushed installs, or the wrong approach to access can all lead to issues further down the line.
Taking the time to do it properly ensures the signage remains safe, secure, and looking as it should - which is ultimately what it’s there for.
THE WAY WE APPROACH IT
At Harrogate Signs, a lot of our work involves installations where access isn’t straightforward.
Whether it’s using ladders, MEWPs, cherry pickers, or scaffolding, or even carrying out groundworks for things like monolith signs, the approach stays the same - assess the site properly, plan the access, and carry out the install to a high standard.
Sometimes that means getting up high, and other times it means working at ground level - digging into position, preparing the area properly, or working around existing features to get everything exactly where it needs to be.
Signage doesn’t always go in easy places, but that shouldn’t limit what’s possible. With the right planning, the right equipment, and the right experience, even the most awkward locations can be handled properly.
Because in reality, it’s rarely about whether a sign can be installed - it’s about making sure it’s designed for the space and installed the right way, wherever it needs to go.
If you’re planning signage and want advice that’s clear, honest, and based on long-term results, we’re always happy to talk it through.
