Signage Site Surveys and Technical Planning

• Illuminated signs that need power, cabling and transformers.
• Signs on tall or awkward facades, parapets or roofs. See large building signs.
• Replacement of existing signs where old fixings, holes and cable routes must be reused or made good.
• Businesses in complexes, parks and centres where landlord or body-corporate rules apply.
• Multi-site rollouts, where each building differs. See multi-site branding.

For small, simple jobs a photograph and measurements may be enough, and we will tell you when a visit is unnecessary.

• Measurements: wall or fascia width and height, available sign area and obstructions.
• Surface: brick, plaster, steel cladding, composite panel, glass or concrete, and what fixings suit it.
• Power: where a supply can come from, and how it would be connected by a qualified electrician.
• Photographs: at day and, where useful, evening, to see the light conditions.
• Access: ladders, scaffolding, a cherry picker or other equipment.
• Approvals: notes on landlord, body-corporate and municipal requirements.

The survey decides how a sign is attached. Solid masonry takes anchors differently from hollow brick, cladding or sheet metal. Heavy metal letters, such as stainless steel or fabricated 3D letters, may need a backing frame or structural advice. Light acrylic and vinyl need less. Planning at this stage prevents the wrong fixing being specified.

For illuminated signs the surveyor notes where the electrical supply is, how far cabling must run, whether a conduit route exists and where transformers or controllers can be housed. Electrical work is connected and signed off by a qualified person in line with the requirements that apply. Advanced lighting such as RGBW, pixel or DMX is subject to technical assessment and confirmed availability.

The surveyor also checks for glare and light spill towards neighbours and traffic.

• The survey comes before design and mockups so the artwork uses real dimensions.
• It is more detailed than a photo-and-measurements quote. Choose a survey for anything illuminated, high or multi-site.
• It also feeds into installation and rigging, so the crew arrives with the correct equipment and fixings.

You can book one directly on our site survey page.

• Structure: walls, parapets and roofs must carry the sign and wind loads. Where uncertain, an engineer may need to advise.
• Weather exposure: coastal-style corrosion is less common inland, but sun, rain, hail and wind affect materials and fixings.
• Existing holes: old fixings are noted and made good or reused.
• Neighbours and traffic: brightness and sight lines are assessed.
• Height and access: safe access determines the method and time.
• Approvals: structural, electrical and municipal matters are checked during survey and design and may involve the landlord, body corporate or municipality. We do not promise compliance.

• Number of sites and buildings.
• Property size and signage scope.
• Travel distance within Gauteng and the number of visits.
• Level of drawings and reports required.
• Whether the survey leads into design, manufacture and installation, in which case it is usually folded into the project.

Have the landlord or body-corporate contact available, keep access to roofs and meter boxes clear, and share any existing drawings, lease clauses or approvals. Photographs of the building help. After the survey we send findings and options in writing, and keep the record for later repairs. See signage cleaning and maintenance for ongoing care.

Site surveys are arranged from our Rivonia base by appointment. Areas we serve include:

• Sandton
• Johannesburg
• Pretoria
• Midrand
• Centurion
• Germiston