There are various complexities involved for the property manager when signage is added or upgraded at a site, especially when managing a roll out across multiple sites.
Signage installations will occur at new sites when signs need to be upgraded or during a rebrand. Signs tend to have a life cycle of up to 15 years before they will need to be replaced. For larger brands, however, this time frame will be cut short to within seven to ten years due to a rebrand or brand refresh where new signs will be rolled out at all locations.
Property managers will be responsible for fitting out and ensuring signage is operational at the site/s. High level considerations for the property manager will include how to keep costs in check, deliver efficiencies, minimise disruptions, maintain quality, keep stakeholders informed and satisfied with the process, undertake due diligence, handle risk management, uphold safety, manage contractors and suppliers, monitor progress, and provide oversight and governance.
In between rebrands and upgrades, signs will also need to be maintained, cleaned, and fixed when they break or degrade. Keeping signs bright, clean, and well-lit will have a significant impact on how a brand presents in the market. This will typically be the responsibility of facilities or maintenance managers, though, in some cases, the property manager may be involved if site access is required or if there will be disruptions at the site.
Key questions for property managers
Here are some of the key questions you should ask when supporting a signage rollout, install or upgrade at a site/s you manage.
- How will this affect tenants, customers, or any other stakeholders?
- Are there signage guidelines to help with how to brand the site?
- Will there be financial implications for the landlord or tenants? (e.g., out-of-hours access costs, rental abatements)
- Will you need planning approval or licences?
- Will the work impact other work at the site?
- Does the site need to be shut down during the installation?
- Is engineering required?
- Will there be special access equipment required?
- Who will need access and when?
- What are the safety considerations?
- Is there power to the site?
- Will a power outage be required?
- Will there be any traffic management issues?
Once you have a handle on these questions you will be better able to plan as well as anticipate any potential issues.
How to approach a roll out across multiple sites
For property managers managing a roll out across multiple sites, there are additional complexities. Here are some of the key things to factor in when managing a portfolio of sites:
- Don’t take a one size fits all approach. Each signage may look the same but is often customised for each individual site and will therefore have different requirements.
- Get to know each site. Each site is different and can have various unavoidable factors that will inevitably change the timeline of the job at hand (e.g., access issues, other work at the site). Work closely with local property management and facilities management teams to expedite the process.
- If you’re resource strapped, sourcing a partner to help manage the process can be beneficial and save you considerable time and money.
Ultimately, a sign is like any other piece of infrastructure at a site. A diligent property manager is a crucial link in keeping signage infrastructure upgraded, on-brand, and maintained.
SignManager
SignManager creates, implements, and manages comprehensive and intelligent signage solutions for more than 50 of Australia’s largest corporate organisations across 50,000 sites and 250,000 signage assets. The company was the NSW winner in the Outstanding Growth category for the 2022 Telstra Best of Business Awards.
Author, Heather, specialises in corporate signage with experience managing many well recognised and high profile national brands including ALDI, CBA, John Deere Hino, Bank of Melbourne, St George Bank and AMP.
Heather Ross
Senior Project Manager, SignManager
