Commercial Real Estate Signs: What Works and How to Choose
Commercial real estate signs are a property’s first impression on the street. Before a prospect calls an agent or visits a listing site, they see the sign. Real estate signage that looks professional, readable, and well-placed generates more inbound calls than identical properties with generic or poorly printed boards. A single real estate yard sign for a retail listing in a high-traffic area can produce 15 to 30 organic inquiries per month — more than most digital ads at the same spend level.
This guide covers how to choose between sign types, what real estate sign companies offer at different price points, and what specifications make a commercial real estate sign effective in real-world conditions.
Types of Real Estate Signage
Post and Panel vs. Yard Signs
The standard commercial real estate sign format is the post-and-panel: a steel H-frame post holding a rigid aluminum or coroplast panel. Panel sizes for commercial listings typically run 24×18 to 36×24 inches — larger than residential real estate yard sign formats because commercial properties sit on bigger lots and need visibility from further distances and higher vehicle speeds.
Post-and-panel real estate signage holds up well in wind and rain. Aluminum panels last 5 to 7 years in direct sun without significant fading when printed with UV-resistant inks. Coroplast (corrugated plastic) costs less and works fine for short-term listings but warps in sustained heat. For any listing expected to be on market longer than 90 days, aluminum is worth the extra $30 to $50 per panel.
Custom Branding and Rider Panels
Rider panels attach below the main commercial real estate sign panel and communicate status changes: “Under Contract,” “Call for Pricing,” or “Coming Soon.” Most real estate sign companies offer rider panels as a standard add-on. Consistent branding across all panels — logo placement, color, font — makes your commercial real estate sign presence look cohesive across multiple listings and builds name recognition in a local market.
Choosing Real Estate Sign Companies
Real estate sign companies range from national print-on-demand vendors to local fabricators. National vendors like RealtySign and FastSigns offer online ordering, 48-hour turnaround, and standardized templates — good for high-volume brokerages that need consistent real estate signage across many markets. Local fabricators offer more customization and faster local delivery, which matters when a listing goes live on short notice.
When evaluating real estate sign companies, check three things: ink technology (UV-resistant or solvent, not aqueous), substrate options (aluminum preferred for durability), and installation services. Some commercial real estate sign vendors install posts as part of the order; others ship the panels only and leave installation to you. For listings on high-visibility arterials, professional post installation ensures the sign goes in straight, at the right height, and anchored to local code.
Expect to pay $40 to $80 per aluminum real estate yard sign panel plus $25 to $50 for the post frame. For full-panel commercial branding, custom sizes run $80 to $200 depending on dimensions and finish. Most real estate sign companies offer volume discounts for orders of 10 or more panels.