A Guide to Channel Letters, Pylon Signs, Tenant Signs, Neon Signs, and Large Wall Signs
By Frank Balton Signs | Est. 1966
One of the first questions business owners ask when planning a new sign is simple:
“How much is this going to cost?”
The honest answer is: it depends.
A commercial sign in Memphis can range from a few thousand dollars to well into six figures depending on the size, materials, lighting, mounting method, location, permitting, and installation requirements. A set of channel letters on a raceway is very different from a tall pylon sign on a busy roadway. A neon sign is priced differently than a large mounted wall sign. A tenant panel replacement is not the same as building a full monument sign from the ground up.
At Frank Balton Signs, we help businesses throughout Memphis and the Mid-South understand what goes into the cost of a sign so they can make the right investment for their location, brand, budget, and visibility.
Why Sign Costs Vary So Much
No two sign projects are exactly alike. Even signs that look similar from the road can have very different requirements behind the scenes.
The biggest factors that affect the cost of a business sign include:
Size and scale
Larger signs require more materials, more labor, stronger structures, and often heavier equipment for installation.
Lighting
Illuminated signs typically cost more than non-illuminated signs because they include electrical components, LED modules, wiring, power supplies, and installation requirements.
Mounting method
A sign mounted directly to a building is different from one mounted on a raceway, a pole, a monument base, or a custom steel structure. There are many factors at play that must be considered.
Materials
Aluminum, acrylic, steel, polycarbonate, masonry, LED lighting, neon, paint finishes, vinyl graphics, and routed panels all affect price.
Permitting and code requirements
In Memphis, permanent signs generally require permits, and sign regulations are handled through local zoning and permitting processes. The City of Memphis provides signage permitting information through its Buildings and Zoning resources, including access to sign permits and licensing.
Installation complexity
Height, access, electrical work, cranes, lifts, foundations, traffic conditions, and site preparation can all influence the final cost.
Channel Letters on a Raceway
Channel letters are one of the most popular choices for storefronts, shopping centers, offices, restaurants, and national brands.
A channel letter sign uses individual dimensional letters, often illuminated with LEDs. When the letters are mounted to a raceway, the electrical wiring and power supplies are housed inside a long rectangular cabinet behind the letters. This can make installation cleaner and more efficient, especially when a landlord or building owner wants fewer wall penetrations.
Why Businesses Choose Channel Letters on a Raceway
Channel letters offer a clean, professional look and strong visibility during the day and at night. A raceway can also simplify servicing and installation because much of the electrical work is contained in one mounted structure.
What Affects the Cost?
The price depends on the number of letters, letter height, lighting style, color, depth, raceway size, access to power, and installation height. National industry pricing for channel letter signs can vary widely, with many projects falling anywhere from several thousand dollars to $20,000 or more depending on complexity.
Best for:
Storefronts, restaurants, retail centers, medical offices, banks, schools, and professional buildings.
Pylon Signs and Tenant Signs
Pylon signs are large freestanding signs typically installed near roads, highways, shopping centers, gas stations, auto parts stores, restaurants, and multi-tenant properties.
For businesses that need strong roadside visibility, pylon signs can be an effective option because they are elevated, illuminated, and designed to be seen from a distance.
The AutoZone sign shown here is a good example of the visibility a pylon or tenant-style sign can provide. It is elevated, illuminated, and designed to be seen from a distance.
What Is the Difference Between a Pylon Sign and a Tenant Sign?
A pylon sign is the full freestanding structure, often supported by one or more steel poles. It may include one large brand cabinet or multiple tenant panels.
A tenant sign is often one panel or cabinet within a larger multi-tenant sign structure. Shopping centers, office parks, and retail developments often use tenant panels so each business has visibility on the main roadside sign.
Why Pylon Signs Cost More
Pylon signs are more involved than many wall-mounted signs. They may require steel supports, concrete foundations, engineering, electrical work, excavation, lifts or cranes, and more detailed permitting and multiple steps to set up before actually installing the sign.
Industry sources commonly place pylon signs in a broad range, from around $8,000 for simpler projects to $200,000 or more for large, complex structures.
Best for:
Shopping centers, gas stations, auto stores, hotels, restaurants, medical campuses, industrial parks, churches, schools, and businesses set back from the road.
Monument Signs and Tenant Monument Signs
Monument signs sit closer to the ground and often use masonry, brick, stone, stucco, aluminum, acrylic, or routed panels. They are popular for neighborhoods, campuses, office parks, apartment communities, churches, schools, and corporate entrances.
The Ford BlueOval City sign is a strong example of a large-scale monument-style sign with major brand presence.
What Affects the Cost?
Monument signs vary based on size, foundation, structure, masonry, lighting, tenant panels, landscaping coordination, and whether the sign is single-sided or double-sided.
A simple non-illuminated monument sign will cost much less than a large illuminated monument sign with custom architectural elements, tenant panels, and masonry work.
Best for:
Business parks, apartment communities, churches, schools, neighborhoods, medical offices, corporate campuses, and large development entrances.
Neon Signs
Neon signs have a look that is difficult to duplicate. They are bold, nostalgic, artistic, and highly memorable. In Memphis, neon also carries a strong connection to music, restaurants, entertainment districts, and landmark businesses.
Why Neon Signs Are Priced Differently
Neon signs are highly custom. They may involve hand-bent glass, transformers, specialty mounting, service access, protective components, metal fabrication, paint, and detailed installation. Restoration work can also require careful removal, repair, rewiring, repainting, and matching existing design details.
Neon vs. LED Neon
Some projects use traditional glass neon. Others use LED alternatives designed to mimic the neon look. The right choice depends on the design, budget, location, durability needs, and whether the goal is restoration, authenticity, or modern efficiency.
Best for:
Restaurants, bars, music venues, entertainment districts, historic signs, boutique retail, hospitality, and brands that want a memorable visual identity.
Large Mounted Wall Signs
Large wall signs are mounted directly to a building facade and can include channel letters, routed panels, illuminated cabinets, dimensional letters, or custom fabricated elements.
These signs are often used when a business has a large building face, a highly visible wall, or a brand that needs to be seen from across a parking lot or road. Visibility is always a consideration.
The Iris restaurant sign shown here is a good example of a large wall sign integrated into a building facade. It supports the brand while working with the architecture of the storefront.
Image Placement:
Use the Iris wall sign image here.
Caption:
Large wall signs help businesses create a strong presence on the building itself while supporting visibility from parking lots, sidewalks, and nearby roads.
What Affects the Cost?
Large wall signs are priced based on overall size, materials, lighting, engineering, installation height, building access, electrical requirements, and mounting conditions.
A large sign on a smooth, accessible wall may be more straightforward. A sign installed high on a building, over difficult terrain, or on a complex surface may require lifts, cranes, custom brackets, structural review, or added installation time.
Best for:
Retail stores, warehouses, distribution centers, schools, churches, office buildings, manufacturing facilities, entertainment venues, and large commercial properties.
So, What Should a Memphis Business Budget?
While every project needs a custom quote, here are general planning ranges:
Tenant panel replacement
Lower investment, often dependent on panel size and materials.
Channel letters on raceway
Several thousand dollars and up.
Neon sign or neon restoration
Varies widely based on detail, size, and condition.
Monument sign
Moderate to high investment depending on structure and materials.
Pylon sign
Higher investment due to structure, foundation, electrical, and installation.
Large mounted wall sign
Varies widely based on size, lighting, and installation height.
Commercial sign installation costs can also vary greatly depending on height, electrical work, access, and equipment needs. Complex installations involving pylons, monuments, or electrical work may cost significantly more than standard storefront installations.
The best way to understand your actual cost is to look at the full scope: design, materials, fabrication, permitting, electrical needs, installation, and long-term maintenance.
A Cheaper Sign Is Not Always the Better Value
When comparing sign quotes, it is important to make sure you are comparing the same scope of work.
A lower price may not include permitting, installation, electrical hookup, engineering, removal of an old sign, service access, or long-term durability. It may also use lighter materials, lower-quality lighting, or a less robust mounting method.
A well-built sign should do more than look good on installation day. It should represent your business clearly, hold up in Memphis weather, meet code requirements, and continue working for years.
Questions to Ask Before Buying a Sign
Before choosing a sign company, ask:
Does the quote include design, fabrication, permitting, and installation?
Will the sign be illuminated?
Is electrical work included?
Will a permit be required?
Is the sign landlord-approved?
How will the sign be mounted?
What materials are being used?
Can the sign be serviced later?
Will the sign be visible from the road or only from the parking lot?
These questions help prevent surprises and make sure your sign investment is planned correctly from the beginning.
Get a Sign Quote in Memphis, TN
Whether you need channel letters on a raceway, a pylon sign, a tenant panel, a neon sign, a monument sign, or a large mounted wall sign, Frank Balton Signs can help you understand your options and build the right solution for your location.
We have helped businesses across Memphis and the Mid-South with custom signage, fabrication, installation, service, and maintenance for more than a century.
Thinking about a new sign? Contact Frank Balton Signs today to start your estimate.