Hello, Folks ---
Since Barbara Richter AIA mentioned job-signs in this forum last week, I've been chewin'-on that idea. Long, long ago, I'd discussed this with a G.C. friend of mine, then lost track of it...
A few thoughts:
1. Great idea:
Why don't we do this?! Yes, the G.C.s on my jobs (small, mostly residential) occasionally put-out signs, but of course the well-marked truck is sittin'-right-there most of the day, so why bother with a separate sign? And, in residential work, some Owners are indeed concerned about "stuff in the yard", and/or "looking commercial"...
Then again ---
For "commercial--institutional" Architects, some jobs --- especially government --- have their names already on those big project signs. But if not, then having your own big sign sounds great, yes?
2. Sign type, location, etc.:
For my purposes, I'm guessing that the legal lawn-sign-size around here would probably be limited to the size of a political-campaign sign, about 2-ft. x 3-ft., which is small. Naturally, I'd check on that, if I get serious. If it's that small, I'd guess that name-title-phone # would be-about-it for content. Even then, it would need to be relatively close to the street, and, out-of-the-way of the G.C. and its Subs, and, in a spot easily visible to folks driving-by. But, on a "fast", or curved, street, where drivers don't dare slow-down to read that little thing, maybe it's not worth it.
3. Possible Cautions?:
From the "No-Free-Lunch" Department...I hate to be a spoil-sport, but one caveat does occur to me. Is it possible that some of us are cautious regarding bragging-to-the-public on an office-building, strip-retail job, or apartment-house sign, that, "HEY! Here's a good target for you, the slip-&-fall artist!" to "get ideas"? To me, it's almost a keep-your-head-down deal, in conflict with our desire for exposure...
Maybe ---
Check with your liability insurer before trying a sign?
4. How I'd install my little sign:
For ground-anchoring, I'd get 2 of those screw-into-the-ground pet-line anchors. The pair would be installed together and padlocked together, to prevent screwing-out. On the wood sign, I'd have 2 eye-hooks locked-together, with a cable-type bicycle-lock to tie-it-all together. The plywood sign would have 2 legs, for wind-resistance to keep its orientation, etc.
For starters...
Thanks ---
Bill
william j. devlin aia, inc.,
ARCHITECT
Springfield, MA