A shop sign in Birmingham costs anywhere from about £150 for vinyl lettering to £8,000 or more for a large illuminated sign or built-up 3D letters. Most independent shops, takeaways and salons end up between £800 and £3,000 for a printed or lit fascia, fitted. 

That’s a wide range, so this guide breaks it down. You’ll see what each type of sign costs, what pushes the price up, the extras that catch people out, and how to get a fixed price for your own shop without waiting a week. 

Shop sign prices at a glance 

These are the ranges UK sign makers are quoting in 2026. Many quote before VAT, so check which you’re looking at when you compare. 

Sign type	Typical price	Good for
Window lettering and graphics	£100 to £500	Opening hours, phone number, offers
Acrylic sign or plaque	£200 to £900	Offices, clinics, receptions
Projecting (hanging) sign	£250 to £700	Being seen from along the pavement
Flat printed fascia	£450 to £3,000	Most shops and takeaways
Illuminated sign or lightbox	£1,500 to £8,000	Anyone trading after dark
Built-up 3D letters	£1,500 to £15,000	Salons, clinics, showrooms
Halo-lit 3D letters	From around £2,000	Premium brands
Full shopfront refit, sign included	£5,000 to £25,000+	New fit-outs

The gap between the low and high end of each row is mostly size. A 3-metre fascia on a corner shop and a 9-metre fascia on a restaurant are both “a fascia sign”. 

What you get at each budget 

Under £500. Vinyl lettering on your windows or on an existing sign board, or a small acrylic plaque by the door. Good for a quick refresh or a new tenant on a tight budget. 

£500 to £3,000. A properly made shop front sign: a printed aluminium fascia, fitted, with your name, logo and phone number. Add window graphics and a projecting sign at the top of this range. 

£2,000 to £8,000. An LED lightbox or illuminated fascia, or a mix of flat fascia and 3D letters. This is where most takeaways and restaurants on main roads land. 

£8,000 and up. Large built-up 3D letters in stainless steel, halo lighting, or a whole new shopfront. 

Seven things that change the price 

1. Size. The biggest factor by far. Measure your fascia width, or send us a photo with something for scale and we’ll work it out.
2. Material. Printed aluminium composite is the everyday choice. Acrylic and stainless steel cost more and look sharper up close. Acrylic vs aluminium signs compares the two most common options.
3. Lighting. An unlit sign disappears at 4pm in December. Lighting moves a fascia into the £1,500 to £8,000 bracket, but it’s cheap to run: a typical illuminated fascia uses around £50 to £100 of electricity a year.
4. Letters or panel. Built-up letters are made one at a time, so a long business name costs more than a short one. A flat panel costs the same whatever it says.
5. Access and fitting. A ground-floor fascia on a side street is a one-day job. A sign above a bus lane, or one that needs a tower or out-of-hours fitting, costs more.
6. Consent. Most illuminated signs need advertisement consent from Birmingham City Council. The fee is £168. Our guide to planning permission for shop signs explains when you need it.
7. Design. Some sign makers charge separately for artwork. We don’t: design is free with every signage order.

Hidden costs to ask about 

A low quote isn’t low if the extras come later. Before you pay a deposit, ask: 

• Is VAT included? Many sign prices are quoted before VAT, and that’s 20% on top. 

• Is fitting included? When installation is charged separately, UK sign makers quote anything from £400 to £1,200. 

• Who removes the old sign? Taking down and disposing of an old fascia or lightbox is extra work. 

• Who connects the electrics? Lit signs need an electrical connection. Check whether it’s in the price. 

• What about access equipment? Towers and road permits for busy streets can add to the bill. 

• Is the consent application included? The £168 fee is only part of it. Someone has to prepare drawings. 

Our quotes are fixed before we start, with fitting by our own team included, so there are no surprise charges. 

How to save money without looking cheap 

If the budget is tight, a printed aluminium fascia plus window graphics gives you most of the impact for the least money. People can read your name from across the road and your offers once they’re close. 

If you already have a lightbox or sign frame in good condition, you may only need a new printed face. That’s a fraction of the price of a new sign. 

If you’re a new business, ask about our 10% discount. 

When it’s worth paying more 

You trade after dark. Takeaways, restaurants and late shops take a lot of their money in the hours an unlit sign can’t be seen. Pay for lighting. 

Customers judge you on quality. Salons, clinics, jewellers and offices benefit from 3D letters or acrylic and metal signs. They look expensive because they are, and people notice. 

You’re set back from the road. A post-mounted or freestanding outdoor sign board by the entrance may do more for you than a bigger fascia. 

Still deciding what type you need? Read flat fascia, lightbox or 3D letters. 

What a sign really costs per week 

A good aluminium or acrylic sign lasts 8 to 10 years outdoors. Printed vinyl graphics last around 3 to 5. Spread over 8 to 10 years, a £1,500 fascia works out at roughly £3 to £3.60 a week. 

More on lifespan by material in how long does outdoor signage last in Birmingham. 

How long it takes 

Plenty of sign makers quote two to four weeks from order to fitting. We make most signs in our Bordesley Green workshop in 2 to 5 working days after you approve the design. Our own fitters install them, and most single shop fronts are done in a day. 

That matters if you’re opening soon, or if your old sign has blown down and you’re trading without a name above the door. 

How to get an exact price 

1. Take a photo of your shop front from across the road. 

1. Send it to us on WhatsApp or through our contact page, with your address and roughly what you want. 

1. We’ll come back with a fixed price. If you’re not sure of the size, we’ll help you check it from the photo. 

1. We design a mock-up on your actual shop and revise it until you’re happy. 

1. We make it in 2 to 5 working days and fit it. 

See everything we make on our signage services page. 

Frequently asked questions 

How much does a shop sign cost in the UK?
Most shop signs cost between £450 and £3,000 for a printed fascia and £1,500 to £8,000 for an illuminated one. Vinyl lettering starts around £100. 

How much does a cheap shop sign cost?
Window lettering or new vinyl on an existing board starts at around £100 to £150. A small printed aluminium fascia starts at around £450. 

How much does an illuminated shop sign cost?
Usually £1,500 to £8,000, depending on size and whether it’s a lightbox, lit letters or halo lighting. Running costs are around £50 to £100 a year. 

How much do 3D letters cost for a shop?
From around £1,500 for a short name in acrylic, up to £15,000 for large stainless steel lettering. 

Is fitting included in the price of a shop sign?
Not always. When it’s separate, it can add £400 to £1,200. Our prices include fitting. 

Do shop sign prices include VAT?
Often not. Always ask, because VAT adds 20%. 

How long does it take to make a shop sign?
We make most signs in 2 to 5 working days after design approval and fit most single shop fronts in a day. 

Do I need planning permission for a new shop sign?
Not usually for an unlit sign on your own premises. Most illuminated signs need advertisement consent, which costs £168. See our planning permission guide.