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Q. How much does a sign cost ?
A. Without question, the first question always asked; and understandably so.
We make every effort to provide pricing and firm proposals for as many
options as you want to consider. We also make available a sample price
sheet with every brochure request. We also try hard to make sure that
new prospective clients are aware of the differences and how features impact
the final cost of a sign. The primary factor in the price of all signs
is the sign's size. After that, the features, optional or standard,
effect the final price of the sign. When all things are the same,
comparing the price becomes easy.
Unfortunately, not all features and materials are the same
on every sign you might be offered. You need to become familiar with each
signs' specifications or the unfortunate chance of your investing in a sign
that does not meet your needs becomes great.
If a sign company representative provides a price without
specifying the features being offered or the options that would be included
or excluded, you are not receiving the service you deserve. You are simply
being enticed to consider his or her offer.
You control what your sign investment will be. You should
always be willing to specify the budget of your new sign project. You
will never be pressured by Cornerstone to spend more on a sign than you
want. If you want to spend $2,000.00 or $10,000.00, Cornerstone will
always work hard to explain the options available for the amount of money
you want to spend.
The average price of a sign is about $4500.00. Some signs cost as
little as $1,500.00.
Cornerstone does not offer the lowest sign you can buy. That sign
would have materials that would not last and a sign face that might be
broken before your sign's first anniversary. We sell signs that are intended
to last and are priced below comparable models.
Q. Why are the prices lower ?
A. This is a question we address when asked meaning absolutely no demeaning
comments about any other sign provider in America. The reason our
prices are lower on comparable models is very easy to understand.
- We do not have commissioned sales people. We do
not have anything against commissioned sales people but we started
without and have been able to remain without since so far. This
works of course to our disadvantage at times as professional
commissioned sales people typically provide good customer service. We do
not have any at this time so that we can offer prices as low as
possible.
- We do not pay for endorsements by major
denominations. This can add up to 15% to the price of your sign
depending upon your church affiliation.
- We do not have a large advertising budget that adds
to the cost of your sign.
We have no secrets beyond this simple formula. We
work hard. We provide signs to everyone that honors us by allowing us
to be of service.
Q. Why Cornerstone for your next sign ?
A. Since 1984, the founder, Bob Singleton, has been designing, fabricating
and installing church, school and commercial signs. He has been personally
involved in church sign projects from Seattle, Washington to New York City.
Cornerstone Companies LLC is committed to providing you with a quality sign
that both meets your needs and satisfies your budget requirements.
Cornerstone currently works with two very large wholesale sign
manufacturers. One has fabricated over 14,000 church and school signs
nationally. The other is one of Americas largest aluminum extrusion
providers purchasing aluminum a half million pounds at a time, passing that
purchasing savings power on to our clients. Cornerstone is committed to
helping clients be good stewards while investing in their new signs.
This is the "cornerstone" on which the company was founded.
Q. Why do we sell Standard and
Premier models and what is the difference ?
A. Cornerstone began
offering signs to church and schools nationally in 1997. The parent company,
Carolina Sign Company, was already involved installing sign projects
throughout America having been fabricating signs in-house since 1984.
The signs that they fabricated were the highest of quality possible marquee
signs. Those signs had features that were not available on most signs
offered at the time by other National sign suppliers or local sign shops.
After several years, the company began offering "standard model" signs that
were identical in almost every feature to those signs offered by national
sign providers. Some of our signs came from the same fabrication plants. The
Premier Models are different in that they have features available only on
these models. The Standard Models represent excellent values.
Q. Which is better...
Painted or powder coated finishes ?
A. First, let us say that we
offer either finish.
In the sign industry, painted finishes are the "standard" finish. Most every
sign you see while driving down every street in America has paint
finished signs. Signs prepared properly and painted with quality paints by certified
painters using state of the art painting equipment last many years without
any paint cracking or peeling. A sign not prepared properly will develop
premature finish problems. This is true of both finishes; painted or
powder coated finishes. When you purchase a sign from Cornerstone Companies,
that sign should provide you with zero paint problems for the life of the
sign.
Oftentimes, the answer
provided by some sales people is that whatever finish they
provide is the very best. The simple truth is that the finish for
either technique is only as good as the craftsmen doing the finish work.
Finishes fade. That is true for both processes.
Cornerstone offers the very
best quality finishes . We recommend painted finishes because if your sign
ever required touchups, powder coated finishes are very difficult to touch
up outside of a plant and the necessary ovens required of powder coated
finishing. Thousands of institutional signs have been installed in all 50
states and have proven that painted finishes withstand the most extreme of
weather conditions.
Q. Do our signs come with vandal covers
?
A. Yes. All of our vandal covers are made of virtually unbreakable
solar grade polycarbonate just as are the sign faces. Standard models
have sliding locking props. Premier models have gas powered cylinders, also
referred to as gas struts. Both
doors lock. Premier models have keyed locks. Standard models have a
keyless locking system.
Q. What about signs that are all
aluminum ?
A. Aluminum is a great sign material as it does not rust.
We never play word games about our signs. Components that are steel are
typically concealed with aluminum covers. Our steel components are finished
to be maintenance free. Even all steel signs finished properly can be
virtually maintenance free. Cornerstone only offers aluminum cabinets and
pole covers. Some of the signs support components that require the most
strength possible are however steel.
While aluminum does not rust, it does corrode. This is
true of every sign made by anyone in America. There are no "perfect"
signs that going to last hundreds of years made by anyone. This is
true regardless of a warranty that is offered that might lead you to think
that the case.
Q. Do our signs come with changeable
letters ?
A. Yes. We recommend a package of 500 letters,
numbers and punctuation.
Q. Do our signs come with any warranty
?
A. Yes. All of our signs carry a limited lifetime warranty.
Our lifetime warranty extends for the normal life of a sign. The normal life
of a sign is twenty years. Most signs provided in the United States carry a
one year warranty. Institutional signs warranties have been extended
to twenty years by almost every major sign provider due to marketing
reasons. Our signs are as maintenance free as any sign offered today
hence we too offer a Lifetime Limited warranty. The reason that we
take another step and state that the average life of a sign is twenty years
is because the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act states that the "life" in any
warranty should be clear and not confusing. Some companies will offer
a warranty for the life of the organization purchasing a sign. We
suppose they mean that if your organization is still operating in the year
3000, your sign will still be under warranty. At Cornerstone, we think
that is more than a little confusing. We think it is silly.
Q. How long does it take to get my new
sign ?
A. Normal production time is 30 days. We recommend allowing an
additional week for transit. Some times of the year, normal production
time is only 3 weeks.
Q. Will I need a sign company to
install my new sign ?
A. No. Obviously, if you have a working
relationship with a local sign installer, you might consider having them
install your new sign. Most churches and schools simply call upon the
experience and availability of it's members and associates to install their
sign. A very good choice that we recommend it to have your local electrician
or brick mason assist with your sign. Quite often they will be called upon
to wire your sign or build your wall should you choose to have a wall built
and they are more than capable of installing your sign. Our signs are
shipped assembled and ready for easy installation by non-professionals.
We have never had a situation whereby a client was unable to perform their
installation.
Your individual situation needs to be investigated prior
to your ordering your new sign. Some local sign ordinances are more
restrictive and make it necessary to subcontract your sign installation to a
local sign professional. Cornerstone has successfully subcontracted
sign installations throughout the entire US. Your sales representative is
qualified and willing to help you in every aspect of your sign installation.
Q. What if I have a question that you
have not answered here ?
A. Call us. We would sincerely appreciate
the opportunity to discuss any question that you might have.
1-800-456-9371.
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