Sign Warranties: What to Cover, for How Long, and How to Handle Claims

Short answer: cover what you control, the build and the lighting, for a period you are confident in, and say clearly what is not covered, like damage, wrong installation by others, and normal fading. Then keep each claim with the original order, so you can see exactly what was made and agreed.

A clear warranty helps you sell, and saves arguments later. A vague one helps nobody.

Decide whether to offer one

Some shops offer no warranty on small or low cost items, and a warranty only on lit signs. That is a fair choice. Whatever you decide, put it in writing before the sale.

What to cover

Common things to cover:

• The build: letters coming loose, seams opening, faces cracking without impact
• The lighting: LEDs or neon failing, power supplies failing
• The finish: peeling paint, within reason

What not to cover

Spell these out:

• damage from impact, vandalism, storms or accidents
• installation by someone else, or the sign being moved
• an indoor sign used outdoors. See IP65 vs IP67 LED neon.
• normal fading and wear over time
• electrical faults in the building

How long

There is no single right length. Things to weigh:

• what your suppliers warrant the LEDs, tube and power supplies for. Your warranty should not be longer than theirs unless you are happy to cover the gap.
• the type of sign: an outdoor lit sign faces more wear than an indoor acrylic one
• what local competitors offer

Many shops warrant the lighting and the build for different lengths.

Handling a claim

1. Find the original order. What was made, the materials, the approved proof and the delivery date.
2. Check it is in the warranty period.
3. Ask for photos, and a short video for lighting faults.
4. Decide: repair, replace a part, or replace the sign.
5. Record what you did, with the order.

Step 1 is where most shops lose time. If the order history lives in an old inbox, it can take longer to find than to fix.

Keep claims with the order

In Sign Designer you choose whether you offer a warranty and how long it lasts. After delivery, a customer with a problem reopens the same thread with a warranty claim or a complaint, so the design, the approval, the invoice and the delivery are already there. Claims stop when the warranty ends. See how shops set their rules.