In Part 1 and Part 2 of this blog series, we described the first two steps of our sign process…ordering and production. Our fictitious customer, Norm, placed an order for custom decorative signs to be produced, delivered, and installed throughout the parking lot of his business. Our sign production team fabricated all of the necessary sign parts and packaged them for delivery. This brings us to Part 3 of our sign process blog….installation.
SIGN INSTALLATION
STEP 1: Schedule
Now that all of the signs have been produced, it’s time to get the delivery and installation work on the schedule. Our scheduler calls Norm, and together they coordinate a schedule date and time that works for everyone. Norm knows that Tuesday mornings at his business are not usually busy, therefore he would like us to install his new decorative signs on the upcoming Tuesday. Unfortunately, our schedule is full for that day, but the following Tuesday is available. Norm agrees and the work is then put on the schedule for the following Tuesday morning.
STEP 2: Locate
Once the sign installation work is on our schedule, we immediately make a phone call to Indiana 811 informing them of our intent to dig. Indiana 811 is the local one-call center that gathers the location and description of the project site and notifies the appropriate utility companies. Professional locators are then sent to the project site to mark the approximate locations of underground utilities with flags and/or spray paint. This step of the sign installation process takes at least two full working days to complete.
STEP 3: Install
The schedule date has arrived. Utility locates are complete and all of the sign parts have been loaded onto our crew’s work truck. When our crew arrives at the job site, they start their work by digging holes approximately 36″ deep for the signs to be installed. Each sign post is then put into the holes and set in place with concrete. Next, the signs are assembled onto their respective backing plates and then mounted to the sign posts. Finally, decorative finials are added to the top of the posts. Before leaving the job site, our crew wipes down the signs and posts. They also clean up any debris and dirt left over from digging.
Well folks, there you have it. After reading this blog series, you now know the three basic parts of Otto’s sign process…Ordering, Production and Installation. Although there are bound to be some differences from one project to the next, one thing is always guaranteed. The Otto’s Parking Marking sales team, sign production team, and sign crews will go above and beyond to make sure our customers get exactly what they’re looking for.