Best Practice Solutions for A Graceful Exit
OVERVIEW
Closing your commercial spaces is never an easy process. People may assume the function of decommissioning your brand is simple, and all that’s required is to turn the lights off, hang up a “Closed” sign, and lock the doors.
However, the reality of going through a decommissioning process is much more complicated. For example, when a single store closes, one of the steps includes removing your brand signs, which a local sign company would handle.
So, what happens when you have to close dozens or hundreds of stores across a wide geographical footprint? Also, what happens if you have to complete this process within a short period of time?
Keep reading to learn about the solutions to these questions and learn about several best practices for any Sign Decommissioning process.
Decommissioning involves much more than just calling a General Contractor (GC) or handyman to “unscrew signs from the building” or to dig up ground signs.

Signs of Change Are Here
As the Covid-19 crisis continues and many companies adapt to a “new normal,” some companies are making drastic and difficult decisions about how they’ll reopen or whether certain stores will reopen at all.
The pandemic has forced many multi-site operators to rethink their strategic plans. Companies that assumed they had years to implement turnaround plans are now closing a large portion of their store footprint.
Call Enterprise Signs at (866) 571 – 4609 or email esinfo@enterprisesigns.com to learn more about our Sign Decommissioning packages.

Plan Your Execution and Execute Your Plans
A regional or nationwide de-branding program involves a lot of planning, coordination, and execution. Your national sign partner should have the experience and capabilities to manage your decommissioning program on your behalf.
Additionally, your sign partner should reduce costs by utilizing their network to make economical “milk-runs” across your portfolio’s footprint.
It’s wise to take advantage of these economies because they’ll directly impact your planning budget, especially during uncertain times when you can’t afford to waste any money or resources.
Your national sign service partner should have the experiences and capabilities to manage your decommissioning program on your behalf.

Safety Isn’t Expensive. It’s Priceless.
Wall signs and channel letters use anchors to secure them to the buildings or fascia. Each sign may have several or even dozens of wall penetrations that must be caulked or possibly painted – depending on your property’s lease agreements.
Illuminated signs can utilize anywhere from 12-volts for LEDs to 15,000-volts for neon. Due to the range of electrical voltage, a licensed electrician is often required to cap-off the existing electrical to make the decommissioning process safe.
You have enough on your plate, so your de-branding process should be managed by a National Signage Partner, allowing you to focus your time and energy on other pressing issues.
Signs are simple – until they aren’t.