How Much Does Signage Installation Cost?
Last updated: August 2026
Installation labor runs from about $350 for an indoor site survey to $8,700 for a full single lane drive-thru package. Every figure on this page is labor only. Equipment, foundation work and the final electrical hookup are quoted separately.
At a Glance
- Single lane drive-thru package: $6,500 to $8,700 per location, covering the site survey, outdoor fixtures, a headset system and the vehicle detector loop.
- Outdoor fixtures: $4,000 to $6,000 for the full package, or $3,000 to $5,000 for a drive-thru menu board on its own.
- Indoor menu boards: $1,000 to $2,200 for a digital system, $1,200 to $1,800 for static boards.
- Wall and window graphics: $2,000 to $3,750, quoted separately from menu board work.
- Headsets and timers: about $1,100 for a single lane system, $1,400 to $1,800 for dual lane.
- Not included: equipment, foundation work and the final electrical hookup.
- Biggest cost driver: a site that is not ready when the crew arrives, which turns one trip into two.
What does each installation cost at a glance?
Every service in one chart, sorted low to high. Each line is installation labor only. Foundation work is normally your general contractor's scope.
| Service | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Indoor site survey | $350 to $450 |
| Technology survey | $340 to $500 |
| Outdoor site survey | $450 to $600 |
| Vehicle detector loop, saw cut | $900 to $985 |
| Timer system | $900 to $1,100 |
| Headset system, single lane | About $1,100 |
| Indoor digital menu board system | $1,000 to $2,200 |
| Indoor static menu boards | $1,200 to $1,800 |
| Headset system, dual lane | $1,400 to $1,800 |
| Wall and window graphics | $2,000 to $3,750 |
| Drive-thru menu board | $3,000 to $5,000 |
| Outdoor fixtures package | $4,000 to $6,000 |
| Foundation and conduit sweeps, new build | $4,000 to $8,000 or more |
How much does a site survey cost?
A site survey runs $350 to $600 depending on whether it is indoor, outdoor, or technology focused. The survey is what makes the rest of the quote accurate, because it checks electrical infrastructure, mounting locations, conduit paths, and foundation needs before anyone orders anything.
| Service | Estimated cost | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor site survey | $450 to $600 | Drive-thru lane assessment, fixture placement, electrical and foundation review |
| Indoor site survey | $350 to $450 | Menu board placement, mounting options, network and power requirements |
| Technology survey | $340 to $500 | Headset, timer, order confirmation system, and loop connection requirements |
Locations more than 50 miles outside a major metropolitan area cost more, because of travel time.
How much does outdoor drive-thru installation cost?
Outdoor installation runs $3,000 to $6,000 for the fixtures themselves, and $4,000 to $8,000 or more if the site still needs a foundation and conduit. Outdoor scope covers menu boards, canopies, speaker posts, clearance bars, and directional signage. Every figure below assumes conduit and footers are already in place.
| Service | Estimated cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor fixtures package | $4,000 to $6,000 | Menu boards, canopies, clearance bars, speaker posts. Requires all items in scope. |
| Drive-thru menu board | $3,000 to $5,000 | Pedestal mount digital or static systems. Screens not included. |
| Foundation and conduit sweeps | $4,000 to $8,000 or more | Concrete foundation and conduit sweeps for new builds. Handled by your general contractor. The Howard Company can advise. |
| Outdoor digital monitor, fixture already set |
$800 to $1,200 |
Two person job. |
How much does a drive-thru headset system cost to install?
A single lane headset system runs about $1,100 installed, and a dual lane system runs $1,400 to $1,800. Installation covers base station setup, cable runs from the speaker and microphone to the base station, and testing.
| Service | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Headset system, single lane | About $1,100 | Base station, cable runs, third party tech |
| Headset system, dual lane | $1,400 to $1,800 | For locations with two drive-thru lanes |
| Timer system | $900 to $1,100 | Speed of service timer installation |
| Vehicle detector loop, saw cut | $900 to $985 | In ground loop for vehicle detection |
Your site provides conduit for the cable runs, plus power outlets at the base station and charging station locations.
Does installation cost more in some regions?
Yes, and the swing is large. Outdoor fixtures run 43% above the national average in the Northeast, and indoor digital menu boards run 50% above average in the West. Labor rates, permitting requirements, and local market conditions drive the difference. Open your region below.
Northeast
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Outdoor fixtures: 43% above average the highest in the country
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Vehicle detector loops: 9% above average
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Indoor digital menu boards: 11% below average
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Site surveys: at average
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Why: stricter permitting and higher labor rates
Southeast
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Outdoor fixtures: 11% above average
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Indoor digital menu boards: 5% above average
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Timer systems: 10% below average
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Vehicle detector loops: at average
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Site surveys: at average
- Why: at or near the national average across almost everything, which makes budgeting predictable
Midwest
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Outdoor fixtures: 11% above average
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Timer systems: 6% above average
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Indoor digital menu boards: 3% above average
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Vehicle detector loops: at average
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Site surveys: at average
- Why: at or near the national average across almost everything, which makes budgeting predictable
Southwest
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Outdoor fixtures: 25% above average
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Timer systems: 10% below average
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Indoor digital menu boards: 6% below average
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Site surveys: 4% below average
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Vehicle detector loops: at average
- Why: higher outdoor labor and permitting, but indoor work runs slightly under average. Good value if you are upgrading interiors
West
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Indoor digital menu boards: 50% above average
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Site surveys: 17% above average
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Vehicle detector loops: 6% above average
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Outdoor fixtures: 3% below average
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Timer systems: 7% below average
- Why: the steepest indoor digital premium in the country, and higher survey costs. Outdoor fixtures are at or slightly below average
Headset system pricing does not vary by region. It is the same in all five.
How much does indoor menu board and graphics installation cost?
Indoor menu board installation runs $1,000 to $2,200 for a digital system and $1,200 to $1,800 for static boards. Installation covers monitor mounting, CAT6 cable runs, network configuration, and system testing. Wall and window graphics are a separate scope, quoted at $2,000 to $3,750.
| Service | Estimated cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor digital menu board system, mounting and hanging screens | $1,000 to $2,200 | Wall or ceiling mount. Screen count, placement, and wall material affect cost. |
| Digital connections, per monitor | $250 to $400 per 100 foot run | Low voltage connection and network setup. Up to 100 feet of CAT6 or HDMI per monitor. Needs at least one network port per monitor with an open firewall. |
| Indoor static menu boards | $1,200 to $1,800 | Wall or ceiling mount. Panel count, placement, and wall material affect cost. Does not include any electrical work. |
| Wall and window graphics installation |
$2,000 to $3,750 |
Wall graphics and murals, wallpaper and wall coverings, soffit graphics, full window graphics, and decals |
What counts as wall and window graphics?
Graphics that go on the surfaces of the space rather than on a menu board. Wall graphics and murals, wallpaper and wall coverings, soffit graphics, full window graphics, and decals. It is a separate scope from menu board work, priced on its own, and it is often what makes a remodel actually look finished.
What drives installation cost up?
Seven things and site conditions are the biggest. A site that is not ready costs more than any other factor on this list, because it can turn one trip into two.
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Site conditions. Existing infrastructure, accessibility, distance from the electrical panel, and weather.
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After hours work. Typically adds $350 to $500 or more per technician.
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Permitting. Passed through at actual cost. Some jurisdictions take four to six weeks to approve, so start early.
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Foundation work. New builds that need concrete and conduit add $4,000 to $8,000 or more.
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Multiple locations. Volume pricing may be available for franchise rollouts and multi location programs.
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Return trips. If the site is not ready when the crew arrives, a return trip charge applies.
- Geographic location. Labor rates and permitting requirements vary a lot by region. See the regional table above.
What is included in the installation price?
Installation covers the labor, the technicians, the mounting, the cabling, and the testing. It does not cover the licensed electrician, the conduit, the outlets, or the foundation. Those are yours.
| The Howard Company provides | You or your general contractor provides |
|---|---|
| Third party professional technicians | Electrical outlets at installation points |
| Equipment mounting and placement to spec | Conduit for cable runs |
| Cable runs and connections, up to 100 feet per monitor for digital | Network ports with an open firewall for digital systems |
| System testing and verification, on site and remote | Foundation and footers for new outdoor installations |
| Coordination with site management and your general contractor | A licensed electrician for the final hookup, which is not in our price |
Not sure who handles what?
The roles and responsibilities guide breaks down every task across The Howard Company, your team, your general contractor, the electrician, and the low voltage tech, so nothing falls through the cracks.
Installation questions answered
Does the installation price include electrical work?
No. Final electrical hookup is not included in our installation pricing. You contract a licensed electrician separately for the final connections. The Howard Company coordinates with your general contractor but does not supply or contract licensed electricians.
What happens if the site is not ready when your team arrives?
A return trip charge applies. Before scheduling we ask you to confirm that power, network, conduit, and site access are all ready. Completing the site readiness check prevents this.
Do you handle permits?
Permitting is typically the customer's or the general contractor's responsibility. The Howard Company can manage permitting on request, and those costs are passed through at actual cost. Some jurisdictions take four to six weeks to approve a permit, so start early.
How long after ordering will installation be scheduled?
Allow one to two weeks after you place the order to be contacted by our installation team for scheduling and further instructions. Production begins after full payment is received.
Is there a warranty on installation?
Yes. A 30 day warranty applies to errors in the installation itself. Product warranties are separate and vary by manufacturer.
Are pricing estimates available for multi location or franchise rollouts?
Yes. Volume pricing may be available for franchise rollouts and multi location projects. Contact us for a custom quote tailored to your scope.
Get a quote for your site!
Every site is different, and the ranges above are a starting point. The Howard Company has been installing drive-thru and menu board systems since 1950, for quick service restaurants, convenience stores, banks, and dispensaries across the country. Run your own estimate, or tell us your scope and we will quote it.
Prices reflect typical ranges based on historical project data and are subject to change. Actual costs may vary with site conditions, scope of work, and regional factors. Contact us for current pricing.