Commercial Ground & Monument Signs

A monument sign is the most common type of ground sign. It’s a freestanding structure built from the ground up on a solid base, usually with some stone or masonry, meant to highlight a facility or piece of property. “Ground sign” is the broader category. It also includes post and panel signs, where a sign face is mounted between simple posts, and pylon-style structures that rest on the ground without a solid monument base.

Ground and monument sign projects typically range from about $5,000 for a basic post and panel sign to $75,000 or more for a custom stone monument. A site survey is the only way to get an accurate number for a specific location.

Often, yes. If the base structure is in good condition, new faces or branding can usually be installed without rebuilding the foundation, which keeps costs down and preserves any grandfathered code approval the sign already has.

No. Illumination is a choice based on the site's hours and visibility needs. Internally lit cabinets, externally lit faces and non-illuminated signs are all common, and the right option depends on when the location needs to be seen.

Yes. Many monument signs pair a static base with an LED or digital message center panel, letting a business update pricing, hours or promotions without touching the rest of the structure. For banks, churches and town halls, the message center is often designed as an integral part of the monument. Whether a digital display fits depends on the existing structure, available electrical capacity and local sign regulations, all of which Flexlume evaluates before recommending one.

Material, lettering style, illumination and how the sign complements the building it sits in front of all matter, but the most overlooked factor is legibility at the distance drivers actually see it from. A design that looks sharp up close can still fail if the letters are too small or the contrast too low to read from the road. Materials and dimensional lettering should be selected to match both the brand and the site's sightlines, not just the storefront it stands in front of.