DIY vs Turnkey: What’s Best?

DIY vs. Turnkey: What’s Best for Your LED Sign?

It’s the age-old question: do I handle it myself and save, or do I hire the pros so I can focus on other things? When it comes to LED signs, the answer depends on your budget, your experience, and how involved you want to be in the process.

The DIY Route

DIY (Do-It-Yourself) means you order the sign, and we build and ship it directly to you. Once your sign arrives, you either install it yourself or work with contractors you choose — whether that’s an electrician, installer, or fabricator you already trust.

This path is ideal if:

  • You have relevant experience or access to a network of skilled people

  • You want to save on costs by managing the installation process yourself

  • You’re willing to put in some additional time and labor

DIY is the most cost-effective option, and it’s exactly who SignRack was built for: customers who want premium signs, direct access, and great value without the overhead of sales commissions or middlemen.

The Turnkey Route

Turnkey is the opposite approach — more of a luxury service. You share your ideas, and the sign company handles everything else:

  • Permitting and paperwork

  • Engineering and design

  • Fabrication and assembly

  • Excavation and installation

  • Training and software handoff

Your role is limited to choosing the design, confirming placement, and waiting for the finished product. The trade-off? It’s more expensive, but it requires the least physical effort and frees up your time to focus on your business, family, or other priorities.

At the end of the process, you’re handed the keys — everything complete and ready to go.

Which Option Is Right for You?

  • If you’re looking for maximum convenience and are willing to invest in a full-service experience → Turnkey is for you.

  • If you want maximum savings, enjoy being hands-on, or already have trusted contractors you can call → DIY is your best choice.

SignRack exists for the DIY customer. For those looking for a complete, luxury turnkey solution, we recommend our friends at LEDSignCity.com.

The Bottom Line

Both approaches will get you a premium LED sign — the difference is how much you want to be involved in the process and how much you want to spend.

At SignRack, we empower you to get everything a full-service company provides — quality signs, great warranties, and reliable support — at a fraction of the cost, because you’re in control of the installation process.