Is Neon Expensive to Fix?

As we’ve been getting the word out about our business, one of the first things we hear is, “do you fix neon signs?” The reasons vary, some may have been broken in a move, or while the glass is intact, it no longer lights up. Neon repairs aren’t always glamorous, but they do keep the lights on (in more ways than one).

Neon signs are highly repairable, as the techniques and materials in making them haven’t changed very much over the past 120 years. A neon sign is primarily a glass tube, filled with a noble gas (commonly argon or neon) and powered by a high voltage, low amperage transformer. Unlike LED products, where a failed light emitting diode often means disposing of the entire sign, true neon signs can be brought back to life fairly affordably.

One of the simplest repairs we take on is to replace a failed transformer. While well-made neon tubes will last for decades, modern electronic transformers do have a shorter lifespan, averaging around twelve years of steady operation. Your sign celebrating the 2008 All Star Game, which has been off for the last couple of years, may just need a new transformer installed.

On smaller signs brought into our workshop, we can replace a single neon transformer for $125.00, often times while you wait. If your sign has multiple transformers, each additional transformer will cost $100.00. If we don’t have the necessary transformer in stock, you’ll need to leave the sign with us, but we try to have those repairs turned around in under two weeks.

The other thing we’ll evaluate when you bring your sign in to us is to check if any of the glass has been cracked or broken. In some cases, we can repair and reinstall the existing glass, but most often we will need to create a new glass tube for your sign. The price for repairing or replacing a tube can range from $100-$200 per glass unit (depending on the type of glass used). In some cases, we may not be able to exactly match the color of older neon glass, but we can make recommendations on an equivalent modern replacement.

We’re happy to evaluate any sign for repair at our workshop in Raleigh, drop in and see us at 521C Uwharrie Ct, Raleigh NC 27606, or call (919)-322-2271 to schedule a time to come by for a free estimate on your neon sign repair.