Are you an HVAC business owner looking to get more local customers for your business? Consider advertising on a giant billboard. Imagine how many people will see your company logo and learn about your business as they pass your billboard.

And if it’s lit up at night, people will actually see your ad 24 hours a day. Capture viewers with a short attention-grabbing headline and you’re sure to grow your business in a big way.

While driving on the road or walking in your city, one can’t help to notice a giant billboard above with your company name on it. By now your interest may be piqued.

And you’re wondering what it costs to advertise on one of those big boys? In this post, you’ll learn about billboard advertising costs and more about the benefits of advertising on a billboard. Let’s get to it.

Billboard Advertising Costs By Region 

The price you’ll pay for a billboard depends on the region where you live. Here’s what you’ll pay for a four-week period in five big cities:

  • Los Angeles: In 2020 the average cost was $2,000 to 15,000
    • Now in 2022 going into 2023
      • Bulletins have gone up 25%
      • Lesser increases across various different units in the market
      • Transit Shelters/Digital Transit Shelters/Jr. Posters have seen a slight reduction in cost
      • Cost Revision: $2,250 to $18,750

 

  • New York: In 2020 the average cost was $3,000 to $20,000
    • Now in 2022 going into 2023 
      • Bulletins have increased by around 35%
      • Transit/Jr Posters/Kiosks/Wall Units have seen a reduction in rate year over year
      • Digital Posters on high-arteries have seen a significant increase upward of 43%
      • Costs Revisions: $3,500 – $25,100

 

  • Philadelphia: In 2020 the average cost was $1,500 to $12,000
    • Now in 2022 going into 2023
      • Bulletins – saw a minimal cost increase of around 17% with Metro skyrocketing to a 42% upcharge
      • Transit Shelter/Junior Posters and Bike Kiosks showed significant decreases
      • Cost Revisions:  $3,500 – $25,100

 

  • San Francisco: In 2020 the average cost was $2,000  to $12,000
    • Now in 2022 going into 2023
      • Appears to be a very Strong Outdoor market
      • Digital/Static Posters and Bulletins have gone up from 36% in 2021 vs 2022
      • Junior Posters/Kiosks currently trending up also
      • Cost Revisions: $2,5000 – $16,800

 

  • Chicago: In 2020 the average cost was $2,000  to $12,000
    • Now in 2022 going into 2023
      • Digital/Static posters have increased by approximately 30 – 35% in 2021 vs 2022
      • Junior Posters, Digital Transit Shelters, and Wall Art have gone down by various percentages
      • Cost Revisions:  $2,300 – $15,000
Production Rate Increases
  • Currently, all indications are that the cost per Square Foot has increased to $1.50 vs. $.50 quoted. This would be due to the increase in costs of materials, labor, and lumber.  Overall, a minimal rate for digital units and the ability to change quickly and without charge ups to offset the higher monthly rate.
  • Bulletin vinyl production and installation rates vary by the market by a run from about $1,010 to $1,800.

As you can see, each city has a wide range, so it’s easy to find a solution that suits your budget. Let’s take a look at other factors that determine billboard advertising costs.

The Factors: How Much Does It Cost to Advertise on a Billboard?

The price you’ll pay for a billboard ad depends on a few factors. One big one is the location. You’ve heard it before: location. location. location. Let’s take a look.

The Visibility of the Billboard

When your billboard is highly visible, the costs reflect that. That’s because more people will see your ad. This increases the likelihood of getting more business.

A highly visible spot could be near a traffic light where people in cars stop or on an open highway. You’ll pay more for a billboard on the right-hand side because it’s easier to see.

Another factor is the volume of traffic in the area. Is the billboard in a busy part of town such as a business district that gets a lot of traffic?

Or in an area that’s part residential with fewer vehicles on the road? Both can serve you well because a residential neighborhood could be your customer base.

Cost Per Thousand Impressions (CPM)

Billboard ad costs are determined by something called CPM which means cost per thousand impressions. A billboard along the freeway with 400,000 impressions in a month will cost $2,000.

But when a billboard is located in a spot that gets 30,000 impressions, billboard advertising costs will equal around $600 a month for your ad. These metrics are calculated by travel surveys and studies.

Want to know more about CPM? Ask your advertising company for the CPM data.

Billboard Pricing Is Typically Determined By Four-Week Intervals

Billboard pricing is based on four-week intervals rather than a month. This makes sense since some months have more weeks than other months.

Did a company give you a $1,500 annual quote? This means you’re paying for 13 four-week intervals.

Production Costs

Aside from renting the actual billboard, you can also have it produced. Production rates vary depending on the size of the billboard your ad is on and the materials.

Prices range from around $250 to under $800. Here are some production estimates for vinyl which typically run half a dollar per square foot.

  • $64: Eight feet by 16 feet billboard
  • $189: 10 feet by 36 feet billboard
  • $336: 14 feet by 48 feet billboard

Of course, these prices are rough estimates as of 2020. But you’ll find they’re fairly close or on the mark.

Billboard Location

We talked about pricing in different U.S. cities. But pricing also depends on the area of the city the billboard is located. Let’s learn more about pricing using the New York City area and Los Angeles as examples.

New York City

In New York City, a digital billboard in Times Square will remain posted for a two-week period rather than four weeks. The costs to advertise in Times Square range from $10,000 to $22,000.

Want to put a billboard up in Soho? Then it will cost between $18,000 and $30,000 for four weeks. But think of how many people on foot and in their vehicles will see your HVAC company.

However, if you want to advertise your billboard on the highway, you’ll pay less for your ad to be posted on a state highway than you would on a freeway. On a freeway, you’ll have more eyes on it. More people means more traffic impressions.

Los Angeles

Want to post a billboard in Los Angeles? You’ll pay the highest prices in the hub of the famed Sunset Strip since so many people visit the area on foot and in vehicles.

Costs range from $25,000  to $55,000. But if you want your billboard on Sunset Blvd, you’ll advertising costs range between $15,000 to $35,000.

Want to target the trendy businesses of Melrose? Your billboard rental will cost around between $9,000 and $15,000. How about Hollywood Boulevard which houses many businesses and apartment buildings? Your costs will range from $7,000 to $13,000.

Put Your Name Up in Lights 

As you can probably imagine, pricing is often determined by size. If your billboard is 14 feet by 48 feet, that’s 77 percent larger than a billboard that’s 10 and a half feet by 36 feet. A larger billboard makes it easier to see your company name.

But imagine if people could see your billboard after dark? A lighted billboard means more impressions and more people reading your company name.

This will bring your company’s name to their minds when their AC or heating system fails. Or when they’re considering updating their HVAC system. Or when it’s time to schedule regular maintenance.

Look Up High: Billboard Advertising Costs Revisited

Now you know more about billboard advertising costs. Advertising your business on a billboard is a great way to get leads for your company and boost sales.

Optic Marketing Group, a full-service HVAC marketing company can help find the perfect billboard location for the best price. Ready to get more eyes on your HVAC business and advertise on a billboard? Contact us today to get started.