Blog

When you drive through a Caviness & Cates community, the first thing you might notice is how polished and complete everything feels. A big part of that is due to the care and attention they give to their signage. From the monument signs at the entrance to the ADA signage inside each building, their signs provide a visual thread that helps to tie it all together. That’s not by accident, it’s the result of years of collaboration between Caviness & Cates Communities and our team here at Port City Signs & Graphics.

We’ve partnered with them on developments across the Carolinas, including the Waterford, Luxe and Legends at Morganton Park, The Landings at Grand Dunes, West Park, 904 West, The Cottages at Knightdale Station, and new projects like The Carolinian Apartments, 250 West Apartments, and The Tides of Shallotte Apartments. Over the years, our role has grown from handling select signage to managing the complete signage package. This partnership is what sets the foundation for the kind of full-service support we’ve been able to offer across their developments.

Start to Finish Support

Our work with Caviness & Cates communities begins long before the first residents ever arrive, usually with temporary signage like construction signs and "coming soon" banners. From there, we move through every stage of the development, producing and installing wayfinding signage, street signs, unit markers, ADA-compliant signage, monument signs, and branded elements like lobby lettering.

We’re often working with Caviness & Cates on projects over a two- or three-year span, sometimes longer. That extended timeline helps us build a rhythm together. In many cases, they’ll pull plans from a previous community and ask us to start there, tweaking the signage plan to match the unique personality of the new neighborhood. That repeatable, collaborative process helps them move faster and with fewer surprises.

When Timeline Becomes a Challenge

Coordinating signage across large-scale developments means juggling multiple timelines and shifting priorities. Caviness & Cates does a great job keeping things moving, but there are always unexpected turns as buildings near completion or inspections come up faster than anticipated. That’s where our ability to stay flexible and tap into deep project knowledge really matters.

There are plenty of moments where Megan, our operations manager, gets a call saying, “We’re closing buildings 1, 2, and 4 this week, can we get signs installed ASAP?” Because we’ve done this so many times, and because we keep organized records for every community, we can respond quickly and confidently.

And it’s not just about showing up on time. Signage needs vary by building type and local regulations. ADA signs with braille, pool rules, street names, and emergency contact information all follow different sets of rules and timelines. We understand that nuance, and we help developers keep their projects on track.

Creative Problem-Solving in Action

One of our favorite examples of creative thinking with a Caviness & Cates community came from The Tides of Shallotte Apartments. The developers wanted a sleek, backlit aluminum lobby sign mounted on a shell tabby wall, which is a shell and composite material that is beautiful and beachy looking but brittle. Instead of risking damage to the finished surface, we pre-installed all the hardware and wiring while the wall was still being built. The wall was then finished around our mounting structure, and the sign installation went off without a hitch. The result was a clean, custom look that complemented the coastal style of the space.

Revitalizing the Waterford Community

Not every project starts from scratch. Sometimes, it’s about reimagining what’s already there. That was the case at Waterford, where the original monument sign, made of red brick and black tile with gold lettering, had seen better days. Tiles had fallen off, and the surface underneath was too uneven for a simple repaint.

Rather than rebuild the entire structure, our lead designer Carlos came up with a clever solution to create a custom pattern color-matched to the new paint on the sign, which we printed on an aluminum backer panel. The panel covered the previously tiled area and gave our new backlit aluminum letters a stylish backdrop that tied into the community's existing aesthetic. The best part? The refreshed look was achieved without having to start over.

Signage That Goes Beyond the Sign

What makes our work with Caviness & Cates so fulfilling is how comprehensive it’s become. In addition to signage within the communities, we’ve wrapped their fleet trucks, created decals, license tags, and even wrapped Amazon lockers for one of their property management groups. They understand the value of consistent branding across every touchpoint, and we help them maintain that standard for their company and their communities. 

We’re also proud to be a go-to resource when unique challenges pop up. In one case, traditional “Construction Traffic Only” signs weren’t getting the job done, especially at night. So they called and asked: “If we send over a stack of construction barrels, could you turn them into signs with reflective lettering to catch attention and direct traffic more clearly?” The answer was yes. And it worked! When drivers see barrels, they tend to stop and pay attention.

Creating a Unique Identity for Each Community

While Caviness & Cates maintains a strong, consistent brand across their portfolio, they also want each community to feel like it has its own identity, and signage plays a big part in that. We help bring that vision to life by customizing monument signs, color palettes, materials, and design details to fit the character and setting of each development.

For example, a coastal community might feature a softer, beach-inspired color scheme and natural textures, while a more urban property may lean into sleek lines and bolder tones. We take into account the surrounding environment, architecture, and even terrain to design signage that reflects and enhances each neighborhood’s personality.

Because we’ve worked with Caviness & Cates for so long, we know what elements they love, such as classic typefaces, clean layouts, and timeless finishes, but we also have the freedom to get creative within those boundaries. That balance of brand consistency and community individuality is part of what makes every project a little different, and a lot more fun.

The Value of a True Signage Partner

At the end of the day, we don’t just deliver signs, we help developers like Caviness & Cates solve problems, meet deadlines, and create lasting impressions. We take pride in being proactive, easy to communicate with, and adaptable at every stage of the project. In other words, we want the developers that we work with to feel like we’re an important part of their team. We’re proud to say that this is certainly the case with Caviness & Cates and many other developers working in the Wilmington, NC area and beyond. 

If you’re a developer looking for a signage partner who can help carry your project from groundbreaking to grand opening and beyond, let’s talk. Reach out today at 910-294-9402 for a free quote or to schedule an initial meeting.