Scoreboard installation costs are a key consideration when purchasing a new digital scoreboard.
Installation costs can vary significantly from $3000 for a small scoreboard fixed to a wall, to $100,000+ for a large freestanding outdoor scoreboard, especially if mains power is not easily accessible. Generally, scoreboard installations costs depend on the scoreboard location, mains power requirements, scoreboard size, labour costs, permits, approval and certification costs, and any additional materials.
Let’s dive into some detail about factors that will influence the cost of your scoreboard installation.
Freestanding Outdoor Scoreboard Installation Costs
If you are planning to install a freestanding permanent outdoor scoreboard, you need to factor in the following installation costs:
Structural Engineering
Freestanding scoreboards are installed on a frame which is then secured with a concrete footing slab. They require steel support frames and structural mounting to withstand wind loads. Professional engineering certification is always required to ensure compliance and of course to ensure the safety of everyone around the scoreboard.
Professional installation and the construction of mounting structures usually add approximately $8,000 – $30,000 to the scoreboard price, depending on the screen’s size, mounting height, ground conditions, cost of materials, and labour costs.
Obligations and Requirements
Depending on your scoreboard’s location and venue ownership, local council approvals may be required for large permanent outdoor structures. These costs will vary by Council and local regulations, so it’s important to identify local laws and permits early in the scoreboard purchase process.
In every instance a professional engineering certification process will need to be followed regardless of the local Council regulations. The certification may cost between $1500-$4000 depending on complexity.
A soil report, nearly always required, for the engineer is provided by geotechnical specialists and can range between $500 to $2500. In some cases, the local Council may have a relevant soil report for the ground and thus a new report is not required.
Other factors which could add to costs are Council specific requirements such as ground remediation, landscaping, traffic barriers, traffic control.
Power / Data Trenching
The cost of connecting your freestanding scoreboard to mains power can vary significantly, and depends on your scoreboard’s power requirements, the distance from the existing electrical supply, local regulations, and the condition of your site.
- If your scoreboard is to be located near an existing building like your clubhouse or sports facility, a short cable (up to 30 metres) typically costs between $1,000 – $5,000.
- Running a longer underground cable (50-150 metres) across a sports field that requires trenching work, typically costs between $5,000 – $20,000.
- All scoreboards should be wired with a lockable isolator either on the structure or nearby so the scoreboard can be turned off or on.
- There may also be a need to provide new distribution boards and cabinets which can support additional services such as General Purpose Outlets (GPOs) for Club use.
To be able to obtain a more accurate power connection estimate, gather the following information:
- Your location (city/region and local permission and permit requirements)
- The scoreboard’s maximum power rating (amps or watts)
- The distance from the nearest mains power or switchboard
- Cabling requirements (underground, overhead, etc)
- Whether your scoreboard requires a hardwired connection or plugs into a weatherproof outlet or into a distribution cabinet.
- Where you would like to install the lockable isolator.
- Clearly define whether you need any additional outlets.
Feeling a little overwhelmed? The AusSport team can provide expert advice on the freestanding scoreboard installation process and help you every step of the way.
Scoreboards mounted on an existing structure (e.g. indoor or outdoor wall installations)
The cost of installing a scoreboard on a wall depends on the scoreboard size, structural requirements, and access to power. In general, if a wall is structurally sound, the cost will be less than for a free-standing installation. Wall mounted installations generally range from between $3,000 – $20,000.
It is possible to install on the roof of structures however this is usually more expensive for any scoreboard larger than 2.4 m length x 1.2 m height. When mounting on a roof all the structural requirements are much the same as for wall mounting with the additional costs coming from the extra supporting structures required for the scoreboard itself.
Scoreboard Mounting
Small, lightweight scoreboards use simple angle mounting brackets, and are generally inexpensive to mount on a wall, starting from around $3,000. Larger fixed digit scoreboards and wall mounted LED screens will have more significant structural requirements, to ensure they are safely and securely mounted, and may cost well over $10,000 – $20,000.
The Structure of the Wall
The type of structure of the wall will determine much of the cost of the installation. If there are internal supporting beams which can be used to anchor the scoreboard brackets then costs will be low. If additional structural work has to be done to provide support then the costs can become significantly higher. A shed may be a good candidate but it will need to have solid internal support available in the right location.
Approvals
Depending on your scoreboard’s location and venue ownership, you may require approval from the venue owner to install your scoreboard on building fixtures. It’s unlikely that you would need to pay for local council permits, however, it’s always worth investigating the individual circumstances for your venue.
A professional engineering certification process is necessary to ensure compliance and the safety of people around the scoreboard. The certification may cost between $1500-$4000 depending on complexity.
Power
You will need to factor in the cost of a licensed electrician to run mains power and data cables to the scoreboard wall location. This cost will vary, depending on the distance from mains power, complexity of connecting power and running cables, etc. so it is best to obtain a quote from an electrician for this work.
Contact the AusSport team if you need expert advice on your mounting your scoreboard; we can help you through the entire process, from a scoreboard quote, to installation, and how to use your new scoreboard.
Portable Scoreboard
Due to the nature of portable scoreboards, they don’t usually require any installation costs, especially if you are planning to run them on battery power. However, you may want to consider whether there is convenient access to a power source if you choose to run your portable scoreboard off mains power. You may like to have additional power points installed at optimum scoreboard location points, in which case it would be wise to obtain a quote from a licensed electrician for this work.
Do It Yourself (DIY) Scoreboard Installation
An option for volunteer sporting clubs on a budget is a DIY installation. Clubs who have limited funds and capable volunteers can install their own scoreboard. This may include sourcing volunteer engineers, electricians, labourers, who can help pour the concrete footing, install the mounting frames, and connect your scoreboard to mains power. Generous volunteers who donate their time, expertise and even materials, can help your club save thousands of dollars on scoreboard installation costs.
Download the AusSport Scoreboards DIY Scoreboards Installation guide to help you through the process.
Expert digital scoreboard installation advice
If you are in the market for a new digital scoreboard, contact AusSport today. Our expert team will guide you through the entire scoreboard purchase process, including the complexities of scoreboard installation. We can provide a fast quote, and detailed information to support sports grant applications for your club or school.
Want to learn more about how much a digital scoreboard costs? Read our comprehensive ‘How much does a digital scoreboard cost in Australia?‘ guide for detailed information about every aspect of scoreboard costs.
