How to Build an Outdoor Wooden Billboard Structure From the Ground Up

Layout and Foundation

• 1

  Decide what orientation the billboard needs. Usually billboards are two-sided, so orienting the billboard along a road to take advantage of two-direction traffic patterns is ideal.

• 2

  Dig two holes for the supporting posts using the post hole digger. Dig the holes approximately 20 feet apart and 3 to 4 feet deep.

• 3

  Drop the support posts into the holes and attach 2-by-4 braces in two directions for support. At the other ends of the 2-by-4 braces, nail short sections of 2-by-4 for the support legs. All of this is temporary form work to hold the post straight while the concrete sets.

• 4

  Pour concrete into the hole around the base of the post. Fill the hole to within 6 inches of the top.

• 5

  Drive the short 2-by-4 support legs into the ground to anchor the post in place while the concrete cures. The longer 2-by-4 support braces can pivot to aid in straightening the post before driving the legs into the ground.

Finish the Billboard

• 6

  Attach a 2-by-10 board approximately 20 feet long to both support posts using heavy duty lag screws. These are large wood screws used to attach heavier pieces than a regular screw will support. Use at least four screws per board per post. Attach one board at the top of the posts and install the other approximately 8 to 10 feet lower.

• 7

  Attach 2-by-4 framing members to the face of the 2-by-10 boards using wood screws. The long edge of the 2-by-4 should be flat against the 2-by-10.

• 8

  Attach sheets of plywood to the 2-by-4 framing members using wood screws. This will be the base for the billboard signage. It can either be painted or have the billboard sign attached to it.