Built for sign makers, not against them
Sign Riggers was started in 2008 with a simple idea: sign makers needed a crew they could trust on site, without having to stretch their own teams across dangerous lifts, after-hours removals or awkward access jobs. That is still how we work today. We do rigging only, and we respect the boundaries of the trade. If a client needs a sign built, printed or fabricated, that stays with the sign shop. If the job needs careful installation, removal, servicing or access planning, that is where we step in.
Our bases in Paarden Eiland and Johannesburg let us cover the Western Cape and Gauteng with local crews who know the pace of commercial sites, mall rules, municipal requirements and the reality of load-shedding. We work for sign makers, not end clients direct, and we keep that relationship clean so there is no confusion on site.
How we handle a job from first call to sign-off
Most jobs begin with an enquiry through the contact form. From there, our team checks the site details, access needs, lifting limits and timing. If it is a high street install in Bellville, a rooftop sign in Sandton or a billboard face change in Midrand, we plan the job before a vehicle leaves the yard. That saves time and reduces risk, especially when working around traffic, weather or power interruptions.
We keep communication practical and direct. Thandi handles coordination, Ayesha keeps the client updated, and Liam and Pieter make sure the right vehicle, access equipment and crew are assigned. If a site needs a scaffold, platform or lift plan, we sort that out before the install date. On the day, the crew arrives ready to work, with the paperwork, tools and safety kit in order.
- Site surveys for access, fixing points and working height
- Lift planning for heavier or awkward signs
- Scaffold access and platform work where lifts are not practical
- Clean removals when signs must come down for replacements or landlord changes
Safety is part of the job, not an extra
Working at height leaves very little room for guesswork. Every crew member is trained in safety basics, scaffold use and first aid, and Sibusiso keeps the standards consistent across both branches. We do not rush a job just to finish early. If wind picks up, the surface is unsafe, or a power issue affects lighting access, we pause and re-check the plan. That approach protects people, property and the sign itself.
On coastal jobs around Cape Town, salt air can affect fittings and housings. In Gauteng, sun exposure and dust bring different wear. We plan servicing around those conditions so signs keep working properly for longer. It is simple enough: a careful install and regular maintenance usually costs less than an emergency callout after something has loosened or failed.
The crews and people behind the work
Our team is small enough to stay hands-on and experienced enough to handle varied sites across two provinces. Gareth van der Merwe leads the company and keeps the work focused on what sign makers need most: dependable rigging, clear communication and crews who arrive prepared. Around him, each person has a defined role so nothing gets lost between planning and execution.
- Gareth van der Merwe - Managing Director
- Thandi Mokoena - Operations Coordinator
- Liam Jacobs - Senior Rigging Supervisor
- Sibusiso Dlamini - Safety Officer
- Ayesha Daniels - Client Liaison
- Pieter Coetzee - Fleet and Access Lead
That structure matters on real jobs. A sign removal in Paarl may need early access and careful packing. A fascia sign in Somerset West may need traffic awareness. A lighting service in the CBD may need after-hours timing. The right people are already in place to handle those differences.
Where we work and what we are set up for
We cover Paarden Eiland, Bellville, Somerset West and Paarl in the Western Cape, and Johannesburg CBD, Sandton, Midrand and the East Rand in Gauteng. Those areas keep us busy with retail parks, offices, warehouses, municipal buildings and roadside sites. Some jobs are straightforward, others need permits, lifting plans or access equipment that can reach above awnings, glass fronts or busy loading bays.
Our fleet and crews are set up for sign installation, sign removal, sign servicing, emergency callouts, maintenance visits, lighting access, sign relocations and billboard face changes. Because we know the local conditions, we can advise on what is practical and what is not. That often saves sign makers from promising a deadline that the site itself will not support.
What our clients can expect from us
Sign makers come back to us because they know we keep to the job brief and do not drift into their lane. We do not try to sell the sign, redraw the artwork or compete for the fabrication work. We turn up to install it safely, remove it cleanly, or keep it serviced and accessible when maintenance is due. That focus has helped us build long working relationships across both provinces.
Clients can expect steady communication, proper safety controls and crews who understand that every site is different. Whether the job is a small illuminated sign on a shopfront or a large sign change on a commercial building, we treat it with the same discipline. It is not fancy, but it works, and that is what most sign makers need.
- Clear scope before the crew arrives
- Respect for sign shop relationships and client boundaries
- Practical access planning for tight or high-risk sites
- Reliable follow-through on maintenance and callouts
Why sign makers keep calling us back
Over time, trust matters more than promises. Sign makers need a crew that can work safely around their customers, protect the finished product and keep the site moving. That is why our approach has stayed consistent since 2008. We answer the enquiry, plan the access, bring the right crew and finish the job properly.
If you need a sign rigging team in Cape Town or Johannesburg, we are set up to help with installations, removals, servicing and access work across the Western Cape and Gauteng. Keep your fabrication team on the making side and leave the height work to us.