The cost of scaffolding hire can be as low as £40 a day and up to as much as £150 a day. The length of hire, the complexity of the job and ease of access are the determining factors that will affect the final scaffolding costs.
In this article, I will break down the costs of hiring scaffolding to help you make an informed decision before hiring.
Here’s Why You Need to Use Scaffolding
There comes a time in most people’s lives when you will find yourself in the position of having to hire scaffolding for one reason or another. You may need it to carry out maintenance work on your home or to tackle a much larger commercial project. Scaffolding is used to make sure the workers are kept safe. Scaffold allows the job to be carried out much more efficiently. Scaffolding eliminates unnecessary risks for workers. Workers on scaffolding can safely reach areas that were once inaccessible by ladders. Hiring scaffolding to complete a job safely cannot be avoided and paying more than necessary can be avoided. There are many different factors involved in the cost of scaffolding. I have written this article to help you understand them. Hopefully, I will be able to answer a lot of your questions.
Scaffolding Price Factors Explained
Whether you’re having your roof repaired or replaced, you are going to need scaffolding to carry out the job safely. A few roofing companies come equipped with scaffolding. An awful lot of them do not. If you’re the one having to pay for the costs of scaffolding, then it is in your interest to carry out some research. You want to try and save yourself as much money as possible. Below you will find the most important factors that will affect scaffolding costs. I’ll start with the most obvious one!
Length of Hire
The first thing that comes to most people’s minds when trying to figure out scaffolding costs is the length of hire. The usual hire time for scaffolding is between six and eight weeks. If your project will be completed within that period, you will be quoted a fixed price. However, if your project goes past the projected time frame, you may be billed weekly on top of the initial cost.
Number of Levels
The number of levels required will affect how much it will cost to hire scaffolding. A house painter will not need as many levels as a roofer because they usually only work to the height of the guttering. A roofer, on the other hand, will need more levels of scaffolding so they can step on and off the roof safely.
Height
The height of the scaffolding you require means you need more wooden boards and metal poles etc. Basically, the higher the scaffold, the more levels you will have. The higher the scaffolding, the more you will have to pay. Every level of scaffolding required can make a big difference in price. Your scaffolding company will be able to advise you on how much scaffolding you need for your job.
Location
Where you live has a significant impact on scaffolding costs. Scaffolding companies in London can charge up to three times more than scaffold companies located outside of the capital. You have to consider your location when you are planning your budget for scaffold hire. London is the most expensive place to live in the United Kingdom. The capital is a lot more densely populated than most other parts of the country and may have more access issues, which could also affect scaffolding costs.
Restriction of public access
If your project cannot avoid having scaffolding erected on a public footpath or road, you will need to get permission from your local council. Getting permission from your local council can increase the length of your project as well as costing you a lot more money. It pays to get your local councils permission to have scaffolding erected on a public footpath or road before contacting a scaffolding company.
Special requirements
Erecting the scaffolding is usually straight forward for most jobs. However, you may run into some issues now and again. Some jobs require special walkways or a bridge may need to be built over a wide gap. In any of these circumstances where special requirements are needed, you can expect the price to increase.
Ease of access
If you’re building is easily assessable, and a scaffolder can get a frame up quickly, you can expect the cost of scaffolding hire to be quite low, especially if you’re paying them by the day. As you can imagine, if the scaffolder has to carry sections through a building or squeeze down a tight passageway, it will end up costing more.
Here’s a Detailed Breakdown of Scaffolding Costs
Loft conversion scaffolding costs
Every day hundreds of people are searching Google trying to figure out the costs of scaffolding for a loft conversion. Unfortunately, trying to find an accurate answer is not that simple. The cost of scaffolding hire for a loft conversion will depend on the size of your property, the loft dimensions, accessibility and the complexity of the project.
As I explained to you earlier, the cost of scaffolding hire varies quite a lot. If you would like a good starting point to get a general idea, then you could work off approximately £16 per square metre.
Conservatory scaffolding
If you need scaffolding to replace the roof on your property and you have a conservatory, then you will have no option but to have a bridge built over the conservatory. The location of your property and the size of your conservatory will affect how much it will cost to hire scaffolding. The cost of hiring scaffolding to erected around a property with the conservatory can cost anywhere between £500 and £900 per week.
Gutter repair
The cost of hiring an access tower can be as low as £65 per week, but if you’re not careful, you could end up paying over £120 depending on who you contact. Scaffold tower hire prices can vary quite a lot. Some people have reported paying as much as £500! You may need to hire a scaffolding tower for a gutter repair job or fitting fascia boards but don’t assume the price will be cheap because you only need a small amount of scaffolding to do the job. You may only need to hire a single scaffold tower so you can replace some tiles on a roof or fix a leaking gutter. You can still expect to pay approximately £250 – £300. If you live in London, the costs of hiring a single scaffold tower would be slightly more expensive at around £300-£400.
Chimney Scaffolding
Roofing companies get called out quite often to carry out work on a chimney. Chimney repairs or chimney removal requires scaffolding to complete the job safely. However, the scaffolding does not have to be erected all around the property to complete this task safely. Multiple safety precautions need to be followed carefully when working so high.
Scaffolding for working on a chimney has to be fitted above the highest point on the roof. The ridge of the roof is the highest point on a roof. The scaffolding will go across the ridge of the roof so the worker will have access to each side of the chimney. The cost of chimney repair work varies because every job is different.
House types
Below you will find a few examples of how much will it cost to hire scaffolding. The example below shows a semi-detached house being the most expensive. The majority of roof work will require scaffolding to be erected all around the house and making sure the walkway, lift and metalwork are complete will cost you anywhere between £650 and £800.
You can add another £200-£300 on top of that if you live in London. You have to keep in mind that these prices only include one walkway. If you need multiple levels of scaffolding, the costs will be higher.
Please note these scaffolding prices are to be used as a guideline only.
- Working on a wall on a terraced house: you should expect to pay approximately £300 per week for a single side of scaffold for wall work. The final cost after the job is complete should be between £940 and £1150.
- Four storey semi-detached house with a roof: the estimated cost of hiring scaffolding to be erected around three sides of a four-story semi-detached house should be somewhere in between £1000 and £1200 per week.
- Three bedroom semi-detached house: you can expect to pay anywhere between £900 and £1100 per week to hire enough scaffold to be erected all around the three sides of a semi-detached house.
- 10-metre scaffold tower up to the first floor: setting up 10-meter scaffold tower takes approximately 2 to 3 hours to set up. The cost of hiring a 10-meter scaffold tower would be somewhere in between £500 and £700.
- Two bedroomed semi-detached house: your location plays a big part in the cost of hiring scaffolding for a two-bedroom semi-detached house. You would be looking at paying between £750 and £900 per week.
Price Guide for Scaffold Hire Costs
| Description | Labour |
| Put up an access tower and carryout minor repair work | £250 |
| Build a bridge over a conservatory | £450 |
| Erect scaffolding at the front of a semi-detached house for roof work | £425 |
| Erect scaffolding at the front of a semi-detached house ready for painting | £500 |
| Erect scaffolding all around a semi-detached house for roofing | £850 |
| Erect scaffolding all around a semi-detached house for painting | £1100 |
| Erect scaffolding to the height of the chimney ready for removal or pointing | £750 |
| Erect scaffolding all around a typical 1930’s detached property for painting | £1500 |
Frequently asked scaffolding questions
How does scaffolding work?
Scaffolding, once erected, is a strong, sturdy piece of equipment which allows workers to access hard to reach places safely. Scaffolding is made of strong metal tubing which interlock with one another to create a strong, elevated support system. At the bottom of the scaffolding are adjustable feet. The adjustable feet allow the person erecting the scaffold to adjust them accordingly so they can get the scaffold at an equal height all around the house. Each level of scaffolding will have wooden boards placed on top of horizontal tubes to allow workers to walk around safely. Once the scaffolding has been erected, you can access each level by using the ladders which come supplied.
The use of scaffolding dates back to the 5th century BC. The earliest versions of it were made from wood. Although they weren’t made with the precision of today’s scaffolding systems, they allowed people to reach hard to access places in the safest way possible during those times. Even though today’s systems are made from metal tubing instead of wood, the systems themselves are not much different in their design. The purpose is the same in both designs – to hold workers safely at heights. There are four different types of materials that are used to make scaffolding. They are as follows:
- Timber
- Prefabricated modular system
- Tube and coupler component
- H-frame/façade modular system
David Palmer-Jones first patented modern-day scaffolding back in 1913. Luck was on his side when he was able to demonstrate his new invention at Buckingham Palace when it was undergoing a reconstruction in that same year. David Palmer-Jones completely revolutionised scaffolding. The design of scaffolding continued to improve over the coming years. Mr Jones continued to improve the design of scaffolding over the coming years by using lightweight metals and the best technology available at the time. By 1944 his scaffolding system had reached its full potential. Today’s modern scaffold systems haven’t changed much in over half a century.
Today’s modern scaffold systems are constructed using lightweight metal tubing, couplers and boards. The wooden boards are used for walkways. The wooden boards vary in thickness. Different thickness boards are required depending on how much weight they need to support. The couplers are located at each end of the metal tubing. Each coupler clamps on to a section of metal tubing which holds the entire structure together.
When do You Need to use Scaffolding?
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to avoid having to pay for scaffolding if you want to replace or repair a roof. Safe access to a roof is vital to carry out chimney repairs or replace missing tiles or install a new roof. A ladder isn’t safe enough to carry out this type of work. A ladder doesn’t give you access to those hard to reach areas like scaffolding does. The only way to make sure a job is carried out properly and safely is to hire scaffolding.
Having scaffold erected will drastically improve the efficiency of the job. Scaffolding allows multiple people to work on it at the same time. Heavy materials can be preloaded onto different levels which will save multiple trips up and down. Scaffolding may seem expensive at first, but in the long run, it will save you money and time.
What are the rules and regulations in the scaffolding industry?
Building sites have to adhere to rules and regulations. If you are putting up scaffolding for a one storey or ten storey building the rules have to be followed closely. Building site standards measure the smallest details, such as the size of the parts needed in a scaffold to ensuring that high-quality materials are used.
The working at height regulations is to be upheld on every building site within the UK and Europe. The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation put these measures in place to reduce the risk of injury in the workplace.
Here are the regulations you need to be following:
- All equipment for working at heights should be examined properly before use.
- You must complete work at heights training course before you can work at heights.
- All work at height needs to be organised and planned properly beforehand.
- Risk assessments should be carried out before working at height and suitable work equipment must be used at all times.
- A fragile surface must be controlled to reduce hazards.
The regulations also state that duty holders must:
- If possible, avoid working at heights.
- If working at heights cannot be avoided, make sure to use sufficient work equipment and take safety precautions to prevent fall.
- If the risk of a fall cannot be removed, then specialist work equipment must be used to minimise the distance and consequences of falling if it was to happen.
Do I need a permit for scaffolding?
If you live in the UK, then you are required to have a permit before erecting a scaffold system. Applying for a permit ensures all of the safety standards are followed correctly, and the risk of injury is minimised. The company who you hire your scaffolding from should obtain a permit before starting any work. It’s always worth asking the scaffolding company if they have a permit for your own peace of mind.
How Much Does Scaffolding cost per square meter?
The average cost to hire basic scaffolding is approximately £15 per metre from independent scaffolding companies (dependent upon location). If additional materials and edge protectors are required, then that will incur further costs of approximately £19 per metre. Scaffolding companies in London may have slightly higher scaffold hire prices.
I’m not Quite Sure What Type of Scaffolding I Need, can You Advise?
Once you have had a few quotes for hiring scaffolding, the company you choose will come out and visit your project. A representative from the scaffolding company will look for access requirements and will provide you with expert advice.
Should I Hire My Own Scaffolding?
It’s not difficult to hire your own scaffolding. You can save a small fortune if you go to the right company. If you’re someone who likes to haggle, you can try and bag yourself a bargain. You can try and negotiate with a contract company or an independent scaffolding company. You don’t want to contact the most expensive scaffolding companies and try and bargain with them. You will still end up paying more money than necessary. Always remember to put quality and safety before price.
Is my House Insured if I have Scaffolding up?
You will have to read the insurance policy that you have taken out on your property. If you cannot see it stated anywhere in the policy, it might be a good idea to contact your insurer and ask them beforehand. Your scaffold company will provide you with the specifications of the scaffolding they intend to use at your property. You can contact your insurer and give them the specifications of the scaffolding to make sure your property will be insured.
Will Scaffolding Affect my Satellite Dish?
There is a good chance scaffolding will interfere with the signal on your satellite dish. Some scaffold companies will relocate your satellite dish, so the scaffolding doesn’t interfere with the signal. If your scaffold company will not relocate your dish, you always have the option of contacting sky. Ask how much it would cost to have one of their engineers come out and temporarily relocate the dish. Another option would be to login to your sky account via the Internet.
Can I use Scaffolding on Sloping or Uneven Ground?
Yes! Scaffolding can be erected virtually anywhere. The design of scaffold has adjustable vertical components which allow the scaffolder to erect the scaffolding on hills, slopes and uneven ground.
Will Having Scaffolding Ruin my Garden?
Reputable scaffolding companies will do everything they can to avoid damaging or ruining any part of your property. That includes borders, grass and gardens. A representative from a scaffolding company will come out to your property to assess your project. The representative will let you know beforehand if there might be an issue with your garden.
Do I Have to Pay for a Scaffolding Quote?
You should never have to pay to get a quote for scaffolding hire, but that’s not to say all companies provide free quotes. I am always looking to find you the best prices for scaffolding hire and at the moment you can get the best quotes by clicking here.
What is the Minimal Rental Time for Hiring Scaffolding?
A scaffolding company will usually book you into one of their allotted time slots. Most scaffold companies will have a minimal rental period of between six and eight weeks. If you ask around you might be able to find a company who will offer you a shorter-term rental for a smaller project. The cost to hire scaffolding will depend on what size you need the amount of time it takes to set it up and labour costs.
Ask the scaffolding company what are their procedures if the project takes longer than expected. You will want to know the scaffold hire prices per day or per week beforehand so you can try and negotiate a better deal if your project takes longer than expected.
Do I Have to Pay to Remove the Scaffolding?
The cost of dismantling and removing scaffolding is usually included within the initial hire price. Always ask the scaffolding company if dismantling and removing the scaffolding after you have finished is included within the costs. Be vigilant of any scaffolding company who charges you more money to take the scaffolding down.
Here’s my Number 1 Tip Before You Hire any Contractor!
Don’t make the mistake in thinking that you cannot hire scaffold yourself without running it by your contractor first. Hiring scaffolding isn’t cheap, and it is within your interest to make your own enquiries to make sure you are getting the best possible deal. Many roofing contractors give you the impression that you are getting the best possible deal by getting them to arrange the scaffolding for you, but sometimes that’s not the case. It is within your interest to save as much money as possible, especially where roofs are concerned! If you can shop around and save yourself hundreds of pounds by making, a few enquiries then why shouldn’t you?
I Want Scaffolding, What do I do Next?
Use this contact form and enter your house number, postcode, telephone number and a brief description of your project. Once I have your contact information, I will discuss your requirements with my network of scaffolding companies and do my very best to get you the cheapest scaffolding prices possible.
Conclusion
The cost of scaffolding hire can vary a lot between different scaffolding companies. Whether you are hiring a roofing company to do the work for you or you are doing it yourself, always make sure you put the safety and security of the people around you first. It would be wise to shop around and get some estimates so you can compare the quality and price between different scaffolding companies. You will have peace of mind knowing that you have chosen the right person for the job without spending more money than you need.