Scaffolders
Request quotes for scaffolding, put up and taken down for work at height. Choose your job and describe it in a few short steps.
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Overview
Scaffolding
This page covers scaffolding: the temporary platforms put up around a building so that work can be done at height, such as on a roof, a chimney or an outside wall.
Worth knowing
Worth checking before work starts
A few rules and checks that apply to this kind of work.
Scaffolding on a pavement
In England and Wales, scaffolding on or over a public road or pavement needs a licence from the council.
Agree the dates
Agree when the scaffold goes up and comes down, and what each extra week costs if the work takes longer.
Ladders and security
Ask how the scaffold will be made safe when no one is working on it, such as by taking away or boarding the ladders, so it can't be climbed.
Questions
Scaffolding questions
How often must a scaffold be inspected?
In Great Britain, a scaffold that someone could fall 2 metres or more from must be inspected, with a report, when it is finished and at least weekly after that.
What should I say about the scaffold I need?
In Great Britain, HSE guidance lists what a scaffold contractor needs to know, including how long it must stay up, its height and length, the loads and number of people on it, and how people will get onto it.
How much does scaffolding cost?
It depends on the scaffold's height and length, how long it stays up, how easy the site is to reach, and extras such as a pavement licence or a temporary roof. Ask each scaffolder to quote for the same job and the same number of weeks.
What types of scaffolding are there?
For a house, usually a frame along one or more walls, tied to the building. A chimney or roof job may need a smaller chimney scaffold or a tower. Say what the work is, so the scaffolder can plan the right one.
Should I hire the scaffolding, or should my builder?
Either can. If your roofer or builder arranges it, ask whether it is in their quote. If you hire it yourself, agree with the scaffolder and your tradesperson when it goes up and comes down.
Ready to describe your job?
Four short steps: the job, when you'd like it done, a description and your details.