The costs on this information are correct as of 2025*
Scaffolding is a crucial a part of numerous totally different building tasks, akin to loft conversions, in addition to upkeep jobs like gutter restore. It’s used to assist staff, permitting them to succeed in sure heights safely. It’s additionally used to assist raise building supplies and tools.
How a lot you’ll spend on scaffolding relies upon predominately on:
- The quantity of scaffolding you’ll want
- How lengthy you’ll want it for
- The quantity of working ranges, walkways, handrails, loading bays and different elements you’ll want
- The complexity of entry (greater buildings would possibly require additional tools and security measures which might ramp up the prices)
- The place you reside within the UK, with value of labour rising by as a lot as 20% on common in London and the South East
As an illustration, the final Massive Ben renovation value a staggering £3.5 million in scaffolding prices alone!
Learn on to search out out every part it’s worthwhile to find out about the price of scaffolding. And in case you’re prepared to rent, communicate to a talented scaffolding specialist in your native space to get began.
How a lot does scaffolding value?
You’ll normally negotiate a fee relying on how lengthy you want your scaffolding for.
Scaffolding may be very generally rented out on a weekly foundation, however whether or not or not you’ll be charged weekly will depend on your scaffolding provider, your rent interval and the dimensions and complexity of your mission. You may get a:
- Weekly fee
- Length fee (one mounted quote for the entire mission)
- Undertaking particular, customized fee (a extra detailed quote that components within the timeline, entry wants, scope of labor and extra providers or tools, in order to offer a extra tailor-made quote that considers the general mission not simply weekly or duration-based charges).
Your scaffolding provider will talk about your choices with you. Which fee you get will rely largely on the precise wants of your mission, however it’s a good suggestion to ask upfront what further prices would possibly crop up.
Get an in depth quote from a talented scaffolding erection specialist right here:
To provide you an thought of how a lot you would possibly spend, we’ve damaged down the price of hiring scaffolding by week, day and per metre squared. These quotes are simply an estimate – how a lot you’ll spend will depend on how a lot scaffolding you’ll want and the complexities of your mission…
How a lot does scaffolding value to rent per week?
You would spend wherever between £200 and £1,500 per week renting scaffolding, relying on how a lot scaffolding you want to rent, throughout what number of flooring. Value of labour additionally rises in London and the South East, so hold this in thoughts as properly.
For those who solely want one 10 metre scaffold tower, this might value you as little as £200 per week to rent, while the upper bracket of £1,500 refers extra to the price of hiring sufficient scaffolding to hold out work on a 4 storey, semi-detached property.
In addition to this, you possibly can count on to spend round:
- £600-£800 per week to rent chimney scaffolding
- £100-£150 per week to rent a 5 metre scaffolding tower
- £1000-£1,200 per week to rent sufficient scaffolding to hold out work on a 2 storey, semi-detached home
These are simply normal quotes. For a extra correct thought of how a lot you would possibly spend, communicate to a scaffolding specialist immediately.
How a lot does scaffolding value per day?
Normally, the each day fee for scaffold renting is round 15-30% of the weekly fee.
Which means that you may spend wherever between £30 and £60 a day for a £200 weekly fee, between £90 and £180 a day for a £600 weekly fee, or between £225 and £450 for a £1,500 weekly fee.
How a lot is scaffolding per sq. metre?
As a normal information, you may spend wherever from £15 per sq. metre per week to £80 per sq. metre per week. How a lot you spend will rely on how advanced your mission is and the way lengthy you intend to lease out your scaffolding for.
Desire a extra correct quote? Converse to a scaffolding specialist immediately.
FAQs on scaffolding
What are the three varieties of scaffolding?
There are three principal varieties of scaffolding construction utilized in building. These are:
- Suspended scaffolding – used to entry the vertical sides of a constructing. Platforms are suspended from an overhead construction (akin to a roof) utilizing chains or ropes.
- Supported scaffolding – the most typical kind of scaffolding, and is supported by the bottom or by a constructing utilizing vertical and horizontal buildings. You may get single scaffolding (normally used for brick buildings) or double scaffolding (normally used for stone buildings). In addition to these, you can too get metal scaffolding, constructed utilizing metal tubes which can be straightforward to assemble and dismantle.
- Cellular scaffolding (also called trestle scaffolding) – consists of a platform with a wheeled base and adjustable legs, designed to maneuver simply in order that it may be dismantled and reassembled on totally different areas of a constructing.
Which scaffolding construction you’ll want will depend on the character of your mission. Your scaffold specialist will have the ability to advise you on which to get.
Can I erect my very own scaffolding?
Although you possibly can technically erect your individual scaffolding within the UK, it’s solely on the situation that you just adjust to all of the laws and security pointers outlined by the Well being and Security Government (HSE). This consists of acquiring the required permits or licenses you’ll want earlier than beginning work.
Ideally, you also needs to have the related competence and CISRS coaching in scaffolding erection in addition to NASC Membership so as to erect your individual scaffolding.
You additionally must:
Scaffolding could be exhausting to construct, and could be very harmful if not erected correctly. That is why it’s usually beneficial that you just rent an expert. The authorities web site on scaffolding emphasises the significance of hiring a reliable scaffolding contractor to forestall accidents and to make sure public security.
For those who do select to erect scaffolding your self, you’ll want the related coaching and permits, which is able to take time to acquire. You also needs to guarantee you may have the fitting insurance coverage protection (akin to public legal responsibility insurance coverage) to guard your self in case of an accident.
For extra info on erecting scaffolding, take a look at the SG4:22 which outlines essential steps to comply with to erect secure scaffolding.
Why not depart it to the specialists? You possibly can rent a talented scaffolding specialist in your native space right here.
Are DIY scaffold towers secure?
DIY scaffold towers could be secure, so long as they’re assembled and used correctly. Working at heights is all the time going to contain dangers, however guaranteeing security requirements are met on DIY scaffold towers is feasible.
In addition to complying with the laws outlined above, ensure:
- The scaffold tower is high-quality (sturdy, correctly linked and in good situation) and that it meets all security requirements
- The scaffold tower is assembled correctly, following all producer’s pointers and directions
- Be certain that you don’t exceed the scaffold’s load capability, accounting for all staff, instruments and supplies that shall be on the scaffold at any given time
- Don’t go over the beneficial most top outlined by the producer
- Often examine your scaffold tower for any indicators of damage, deterioration or harm. By regulation you need to do that earlier than you employ it, each 7 days while it’s up, and after any alterations or excessive climate circumstances. If any elements are broken, substitute them as quickly as attainable. Hold the tower clear to make sure ongoing stability.
Lastly, all the time guarantee that everybody utilizing the DIY scaffold tower makes use of protecting tools (exhausting hats, security harnesses, non-slip footwear).
Why is scaffolding so costly?
The explanation scaffolding can get fairly costly is as a result of it wants to satisfy very stringent security requirements which can be in place to guard the tradespeople utilizing it. Which means that top quality supplies like metal are sometimes used, as they’re robust and sturdy.
On high of this, scaffolding is cumbersome and requires transportation prices. For those who’re renting yours, then the fee to keep up and retailer the scaffolding will make hiring it dearer. As a result of dangers concerned with utilizing scaffolding, prices are generally additionally raised by insurance coverage protection.
Lastly, scaffolding can also be costly because it requires cautious engineering to make sure supposed hundreds are supported and that the scaffolding can stand up to environmental components like heavy winds and storms. Making scaffolding can also be a exact course of that requires a number of totally different elements (frames, braces, platforms, connectors) that every one have to be manufactured to excessive requirements, subsequently elevating manufacturing prices.
What can I take advantage of as an alternative of scaffolding?
If for no matter cause scaffolding isn’t out there or appropriate to your mission, you may strive:
- MEWPS (Cellular Elevated Work Platforms)
- Ladders
- Trestles and planks
- Podium steps
Which various to scaffolding you decide will rely largely in your mission’s necessities (accessibility, top, security issues). It is best to all the time seek the advice of an expert scaffolder or builder to make sure your chosen construction complies with security laws.
Converse to a talented scaffolding specialist immediately to get began.
Conclusions
Whether or not you’re getting a loft conversion, fixing roof tiles or are getting gutters repaired, there are many causes you would possibly want scaffolding. We don’t beneficial you decide to erect your individual scaffolding until you are feeling you may have the required competency, coaching, {qualifications}, permits and insurance coverage. As an alternative, rent a talented scaffolder(s) to do it for you. This may guarantee all security necessities are met.
It’s as much as you to make sure you ask your scaffolders for proof that they’ve the required permits or licenses wanted to erect your scaffolding, so ensure you ask for these earlier than work begins.
*The Rated Individuals value guides are produced in collaboration with the quote-building platform PriceBuilder, and a spread of tradespeople throughout the 30+ trades on our platform had been consulted. Please be aware that the costs included are for steering solely – how a lot you find yourself spending will rely on the precise necessities of your mission.