Any advice on hiring scaffolding

[vincentianpinner]

Looking for any tips. We need some scaffold to work on 2 storeys. As roofers are hard to find in this area it seems the scaffold may be up a while. I'm sure that'll add to costs but will an extra month or two make a big difference?
Any other advice would be handy. Like prices, what I should ask for or look out for etc.

 

[johnny2007]

Ask local firms for quotes.
Here in London prices have fallen recently.

 

[nero44]

Ask local firms for quotes.

+1.
I saw prices ranging from 600 - 1500 for 12 weeks hire so definitely worthwhile to compar. Make sure ladders are included (should be default really) and a rope pulley. Some tradesmen require double boarding, depending on what they do.

 

[noseall]

and a rope pulley

Bumpa, all day.

Some tradesmen require double boarding, depending on what they do.

Eh?

 

[nero44]

Eh?

yeah. when I had my solar panels installed the electrician specifically required double boarding and some other things... In the end there was no double boarding (or at least partial) and nobody complained.... I guess if you need to lift up heavy materials they might deem it safer... although a few panels are probably much lighter than a stack of bricks.

 

[noseall]

yeah. when I had my solar panels installed the electrician specifically required double boarding and some other things... In the end there was no double boarding (or at least partial) and nobody complained.... I guess if you need to lift up heavy materials they might deem it safer... although a few panels are probably much lighter than a stack of bricks.

I don't have the faintest idea what you are going on about. Bearing in mind we put tons on the lifts when loading out for a lift. Solar panels weigh very little by comparison. The scaffolders adequately pudlock the lifts (for heavy builders stuff) in any case.

I have no idea where you got double boarding from.

 

[nero44]

I have no idea where you got double boarding from.

like I said.. is was requested in the written quote from my electrician. I don't know if it is common or not (apparently not), I am just providing this information and you (or the op) can choose to ignore it. really simple.

 

[noseall]

like I said.. is was requested in the written quote from my electrician. I don't know if it is common or not (apparently not), I am just providing this information and you (or the op) can choose to ignore it. really simple.

It sounds utterly made up or someone has read the wrong spec.

 

[^woody^]

Scaffold should be designed to a standard, TG20:21, and as such it is safe and suitable to work on for the purpose it was put up, and that's it. It's not up to the people working on it to say how they want it designed.

TBH, I've never known scaffolders to hire for set times for domestic work. Within reason its always been "give us a call when you've finished". Cash helps.

 

[vincentianpinner]

Thanks people. Does anyone know if they are likely to do a site visit or just need an email showing the drawings?

 

[kp00110]

Double boarding is mostly common on council jobs where they stick a piece of polythene between the 2 sets of boards to stop and debris getting through and the tenant putting in a claim

Or public facing jobs over paths etc

I have only otherwise come across double boarding for crash decks, but not for simply stacking heavier items

 

[^woody^]

Thanks people. Does anyone know if they are likely to do a site visit or just need an email showing the drawings?

Photos or they will look on Streetview. Houses are similar, but if there is any awkward access or bridging over something, then that increases costs.

 

[endecotp]

Does anyone know if they are likely to do a site visit or just need an email showing the drawings?

“Will I need to move my greenhouse?” - “Hmm, we’ll come and have a look”.

 

[stevie888]

Scaffolds are designed (nominally) for the purpose. So for instance painting a whole facade would have all lifts boarded whereas your roofer will only need the top. Some trades want/need more width than others. Loft converters requently have a large working area at high level. There may be a need for a loading platform if materials can be put up in pallet loads. Somw scaffolds need to be put up in stages others modified through the works.

You/your scaffolder need to be clear about what's required and ideally a price for erect/modify as agreed/drop with x weeks hire plus £y per week over is fair on everyone.

Specifically though are you just having the scaffold for the roofer? If so let him dictate the timing (many roofers have their go-tos anyway) if you're going to jump in and do other works while it's up then as I said above you may need more boarding.

 

[cdbe]

Novel idea - find a roofer, agree a start date, get a scaffold. Or assume a roofer will have his own preferred scaffolder.