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The average rating for Bark Scaffolders is 4.73, based on 32,244 reviews
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based on 32,244 reviews
This figure varies based on the size of the scaffolding, your location, and how easy your site is to access.
The average price of scaffolding hire is £850 per week in the United Kingdom. This figure varies based on the size of the scaffolding, your location, and how easy your site is to access.
Research shows that there are over 6,200 scaffolding businesses operating across the UK. This demonstrates the high demand for this service. And if dozens of these companies operate in your area, it means that prices become more competitive as each business tries to ‘outdo’ the others.
Preparation is essential as you look ahead to your scaffolding project. With most scaffolding professionals charging by the week, you can’t afford for the project to take longer than necessary. Not only do your scaffolders need to be efficient, but you should get the materials and equipment organised in advance.
You’re in the ideal place to find out how much scaffolding hire costs in 2024. We’ve looked at the impact on prices; how it can affect your property value; and methods to keep your costs down.
These figures are based on our data and research, but the best way to get a personalised quote is to get in touch with a scaffolder near you.
Scaffolding is a temporary structure that’s constructed on the outside of your property, to be used by workers when building or repairing your house. It’s typically made from metal poles and wooden planks.
You can find scaffolding available in a range of heights and sizes, depending on what it’s being used for.
Scaffolding makes working at heights much safer than just using a ladder. If work is being done above head height, you’ll usually need to hire scaffolding. It provides stability, as well as a platform for tools and building materials.
You have several different types of scaffolding to choose from. The one that works best depends on your situation and budget.
Single scaffolding is made from steel pipes, which are connected using bolts or nuts. You then cover the steel tubes with wooden planks, so your workers can walk safely along it. This is one of the lowest cost types of scaffolding as it doesn’t involve many materials. Your scaffolding is connected to the building itself, and this type is mainly used for short-term projects. The average price is £800 per week.
Double scaffolding is constructed independently from the building itself. It consists of two roles of vertical poles, with putlog holes supporting the frames. This type of scaffolding is durable and supports the weight of workers, tools and materials. It’s often used for long-term projects. The average price is £850 per week.
Cantilever scaffolding is designed to give access to very high areas. This type of scaffolding is not connected to the ground – instead, it allows you to work over garages, fences, walls or decking. The average price is £950 per week.
Suspended scaffolding is, as the name suggests, suspended in midair by ropes, chains or cables. It’s hung from an overhead structure, rather than being connected to the ground. This is rarely used on residential houses and is far more common with large office blocks and skyscrapers. You might benefit from it with an extremely large house – speak to an expert for guidance. The average price is £950 per week.
Trestle scaffolding is extremely straightforward to put up and take down. It uses a series of legs which are bolted or welded together. They’re typically made from steel or aluminium and are used most often by bricklayers or plasterers. This scaffolding is ladder-supported and moveable because it’s on wheels. The average price is £700 per week.
| Type of scaffolding | Average price |
| Single | £800 per week |
| Double | £850 per week |
| Cantilever | £950 per week |
| Suspended | £950 per week |
| Trestle | £700 per week |
Your scaffolding project is impacted by several factors, and all of these affect the overall price. Some of the main elements include:
Location
Size
Length of hire
Ease of access
Type of scaffolding
Professional & number of tradespeople
You’ll need to consider all of these when budgeting for your project. Look below at a summary of each factor.
Scaffolding prices in major cities tend to be higher. This relates to the increased cost of living, and the higher material costs for the professionals themselves. Meanwhile, if you’re based in a rural location, your price might be slightly lower.
Prices in London are around 7% higher than the UK average. This pushes the ‘mean’ scaffolding price up to £909.50. Whereas in Northern Ireland, prices are 2.3% lower – which brings the average expected scaffolding price down to £830.45. You can see more price comparisons further below.
Keep in mind that scaffolders might charge slightly more if you’re in a very rural location, simply because it’s harder to get to.
The size of the scaffolding you require impacts the price. Smaller jobs such as a single tower for gutter repair or a bridge over a conservatory are less pricey than larger projects that need scaffolding for your entire house.
When you’re budgeting for your project, work out the height that your scaffolders will need to reach. And then think about the number of working levels required. More working levels translates to more walkways, which thus pushes your price up.
It goes without saying that the longer you hire scaffolding for, the more expensive it’ll be. However, many companies will offer a lower daily or weekly rate for longer hires as the construction and dismantling is the costliest part of the process.
A fixed fee will usually be agreed at the beginning of the hire period. But you can usually extend this where needed for a daily or weekly rate.
Your cost will be lower if your site is easy to access, as this allows your scaffolder to put the frame together quicker. Whereas if there’s limited access to the site – for example, if parts need to be carried through a house – the cost will increase due to the extra time and effort involved.
There are several different types of scaffolding to choose from. The expert you hire can advise on the one that fits your circumstances best. See our section on this subject further above on the webpage for more guidance.
You should gather several price quotations for scaffolding hire before making a choice. Each professional provides a different quality of service, and charges in different ways.
A daily rate is common for many professionals, while others charge you on a weekly basis. Ask your professional about this directly and make sure you know exactly how they’ve reached their price.
It's also worth considering how many tradespeople will be involved with the project. Is it just one person doing the work, or will several be involved? The price tends to go up in accordance with this.
| Location | Expected weekly average scaffolding price |
| London | £909.50 |
| England (excluding London) | £838.95 |
| Scotland | £853.40 |
| Wales | £837.25 |
| Northern Ireland | £830.45 |
Don’t pay a type of scaffolding beyond what you truly need. Suspended scaffolding is a pricier option and not always necessary for simple residential projects, such as fixing your roof. Make sure you do your own research. Even a seemingly trustworthy professional could choose a price point beyond what you really need.
In some cases, it’s possible to buy all the equipment needed to erect scaffolding directly from the internet. You should double-check the authenticity of these firms and ensure you have everything you need. But when executed correctly, it can save you having to pay an expert to implement the scaffolding for you.
It’s sometimes worth exploring alternative options to scaffolding. For example:
A sturdy, safe and adjustable ladder
Access tower
Personal lift
Don’t compromise your safety to reduce the price though. It often costs more in the long run through medical bills!
Compare several price quotations from professionals. Don’t just jump into the first offer you receive. And if you’re renting scaffolding equipment for the job, perhaps choose a company in a less expensive part of the country (assuming it’s still less expensive once shipping is factored in).
Scaffolding hire unlocks several advantages when it’s done successfully. You get the support of a trained expert who ensures that everything is done safely. This is far preferable to a hired piece of equipment that you might misuse, and thus hurt yourself or do the task ineffectively.
With many residential roofing jobs, you can get it done within one or two weeks. If you dedicate lots of time to the task, and already have the equipment and knowledge, your price doesn’t have to go too high.
You’re far more likely to do a great job on your roofing project (or other type of project) when you use scaffolding. It’s designed to give you:
Improved accessibility
Stability when moving around
Compliance with health & safety rules
Flexibility in height, width and load capacities
You should consider the drawbacks to scaffolding hire, too. Some less trustworthy organisations will only rent you the scaffolding, without giving you the tools or support needed to put it up. And this often comes with additional costs, such as delivery or pickup charges.
Some of the simplest jobs can be done without elaborate scaffolding. Sturdy and adjustable ladders often do the trick. And you can sometimes pay for these outright, meaning that you aren’t in trouble if the project drags on for longer than expected.
Scaffolding hire is not always available when you need it, for the right duration. This can create obstacles. And while the scaffolding is erected on your house, it looks extremely unattractive. You might be reluctant to invite friends over, or host viewings, during this period. If you have the scaffolding up for several weeks or months, you’ll have to stomach your property’s unattractive appearance.
There’s no comparison between using a ladder and scaffolding for working at height when it comes to safety. Scaffolding is much more secure and offers a greater standard of safety. Although ladders are sometimes used for small, quick jobs, their use is actively discouraged by experts, with scaffolding the preferred option.
Scaffolding hire may seem costly but it’s an essential part of your building project. It gives you access to hard-to-reach areas and ensures your safety.
Just make sure that you manage your costs carefully. If you’re doing scaffold hire so you can fix your roof, double check that you’re adding more value onto the property than what you’re spending on the scaffolding. Otherwise, you’ll make a loss.
For a normal house, scaffolding takes between 1 to 2 days to put up. It’s more likely to be on the higher end of this range for the more complicated projects. For example, if you have extra buildings that need scaffolding, such as a summer house or a separate office building.
It’s extremely rare that you need to source your own scaffolding. Almost all professionals include this as part of their cost. Those who ask you to provide the materials should be significantly less expensive. But this can compromise the quality of the scaffold itself. It’s far better to pay an expert who will do everything for you.
Scaffolding by itself will not increase your house value. But it allows you to complete tasks that will.
For example, if you’re repairing your roof, this will undoubtedly improve the price of your house. And if the scaffolding is being used to help with a loft conversion, extra insulation, or even an extension, then these tasks will improve your house value too.
While the scaffolding is still up, it’ll be an eyesore for your property. People are very unlikely to want to buy your house with this still there.
The average rating for Bark Scaffolders is 4.73, based on 32,244 reviews
5/5
based on 32,244 reviews
