Find a Scaffolder near you
The average rating for Bark Scaffolders is 4.71, based on 579 reviews
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Are you looking to rent scaffolding? Read our handy guide to find out how much you’ll be charged for scaffolding hire.
The average price of scaffolding is $3,000 total, or $950 per week. This figure varies based on the length of time you hire it for, the size needed, and your location in the USA.
If you’re carrying out work on your home and need to reach high parts of the building, it’s often best to hire scaffolding. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, around 2.3 million construction workers, or 65% of the construction industry, work on scaffolds frequently.
Scaffolding is a temporary structure built from metal poles and wooden planks. It’s erected outside your property to be used by tradespeople when building or repairing the property at height. You can get it in a range of sizes, depending on what it’s being used for.
Scaffolding is much safer than a ladder. It provides more stability, as well as a useful platform for tools and building materials.
Read our webpage below for details on scaffolding costs in the USA. Keep in mind that all figures listed on this page are based on our data and research. If you want a personalized quotation, get in touch with a scaffolding expert near you.
The average total price of scaffolding is $3,000 in the USA. Keep in mind that most experts charge on a weekly basis, which averages at around $950 per week.
You should pay careful attention to the type of scaffolding you need, as this impacts the price a lot. A single tower costs $400 per week on average, while chimney scaffolding costs $850 per week. Scaffolding for a large, detached house can stretch up to $1,200 per week, and a single wall for a townhouse is roughly $600 per week.
You’ll find considerable variation in these numbers, depending on the circumstances. Some states in the USA offer far more competitive prices than others. And plenty of organizations sell ‘build your own’ scaffolding at a less expensive rate. This comes with its own challenges and risks, though.
You should check whether your tradesperson includes scaffolding in their pricing. Some professionals bring their own scaffolding, and this will be factored into the cost of their quote. But others ask you to get your own scaffolding for the project.
| Type of scaffolding | Weekly price |
| Single tower | $400 |
| Chimney scaffolding | $850 |
| Entire detached house | $1,200 |
| Single wall | $600 |
You’ll see lots of variation in the price you pay for scaffolding. The total number depends on several different factors. These include:
Location
Size
Length of hire
Ease of access
Professionals involved
You should think about all of these when deciding on your budget for the project. See more guidance on each category below.
You often get a better price if you live in one of the least expensive parts of the USA. Independent data from the World Population Review shows that the more affordable states include Mississippi, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Alabama. Meanwhile, the locations with the highest prices are Hawaii, Washington D.C., Massachusetts, California and New York.
You should adjust your cost expectations based on where you live. The latter five destinations might all see at least 10% increases in price compared to average. Meanwhile, in the first five states, you could find that prices drop 10% below the average.
The price of your scaffolding hire depends on the size you need. Smaller jobs such as a single tower for gutter repair, or a bridge over a porch, will be less expensive than larger projects that require scaffolding to cover your whole building.
When thinking about the size of the scaffolding, you should consider the height and number of working levels. The more working levels involved, the more walkways there’ll be, increasing the cost of your scaffolding hire.
You pay more for scaffolding when you hire it for a longer period. It’s best to set clear expectations on how long your project will take at the beginning. This ensures that the price doesn’t run away from you. Ask an expert for guidance on timeframes.
Most scaffolding installers offer a lower daily or weekly rate for longer hires. This is because the construction and dismantling are often the costliest part. Companies usually agree a fixed fee at the beginning of the rental period, but you can extend this where needed for a daily or weekly rate.
There’s no denying that some scaffolding projects are more complicated than others. You should think about how easily your professionals can access the spots needed. For example, if key parts need to be transported through your house, the price goes up due to the extra time involved. Your professional can hopefully shed light on this when they give their initial quotation.
It’s worth getting price quotations from several different professionals. Research each one in advance, including reviews from previous customers, and evidence of their work. You should aim for a careful balance between price range and quality. It’s often worth paying a higher price if it translates to a better service.
You should also check how many tradespeople will be involved with the project. Is it just one person doing the work, or will several be involved? The price goes up in line with this.
| Location | Expected weekly hire price |
| Hawaii | $1,700 |
| Washington D.C. | $1,413 |
| Massachusetts | $1,410 |
| California | $1,278 |
| New York | $1,188 |
| Mississippi | $810 |
| Oklahoma | $817 |
| Kansas | $833 |
| Missouri | $840 |
| Alabama | $844 |
Many tradespeople offer scaffolding as part of their price quotation for completing a job. Examples include painters, roofing experts, and other types of exterior decorators. You should confirm whether their cost includes this before you hire scaffolding. You might get a reduced rate by paying for these things together.
You should also be certain that you’re only paying for a size of scaffolding that’s needed. Some professionals try to exaggerate the scale of the task, so you pay for a higher package. Get several opinions and ask friends and family for advice.
It’s not impossible that a friend or family member has insight into scaffolding. It’s used in dozens of tradesperson roles – so if you know someone in this area, ask if they can help you out. This might involve putting up the scaffolding with you, or letting you borrow scaffolding they own at a lower price.
Make sure to thoroughly research any ‘build it yourself’ scaffolding sets that you order online. Not all of these are reliable, or even fit the needs of your specific project! It’s usually only beneficial if you have all other construction equipment in your house, ready to use. Be cautious and speak to a professional if you’re unsure.
Most experts agree that renting scaffolding is ideal for small residential projects. You’ll probably only need the equipment for a few weeks, and then not again for years (or ever!).
You can buy scaffolding outright in some cases. Ordering this online gives an average price of $4,000 if you’re buying for a full residential project. It’s lower for a single tower or wall, at around $2,500. These typical prices mean that you must build the scaffolding yourself. And if you don’t have the equipment, this involves an extra cost.
Some people look for tradespeople shutting down in the area, to see if they can buy scaffolding from them in a ‘closing sale’. But in almost all cases, it’s best to hire scaffolding for just one project. This gives the best return on investment whenever you’re not planning to do constant work over several years.
One of the main advantages of scaffolding hire is that it gives excellent value for money. You only pay for the scaffolding throughout the period that you use it. If you hire it on a day rate, then the moment your project is done, you can give it back and not pay a penny more. This can be far more cost effective than buying it outright.
Scaffolding experts will also guide you through the entire process. This is extremely helpful because most of us don’t use scaffolding in our daily lives. You can ask them any questions and benefit from their ready-to-use equipment, too.
It’s worth thinking about the drawbacks of scaffolding hire, though. Some less trustworthy organizations will only rent you the scaffolding, without giving you the tools or support needed to put it up. And this can come with additional costs, such as delivery or pickup charges.
Another downside of scaffolding hire is that it can make your house look unattractive for a while. If it’s at the front of your property, this can be an eyesore for anyone viewing your house to potentially buy it. And some parts of the interior could be out-of-bounds, depending on the work you do.
Scaffolding is extremely useful when you want to make changes to your house that will improve its value. So, while the scaffolding itself isn’t helpful for property value, the activities it allows you to complete are.
A few common examples include:
Painting
Decorating
Fixing the roof
Window cleaning
Inspections
While the scaffolding is still up, it’ll be an eyesore for your property. People probably won’t want to buy your house with this still there. But if you’ve bought the scaffolding outright, they could appreciate having this as part of the sale – especially if your property still needs lots of work! You could be making their lives easier.
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.
Other alternatives include an access tower, and a personal lift. These can be ideal in some cases. Just make sure you don’t compromise on your safety though. It often costs more in the long run through medical bills!
When it comes to choosing between using a ladder and scaffolding for working at height, there’s no comparison in terms of safety. Scaffolding is much more secure, offering a far higher standard of safety. Although ladders are sometimes used for small, quick jobs, their use is actively discouraged, with scaffolding the preferred option.
Although scaffolding hire may seem expensive, it’s a crucial part of your building project, providing access to hard-to-reach areas and ensuring safety.
Scaffolding is needed whenever you have a project that involves reaching a high place. This could be on either the outside or inside of your house. Remember that some scaffolding is larger than others, so it isn’t only used for roofing projects.
Painting and decorating often creates a need for scaffolding. The same applies for window cleaning or building repairs. Making changes to your roof is a common example too. And plenty of other home improvements projects, or building inspections, will benefit from scaffolding.
For a residential project, putting up scaffolding rarely takes more than a few days. In most cases, it can be done within a day or two. The simplest tasks, such as a single tower, can even be done in hours. Your scaffolding expert should be able to give a customized estimate.
You should speak to multiple scaffolding professionals before you make a firm choice. Get evidence of projects they’ve been involved with in the past. If possible, talk to the customer directly to get feedback.
Your scaffolding professional should also have experience with your type of residential property. This not only applies to the size, but unique features such as its construction method and location.
If it’s an extremely unique property with complex needs, finding someone with experience in your area often translates into a higher price. It’s almost never worth underpaying for a scaffolding professional. The safety of everyone involved with the project is not something to compromise on.
The average rating for Bark Scaffolders is 4.71, based on 579 reviews
5/5
based on 579 reviews
