Scaffolding

Almost every self-build project will require scaffolding at some point and a variety of other projects will also require some form of scaffolding. Most reputable contractors such as bricklayers and roofers will have requirements for your scaffoling so it might be worth checking with these contractors before agreeing to a scaffolding contract.

Using one of our featured projects, a 10 week contract for scaffolding on a 140 m2 bungalow cost £2000 including some additional steps and a ‘bird cage’ scaffold to allow access to the internal gables peaks in order for the joiner to affix the cut-rafters that create the vaulted ceiling.

Scaffold for Vaulted Ceilings
When making decisions about things such as vaulted ceilings it would also be worth considering how this will have a knock on effect on other trades such as the extra scaffolding required and, depending on the manner in which the rafters are constructed, it is possible that you would have to pay for more blocks to be laid to raise your wall plate height, which again will require more labour from your block layer and he won’t be doing extra work for free unless he’s a friend or family member!!

Scaffold for Rendering
If you are rendering your house, you will also need to move your scaffolding around to allow access for your render to get full open access to the house so that he can make sure that the job is the best it can be (you don’t want your renderer having to stretch to render the wall due to scaffold poles being in his way as this could affect the final finish of your render and therefore your house/project. If you have gables that meet another roof (see picture) then you will have to allow more for your scaffolding to go over the roof to avoid the renderers damaging any roof tiles by having to walk on your tiles.

Scaffold for Roofing
Your scaffolding will have to allow your roofers access to the roof without a dangerous gap between the scaffold and the house and without them having to stretch or climb to get onto the roof. Any decent scaffolding company would know this without being told. Often roofing firms will have a condition in their contract that say you have to provide some form of lift or winch to get the tiles up to the roof – if this is the case with your roofer ask if he can supply this or get round the problem, if not, you will need to add this cost to your scaffolding contract or you may have to hire it from a tool hire store.