If you see a commercial building being repaired or built and notice scaffolding equipment around it, it’s perfectly obvious why it’s there.

But it’s not always that obvious for other projects.

For instance, if you decide to clean your gutters because they’re filled with debris, you might wonder if you need scaffolding to do the job properly, and the answer is, “maybe.”

The truth is that not all work on roofs and gutters needs a professional, but if you’re going to do the job yourself, you need to be aware of how easy or difficult it may be.

And while scaffolding isn’t required by law for doing basic guttering work, it isn’t a bad idea to use it anyway.

Remember that two things should be considered when deciding if you need to use scaffolding: safety and access.

That being said, a major roofing job that involves a construction company and a homeowner removing debris from his gutter are two different things.

And they usually require different work methods and legal requirements.

If you’re trying to decide on scaffolding versus no scaffolding, here are some questions to ask yourself:

• How big is the job? Regardless of what you’re doing, if you’re working with tools, it might not be a bad idea to use scaffolding. This is because scaffolding isn’t just used for the protection of the worker; it is also used to protect people in and around the area that could get hurt if a tool is dropped by the worker.
• What are the laws and regulations? This is especially important if you’re going to have helpers involved in the project. Sometimes four or more people working at height might require a risk assessment before any work is begun. The results of this assessment usually determine whether or not you need scaffolding.
• Do I need a platform? Working on guttering only likely can be done without scaffolding, but if you’re also going to work on your chimney, using scaffolding is highly recommended. This way, you’ll have a safe platform to work on and it will ensure your safety as you work. 
• How long will the job take? Depending on the upcoming weather, your guttering job may take one day or several days. And anything more than a couple of days would definitely benefit from renting scaffolding equipment. The scaffolding is also a way to protect the gutters and even the tools and materials you are using from the elements.

If you’re a homeowner working on your gutters and your home is a standard size, you likely don’t need to use scaffolding.

That being said, some of the reasons why you may want to choose scaffolding anyway include:

• You can’t make the ladder secure
• You’re using tools and materials that might fall
• You are also working on the roof

If you are replacing tiles or mending valleys, you likely do not need to rent any scaffolding equipment.

Neither will you likely need scaffolding if you are working on single-storey flat roofs.

Two-storey buildings, however, will do better with scaffolding. Let’s face it; they are awfully high.

DIY jobs may still need scaffolding equipment.

This is because you have to think about safety first and foremost.

Yes, you can save yourself some money by not using scaffolding, but is it really worth the risk?

Unless the job is small and you already have a secure ladder and a chute, you should always consider using scaffolding for the job.

There is also a difference between removing debris from the gutters and replacing, repairing, or installing gutters on your home.

For everything except for basic debris removal, it is now recommended that you use scaffolding equipment to ensure your own safety and the safety of those around you.

In most instances, the law doesn’t require a homeowner to use professional scaffolding for guttering jobs.

But it is highly recommended because the higher the gutters you’re working on, the more unsafe you could be once you start working.

There are two areas that go into detail about the scaffolding requirements of various jobs.

The first one is the law, but since the law doesn’t require that you use scaffolding for most guttering jobs, you don’t have to.

The second area are the organisations that publish and recommend health and safety regulations.

While not all of them are statutory, they are clearly recommendations that are very smart to follow.

If you’re concerned about whether or not you need scaffolding for your guttering job, you can call one of the scaffolding companies in the area for assistance.

They know the law well and can make the right recommendation in your situation.

Keep in mind that safety is the number-one goal of scaffolding companies, and scaffolding is recommended for that very same reason.

While you can save some money not using scaffolding for your guttering project, you might also be much less safe in the long run.

Scaffolding equipment is fairly inexpensive to lease, and the companies you lease it from will even come to your home and set it up for you.

Overall, it is well worth the small expense to get the peace of mind that only comes from knowing that you’ll be safe from the start of your project to the end.

And if you’re curious about what it’ll cost you, you can always contact one of these companies for a quote.

Just make sure that you give them all of the specific details of the project so that the quote is accurate.