Of all the important items you need to set up your construction site, the scaffolding you choose is definitely one of the most important. 

For your project to be as safe and efficient as possible, scaffolding and other access equipment are of utmost importance. This leads to the question, is it better to purchase or rent your scaffolding material?

There are several reasons to go ahead and buy scaffolding equipment, but most project managers believe that renting the equipment is the way to go.

Why? Because buying scaffolding equipment can quickly put a huge dent in your construction budget.

Renting scaffolding is smart not just because of budget concerns, but also because you may not always use it as frequently as you think. It just makes more sense to rent scaffolding equipment.

Both buying and leasing scaffolding equipment have their pros and cons, but you’ll be able to come up with the right solution once you look at your own circumstances.

If your experience includes any of the following scenarios, you’re better off renting scaffolding equipment:

• You want to save money on storage fees. When you own your own scaffolding, you’ll need a place to keep it in between jobs. This usually means a storage facility, and these facilities can get expensive rather quickly.
• Your project will not take that long to complete. Short-term projects usually mean that you’re better off leasing the equipment. This is especially important to remember if you don’t yet have a steady stream of jobs lined up to complete.
• You want your labour costs to be lower. Scaffolding can take hours or even days to get set up properly. If you buy your equipment, you’ll have to pay for this yourself each time. Your costs to rent scaffolding instead includes the labour and setup fees.

If you are part of a large construction company that has been around for years and has jobs lined up from now until doomsday, you might consider owning your scaffolding equipment. Otherwise, you should probably stick to renting it.

As you can imagine, the costs to rent scaffolding can vary depending on several factors. Most companies will charge a per-day rate for shorter projects but a discounted weekly rate if you need to keep the equipment longer.

Below are some things that usually affect the price that you’ll pay for leasing scaffolding equipment:

• The location of the scaffolding rental company. Remember that transportation costs alone can add £35 to £110 or more to the total cost.
• The length of your project. Per-day charges can range from £10 to £35 or more, and per-week charges can cost you hundreds of pounds.
• The labour costs associated with the project. The rental company will set up the equipment for you. You’ll have to ask them if the labour cost is included in the total or a separate cost.
• The size and type of equipment you’re leasing. Naturally, bigger means more expensive, so make it clear to the company what you need before requesting a quote.
• The number of levels the job requires. Walkways and access are naturally going to affect the cost of the job, so the more levels you have, the more expensive it will be.

Naturally, the costs associated with a small flat are going to be higher than building a large two-storey home. Make sure you give the company all of the details regarding what you need before asking for a quote.

While the amounts below are only estimates, they’ll give you a little better idea of how much you might pay for renting scaffolding equipment for various projects.

These prices may be subject to change and do not reflect that of M1’s pricing structure.

• Two-storey semi-detached house: £650 to £1100 per week
• Bridge over conservatory: £400 to £900 per week
• High-level chimney scaffolding: £500 to £820 per week
• Single scaffolding (up to 10m): £550 to £700 per week
• Single tower over conservatory: £420 per week
• Scaffold tower only: £250 per week
• Scaffolding for gutter repair: £250 to £400 per week

Keep in mind that large cities will naturally cost more than smaller towns, and jobs that are easy to access will cost less than complex jobs. When leasing scaffolding equipment for your next construction project, a lot of variables go into that final price.

The good news is that any reputable scaffolding company will provide you with an estimate before the job begins. This gives you great peace of mind and helps you budget better as well.

A reputable scaffolding company will be able to answer all of your questions and will have the necessary permits and licences as well.

Ask about their experience and what they charge, as well as how many years they’ve been in business.

Scaffolding equipment is there to protect not only the workers on a project but also anyone finding themselves in or around the area. It has to be built right and installed correctly in order to be effective.

This is why choosing the right scaffolding company is so important.

Fortunately, thanks to the Internet, it is easy to research these companies so you can choose the right one in the end.

Scaffolding equipment is imperative for all types of construction projects, and finding the right size and type is not that difficult.

Once you find the right company, they’ll have everything that you need to complete your project safely and efficiently.

The important thing to remember when trying to determine how much scaffolding equipment will cost you is that getting an estimate beforehand is not at all difficult.

Just make sure that you let the company know exactly what you need so that the quote they give you is as accurate as possible.