Why not just use a ladder?

For a quick, light job a ladder can be fine. For jobs that last longer or involve heavy materials, a ladder is a poor choice, and the law steers people away from them. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 say that falls should be avoided where possible, that equipment should prevent falls rather than just reduce the damage, and that ladders are for short, low-risk tasks. Painting a whole house, rendering a gable or replacing a run of guttering takes hours or days, with both hands busy, and that is where scaffolding earns its place.

A ladder also limits what the tradesperson can reach and how well they can do the job. A boarded platform lets them work along the whole elevation without constantly climbing down and moving it.

What jobs is this suited to?

Common examples include:

painting or staining the outside of a house, especially above the ground floor
replacing or clearing gutters, downpipes, fascias and soffits
repairing, patching or re-rendering walls
fitting or replacing upper-floor windows and cladding
treating or repairing timber, such as bargeboards and eaves
fixing a satellite dish, cable or alarm box at height

Can a tower be used instead?

Sometimes. A mobile tower can serve a short run of wall, such as a single rear elevation, and can be quicker to set up. For a house with several sides to treat, or where a safe platform is needed at the eaves all the way round, a fixed scaffold is more usual. The scaffolder can say which suits the job.

How is the scaffold arranged?

The scaffolder puts up boarded platforms at the heights the decorator or builder needs, protected at the open edges, with a way up. They may add sheeting or netting to catch drips, paint spray or dust, which helps if your neighbours' cars or washing are close. Let the scaffolder know if masonry paint is going to be sprayed, or if old render is being cleaned off, because sheeting matters more then.

Does the scaffold affect the pavement or road?

It can. Houses in terraces or on narrow lanes often have no front garden, so the scaffold sits on the pavement. That needs a licence, from Broxbourne Borough Council in Hoddesdon, Broxbourne, Cheshunt and Waltham Cross, from Hertfordshire County Council elsewhere in Hertfordshire, and from the London Borough of Enfield in Enfield, or Transport for London on a red route. The scaffolder normally applies for the licence, and the conditions can include protecting pedestrians and lighting the scaffold at night. Allow some time for it to be granted.

Do I need to ask the neighbours?

If any part of the scaffold, or its sheeting, stands on or crosses over their property, yes, you need their permission. On a semi or terrace the side passage and boundary fence are often shared, and you may find that the wall you are repairing can only be reached from next door. It saves trouble to ask early.

What about overhead power lines?

Scaffolding near overhead electric cables is a hazard. If a cable runs close to the wall, tell the scaffolder, who can plan for it. Do not try to move or touch cables yourself, and ask the electricity network operator if something looks wrong.

Who looks after safety while the scaffold is up?

The scaffolder, who must have the scaffold inspected before it is first used, at intervals of no more than seven days, and after events likely to affect its stability, such as strong winds. They keep a record, and HSE's scaffolding guidance sets out the rules. You should not climb it yourself, alter it or remove boards, and children should be kept off. If the weather turns bad, the painter or repairer will decide whether to work, but report anything loose to the scaffolder.

What affects the cost?

The scaffolder sets the price for each job. A single elevation for a few days is a smaller job than a whole house wrapped for weeks, so the number of sides, the height and the time it stays up count most. Sheeting for spray or dust, a pavement licence, a conservatory or extension in the way, and difficult access can all add to it.

What should I include in my enquiry?

the postcode of the property
what needs doing: painting, guttering, render, windows or something else
how many sides of the house are involved and how high they are
whether you want the whole house covered or only one elevation
where the scaffold would stand, including pavements and shared passages
how long the work is likely to take

Who you will hear from

We pass your enquiry to one local scaffolder, if one covers your postcode. It is never sent to a list of companies. If nobody covers your postcode, we will tell you and will not pass your details on.