The average cost of scaffolding per week is £300-£880. Scaffolding around the three sides of a bungalow is between £600 to £700, a chimney costs from £450 to £550, and £800 to £1000 for scaffolding around a semi-detached home. Factors like the size, ease of access, hire period and property location affect scaffolding prices. This article answers the question; how much does scaffolding cost?

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How much does scaffolding cost in a day
The price to hire scaffolding for a day in the UK is between £60 to £150 per day. This all depends on factors such, as how complicated setting up the scaffolding structure will be, the length of hire and the amount of labour required for the job. The nature of your project will determine any other additional costs incurred.
It also varies according to the type of scaffolding that needs to be used. Some more of these factors that determine the price are;
- Location
- Height
- Ease of access
- Restriction of public access
Location
The surroundings in most cities and rural areas differ enormously. The access equipment required to reach certain points in buildings will be more advanced in cities since there are generally more ‘hard-to-reach’ areas in city infrastructure. This has made the cost to erect scaffolding towers in urban areas more expensive compared to erecting them in rural areas.
Height
A taller building will require a larger scaffolding structure. This means that more materials will be required to erect. This, in turn, has a huge difference in the scaffold hire prices. For instance, the type of scaffold you select for a single-storey terraced house will be different from a three-storey building. This means the cost will also differ.
Public access restricted

Some projects require scaffolding placed on a road or public place. Setting this up will require you to have permission from the local council. This often increases the scaffolding hire prices. Contractors should always ensure they have acquired the necessary planning permissions before hiring a scaffolding company.
Ease of access
Whether you’re repointing a roof, working on a new build, loft conversion or home improvement project, the accessibility of your building will greatly affect the cost of scaffolding. The amount will be much lower if the scaffolder can easily reach all the building parts. It will also get the job done quicker.

How much does it cost scaffolding per square meter
The cost of hiring scaffolding per square meter is £15-£20. This does not include the cost of local council permits and access tools to be used.
Most scaffolding companies hire scaffolding out for a period of 6 to 8 weeks. Some companies also allow for shorter rental periods. Most scaffolders prefer longer jobs, which directly translates to better pay because short jobs often don’t pay well.
For chimney repair work, the weekly rental cost will amount to a price between £300 to £600. Bridging over places such as conservatories amounts to £450 to £900 weekly. Wallwork, on the other hand, costs anywhere from £950 to £1200 per week.
How much does buying scaffolding cost
Larger and heavier-duty scaffold unit prices range from £170 to £1700. This depends on the size, materials, and type of scaffolding being purchased.
Buying scaffolding is recommended if you are looking to make long-term use of it. Renting is more cost-effective if you need them for a short scaffolding project. On the other hand, when renting, you do not need to worry about maintenance. The scaffolding will always be in good working condition.
Scaffolding hire costs for different projects
Scaffold hire costs vary for each building work. This is because there are different types of scaffolding used for specific projects and to solve a particular need. Here are the scaffolding prices for different types of projects;
1. Conservatory
The average cost of a scaffolding bridge passing over a conservatory is £650 per week. A scaffolding bridge has to be built over a conservatory regardless of the nature of the project. The complex nature of such projects leads to higher scaffolding hire costs.
2. Gutter repair
The scaffold cost for roof gutter repair starts from £250 per week. You will not require a large scaffolding structure as this is a simple repair job in which a single scaffolding will get the job done. In a more urban place such as London, the price ranges from £300 to £400 per week.
3. Chimney

The standard cost for renting chimney scaffolding for a week lies from £400 to £800 weekly. Chimney scaffolding is conventional as it does not need to cover the whole house. Extra precaution equipment will, however, be required when working on chimneys as the scaffolding is erected on the highest part of the roof.
Tradesmen cost
If you want safe access when working at height, hiring qualified scaffolders who will adhere to the safety standards is crucial. Labour costs for scaffolding services will vary depending on the nature of the project. The time frame in which scaffolding will be hired will determine how much cost you will incur. A conservatory bridge will have a labour cost of about £430 to £470. Scaffolding to be used for roofing will bring the labour cost to £400 to £450, and to be used for fixing the bottom hip tiles will cost from £230 to £270.
Labour costs for Chimney work will range from £730 to £770 while setting up scaffolding around a semi-detached house will have a labour cost of £830 to £870. Scaffolding for painting the front of a property will cost £480 to £550 while scaffolding around a detached house for painting will cost anywhere from £1,480 to £1,520.
The cost of labour is also affected by several factors such as the workforce hired, weather conditions, and the area you live.
Scaffolding cost price list
Item | Cost |
---|---|
Scaffolding hire | £40 to £150 per day |
Buying | £170 to £1700 |
Scaffold tower assembly | £200 to £300 |
Conservatory | £650 per week |
Gutter repair | £250 per week |
Chimney | £400 to £800 weekly |
Labour costs | £250 to £1,520 |
The cost of scaffolding hire varies greatly. It is best to ensure that the safety of everyone working on your construction site is fully protected when working at heights. This is achieved when you choose the best type of scaffolding, and you should expect good results knowing that your employees are working in safe conditions. If you were asking yourself the question, how much does scaffolding cost, this article provides a clear guideline that should help you budget accordingly.