Price Guide

How Much Does a Scaffolder Really Cost?

Compare prices for 12 services across 342 UK locations. Data-driven pricing updated for .

12 services priced 342 cities covered Updated

National pricing

Scaffolder Prices

National average prices. Select a city below for local pricing.

All prices include materials and labour unless stated otherwise. Prices verified 2026

Single House Scaffold (2 Storey)

Low

£600

Average

£900

High

£1,400

4-8 week hire

More details

Erecting scaffolding along one full elevation of a two-storey house. Includes delivery, erection, weekly inspections, and dismantling. Standard 4-week minimum hire.

~61% labour, ~39% materials

What affects the price

  • Length of elevation to scaffold
  • Ground conditions and access
  • Hire duration (4-week minimum typical)
  • Whether public pavement licence is needed

Scaffold for Chimney Work

Low

£350

Average

£550

High

£800

2-4 week hire

More details

Erecting scaffolding to access a chimney stack for repointing, rebuilding, fitting a cowl or removing. Typically includes a platform around the stack at ridge height.

~68% labour, ~32% materials

What affects the price

  • Chimney location on the roof
  • Whether a full saddle around all four sides is needed
  • Property height (bungalow vs two-storey)
  • Access to the roof for scaffold build

Scaffold for Roof Access

Low

£700

Average

£1,100

High

£1,800

4-8 week hire

More details

Full scaffolding providing roof-level access around a two-storey house, typically on two or three sides. Includes safe working platforms at the roof edge and areas for loading materials up.

~61% labour, ~39% materials

What affects the price

  • Number of sides to scaffold
  • Whether roof edge protection is required
  • Duration of roofing works
  • Need for loading bays or debris chutes

Scaffold for Painting or Rendering

Low

£500

Average

£850

High

£1,300

4-8 week hire

More details

Scaffolding along one or two sides of a house to provide working platforms for exterior painting, rendering, or cladding. Includes full planked platforms at each level.

~68% labour, ~32% materials

What affects the price

  • Number of elevations to cover
  • House height and length
  • Whether sheeting or netting is needed
  • Duration of painting or rendering works

Scaffold Tower Hire

Low

£50

Average

£90

High

£150

Per week hire

More details

Hiring a mobile aluminium scaffold tower for DIY or trade use. Self-assembly with lockable castors. Working heights from 2m to 12m. Price per week including delivery and collection.

What affects the price

  • Working height required
  • Tower width (narrow for indoor, standard for outdoor)
  • Hire duration (weekly rate)
  • Whether outriggers or stabilisers are needed

Single Lift Scaffold

Low

£300

Average

£500

High

£750

4-6 week hire

More details

A single-lift scaffold providing a working platform at first floor level (approx 2.5m-3m). Suitable for ground floor window replacement, fascia work or low-level repairs.

~65% labour, ~35% materials

What affects the price

  • Length of scaffold run
  • Ground conditions
  • Whether on a public footpath (licence needed)
  • Hire duration

Two Lift Scaffold

Low

£500

Average

£800

High

£1,200

4-6 week hire

More details

A two-lift scaffold providing working platforms at first floor and eaves level (approx 5m-6m). Standard arrangement for most two-storey domestic work.

~66% labour, ~34% materials

What affects the price

  • Length and number of bays
  • Whether boarded at one or both lift levels
  • Access and ground conditions
  • Hire duration

Three Lift Scaffold

Low

£800

Average

£1,200

High

£1,800

4-8 week hire

More details

A three-lift scaffold reaching above eaves level (approx 8m-9m). Used for chimney access, high gable work, or three-storey properties.

~65% labour, ~35% materials

What affects the price

  • Height and number of bays
  • Wind loading considerations at height
  • Tie-in requirements to the building
  • Duration and complexity

Internal Scaffold (Loft Conversion)

Low

£400

Average

£700

High

£1,200

4-8 week hire

More details

Internal temporary works scaffold for loft conversion or high-ceiling work. Erected inside the building to provide safe working at height, often alongside external scaffold.

~71% labour, ~29% materials

What affects the price

  • Room size and ceiling height
  • Type of internal work required
  • Duration of loft conversion
  • Whether combined with external scaffold

Scaffold for Gutter Work

Low

£300

Average

£500

High

£800

2-4 week hire

More details

Scaffolding to provide safe access to the gutters and boards around the edge of the roof on a two-storey house. Typically a single platform height along one or two sides.

~65% labour, ~35% materials

What affects the price

  • Number of elevations requiring access
  • House height and length
  • Whether full boarding is needed or just an access platform
  • Hire duration

Emergency Scaffold

Low

£500

Average

£900

High

£1,500

Same day erection

More details

Urgent scaffold erected within 24 hours for storm damage, structural emergency or dangerous building work. Includes out-of-hours callout and priority erection.

~69% labour, ~31% materials

What affects the price

  • Urgency (same day vs next day)
  • Time of callout (evenings and weekends cost more)
  • Size and complexity of scaffold needed
  • Whether temporary protection sheeting is required

Scaffold Board Walkway

Low

£200

Average

£350

High

£600

Per project

More details

Temporary scaffold board walkway or pedestrian protection installed over a public footpath or garden to allow safe passage past a building site. Includes handrails and signage.

~71% labour, ~29% materials

What affects the price

  • Length of walkway required
  • Whether a pedestrian tunnel with overhead protection is needed
  • Council licence requirements
  • Duration the walkway is needed

Popular locations

Scaffolding Costs by City

London

£745–£1,740

Birmingham

£560–£1,305

Leeds

£585–£1,360

Glasgow

£630–£1,470

Sheffield

£590–£1,380

Manchester

£585–£1,370

Bradford

£525–£1,225

Edinburgh

£685–£1,600

Liverpool

£595–£1,385

Bristol

£645–£1,505

Coventry

£575–£1,340

Leicester

£515–£1,195

Local pricing

Find Scaffolder Costs in Your City

Browse all 342 cities for local scaffolder pricing.

Barking and Dagenham Barnet Bexley London
Brighton Milton Keynes Reading Southampton
Bournemouth Bristol Gloucester Plymouth
Colchester Luton Norwich Peterborough
Birmingham Coventry Stoke-on-Trent Wolverhampton
Derby Leicester Northampton Nottingham
Bradford Leeds Sheffield York
Bolton Liverpool Manchester Warrington
County Durham Middlesbrough Newcastle upon Tyne Sunderland
Blaenau Gwent Bridgend Cardiff Swansea
Aberdeen Dundee Edinburgh Glasgow
Belfast

Regional comparison

Single House Scaffold (2 Storey) by City

Average cost of single house scaffold (2 storey) across key UK cities.

London
+24% £1,120
Manchester
-2% £880
Birmingham
-7% £840
Glasgow
+5% £945
Bristol
+7% £970
Leeds
-3% £875
Cardiff
-2% £885
Belfast
-13% £785

Overview

What Does a Scaffolder Do?

A scaffolder provides professional services covering scaffolding erection, hire, tower scaffolds and specialist access solutions. They handle everything from routine maintenance and inspections to full installations and emergency repairs. Whether you need a small repair or a major project, hiring a qualified scaffolder ensures the work is done safely, to code, and to a professional standard.

You should hire a scaffolder whenever you need work that requires specialist skills, tools, or qualifications. Many types of scaffolder work are regulated and must be carried out by a certified professional. Attempting DIY on regulated work can be dangerous, void your insurance, and create costly problems down the line.

Pricing for scaffolder services depends on the complexity of what you need, the options chosen, and where you live in the UK. Simpler services sit at the lower end of the scale, while more involved or premium options will be significantly more expensive. The prices on this page give you a realistic range for each type of service so you know what to expect before getting quotes.

When hiring a scaffolder, always get at least three quotes from different tradespeople. Read recent reviews and ask for references. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews. A reputable scaffolder will be happy to provide a detailed breakdown of costs and explain exactly what is included in their quote.

Related services

Related Services

Services often needed alongside a scaffolder.

Roofing UK price guide £80–£275 Builder UK price guide £30,000–£80,000 Painting & Decorating UK price guide £200–£650 Demolition UK price guide £1,000–£3,500 Gutter Services UK price guide £50–£110 Carpentry UK price guide £70–£200 Chimney Sweeping UK price guide £60–£130 Plastering UK price guide £400–£1,000

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about scaffolder costs in the UK.

How long can scaffolding stay up?
Scaffolding can stay up as long as you need it, but hire is charged weekly so costs add up. Most residential projects need scaffolding for 1-4 weeks. If your project is delayed, negotiate the weekly hire rate upfront. Scaffolding left up for extended periods must be regularly inspected for safety.
Do I need a licence to have scaffolding on the pavement?
Yes. If scaffolding extends onto a public footpath or road, you need a pavement licence from your local council. Your scaffolding company should arrange this, but it takes 1-2 weeks to process and costs around 50-200 depending on the council. Fines for unlicensed scaffolding on public land can be significant.
Is scaffolding included in my roofer or builder quote?
Sometimes. Some roofers and builders include scaffolding in their price, while others quote it separately. Always ask whether scaffolding is included and get a breakdown of the hire cost. If scaffolding is quoted separately, check whether it covers the full duration of the works.
What are the alternatives to traditional scaffolding?
For smaller jobs, alternatives include scaffold towers (suitable for work up to 2-3 storeys), cherry pickers (for quick access to specific areas), and rope access (for tall buildings). These can be cheaper for short jobs but do not provide the working platform that full scaffolding offers for extended projects.
How much does it cost if scaffolding stays up longer than planned?
Most scaffolding quotes include a standard hire period of 4-6 weeks. After that, weekly hire charges apply, typically £25-£75 per week depending on the size of the scaffold. If your main work is delayed, let the scaffolding company know early — some will negotiate a reduced extended hire rate.
Is scaffolding safe to have outside my house?
Properly erected scaffolding is very safe. By law, it must be inspected before first use and every seven days thereafter. The scaffolding company is responsible for ensuring it meets the Work at Height Regulations. If you notice anything loose, damaged or concerning, contact the scaffolding company immediately.
Can I erect scaffolding myself?
Scaffold towers designed for DIY use can be hired and assembled by homeowners following the manufacturer's instructions. However, traditional tube-and-fitting scaffolding must be erected by a competent person under the Work at Height Regulations. Attempting it yourself is dangerous and may invalidate your home insurance.
Who is responsible if scaffolding damages my property?
A reputable scaffolding company will carry public liability insurance covering any damage they cause during erection or dismantling. Check this before hiring. Common issues include scratched render, damaged guttering, or marks on driveways. Report any damage immediately and take photos as evidence.
Does scaffolding affect my home insurance?
You should notify your home insurer when scaffolding is erected as it can increase the risk of burglary by providing easy access to upper floors. Some insurers require you to remove ladders overnight or add security measures. Failing to notify your insurer could invalidate a claim if anything happens while the scaffolding is up.
How much does a scaffolder cost in the UK?
The most common scaffolder job, single house scaffold (2 storey), costs between £600 and £1,400 nationally, with an average of £900. Prices vary depending on the scope of work, materials used, and your location within the UK.
What affects scaffolder prices?
The main factors are the complexity and scope of what you need, the options and products chosen, and your location. London and the South East are typically 15-35% more expensive than northern regions. Getting multiple quotes is the best way to ensure a fair price.
How do I find a reliable scaffolder?
Get at least three quotes from different tradespeople, check recent reviews and references, and ask for a detailed written quote that breaks down all costs before committing. Always check qualifications, insurance and recent reviews.
Do scaffolder prices vary by location?
Yes, significantly. London is the most expensive area, with prices typically 20-35% above the national average. The South East is also above average. Northern England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland tend to be 5-15% below the national average. Our city pages show exact local pricing for 342 UK locations.
Do the prices shown include materials?
The prices on this page include all typical costs. However, when getting real quotes, always confirm what is and isn't included. Some tradespeople break out costs separately, while others give an all-in price. Ask for a detailed breakdown before agreeing to any work.
When is the best time to hire a scaffolder?
Demand for scaffolder services tends to peak in autumn and winter, which can mean longer wait times and higher prices. If your job isn't urgent, booking during spring or summer may get you a better rate and faster availability. Emergency work will always cost more regardless of the time of year.