Our Top Tips for Hiring a Scaffolding Contractor
Scaffolding can be useful for a range of different projects. Whether you’re looking to build a new property, add an extension or fix a roof, you’ll need scaffolding.
Scaffolding makes building work safer, and much easier. It also ensures quick completion of work. So, it’s vital to ensure that you choose the best scaffolding contractor available, who can meet all of your scaffolding needs and ensure your project can be carried out safely.
There’s a lot of steps you should take before work can begin. That’s why we’ve picked out some of the most important things you should do when hiring a contractor.
Research:
When it comes to hiring a scaffolding contractor, it pays off to do your homework.
A scaffolding company with lots of positive testimonials and customer reviews won’t need to advertise their services too much, and for a good reason! The best way to find scaffolding contractor you can trust is through word of mouth. Ask friends and family for names of contractors they’ve worked with before, then talk to the top candidates.
If this isn’t possible, search online for reviews. Look for places where testimonials won’t have been filtered, such as on social media and Google reviews.
Don’t be afraid to call the scaffolders and ask for case studies and reviews they’d be happy to share with you either! This is a great way to see what feedback their customers give them and what aspect of their service they’re most proud of.
Ensure Safety:
When choosing a scaffolding contractor, ensuring safety is paramount. After all, working at height comes with a whole load of risks and these must be managed properly to minimize the likelihood of any accidents occurring.
A reputable scaffolding company will have a proven track record in health and safety management and will be more than happy to visit your job site before designing your scaffolding to better understand your specific needs. They will be able to carry out an in-depth risk assessment to ensure that any problems can be fully overcome and they will identify any access restrictions to plan a way around this issue ahead of time.
Also, make sure to ask for employee training credentials before you agree to hire a company. Check that all the individual employees who’ll be working on your scaffolding structure are fully trained.
Insurance:
Scaffolding has the power to make or break a construction project. From poor materials to incorrect assembly, even putting on foot wrong could potentially have disastrous consequences.
By law, scaffolding contractors must have suitable insurance cover. They should also be able to show this on-demand. If you ask to see this and they show any difficulty or reluctance – steer clear!
The potential financial and legal consequences of using an uninsured scaffolding contractor are huge. Do not allow anyone to erect any form of scaffolding without first ensuring they have the right cover.
It’s also important to ensure the company has valid public liability insurance. This will provide coverage to a construction firm up to £10 million if an accident takes place. If you choose a firm without this insurance, you are very likely to end up out of pocket.
Experience:
Do you want an inexperienced scaffolding company working on your project?
Choose a scaffolding company with a good amount of experience. This will allow them to judge all the needs of any job and provide the correct scaffolding. A company with a long, proven track record, will usually do the best job.
Do some research and take a look through their company portfolios to see examples of their previous work. If you have any special requirements for your project or your building has any unique features, a portfolio will give you a good idea as to whether the company has the right experience in completing jobs similar to yours and if so, you’ll know they’re up to the task. If they don’t have a portfolio, this is something you can enquire about when you make contact.
Budget:
It’s common practice when choosing a scaffolder to get a few quotes to keep the project within budget. When gathering quotes, make sure that each contractor is working from the same brief. Even small differences can make it difficult to achieve an accurate comparison.
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Also, make sure that each quote has included the same things.
Be sure to ask:
1: Are ladders included?
2: Is there a cost-saving for early completion?
3: How much is the excess hire should the job overrun?
4: If the job isn’t ready when the scaffolders turn up, how much is the charge?
5: Are the scaffolding inspections included?
Prices within the scaffolding industry can vary dramatically, so it is always worth shopping around. Get yourself a variety of quotes and compare them. While you should never find yourself compromising on the quality of service for a cheaper rate, you should never have to pay over the odds for it.
As you might imagine, there are quite a few different factors that will affect the price you pay for a scaffolding structure.
These include:
1: Length of the Hire Period
2: Height of Structure
3: Location
4: Number of Walking Levels
5: Restriction of Public Access
6: Special Requirements
7: Ease of access
So, it’s very much in your interest to make sure the company agrees to the quote they provide in writing. Keep track of what they offer and how much.
The cost of scaffolding might seem expensive at first, but it’s an essential part of securing a worksite and providing access to hard-to-reach areas. By making sure you understand all of the cost factors involved and gathering a few quotes, you’ll be able to ensure that you’re getting the best price for your project.
Consider all these points and look to hire the right scaffolding company – someone who can provide high-quality materials and service, all at the right price.
Freya works with ASC Edinburgh Ltd, leading supplier of high-quality Scaffolding in Glasgow, to help provide expert information on a variety of scaffolding solutions.
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