What Should Be Included in a Scaffolding Quote?
A good scaffolding quote should tell you far more than the final price. Before hiring a scaffolder, check exactly what is being erected, how long the hire lasts, what happens if the project overruns and whether items such as licences, inspections, loading bays and dismantling are included.
The quick answer
Your scaffolding quote should clearly state the scaffold being supplied, erection and dismantling, hire duration, extra hire charges, elevations, access requirements, safety components, inspections, licences, insurance, VAT and how any variations will be agreed and charged.
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What should a scaffolding quotation contain?
The best way to compare scaffolding companies is to compare the scope of work, not simply the headline price. Two scaffold quotations can look similar while actually providing very different structures, hire periods and responsibilities.
A detailed written quotation protects both you and the scaffolder because everyone knows what is expected before equipment arrives on site.
Erection
Confirmation that delivery and erection are included.
Dismantling
Removal and collection should be clearly accounted for.
Hire period
The number of days or weeks included in the original price.
Additional hire
The rate if your project runs beyond the agreed period.
Elevations
Exactly which sides of the building will be scaffolded.
Loading bays
Whether specialist material loading areas are included.
Edge protection
Guard rails, toe boards and other required protection.
Netting & sheeting
Any debris netting, brick guards or protective sheeting.
Licences
Who arranges and pays for highway or pavement permissions.
Inspections
Who completes required scaffold inspections and records.
Insurance
Relevant insurance cover and policy information.
Site access
Any assumptions about parking, gardens or restricted access.
VAT
Whether the quoted figure includes or excludes applicable VAT.
Variations
How alterations or additional work will be priced and approved.
Erection of the scaffold
Your quote should make it clear that the price includes bringing the scaffold equipment to site and erecting the agreed structure.
Ideally, the scope should describe what is actually being built rather than using a vague description such as "scaffold to property".
Dismantling and collection
The quotation should confirm whether dismantling and removal of the scaffold at the end of the hire period is included in the original price.
This avoids uncertainty when the project finishes and the scaffold needs to be struck and removed from the property.
Agreed hire duration
One of the most important details in any scaffold quote is the included hire period.
It might be two weeks, four weeks, six weeks or another agreed period. Never assume the scaffold can remain indefinitely for the original price.
Additional weekly hire charges
Building and roofing work does not always run to schedule. Weather, material delays and additional repairs can all extend the amount of time scaffolding is needed.
Your quote should therefore state the additional weekly hire charge that applies once the original hire period expires.
Number of elevations
The quotation should identify exactly which parts of the property are being scaffolded.
Common descriptions include:
- Front elevation only
- Rear elevation only
- Front and rear
- Front, rear and gable
- Full four-elevation scaffold
The quote should also make clear the approximate height, number of working levels or boarded lifts and the intended use of the scaffold where relevant.
Loading bays
If your builder, roofer or contractor needs a dedicated area for materials, the quote should state whether a loading bay is included.
A loading bay is different from an ordinary working platform and the intended loads need to be considered when the scaffold is planned.
Edge protection
The scaffold specification should account for the protection required for the work being undertaken.
Depending on the job, this can include guard rails, intermediate rails, toe boards, brick guards and other collective protection.
If a roofing contractor has requested a particular edge protection arrangement, make sure that requirement has been communicated to the scaffolder before accepting the quotation.
Netting, sheeting and debris protection
If debris netting, brick guards, protective sheeting or another containment measure is required, it should be specifically identified in the quote.
These components can change the scaffold specification and should not be treated as an automatic free extra after erection.
Pavement or highway licence
If the scaffold needs to stand on or project into a public highway, including a pavement, permission from the relevant local authority may be required.
The scaffolding contractor is normally responsible for obtaining the appropriate highway scaffold licence, but you should confirm that it has been obtained and remains valid for the duration of the work.
Your quotation should state whether any licence application charges are:
- Included in the scaffold price
- Added separately
- Payable directly to the relevant authority
Scaffold inspections
Scaffolding used for construction work must be kept safe and inspected by a competent person at the required intervals.
Current UK guidance requires scaffolding to be checked before first use, at intervals of no more than seven days while it remains in use, and after events that could affect its safety such as substantial alterations, damage or extreme weather.
Your quotation should make clear who is responsible for these inspections and whether they are included within the price.
Insurance
Ask the scaffolding company what insurance it holds and request evidence where appropriate.
This will commonly include public liability insurance and, where applicable, employers' liability insurance.
You may also want to check:
- Policy limit
- Insurer
- Expiry date
- Whether the planned work falls within the policy scope
Access restrictions and site assumptions
Restricted access can significantly change how a scaffold needs to be erected.
Make the scaffolder aware of anything that could affect the job, including:
- Narrow side passages
- Conservatories
- Extensions
- Glass roofs
- Sloping ground
- Restricted parking
- Neighbouring property
- Shared access
- Public pavements
- Low-level roofs or structures that may need bridging
Photographs are extremely useful when obtaining an initial scaffolding quotation.
VAT
Check whether the quoted price includes or excludes VAT.
If the scaffolding business is VAT registered and VAT applies to the supply, the quotation should make the treatment clear so that you understand the total amount payable.
Compare the final payable figure and confirm the applicable VAT treatment with the contractor.
Variations and alterations
Projects change. A roofer might discover additional work, a builder may need another lift boarded or a chimney repair might require additional access.
Your quotation or terms should explain how changes to the original scaffold specification will be priced.
Ideally, additional work should be agreed before it is carried out.
Also check the scaffold design and intended use
A scaffolding quote should be based on what the scaffold will actually be used for.
Important information can include:
- Site location
- Required hire period
- Intended use of the scaffold
- Height and length
- Number of boarded lifts
- Expected working loads
- Number of people using it
- Required access method
- Netting or sheeting requirements
- Loading bays
- Bridging requirements
- Ground and access conditions
Standard tube-and-fitting scaffolds may be erected to a recognised standard configuration. Scaffolds falling outside recognised configurations can require a bespoke design by a competent person.
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Cheap quote vs complete quote
The lowest headline price may not be the lowest final cost. This is why scope matters.
| Quote detail | Quote A | Quote B |
|---|---|---|
| Headline price | £950 | £1,150 |
| Erection included | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Dismantling included | Not stated | ✓ Yes |
| Hire duration | 2 weeks | 4 weeks |
| Additional hire rate | Not stated | £60 / week |
| Inspections | Not stated | Included as agreed |
| Pavement licence | Extra | Included |
| VAT | Unclear | Clearly stated |
What a clear scaffolding quote might look like
A quotation doesn't need to be dozens of pages long, but the important details should be easy to identify.
Example Domestic Scaffolding Quote
This is only an illustration. Your actual scaffold specification should be prepared for your property and the work being carried out.
Scaffolding quote red flags
A short quotation isn't necessarily a bad quotation, but there are several things worth clarifying before accepting it.
Before accepting a scaffolding quote
Before committing, run through this final check:
| Check | What you want to know |
|---|---|
| Scope | Exactly what scaffold is being supplied? |
| Total price | What is the total payable amount? |
| Duration | How long is scaffold hire included? |
| Overrun | What is the additional weekly charge? |
| Extras | Are licences, netting and specialist components included? |
| Inspection | Who is responsible for inspections and records? |
| Insurance | What relevant insurance does the contractor hold? |
| Variations | How will changes be approved and charged? |
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Scaffolding quote FAQs
What should be included in a scaffolding quote?
A scaffolding quote should clearly describe the scaffold, elevations, erection, dismantling, hire period, additional hire charges, access requirements, safety components, inspection responsibilities, applicable licences, VAT, insurance information and how variations will be charged.
Does a scaffolding quote normally include dismantling?
Many scaffolding quotations include erection, an agreed hire period and dismantling, but you should never assume this. Check that dismantling and removal are specifically included in the written quotation.
How long is scaffold hire normally included for?
Hire periods vary between scaffolders and projects. The quotation should state the exact period included and the charge that will apply if the scaffold remains in place beyond that period.
Who pays for a scaffolding pavement licence?
Where scaffolding occupies a public highway or pavement, a local authority licence may be required. The scaffolding contractor normally obtains the relevant scaffold licence, but the quotation should state whether the associated fee is included or charged separately.
How often does scaffolding need to be inspected?
Construction scaffolding should be checked before first use and then at intervals not exceeding seven days while in use. Additional inspections are required after events that could affect safety, including substantial alterations, damage or extreme weather.
Should VAT be included in a scaffolding quote?
The quotation should make the VAT position clear. Where VAT is applicable, check whether the figure shown is inclusive or exclusive so you can compare the actual amount payable between contractors.
Should I get more than one scaffolding quote?
Comparing multiple quotations can help you understand local pricing, but make sure the contractors are quoting for the same scaffold specification, hire period and included services before comparing price.
What information should I give a scaffolder for a quote?
Provide the property address or postcode, photographs, property type, reason for the scaffold, required elevations, anticipated start date, expected hire duration and details of any restricted access, conservatories, extensions or public pavements.
