Scaffolding Hire Calculator — Cost Per m²/Week Estimator

UK scaffolding hire rates vary by region and complexity. Typical rates (2025-2026): erection and dismantling £15-£30 per m², weekly hire £1.50-£3.50 per m²/week. A standard two-storey house (about 100m² scaffold area) typically costs £800-£1,500 all-in (erection, dismantling and a standard 6-8 week hire bundled together), with extra weeks beyond the quoted term often £10-£25 per week. Prices increase for complex access, sheeting, or additional loading requirements.

Scaffold area is the elevation area covered: perimeter (or length of elevation) multiplied by scaffold height. For a full-perimeter scaffold around a building: area = 2 × (length + width) × height. The scaffold height is typically the eaves height plus 1-2m to allow a working platform above the highest work point.

The erect and dismantle (E&D) charge typically includes: delivery and collection of scaffold materials, erection to the specified design, initial scaffold inspection, and final dismantling. It does not usually include ongoing weekly inspections (charged separately), modifications during the hire, or adaptations. Always clarify what is included in the quotation.

A standard two-storey house scaffold can be erected in 1-2 days by a two-man team. Larger buildings (commercial/industrial) may take a week or more. Scaffold should be erected by CISRS-trained scaffolders working to NASC TG20:21 (the current tube-and-fitting guidance, which replaced TG20:13 in October 2021) or a bespoke design. Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, the scaffold must be inspected before first use, after any event likely to affect its stability, and at intervals not exceeding 7 days.

Common extras beyond the basic hire: scaffold sheeting/debris netting (typically £3-£7/m² per week, around £5/m²/week — charged weekly for the whole hire period, not as a one-off), additional ties for sheeting (£50-100 per tie), scaffold inspections (£50-100 per visit if not included), adaptations during hire (hourly rate), extended hire beyond quoted period (often £10-£25 per week), and board-out for additional working platforms. Always ask for a fully itemised quotation.