The scaffold is rarely the item people think about, and often the one that determines the schedule. Roofers, sheet-metal workers, façade contractors and painters all need it, and every day it remains in place costs money. If you line up the trades using the scaffold neatly one after another, you save more than by negotiating over the square metre price.
They erect working and façade scaffolds, fall-protection scaffolds, weather-protection roofs and, where needed, hoists for materials. This includes anchoring to the building, fall protection, signage and the required inspections while the scaffold remains in place. At the end, they dismantle it and restore the surroundings.
Scaffolds are usually priced with a basic hire covering a defined period on site and a surcharge for each additional week. If one trade using the scaffold is delayed, the hire keeps running for everyone. So set the sequence of the work on the scaffold before ordering, and agree a realistic period on site rather than an unrealistically short one.
Check which basic period on site is included and what each extension week costs. Clarify whether erection and dismantling, anchors, weather protection, safety netting and any permits for the use of public land are included. For scaffolds over pavements or roads, a permit from the municipality is usually required, and that takes time.
A scaffold must be signed off before first use and checked regularly while it remains in place. Only the scaffolder may alter the scaffold, not the trade that happens to have a board in the way. Make this clear to everyone involved, because as the client you share responsibility for safety on your building site.
The same scaffold is usually used by roofers, sheet-metal workers, façade and insulation contractors, and painters, sometimes also by the window installer and the photovoltaic installation team. Agree the sequence early and enter the dates in a shared plan. This is the most effective way to keep scaffold costs down.
A scaffold makes the upper floors accessible, including to unauthorised persons. While it remains in place, the burglary risk increases measurably, especially if the property is unoccupied. Effective and inexpensive measures include removing the lowest ladder or access ladder overnight, having lighting on the façade, and keeping windows closed even in summer. Also notify your contents insurer about the scaffold: some policies include obligations for the period during which a scaffold is in place, and failing to notify it can reduce the payout in the event of a claim.