As one of the main tools to aid in getting to those hard to reach areas, scaffolding is an essential component for a host of industries that require a bit of height in their work. Indeed, all it takes is a quick walk through your local town or city to see scaffold constructions being used for a variety of jobs. However, if you’re in need of some form of access solution, it can be difficult to know what constitutes an expert in the industry. Also, with cost being a significant factor for any operation, you want to be making sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
Unfortunately, it can be hard to know where to begin when it comes to hiring out quality services, and with a dizzying amount of companies to pick from (some which may have a shady reputation) you could end up with a subpar service at an unfair price. With this in mind, it’s important to get clued up on the industry so you can shop around with confidence.
Understand your needs before hiring scaffolding services
When it comes to scaffolding hire, your choice of design can impact heavily your budget and efficiency on the job, so it’s important to begin understanding your needs before you invest in anything. For example, if you’re working on a large scale renovation, a traditional scaffold will likely be your best option. However, if you’re in need of more manoeuvrability, a mobile work access platform may be a more suitable alternative.
It’s also important to take into account where your scaffolding is going to be erected. Costs can vary quite considerably depending on where you are in the country, with prices for erecting a scaffolding in London being more than 3 times more expensive than the same job in remote areas of Scotland. If you’re working in a metropolitan area and are looking to keep costs down, it may be better to invest in smaller fabrications. Also, prices can rise if your scaffolding is placed on public land, as it requires licencing from the local council.
With these factors in mind, you can begin to formulate some kind of understanding as to how much you are wanting to spend on your scaffold. However, there is a myriad of other factors that can affect your choice. Luckily, some scaffold companies may offer quotations and surveys to give you a complete break down as to what is needed for your operation.
What exactly makes a good scaffolder?
As we’ve already mentioned, when hiring scaffolding companies, you’ll be wanting to make sure that the money you’re spending is going to an expert in the industry. With this in mind, there are a few things to look out for which can give you a better idea of a scaffolding contractor’s reputation.
For starters, it’s always good to check that they have the right credentials for the job. Putting together a quality and more importantly, safe scaffold design takes a lot of hard work and understanding of the industry. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that your chosen company is properly accredited for the job at hand. Luckily, there are a host of associations and ruling bodies that regulate the industry, ensuring that scaffolders are working safely and to spec. If your scaffolder is connected to one of these associations, this is a sure sign of their quality.
However, being accredited is only half the battle when it comes to finding out whether your chosen scaffolder is an expert in the field. It’s also important to ascertain their experience and time within the industry. If you’re stuck between two companies, for example, your best bet is going to be the business that has been trading for a few years over a newly established firm. Longevity is always a positive indicator of quality as customers are obviously finding their work to be more than satisfactory. Their experience might also be highlighted in their range of more specialised services. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with a scaffolding firm offering the bare minimum, but businesses that have the skills to specialise in more concise services such as design packages or in-depth surveys are likely to be better trained in their profession.
Finally, it’s important to ensure that whoever you decide to work with puts safety at the heart of every project they are involved in. Scaffolding is a dangerous business with injuries inflicted by falling from height making up a significant percentage of accidents in the construction industry. Therefore, it’s imperative that your chosen scaffolder is well versed in the rules and regulations put forward in the Health and Safety at Work Act in order to keep you and others safe.
Other ways to get the best deal
Of course, having an idea of your project and the factors that make a good scaffolder can help aid you in your decision about where to invest, however, there are a few other things to remember before putting your money down.
• Check they’re insured: Unfortunately, no matter how hard we try to avert them, accidents can and do happen. Therefore, when working with a scaffolding company, it’s imperative that they have the proper insurance to cover their work. As a minimum, every employer must have employer liability insurance to cover those working on site. There are other policies that you may need to check for, such as public liability insurance if your work is going to be near a public area. Although it is their responsibility to have insurance in place, it is your duty to ask if they are covered and to ensure that their policy remains active throughout the duration of their contract. If you don’t, you can be held accountable, so always ask beforehand.
• Get three different quotes: One of the best ways to find out how far your money can truly go is by analysing multiple quotes. Three is usually good enough to give you an idea of what the going rate in the area is. Spend time thinking about what these quotes actually offer in comparison with each other; you’ll begin to notice trends. It will also allow you to weed out some of the more suspicious pricings.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions: You’re probably going to have questions about the project or else you would be doing it yourself. A professional in the scaffolding industry will have the knowledge to answer any and all questions you may have about the scaffold project, no matter how silly they may seem, so never be afraid to ask.
• Ask around: One of the best ways to see if the people you’re working with are any good is to check in with previous customers. Most well-established scaffold companies will likely have customers giving them positive reviews, so check out online review sites or testimonials to see how their previous jobs panned out. Alternatively, if you know someone who has worked with them, spend some time asking them about their experience.
D H Scaffolding: Experts in Scaffolding Design
Ensuring you get the best value for money when hiring a scaffold is going to be pretty important as you plan out your budget. That’s why we at D H Scaffolding are on hand to make sure you get the bang for your buck. With our range of services, from in-depth surveying and scaffold design plans to our expertly put together scaffolds, you can be sure that your operation is in the best hands.
If you’re in the Sheffield area and in need of an expert scaffolding company near you, visit our website or give us a call on 0114 230 0923.