Not all scaffolding companies are the same. They each come with their own experts and areas of expertise, but if you want one that you can use for every project, you’ll need to find scaffolding contractors who are able to adjust to the task at hand and design custom structures for whatever project you’ll be working on.
Scaffolder Warning Signs
Before we look at what you do want in a scaffolding company, let’s take a look at what you should watch out for. Avoiding a bad company can save you time and money, but it also ensures that your workers are safer. With that in mind, here are some red flags:
They offer fixed prices.
No company should be offering a set price for their work. There are so many factors that come into play when doing a scaffolding that you don’t want anyone who thinks one solution is ideal for everyone.
They don’t have any safety certification.
This is a big red flag. While common sense does come into play when you’re building scaffolding, you definitely want someone who has been trained to do things properly. It can be very dangerous for you to hire anyone who doesn’t have the necessary education.
They only rent the materials.
Some companies give you a great discount because you have to build your own scaffolding. All you’re paying for is the actual materials, which you need to assemble. While this could be an option you’re looking for, it’s certainly not the best way to do things and you have no way of knowing if their materials are high quality or not. There’s also no guarantee that the last person to use the items didn’t cause them damage.
They offer just one type of scaffolding.
Again, the one size fits all solution is not a good one. Any company that offers just one type of scaffolding is probably too small to have much experience and it’s not likely that they will do a good job for you.
They have no insurance or poor insurance.
If a scaffolding company doesn’t offer any insurance, run away fast. There’s no way they should be in business without the proper coverage and there’s just nothing that would keep a professional business from offering full coverage on their products. This is a very big red flag and one you should pay attention to.
They have a lot of bad reviews.
One or two bad reviews are inevitable in any business. A customer who felt someone took too long or who simply didn’t get along with the worker could leave a bad review. However, if you notice that the company has a high number of bad reviews and they are referring to actual problems, such as safety issues, being late, lack of care, etc, then you should probably start looking for another option.
What to Look for in Scaffolding Services
What scaffolding services are you in need of? Ideally, the company that you choose will offer a wide variety of services and safety precautions. You should look for a company that provides:
Design services:
Not all construction sites are flat and perfect. Not every building is straight and square. Anything out of the ordinary will require a specially designed scaffold, so if the company you hire is able to provide custom designs, you will have everything you need in one place. They can both design the ideal support structure for the location and also build it.
Scaffolding inspections:
The job isn’t done once the scaffolding is up. Whether you build the structure yourself or have a company do it for you, it’s always a good idea to conduct regular inspections. Vibrations from workers climbing the scaffolding, from nearby machines, or from traffic, can all affect the performance of the structure. Bolts can shake loose and supports can shift. Have an inspector who is trained in this to come and take a look at the scaffolding every week or so and you will help ensure the safety of your worksite.
Safety practices:
The best scaffolding companies are well aware of the safety concerns for workers on scaffolds and will do their best to help avoid accidents. This is a big reason to opt for a professional company, since they have the necessary experience and training to help keep your staff safe while they work. Ask about their safety protocols and training practices. Under safety, you can add insurance. A worthwhile company will have insurance to protect both themselves and you from any potential accidents or harm.
Construction of scaffolds:
Of course, the main purpose of hiring a scaffolding company is to have them build the scaffolding for you. The majority of companies simply rent their materials, but they will also construct the scaffold platforms and supports. If you’ve had a custom project designed, then you will be able to have them build this design for you.
Variety of scaffolding types:
There are a number of different types of scaffolding supports that can be used and it’s best if the company you are hiring from can offer a few different options. This will allow them to select the best option for your particular needs and will increase safety on the worksite.
Great customer service:
Is it easy to get hold of someone in the company and get answers to your questions? If a business doesn’t have great customer service when you’re still shopping around, they’re probably not going to provide great service once you actually hire them. This is a good test for potential companies and you should always try talking to them ahead of time.
The best companies will have plenty of experience and reviews to help you feel comfortable with your decision. And once you’ve found the ideal company to handle all your scaffolding needs, you’ll be able to use them for every project going forward.
Where to Find Scaffolding Companies
Not sure where to find a great company? You can start by searching online for “scaffolders near me” and go from there. Or you can opt for a more reliable method, asking for referrals. If you’re in the construction industry, you probably have plenty of contacts who can recommend a good scaffolder. If not, then you’ll want to go over reviews and make sure you’re choosing to contact only the ones with the best reviews.
Another option is to simply stop the next time you see a good quality scaffolding structure and then ask who did it. You can then seek out that particular company and do some more research. It’s always worth looking into the company since not everyone will have the same standards that you do.
Keep a list of all the companies that you contact. Once you find a good company, you’ll probably use them again and again, but it’s worth having some backups, just in case they aren’t always available.
Scaffolding Prices
It’s a good idea to ask for scaffolding quotes from a few different companies to see what they offer. However, keep in mind that going with the cheapest quote isn’t always the smartest idea. This is one of those times when “you get what you pay for.”
The actual price of the scaffolding will depend on a number of factors, including where it is placed, how many stories it needs to cover, the type of scaffolding being used and how much weight it needs to bear. A heavy-duty load bearing platform will cost more than a light-duty one.
With so many factors, you’ll need to provide information about the site and any other pertinent information to the company and then get the quote. You’ll find that just searching for “scaffolders near me” will usually turn up a number of different options, so you need to find the best one, not the cheapest or the closest company.
Every building company will require scaffolding services at some point and if you need them, you’re going to want to hire the best company available to you. They should be trained and experienced, ready to handle any special needs from the construction site and set up to create the best possible experience for your workers. After that, it’s up to you to enforce safety protocols while your workers are actually on the scaffolds.
If you’re ready to hire a scaffolding company that really cares about your workers and is determined to do their best work, call DH Scaffolding today for a quote on your project.