Buy or hire facade scaffolding?
Hire is convenient for a single site. With regular work on facades, your own scaffolding usually pays for itself faster than you might expect.
This is one of the most common questions contractors ask us. The answer depends mainly on how often the scaffolding will be on site and how long your jobs last.
When should you hire scaffolding?
Hiring makes sense when scaffolding is needed only occasionally: for a single renovation, a short job or an unusual project for which you need many more metres than usual.
- You do not tie up capital in equipment.
- You do not need storage space.
- You pay for every day or week, even when work runs over.
- Availability in season can be limited, and lead times are dictated by the hire company.
When should you buy scaffolding?
Purchase is cost-effective when you work on facades regularly: external wall insulation, rendering, painting, flashing replacement or roofing work. Your own scaffolding is available whenever you need it, and the cost is spread over many years.
- No fees for downtime and extended work.
- You schedule dates without waiting for free equipment.
- Scaffolding retains its value and can be resold.
- You can hire it out to other companies yourself when it is not working on your sites.
How to calculate whether a purchase will pay off?
Add up how much you spent on scaffolding hire last year: charges for the hire period, transport and any shortages. Compare this amount with the purchase price of a set of similar area. If the annual hire cost is close to or exceeds the purchase price, the purchase pays for itself in the first season.
Well-maintained facade scaffolding lasts for many years. Galvanised frames and replaceable components, such as platforms or guardrails, mean that after a few seasons you replace individual parts rather than the whole set.
Which set should you start with?
Many companies start with a set for a typical wall of a detached house, for example 100–150 m², and buy additional metres as the number of jobs grows. Because EDX70 components are compatible with the Plettac system, the set can easily be extended also with parts you already have.
If you are hesitating between hire and purchase, write to us. We will help you choose the area and type of frames for your jobs. You will find ready-made sets in the offerand you can calculate your own dimensions in the configurator.
