UK Scaffolding Costs at a Glance (2025)
| Property type | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Terraced house (1 elevation) | £400–£900 | Inc. 4 weeks' hire |
| Semi-detached (1–2 elevations) | £600–£1,400 | Inc. 4–6 weeks' hire |
| Detached house (all elevations) | £1,200–£2,800 | Full wrap, inc. hire |
| Chimney scaffold | £500–£1,000 | Independent lift |
| Flat roof access | £300–£700 | Smaller structure |
| Weekly hire (ongoing) | £30–£80/week | After initial hire period |
UK Scaffolder Day Rates by Region (2025)
| Region | Hourly Rate | Day Rate |
|---|---|---|
| National average | £30–£50/hr | £180–£280/day |
| London | £45–£70/hr | £270–£400/day |
| South East | £37–£57/hr | £235–£350/day |
| Midlands | £26–£45/hr | £163–£255/day |
| North England | £24–£42/hr | £153–£238/day |
| Scotland | £26–£44/hr | £158–£248/day |
| Wales | £24–£40/hr | £148–£230/day |
Are you a scaffolder? Scaffold tube, boards, and fittings are a serious capital investment. Your rate needs to reflect the cost of your equipment, insurance, and CISRS training. Use our free scaffolder day rate calculator to find your actual minimum.
Scaffolding for Common Domestic Jobs
Roof re-tile (semi)
£600–£1,200
Both elevations, 6wks hire
Chimney repair
£500–£900
Chimney lift only
Fascia/guttering replace
£400–£800
Single elevation
Exterior rendering
£800–£1,800
All elevations, longer hire
Exterior painting
£600–£1,400
Semi, 4–6 weeks hire
Extension brickwork
£400–£900
Smaller structure
Bungalow (all sides)
£700–£1,500
Full wrap
Window replacement (upper)
£300–£600
Single elevation scaffold
What Affects Scaffolding Costs?
Scaffolding is priced by structure complexity, hire period, and access difficulty — not just the size of the building. A straightforward terrace scaffold around a simple rectangular house is a half-day job for an experienced crew. A Victorian semi with bay windows, a return, and a chimney takes longer to plan and erect safely.
- Structure type — Independent scaffolding (free-standing) is more involved than tied scaffolding. Chimney lifts require additional standards and ties. Complex roof profiles add time.
- Hire period — Most quotes include 4–6 weeks. If your roofer or decorator overruns, weekly hire charges start. Get the scaffold booked to arrive when the trade is actually ready to start — not a week early.
- Access and road position — Scaffolding that spans over a public highway needs a Section 61 licence from the local council (typically £150–£400). Properties on narrow streets may need traffic management.
- CISRS level — Advanced Scaffolders can design and erect complex structures that a basic Scaffolder cannot. Commercial work, complex access, and high structures require this level. It commands a higher day rate.
- Number of lifts — A two-storey scaffold needs two working lifts. A three-storey scaffold needs three. More lifts = more tube, more boards, more time to erect, and higher hire costs.
Are you a scaffolder? Find your real rate.
Use our free calculator to see what you need to charge based on your tube investment, insurance, training costs, and income goal.
Calculate My Scaffolder Rate ›Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does scaffolding cost for a house in the UK?Scaffolding a semi-detached house typically costs £600–£1,400 to erect and strike, including 4–6 weeks' hire. A detached house needing all-round access costs £1,200–£2,800.
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How much does a scaffolder charge per day?UK scaffolders charge £180–£280/day nationally (labour only). London and South East rates are £270–£400/day. Scaffold materials are usually included in the overall hire quote, not the day rate.
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What qualifications do scaffolders need?Scaffolders need a CISRS card (Trainee, Scaffolder, or Advanced Scaffolder level). CSCS cards are required on commercial sites. PASMA certification covers mobile access towers separately.
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How long does it take to erect scaffolding?A standard semi-detached house scaffold takes 2–4 hours for a two-man crew. Complex structures, chimney lifts, or multi-elevation scaffolds take 1–2 days.
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Do scaffolders charge VAT?Most scaffolding contractors are VAT registered due to the scale of their turnover. Confirm whether quotes are ex-VAT — on a £1,200 scaffold, VAT at 20% adds £240 to your total.