Tips for Hiring Scaffolding

Scaffolding is an essential part of any construction work so sufficient research and planning needs to be done to ensure quality products and workmanship are employed to minimise the possibility of injury for all stakeholders. Whether or not you're doing a DIY project in your house or constructing a high-rise, safety is vital so finding high quality scaffolding services is naturally paramount to success. When trying to find scaffolding services for your project, it's not as simple as choosing the first business online or in a telephone book. You'll be astounded to find just how many different types of scaffolding services are available.

There are a range of factors to be considered that make a big impact on the quality of the job, the time-frame and the budget. There are a lot of scaffolding companies that cater for all kinds of construction work, but there are some critical variables that should be taken into consideration. Because of the complexity of the business, the following lists some important suggestions to consider when hiring a scaffolding company for your construction work.

Safety

When it comes to scaffolding, safety is the primary concern. Working at heights means that any mishaps can result in serious injury and even death, so it's necessary that you choose a scaffolding firm with the necessary licensing and accreditation and a fantastic safety record. Basic structures commonly do not require any special permits, but larger structures will require a comprehensive risk assessment to be conducted before any work is performed. Ensure that you're involved in the risk assessment process so you understand possible hazards before any work commences.

Another major aspect to be taken into consideration is public liability insurance. Typically, public liability insurance covers companies for as much as $20 million should any incidents happen on-site. You should only hire scaffolding firms with public liability insurance because if not, you could be left with expensive hospital bills. Where construction work is taking place at your house, your home insurance policy can be claimed in the event of injury.

Experience

As explained, there are many different types of scaffolding companies to choose from. Some can be very intricate and require a large amount of workmanship in order for construction to be undertaken with safety and professionalism. On the contrary, others can be very straightforward. The main point to consider is if the construction business has experience in the type of job you're aiming to complete. Talk with the company about their prior work and if they've carried out similar construction work and ask questions about probable risks and challenges to measure the amount of experience they have.

Training and accreditation is another crucial factor to consider. All scaffolding companies will need to be licenced and registered with the appropriate bodies and their workers must be qualified for the work they are employed to do. It's vital that you not only ask them about training and accreditation, but ask to see the related paperwork relating to their licensing and accreditation. The last thing you need is a poor-quality job that will need to be redone due to safety considerations.

Look for firms offering free on-site quotes

Though most scaffolding companies can offer you a quote based off the plans, you may be left out of pocket if there is any confusion in the amount of scaffolding needed. Hence, it's critical that you select a scaffolding firm that supplies free on-site scaffolding rental quotes which can safeguard you against losing money. A qualified team member should visit you on-site and examine your needs carefully to assess your requirements as best as possible.

There are numerous instances of businesses losing money by ordering scaffolding based off the plans. For example, if you order insufficient scaffolding material, then you'll be losing money waiting for extra scaffolding to arrive. And if you order too much, you'll just be throwing money down the drain. Basic miscalculations can add a great deal of money to your initial quote, so ensure to get an on-site rental quote to prevent this from happening.

Inspect the minimum hire period

One way in which scaffolding businesses can make easy money is by incorporating long minimum hire periods in their contract. Many businesses and individuals can certainly lose a considerable amount of money because of this. For example, if you originally hire insufficient scaffolding equipment and have to order more, you'll need to pay for the entire hire period for the additional scaffolding ordered. Likewise, if the construction work needed is only small then you'll need to pay the entire hire period which can cost you a lot more than you originally planned. Generally, scaffolding hire periods are approximately a month so it's best to hire a scaffolding company that has shorter minimum hire periods of roughly two weeks.

Pricing

Another critical factor to consider when hiring scaffolding services are the prices. Prices can differ considerably between businesses and commonly it's because of the different levels of quality and service provided. Considering the points above, it's essential to shop around and weigh the pros and cons of the various levels of quality and service based on your individual requirements. Above all else, always choose a trusted scaffolding firm that has a good track record.

It's also crucial to point out that you should select a scaffolding firm that doesn't charge 'out of hours' fees. It's normal that not all scaffolding companies can work the standard nine to five so ensure you choose a business that doesn't charge extra fees for work performed outside normal business hours. To keep your costs to a minimum, you may want to consider choosing a scaffolding business who can install and dismantle scaffolding on weekends, public holidays, and night shifts at no additional costs.

As you can see, there are a lot of factors to consider when hiring a scaffolding firm to assist you with your construction work. Whether or not your construction is big or small, there are plenty of common oversights that can result in additional costs which can blow out your budget. Safety and experience are extremely important, including public liability insurance and relevant licensing and training qualifications. Other aspects to consider are scaffolding companies that provide free on-site rental quotes, offer short-term minimum hire periods, and charge fair pricing that doesn't include additional charges for out of hours work. Due to the many inherent risks in scaffolding work, it's best to speak to experienced scaffolding consultants that can help you with your individual requirements. If you have any questions or concerns with your scaffolding requirements, contact Uni-span on 1300 882 825, or visit their website at https://uni-span.com.au.