Hiring scaffolding for work on your home

A new roof, fresh render or a chimney repair often starts with a scaffold going up. Most householders only hire one once or twice. These notes help you get the scaffold you need in place smoothly, so the work above can get going.

Choosing a scaffolder

Scaffolds are put up and taken down by trained people. In the UK, many scaffolders hold a card from the Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS). It shows the training they have done. The scheme has over 70,000 cardholders in the UK.

The National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) is the trade body for scaffolding firms. It has over 950 members, including contractors and suppliers, and it publishes safety guidance for the industry.

Who looks after safety

Work on your own home counts as "domestic client" work under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) explains that a domestic client's legal duties pass to the contractor. On a job with more than one contractor, they pass to the principal contractor.

You do not need any building knowledge yourself. HSE says it helps to ask the firms you bring in about how they manage health and safety risks and about their track record. You can then rely on them to do the work safely.

Scaffolding on the pavement

A scaffold that stands on a public road or pavement needs a licence from the local council. Each council runs its own scheme. GOV.UK has a postcode search that finds the right one.

Councils set their own conditions. Surrey County Council, for example, asks for at least 10 working days' notice and a copy of public liability insurance of at least £10 million. It also asks for a plan that keeps a clear way for people on foot.

A scaffold on a neighbour's land

Sometimes the only place for a scaffold is next door. Asking your neighbour comes first. If they will not agree, the Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992 in England and Wales lets you apply to a court for an "access order". The court can make one where the work is reasonably needed to preserve your property and would be much harder to do without going onto the neighbour's land.

Checks while the scaffold is up

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 set out when a scaffold must be inspected. A working platform used for building work, where someone could fall 2 metres or more, must have been inspected within the previous 7 days. It must also be inspected after it is put up, and again after anything out of the ordinary that could affect its safety.

Each inspection is written up. The report names who did it, the date and time, anything found that could put someone at risk, and what was done about it. It is reasonable to ask to see the latest one.

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