Do I need a licence for scaffolding?

If scaffolding is erected on a public pavement or road, you will need a scaffolding licence from your local council (also called a highway licence or street works licence). This typically costs £100-£500 depending on the council and duration. No licence is needed if the scaffold is entirely on private land. The scaffolding contractor usually arranges this.

What is the difference between putlog and independent scaffold?

Putlog scaffold is built against the wall with one side of the scaffold supported by the building itself — the horizontal tubes (putlogs) are embedded into the mortar joints. Independent scaffold stands freely on both sides and does not rely on the building for support. Independent is more common for refurbishment work where the wall structure cannot support the scaffold.

How high can scaffolding go without special requirements?

Standard tube and fitting scaffold can reach significant heights, but any scaffold above 2 metres requires a competent person to design or inspect it. Scaffolds above 8 metres typically need a design calculation by a scaffold designer. All scaffolding work must comply with the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and should be erected by CISRS-trained scaffolders.

How much does scaffold hire typically cost?

Scaffold hire in the UK typically costs £15-£25 per square metre per week for standard tube and fitting scaffolding. A typical two-storey house frontage (approx 30-40 m²) costs around £500-£1,000 for the first week including erection and dismantling, plus £50-£150 per additional week. Prices vary significantly by region and access difficulty.

What is a scaffold 'lift' and 'bay'?

A 'lift' is the vertical spacing between horizontal ledgers — typically 2 metres. Each lift provides one working platform level. A 'bay' is the horizontal section between two sets of uprights (standards) — typically 2.4m or 3m wide. The total scaffold is measured in lifts high and bays wide.

Scaffolding Calculator — Estimate Scaffold Requirements

Calculate the scaffolding you need based on building dimensions. Estimates lifts, bays, standards, ledgers, transoms, and boards with optional hire cost.

Building Length

Length of one side of the building

Work Height

Height you need to work at

Number of Sides

How many sides of the building need scaffold

Scaffold Type

Bay Width

Standard bays are 2.4m, wide bays are 3m

Hire Price per m² per Week (optional)

Enter the quoted hire rate for a cost estimate

Number of Weeks

How many weeks do you need the scaffold?

How We Calculate This

This calculator estimates scaffolding requirements based on your building dimensions and the type of scaffold needed. It calculates the number of lifts (height divisions), bays (length divisions), and estimates the major components required.

Key calculations

Lifts: Work height ÷ 2m (standard lift height)
Bays: Building length ÷ bay width (2.4m or 3m)
Total area: Building length × work height × number of sides
Standards (uprights): (Bays + 1) × 2 per side
Ledgers: (Lifts + 1) × 2 per side (inner and outer)
Transoms: Bays × (Lifts + 1) per side
Boards: 5 per bay per lift (each board ~225mm wide)

Scaffold types

Independent: Freestanding scaffold not relying on the building — uses double standards (both sides of walkway)
Putlog: One side against the wall with putlogs embedded in mortar joints — the most common type for new build
Tower scaffold: A single mobile or static scaffold tower — typically 1.4m × 2m platform

These are estimates for planning and budgeting. Actual scaffold designs must be prepared by a competent scaffold designer and erected by CISRS-trained scaffolders. All scaffolding must comply with TG20:13 and the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.

Scaffolding Calculator — Estimate Scaffold Requirements

How We Calculate This

Key calculations

Scaffold types

Frequently Asked Questions

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