Five tips to help you choose the right scaffolding contractor

Whether you’re working on a residential roof installation or preparing to complete a large-scale extension on a commercial property, it’s always important to ensure that you’ve got the appropriate equipment and have hired the right services to help you complete the job. This couldn’t be truer when it comes to finding the right scaffolding contractor, as it’s of the utmost importance that your scaffolding is of the highest quality and that your contractors can be trusted to prioritise the safety of both you and your employees.

Hiring the wrong contractors could cause you a significant number of issues in the short and the long term. From poorly constructed scaffolding to a general lack of professionalism, there’s no end to the list of problems that could occur if you don’t find a company that meets your exact requirements. So, next time you’re on the hunt for scaffolding contractors you can trust, do your research and follow these five top tips:

Check what services they offer 

Scaffolding isn’t a “one size fits all” operation. From scaffold towers to genie lifts, there are many different types of scaffolding suited to different construction projects and environments, so it’s important to find a scaffolding company that can provide the exact apparatus you need. A trusted contracting company shouldn’t agree to work on your build if they can’t supply what you need, so be wary of companies that are eager to be hired if you aren’t confident in the services they offer.

Before you consider hiring a scaffolding contractor, you should take a look at their website and browse through the list of services they offer. If you’ve worked with scaffolding before, you may have a good idea of what equipment you require for your upcoming project. If, however, you aren’t quite sure, this is a good opportunity to call the company in question and ask for their recommendations. A team of professionals will know exactly what frame you need and will even be able to help you out with bespoke designs for projects that are slightly more complex.

A good selection of scaffolding equipment may also be a sign of experience and could be promising for the future. After all, if you develop a good relationship with them the first time you work together, it’ll work in your favour to work with them again on future projects. If, however, they only have a limited supply of scaffolding, this may end up being a problem. The jobs you complete will vary over time (e.g. some may require indoor scaffolding, some of them may require a mobile elevating work platform) so you’ll want to make sure that your chosen company can keep up with your requirements.

Check what experience they have 

As with any service, you will need to make sure that your chosen scaffolding company has the relevant industry experience to complete the job to the highest of standards. Without the relevant expertise, it’s improbable that they’ll be able to erect, dismantle and inspect the equipment with the efficiency and attention to detail that you need. Putting up scaffolding is a process that requires a great deal of competence and professionalism; without it, you won’t be able to guarantee that the apparatus is sturdy enough for use with heavy building materials, not to mention holding the weight of multiple people. It’s your responsibility to keep your employees as safe as you possibly can, so ensuring that you’ve hired equipment from reliable and trustworthy contractors is essential.

Lots of quality industry experience will also signal that your chosen company is in-demand. This may indicate that lots of customers have had positive experiences and have since recommended them to other construction workers – something you should certainly look out for when deciding on a company for your project. Contractors with limited experience may not offer the quality of service that you’re looking for, so make sure to do your research before agreeing to hire them.

Check they have comprehensive insurance 

In the unfortunate event that something goes wrong when your chosen company is putting up or taking down the scaffolding they’ve provided you, you’ll want to make sure that your contractors have the right insurance. Working with scaffolding is high risk, so every company should have comprehensive coverage to protect them in the case of an accident. There are a variety of problems that could affect scaffolders at work, including the theft of materials, workers falling from height or workers dropping equipment and putting those underneath the structure in danger.

With such hazards to consider, it’s important that all scaffolders have public liability insurance as a minimum. Before agreeing to hire them, double check that this is the case and don’t just assume. Without the right insurance, they may end up struggling to protect themselves in the case of a claim which could have lots of implications on your project – especially if you’re the one filing a lawsuit against them. Having comprehensive insurance coverage is also a sign of diligence – a quality you should look for in any potential scaffolding company.

Check out their scaffold hire prices 

As with any service, it’s always advisable to check the company’s pricing system before agreeing to hire them. You don’t want to enter into an agreement only to be confronted with a bill that far exceeds your expectations. Before you begin your search you should consider your budget and what you can reasonably expect to pay. Then, ask for initial quotes from a few companies. That way, you can compare prices and filter out any that seem wildly expensive.

However, don’t just opt for the cheapest price without a second thought. If a company has quoted you a price much lower than two or three others have, it may be a bad sign. It could be that they don’t have the same level of experience or quality of service as the others, which will just end up costing you more money in the long term. It’s never a good idea to cut corners when you’re prioritising safety and professionalism, which may mean avoiding the cheapest option in favour of the best option.

Check testimonials and customer reviews 

A scaffolding company with lots of positive testimonials and customer reviews won’t need to advertise their services too much, and for good reason. One of the best ways to find scaffolding contractors you can trust is through word of mouth, so ask your friends and colleagues which companies they’ve had particularly positive experiences with and would recommend for your project. That way, you can trust that the contractors you hire have delivered great service in the past and are likely do so again.

If this isn’t possible, then searching for online reviews is the next best thing. Look for places where the testimonials won’t have been filtered, such as on the company’s social media pages and Google reviews. Here, you’ll have access to lots of (hopefully!) positive reviews about the company you have in mind. If there are more negative reviews than positive ones, it’s probably a good idea to have a rethink – lots of poor reviews can never be a good sign.

Don’t be afraid to call the scaffolders and ask if they have any case studies or reviews they’d be happy to share with you. This is a great way to see what feedback their customers have given them and what aspect of their service they’re the proudest of. Bear in mind that they’ll share the most flattering testimonials, however, so they may not be wholly reflective of the quality of work they offer.

Hi-Point Access: For a specialist scaffold company near you, look no further than the experts at Hi-Point Access

Are you looking for professional scaffolders to help you with a job in South Yorkshire or Derbyshire? At Hi-Point Access, based in Sheffield, we pride ourselves on our excellent customer service and top-quality scaffolding supplies including traditional, lightweight, indoor and mobile scaffolding. Whatever you need to get the job done and impress your customers, we at Hi-Point Access have the answers.

When you work with us, you can rest assured that we’ll prioritise safety, efficiency, and professionalism to help you deliver great results every time. For more information about our range of scaffolding services and comprehensive safety training courses, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team of experts today.