Almost every roof job that goes beyond a quick ladder fix needs scaffolding. Replacing slipped tiles, re-bedding a ridge, renewing lead flashing or re-roofing a whole slope all mean working at the eaves, and the Work at Height Regulations 2005 expect a roofer to use the safest practical access – which on a house is a scaffold with a boarded platform and edge protection.
A scaffold also speeds the job up. Materials go up in one lift instead of one bundle at a time, old tiles come down a chute instead of through the garden, and the roofer can keep working in poor weather once the edge protection is in place.
What scaffold set-up you need
- For most repairs the scaffold runs along the elevation being worked on, with a working lift at eaves level and a double guardrail and toe board above the gutter line (roof edge protection).
- For a full re-roof both slopes are usually scaffolded, often with a loading bay for pallets of tiles and battens.
- Hipped roofs need the scaffold to turn the corners; a mid-terrace usually only needs the front or back.
How much does it cost?
Expect roughly the price of one or two elevations, plus £150–£300 for roof edge protection or a loading bay. A front-only scaffold on a two-storey semi is typically £650–£1,100 including four weeks’ hire in the South East, more in London.
For a guide price for your own home, use the scaffolding cost calculator or start a quote.
Tips
- Ask your roofer whether their price already includes scaffolding – many add it at cost plus a margin, so a separate quote can save money.
- Book the scaffold for the job length plus a week for weather.
- If the job is on the back of a terrace with no side access, everything has to come through the house, which takes longer to erect.