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How to choose a scaffolding company in London

Here is our guide on choosing the right scaffold company in London for your project.
London is unique when it comes to working at height, due to the number of very tall buildings and the city’s busy, largely populated nature, where safety is paramount. New construction projects are underway all the time, and many existing properties and buildings, in all shapes and sizes, require ongoing maintenance, repairs, or renovations.
When planning and undertaking any type of work on a building that will require access at height, scaffolding is the go-to solution to ensure the safety of your workers or yourself when working above 2m. But how do you know you are choosing the right scaffold company in London to erect your scaffold?
Here are some tips on what to look out for and what you should expect from a scaffolding firm you will potentially instruct:

Experience and Expertise

Look for a company with an excellent, proven track record of successful scaffolding projects completed in London. Do they have specialised knowledge, are they experts in a particular aspect of scaffolding, and does the company have experience erecting specific structures, such as system scaffolds or independent scaffolds, rather than just traditional scaffolds? Do they have case studies or photos of previous projects you can view?

Safety and Compliance.

Regulations: Check that the London scaffolding company you chose is compliant and operates with all health and safety regulations, including the following:

Construction (design and management ) regulations

Health and safety at work act 1974

Working at Height Regulations 2005.

Safety policies: Request their health and safety policies, risk assessments, method statements, procedures and records to ensure they are available and kept up to date. Any reputable firm will be happy to supply these.
Training: What training commitments do they offer their employees, including qualifications, health and safety training, etc?
Insurance and liability: Ensure the scaffolding company has public liability insurance to cover all accidents or damage. Ask about the limits and coverage of their insurance type. Any scaffolds that require a pavement licence must have public liability insurance of £10 million, so you need to ensure they have that in place should your scaffold be on a public path or highway.

Accreditations, qualifications or awards

Memberships: Check whether the London scaffold company you wish to use has any scaffolding accreditations or memberships with the following: NASC, Scaffolding Association, CISRS, Construction Online, CHAS or Safecontractor. Most reputable London scaffolding companies will be members of at least one of the above.
References and previous work: Most London scaffold firms have a website; browse their site to see if they have an up-to-date gallery of completed work and the latest jobs undertaken, as this will give you an idea of the types of scaffolding they build and the quality of their structures. Ask for references from previous customers.
Customer feedback and online reviews: Look on Google for reviews or feedback about a company; if they have a Google Business Profile, read their reviews to see what others have said about their workmanship, service, etc. This will give you a good insight into how a company operates through a customer’s eyes.

Pricing and payment terms

Quotes: Free quotations are standard for all scaffolding firms in London. If they want to charge for a quote or a site visit, then do not proceed. When obtaining quotes, it is highly recommended to contact at least 3 London-based scaffolding companies to compare their scaffold hire pricing and payment terms.
Scope of works: When comparing quotes, always check the scope of work and any additional charges for extended hire periods. Many clients also weigh up the long-term option of purchasing their own equipment. For a full breakdown of the pros and cons, see our guide to hiring vs buying scaffolding.

Communication and service

How have they communicated with you so far? How responsive have they been? Do they have a dedicated team or project manager who is easily accessible? Communication with you from the start is critical; finding a London scaffolding company that is always accessible by phone or email will help you gauge the service you should receive throughout.

So, in conclusion, considering most or all of the factors above should help you choose the right scaffolding company in London that will fulfil your project needs, prioritise safety, and offer excellent customer service.

We hope this guide has helped you; however, if you require further information or need an access structure erected, our trusted Scaffolding London company can provide a scaffold platform for you to work safely at height.