The short answer
Hiring scaffolding for a standard two-storey UK home usually costs around £800–£1,500, and that figure normally includes an initial hire period of about 4–8 weeks. The quote you are given typically covers erecting, hiring and dismantling the scaffold, so the headline price is for the whole cycle rather than a per-week charge. If the job overruns the included period, extension weeks are charged separately, commonly around 5–10% of the original quote per additional week. For light, low-level work a mobile access tower can be a cheaper alternative, with total tower hire often around £640–£1,210 depending on height and duration. The honest figure depends on the area covered, the access and how long you need it up.
'Hire' covers the whole cycle — putting the scaffold up, leaving it up for the included period, then taking it down. Knowing what the initial price includes helps you read a quote and avoid surprise extension charges.
Typical hire costs
- Standard two-storey home£800–£1,500
- Smaller jobs from~£600
- Initial hire period~4–8 weeks included
- Extension week~5–10% of quote / week
- Mobile access tower~£640–£1,210
What a hire quote includes
A scaffold hire quote usually bundles three things into one price: the labour to erect the scaffold, the hire of the materials for an initial period, and the labour to dismantle and remove it. Because erection and dismantling are the labour-heavy parts, most contractors include a generous first period — commonly 4–8 weeks — within the headline figure. Ask which elevations are covered, what the included period is, and whether design, a council licence or a temporary roof are inside the price or extra.
| Item | Typical figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard two-storey home | £800–£1,500 | includes erect, hire & dismantle |
| Smaller / single-side jobs | from ~£600 | shorter runs, lower height |
| Extension per week | ~5–10% of quote | after the included period |
| Mobile access tower | ~£640–£1,210 | DIY-friendly, light low-level work |
Indicative UK figures for guidance. Sourced UK guidance: Checkatrade and MyJobQuote scaffold hire guides.
Scaffold or a tower?
- Full scaffold: the right choice for re-roofing, rendering, full-house work or anything at two storeys and above, because it gives a continuous, stable platform.
- Mobile access tower: can suit light, low-level tasks such as gutter clearing or single-storey work, and is often cheaper to hire.
- Duration matters: if several trades need the scaffold, schedule them so the work finishes inside the included period and you avoid extension weeks.
- Get it written down: confirm the included period and the extension rate in writing before the scaffold goes up.
Want a clear hire quote?
We'll match you with a CISRS-accredited scaffolding contractor who sets out the included hire period, the extension rate and exactly which elevations are covered.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire scaffolding?
Hiring scaffolding for a standard two-storey home usually costs around £800–£1,500, including an initial hire period of about 4–8 weeks for erection, hire and dismantling. Smaller jobs can start from around £600.
How long can you keep hired scaffolding up?
Most quotes include an initial period of around 4–8 weeks. After that, extension weeks are charged separately, commonly around 5–10% of the original quote per additional week, so it pays to schedule the work inside the included period.
Is a scaffold tower cheaper than a full scaffold?
For light, low-level work a mobile access tower can be cheaper, often around £640–£1,210 to hire, but it is not a substitute for a full scaffold on re-roofing or work at two storeys and above.
Sources & further reading
Figures on this page are typical UK ranges drawn from published sources and depend on your specific job. They are guidance, not a quotation.