How Long Does It Take To Put Scaffolding Up?

As scaffolding is such a common sight in any urban skyline, you’d be forgiven for thinking it magically pops out of the ground before any construction project begins. In truth, erecting scaffolding is a meticulous task that requires plenty of patience and skill. So, if you’re trying to establish a construction timeline or just curious about the scaffolding process, this article should help answer your questions. As a leading scaffolder in Milton Keynes, we’ll be using our expertise to answer ‘How long does it take to put scaffolding up?’ and explain some of the variables that might influence this timeline.

Construction Tips: How Long Does It Take To Put Scaffolding Up?

Scaffolding is an essential element of so many construction projects, so it’s always important to factor its assembly and dismantling into your plans. There are many factors that will influence how long it will take to set up scaffolding, one of which is the quality of the scaffolding team. To keep delays at a minimum, it’s always best to recruit top-quality scaffolders like Merlin Scaffolding.

• How To Create A Scaffolding Plan
• How Long Does It Take To Erect Scaffolding?
• What Are The Most Important Scaffolding Safety Protocols?
• What Are The Potential Delays To Erecting Scaffolding?
• How Long Does It Take To Take Scaffolding Down?

How To Create A Scaffolding Plan

The first step in erecting scaffolding is developing a detailed plan. If you’re working with a scaffolding company, they’ll take care of this after conducting their initial site survey. However, if you’re setting up the scaffolding yourself, you’ll be responsible for developing the plan. Without a plan, it’s very difficult to ensure the scaffolding is fit for the project, safe to use and complies with the necessary regulations. Here are a few of the things you should include in your scaffolding plan:

• Outline Of Purpose & Requirements: Identify which parts of the project require scaffolding and the types of load it will bear. Inspect the ground stability and access points to ensure the scaffolding can fulfil its purpose.
• Choose The Right Type Of Scaffolding: Different types of scaffolding are suited for specific needs. Choose a type that aligns with the project’s demands and worker safety.
• Structural & Safety Calculations: Calculate the load-bearing capacity required for materials, workers, and equipment. Be sure to include safety factors to account for environmental stresses like wind or rain.
• Create The Scaffolding Design Layout: Using a CAD programme, draft the scaffolding layout. This design should show the placement of platforms, guard rails, and toe boards. Label the scaffolding parts to help with assembly.
• Risk Assessment: Identify potential hazards and develop preventative measures to lessen the risk of harm. Outline emergency procedures, including escape routes and contact info for first responders.
• Permits & Compliance: Obtain any necessary permits and ensure the design complies with safety regulations.
• Assembly Schedule: Create a step-by-step plan for erecting the scaffolding safely and create a checklist for daily inspections.

How Long Does It Take To Erect Scaffolding?

The time it takes to erect scaffolding depends on several factors. The first of these is the size and complexity of the project. A simple scaffold on a one-storey building may only take a couple of hours. However, complex scaffolding for multi-story buildings could take days or even weeks to set up safely. Similarly, the size of the scaffolding team and their experience will play a big role in the setup time. Obviously, a larger, more experienced team can set up scaffolding faster than a smaller or less experienced team.

Other influencing factors include site conditions and the type of scaffolding used in the project. If the ground is uneven or the operating space is confined, more time will be required for preparation. Additionally, certain types of scaffolding, like rolling or mobile scaffolds, are faster to assemble than custom-built, multi-level scaffolds.

In general, we estimate scaffolding will take the following times to erect:

• Small Projects (1-2 story buildings): Usually take 2-4 hours.
• Medium Projects (3-5 stories): Could take 1-3 days.
• Large/High-Rise Projects (5+ stories): May require up to several weeks, depending on height and complexity.

For a more precise estimate, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team and arrange a site survey.

What Are The Most Important Scaffolding Safety Protocols?

It can often be tempting to cut corners when it comes to scaffolding, particularly in projects operating on a tight schedule. However, it is absolutely essential that scaffolding is erected following the correct procedures, with all safety measures taken to protect everyone on site. These are our top five scaffolding safety tips:

• Use Proper Safety Equipment: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is always essential when erecting, working on, or dismantling scaffolding. Working at height is associated with more fatalities than any other construction activity, but wearing PPE like hard hats and non-slip footwear is one of the easiest ways to lessen the associated risks.
• Be Aware Of Load Limits: Scaffolding comes with precise load-bearing capacities, so ensure you always adhere to these limits.
• Build Properly: Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when building a scaffold. Be sure to avoid electrical hazards like powerlines and check regularly for defects and debris. A competent person must supervise the scaffolding’s erecting, moving, and dismantling.
• Keep The Site Clear & Organised: A messy construction site full of clutter can lead to trips and falls or cause hazards for workers on lower levels. Implement systems to keep the site clean and safe.
• Ensure Appropriate Training: Make sure everyone involved in erecting the scaffolding has received adequate training in the setup and handling of scaffolding materials.

What Are The Potential Delays To Erecting Scaffolding?

Many things can slow setting up or dismantling scaffolding, and often, these unexpected delays can be the difference between a project meeting or missing its deadline. These are some of the most common causes of scaffolding delays:

• Weather Conditions: Rain, strong winds, or even high temperatures can make it unsafe for workers to handle scaffolding, leading to delays.
• Permits & Approvals: Scaffolding usually requires permits from local authorities, especially for public or complex structures. Delays in receiving approvals can halt progress.
• Site Access Restrictions: Limited space, restricted access, or nearby obstructions can make it challenging to transport and install scaffolding efficiently, resulting in delays.
• Shortage Of Skilled Labour: Erecting and dismantling scaffolding requires trained workers. The entire construction industry is currently experiencing a skills shortage, so there is a lack of skilled scaffolders throughout the UK.
• Health & Safety Checks: Safety regulations require inspections at various stages. Any delays in these safety checks or the need for additional safety measures can extend the timeline.
• Unexpected Site Conditions: Unforeseen ground conditions, obstacles, or structural weaknesses in existing buildings may necessitate additional planning or modifications to the scaffolding.
• Logistics & Transport Issues: Delays in transporting scaffolding components to and from the site can slow down both setup and teardown.
• Environmental Concerns: In certain areas, environmental restrictions (e.g., noise limits and conservation areas) may restrict working hours or require special permissions.
• Coordination with Other Trades: Scaffolding work often has to coordinate with other construction trades. Any miscommunication or misalignment in schedules can cause delays, especially if other trades need access to certain areas first.

How Long Does It Take To Take Scaffolding Down?

Generally, dismantling scaffolding is much quicker than setting it up for a few reasons. Firstly, dismantling requires less precision than erecting because stability and compliance with safety regulations are less of a concern. This also means fewer inspections are required during dismantling, so work can progress more smoothly.

Additionally, the scaffolders have become familiar with the scaffolding layout because they were in charge of setting it up. This familiarity leads to a more efficient workflow. During dismantling, components are broken down and stacked, with less of a focus on configuration. Again, this means dismantling is generally quicker than setting up scaffolding. That said, it is important to ensure stability at all times during the dismantling process. Removing the anchors too early can lead to the scaffolding collapsing.

The time required to dismantle scaffolding depends largely on the type of scaffolding being used. In general, here’s how long each type of scaffolding takes to dismantle:

• Standard Frame Scaffolding: A small team can dismantle a basic ground-level scaffold in roughly 2-6 hours.
• Tube & Clamp Scaffolding: This type features more connections and adjustable fittings. A mid-sized project of this kind is usually dismantled in 1-3 days.
• System Scaffolding: This type is modular, so a large structure could be dismantled by a team of 4-5 workers in 3-5 days.
• Suspended Or Swing Scaffolding: This type of scaffolding is used on tall buildings and is dismantled by lowering the platforms rather than disassembling each level. For this reason, it only takes 1-2 days to dismantle.

Leave It To The Experts

Evidently, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to erecting and dismantling scaffolding. So, if you’re planning a construction project, it’s always best to leave the scaffolding to a trained team of professionals. With that in mind, if you’re looking for a scaffolder in Milton Keynes to support your project, get in touch with our team at Merlin Scaffolding for a free, no-obligation quote.