Will Scaffold Hire Suit Your Needs, or Should You Buy It Instead?
Scaffolding can be invaluable for numerous tasks, but do you need to own it? This article examines when scaffold hire or purchase is the best option and why. The use of a temporary framework when working at heights dates back to Neanderthal times. Evidence found when examing cave paintings in France, believed to be 17 000 years old, revealed socket holes in the walls which were likely used to support a simple form of scaffolding to support the artists whilst decorating the cave’s rooves. Later, Egyptian, Greek, and Roman builders made widespread use of wooden frameworks to complete their iconic construction products.
Today, the use of bamboo poles for this purpose has continued in China and parts of India. Elsewhere, steel has replaced timber to become the first choice of most construction companies, painters, decorators, and many others who are frequently required to work at height. At Nhleko Scaffolding & Formwork, we are dedicated to meeting their needs with our range of building accessories and durable, high-quality scaffolding for sale or rent. So, which of these options might be best in your circumstances? The following tips should help you decide.
Some Points to Consider When Choosing Between Scaffold Hire or Purchase
There are several valid reasons to favour each of these options, and only the user’s circumstances and the nature of the task can correctly determine which of these may be the best choice. Examining the benefits and requirements of each should help you make the right decision for your project.
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First, Understand the Pros and Cons of Scaffold Hire
Renting is a popular option for those with a limited budget, but it also creates obligations. Ensure you are aware of these and can handle them. But first, here are some of the pros of scaffold hire:
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Renting is a Cost-Effective Option:
If you are contracting for a one-off or short-term project, your best bet is to hire scaffolding and avoid the upfront cost of purchasing the equipment, which could leave a smaller business cash-strapped.
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Hiring also Offers Contractors More Selectivity:
Rather than being compelled to maintain a complete range of scaffolding components just in case they might be needed, the hirer is free to select only those items required for a given job, add parts that may later prove necessary, and extend the rental period as needed.
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Fewer Responsibilities when you Hire Scaffolding:
You won’t need storage space for the standards, ledgers, boards, couplings, base plates, and other typical components, as these will remain in use for the duration of the job. You also won’t need to transport them and the supplier will generally perform any necessary maintenance
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Scaffold Hire Can be a Good Choice for the Inexperienced:
A dependable supplier will undertake to deliver and assemble the required components into a stable, safe framework optimised for your specified task. When the project is complete, you can also rely on their professionals to dismantle the towers. If you should decide to work with us at Nhleko Scaffolding & Formwork, expert help and support whenever you need it are integral parts of our scaffolding hire service.
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Considerations for Buyers
Ownership is usually only a viable option for larger companies that use scaffolding regularly. However, one should only consider new equipment. While a second-hand purchase holds the prospect of significant savings, unless refurbished and tested by experts, one cannot rely on the safety of components that may have been used for decades. Furthermore, with ownership comes additional responsibility. Let’s look at the benefits of the purchase option in more detail:
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Long-Term Savings:
For the frequent user, scaffolding hire is the less cost-effective option. The upfront cost of purchasing equipment will prove less of a financial burden than years of repeated hire charges.
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Convenience:
When you own your scaffolding, it’s always available. There will be no inconvenient delays while you wait for a supplier to deliver, which might even result in penalties. You’re always ready for action when holding sufficient stock on site. Also, if your stock levels are adequate, you will be well-positioned to take on additional contracts without waiting to complete those in progress. On the downside, you will need sufficient storage space and transport while also undertaking your own maintenance.
Choose your Supplier Carefully
Scaffold hire or purchase? Whichever you choose, a dependable supplier is vital. That’s why so many clients put their trust in us at Nhleko Scaffolding and Formwork. Please get in touch, tell us what you need, and our team of skilled and experienced scaffolding professionals will make it happen.