There are two chief reasons why some people prefer to rent scaffolding as far as construction projects or home repairs are concerned. For one, they want a safe way to work at a certain height from the ground. Secondly, they want to finish their work fast. Ladders are unable to provide both of these. Scaffolds come sturdier than ladders and they have provision for a workstation. Therefore, they make better options than ladders.
Perhaps, this is your first time to rent scaffolds. The primary thing for you to keep in mind is that the style or design matters a lot. Yes, you understood that right. They come in varied designs and so their operations or uses differ as well. Choosing the right design for your project needs is key to scaffolding safety.
What are the tasks you need to complete off the ground? Use your answer to this question determining whether you need to rent a fixed, hanging or mobile scaffolding. Here is a quick overview on how each of these work. As its name suggests, the fixed type is immovable. It is fixed on one spot but it does need support from the building being worked on or from a putlog. The second type looks the same as the first, but the difference is it comes with hanging platforms. The height of which can be adjusted according to the level of the area to work on. Hanging types are great for activities like painting walls or washing windows. Lastly, the mobile type has wheels at its base for easy movement. They are sturdy and can stand independently. This is perfect for projects which involve a wide area and a change of location is needed.
As you decide to rent scaffolding, be ready with your budget. Do not scrimp on the quality of the materials. Substandard parts are usually cheaper in price and so the safety they provide is cheap as well. Cheap safety can claim the lives of the users. Make a Google search for manufacturers with in your locality. Look for websites with built-in estimator tools so you can have an idea how much money you have to prepare. In fact, certain websites allows users to input project plans so that they can come up with the perfect type of scaffolding for your construction or home repair needs. You might be tempted to do business with the first provider you would bump into online. Just remember to have at least three choices so that you can compare prices and services.
Apart from the common parts to note when you rent scaffolding, take a second look at the list of accessories you might need. Two of the ideal accessories which you should not do without are guard rails and toe boards. They are both meant for your safety and the safety of the people standing near or under the scaffolding. Guard rails keep users from falling off. Toe boards keep users from losing their footing while on top of the platform. They also keep tools and other materials from dropping off the platforms.