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I have rented 30″ wide scaffolding (7 frames, 8 screw bases, 3 planks etc.) for the past three months @ $100 per month. Successfully removed wood clap and applied/painted fibercement to 1940’s house. Unfortunately this was only 1/3 of the total job.
Any short comments regards buying essentially the same quantity of new scaffolding (about $1000) and then trying to sell the scaffolding after the job is complete would be appreciated. Much Thanks.
Eric Svendson
Silver Spring, MD.
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Replies
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When I messed with scaffold from Prime Equip, the breakeven was about 6 months. So I purchased and later traded for labor from a sub. They even applied rental cost toward purchase price. So it really cost me next-to-nothing.
*Why new? Can you find some used? We bought 5 sections of scaffolding used for $85 each. Best money we ever spent. We used it to completely refinish outside of a log cabin and put on a roof, and now we are using it to build a new log home, so for us, it has been invaluable. We are homeowners who don't do well with heights. An experienced contractor could have used ladders to do the same thing. If you can't find used, then by all means, buy it new. You'll be able to sell it when you are done and remember, it always takes so much longer to do something than you planned. This way you won't have the pressure of trying to rush things just so you can get the rental back.
*If you've got a place to store it, you won't hesitate to use it in the future for jobs that you might not have rented for. Can make you safer, more comfortable, and for better quality work than working off a ladder. Depending on locale, loading your own at your shop can save a lot of time compared to driving across town to rent and later return it. -David
*eric.. if you went with alum-a-pole.. you could stage 24' with a 20" plank and a 14" workbench for about (500+200+110+600+500) , say $2000 infinitely adjustable... with a ready market for resale ..but if you use it for your work (?) why would you rent instead of own ?if you need the scaffolding you are renting and can buy it for 1000 , that's $4 a day for a year and then it's paid for... .. i think staging and scaffolding are one of the greatest multipliers we own.. really give you a leg up on the competition..
*Look to the rent-all types of places for both AL poles and scaffolding. Around here they resell their wares at reasonable prices.the Al pole Mike mentions are a fabulous upgrade from cobbled together 2x4s, and as Mike wrote, there will always be a resale market for them.Either is worth purchasing.
*If you can afford to take some time getting what you need, check with the auctioneers in your area. Used scaffolding comes up at auctions from time to time, and prices can range from an absolute steal to more than new retail. See if there's a newspaper where all your local auctions are advertised. Do your homework on prices, and inspect carefully before you buy.-- J.S.
*First, thanks again to everybody who responded.I did a little bit of research prior to asking the question to this discussion group. I did a search in the local newspaper classifieds (Washington Post) prior to asking the rent/buy question and came up with zilch. I called a scaffolding company (other than the one I rented from) and they quoted $77 for a 36" wide x 6' frame (new) and 15% off for used. As a comparison, my rental for a 30" x 6'6" frame was $3 per month. I checked with Aluma-Pole as Mike Smith suggested and their list price for 24' poles by (I think) 24' width was $2700.The particular scaffolding company I dealt with here in the Wash DC area was Lynn Ladder & Scaffolding and they were extremely responsive & fair - when they couldn't deliver on the day I wanted, they delivered free the following day - saving me the $65 delivery charge. I returned the scaffolding this AM and it looks as though my three month rental will be less than I originally anticipated i.e. it looks as though scaffolding rents for about 4% of new price per month.
*I use the block scaffolding 6 ft x 5 ft. They run new $250 used, I,m affraid to ask. But I got seven section from a pawn shop $200. I got my eye out for jacks and wheel. It alway nice to have some laying around in the yard. So keep you eye open for at least two section, if you have to paint it be worth it.
*Plus it saved your ass when you slid off your new roof.......Joe H
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I have rented 30" wide scaffolding (7 frames, 8 screw bases, 3 planks etc.) for the past three months @ $100 per month. Successfully removed wood clap and applied/painted fibercement to 1940's house. Unfortunately this was only 1/3 of the total job.
Any short comments regards buying essentially the same quantity of new scaffolding (about $1000) and then trying to sell the scaffolding after the job is complete would be appreciated. Much Thanks.
Eric Svendson
Silver Spring, MD.