What is a good price to pay per section (or by some other unit) for used scaffolding? Instead of renting I’m thinking of buying and then selling after my job (all new siding and windows, plus much soffit repair, for a 2 story home on level lot) is done. Wadda ya think of that?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Inspired by Larry Haun, this passionate framer is teaching a new generation of builders.
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
I did that. I calced that the break-even for me was 6 months usage and I'd need it for 9. (OK, ended up being 2 years.) Traded it to a contractor against labor. I was figuring it at 75% of purchase based on condition and what the rental shop told me. Actually, the rental shop sold me used stuff--said they never (almost never) get new stuff anyway.
I think I can get it from the used tool shop for $100 a cube.
give a look at http://www.toolsupermarket.com they should have some listed in stock for a reference.
Jeff
.......Sometimes on the toll road of life.....a handful of change is good.......
I think I paid something like 800 for four 6' sections, plus 3 of the good alum walkboards, 8 screw-jacks, and all the pins.
I was thinking of buying for half and not losing any money. Call everyone that doeas construction you know of , and they might lead youto a deal with one evening on the phone. The thing about them is that they take a lot of storage.
Tim Mooney
Call me a sissy, but after seeing the frame straightening jig and paint booth set-up one local guy has for scaffolding, and the pile of trash he had waiting to be "made-like-new" I never bought anything but new.
I usually pay around $100.00 for two 5'x5' bucks, two braces and four stacking pins. This for good to great condition (unbent, minimal mortar and rust, paint still relatively shiney). On Biljax scaffold (and maybe other brands) there is a date underneath one of the brace locks that tells how old the buck is. Most rental places sell when they hit about three years old. Watch for mortar on the levelers. I've bought about four hundred bucks over the years, mostly from companies going out of business, but the best quality stuff has come from the rental stores rotating their stock. Watch out for the plywood surfaced walkboards. A lot of them need new plywood. I try to opt for the all aluminum ones and get them relatively new.
I paid $200 fro 2 -- 6' walk throughs and 2 -- 4 foot sections -- great combination -- have since bought a set of levelers for $100 -- best $300 I have spent have used them on 2 houses I have owend and enjoyed the safety they provide. getting ready to use them again on a kitchen addition
Sounds like a good job for pump jacks (about 150.00 each with all the hardware) and some homemade torsion box planks (about 50.00 each). You won't have any trouble getting 50% of your money back whenever you finish using them.
Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. KeithC, you're a sissy! Buck up, man!
Edited 10/9/2002 7:48:38 PM ET by jim blodgett
around here you can get it for fifty dollars a section, your pick. I was like the first poster, wanted a couple for maintance. but it is so handy. i got ten section of six feet and two four feet and two 18 inches. Block mason ask me once a week when I'm selling. pawn shop has alot of them but not cheap there. If you get some, first thing, paint the most ugly color you can, they have the habit of walking off.
Fifty bucks a section???
Funny how thing differ from one region to the next. Around here, they go for near new prices at auctions. I doubt you could buy a bent one for $50. Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when a man has only one idea.
Region always has a bearing doesnt it ? I have never run into a deal on them , and I look for deals. One thing I have noticed is that the seller doesnt always have the same price in mind or the buyer. A few years ago I started a bid [3 dollars]on a banjo taper in an auction. No one bid on it . So the ring man handed it to me , and I was grinning . He said in a whisper ;" What is it ?". I was asked the same thing several times before I got the chance to make it to the truck with it. I also bid on a contractor wheel bar, [and I needed it ] but as I say sometimes when I go to buy a house at auction ,; " I couldnt get it done ". I admit that it was in good shape , but the hardware store down town were selling new ones a little cheaper.
Tim Mooney
Sell it when you're done??
You build a nice special place to store it - and keep it - and maybe rent it. You ain't got no idea how many more times you'll need, want, be asked for the stuff. Keep it clean and well stacked. You gotta find a spot to store it somewhere. Your mother's house? Some buddy will store it in return for it's use. Or rent it long term for your cost.
I'm 52. There's been so many times that I've used them in DIY applications and/or wish that I had them. I need another stack now. I'm buying new and keeping it.
I tell you, you're going to need it again.
one more thing, when you store them , make sure the legs are out of the dirt. set a block under them, that is the first that will rust out.
Or stack them on their side.
Better idea. Sell it to a friend. He'll store it and you can always borrow it back. :)