Preparing Your Home for Retirement

Many contractors would do well to invest in scaffolding that they can bring to the jobsite with them, rather than trying to rent scaffolding for every project they take on. However, there are many types of scaffolding available for use on the jobsite, and not all of these systems and pieces will work as you might expect. Note a few quick tips on choosing the right scaffolding for your business, so you know the system you choose will be a good setup for the type of work you do.

Frame versus jack

A frame scaffolding is very commonly used, as it's built in several sections from the ground up; you can choose as many sections as you need for the height at which you work. This type of scaffolding is good for jobs that are typically done at a standard height, such as ceiling repair or replacing home windows. A frame scaffolding will have room inside the frame for a platform of sorts, and these are usually strong enough to hold several workers, along with heavy tools and equipment. Note that a frame scaffolding is typically quite deep, so it may not be a good fit for smaller work areas and tight spaces.

A jack scaffolding, like a car jack, will have a type of ratchet system that allows you to jack up the platform, even while you're standing on it. This is good for jobs that have varying heights, such as painting or stucco work. However, jack scaffoldings usually have much smaller and more lightweight platforms, so that they can be easily raised and lowered, so they may not work for larger crews and for managing heavier tools and equipment.

Suspended scaffolding

Suspended scaffolding is connected to ropes that attach to a motor, which is mounted on the roof of a building. This type of scaffolding is good for working at heights that cannot be reached easily with standard scaffolding, or for when the ground under the scaffolding is not secure enough to properly hold its frame.

Mobile scaffolding

As the name implies, mobile scaffolding is on castors or rollers, and is good for work that extends horizontally, rather than being at one set height. Ceiling repair work and electrical or lighting installation may require mobile scaffolding. Invest in a mobile scaffolding that has a motorized control, so you can actually drive the scaffolding around rather than having to manually move it from spot to spot, if you tend to work in very large areas and will need to move the scaffolding repeatedly throughout the day.