Scaffold Rental Cost Calculator

Enter project details

Use area directly, or provide length and width to auto-calculate area.

Project / Site name

Currency

Scaffold type

Default rates auto-fill, editable anytime.

Pricing model

If weekly/monthly, base rate is per m² for that period.

Platform area (m²)

Length (m)

Width (m)

Working height (m)

Rental duration (days)

Base rate (per m²)

For daily model: per m² per day.

Access condition

Congested sites often need more labor and time.

Minimum charge (optional)

Mobilization / transport

Erection & dismantle fee

Inspection fee (each)

Number of inspections

Damage waiver (%)

Accessories (optional)

Safety netting (per m²)

Toe boards (per m²)

Weather shrink-wrap (per m²)

Ladders (fixed)

Stair tower (fixed)

Accessories are added before contingency, discount, and tax.

Contingency (%)

Discount (%)

Tax (%)

Deposit (%)

Advance paid (optional)

Reset

Result appears above after you calculate.

Example data table

This sample shows how inputs translate into totals. Adjust the rates to match your supplier quote.

Scenario	Area (m²)	Height (m)	Days	Rate (per m²)	Accessories	Transport	E&D	Tax
Warehouse Extension	250	14	21	55	Netting + Toe boards	35,000	90,000	13%
Facade Repair	180	10	30	45	Ladders + Stair tower	25,000	70,000	16%
Plant Maintenance	90	9	7	65	Shrink-wrap	15,000	40,000	0%

Formula used

The calculator uses an itemized approach common in scaffold hire quotations. It starts from a rental base and then adds service items, optional accessories, and commercial adjustments.

Area = Area(m²) or Length × Width.
Daily rate used = base rate, or converted from weekly/monthly.
Height factor = 1 + 0.02 × max(0, Height − 8), capped at 1.50.
Access factor depends on site condition selection.
Rental base = Area × DailyRate × Days × HeightFactor × AccessFactor.
Damage waiver = Damage% × RentalBase.
Inspection total = InspectionFee × Inspections.
Subtotal = rental base + fees + services + accessories.
Contingency = Contingency% × Subtotal.
Discount = Discount% × (Subtotal + Contingency).
Tax = Tax% × ((Subtotal + Contingency) − Discount).
Deposit = Deposit% × ((Subtotal + Contingency) − Discount) (refundable).
Amount due at start = TotalCharges + Deposit − AdvancePaid.

How to use this calculator

Enter the platform area, or provide length and width.
Set working height and rental duration in days.
Select scaffold type and a pricing model.
Enter the base rate from your supplier quotation.
Add mobilization and erection/dismantle service amounts.
Include inspections and optional accessories if required.
Apply contingency, discounts, tax, and deposit as needed.
Press Calculate to view the breakdown above.
Use the export buttons to download CSV or PDF.

Scaffold rental guidance for accurate estimating

1) What drives rental cost the most

In most quotations, area and duration dominate the total. A simple rule is that doubling the platform area roughly doubles the rental base, while extending the job by ten days adds ten more daily cycles. The calculator keeps this relationship visible through an itemized breakdown.

2) Rate benchmarking and market reality

Suppliers commonly quote a unit rate per square metre for frame, system, or tube-and-clamp setups. System scaffolds often command a moderate premium because they assemble faster and carry higher component value. Always confirm whether the rate includes fittings, ties, and base plates.

3) Height and access add measurable complexity

Working above 8 m usually increases labor, supervision, and tie density. Congested or high-risk zones can slow handling and require stricter controls. This calculator applies a height factor and an access factor so the rental base reflects those real site conditions instead of staying flat.

4) Mobilization and erection services are often 20–50%

Transport, loading, and erection/dismantle can be a major share on short jobs. For small durations, these services can exceed the pure rental charge. Capturing them separately helps you compare “low rate, high service” offers against “high rate, low service” offers.

5) Inspections and compliance items protect the schedule

Projects frequently require initial handover inspection plus periodic checks after changes, storms, or weekly intervals. A per-inspection fee multiplied by planned inspections prevents missed costs and supports a compliant safety plan. Add netting, toe boards, and access ladders when the scope needs them.

6) Commercial terms: deposit, damage waiver, and discount

Deposits are typically refundable and may range from 5–20% of the taxable subtotal, depending on risk and component value. A damage waiver is commonly a small percentage of the rental base. Discounts are applied after contingency here, matching many procurement negotiations.

7) Contingency improves estimate stability

Scope creep is normal: extra lifts, additional bays, or a few more weeks. A 2–5% contingency is common for steady scopes, while uncertain access or heavy interfaces may justify higher. The calculator shows contingency as its own line item so teams can debate it transparently.

8) Using exports for procurement and approvals

After calculating, export the CSV for tender comparison and the PDF for approval packs. Keep notes about what is included: accessories, inspections, mobilization, and tax basis. Consistent assumptions make vendor comparisons faster and reduce change-order disputes later.

FAQs

1) Should I use area or length and width?

Use area when your supplier quotes in square metres. Use length and width to estimate the platform footprint quickly. The calculator uses whichever produces a valid area value.

2) What does the height factor represent?

It approximates extra effort for taller scaffolds, such as more ties, lifting time, and supervision. The calculator increases cost above 8 m and caps the uplift to avoid unrealistic growth.

3) How do I treat weekly or monthly pricing?

If your supplier quotes per week or month, select that model and enter the unit rate for that period. The tool converts it to an equivalent daily rate for consistent calculations.

4) Are accessories taxed and discounted?

In this calculator, accessories are included in subtotal, then contingency, discount, and tax are applied. If your contract treats some items differently, set those items to zero and add them externally.

5) What deposit percentage should I enter?

Many rental agreements use 5–20% depending on project risk and component value. Enter your contract deposit rate, and treat it as refundable unless the supplier states otherwise.

6) Why can services exceed rental on short jobs?

Delivery, loading, and erection/dismantle have fixed effort regardless of duration. On a seven-day job, fixed services may dominate. Longer durations typically shift the balance toward rental charges.

7) Does the PDF include all inputs and outputs?

Yes. It lists key inputs and the cost summary lines, including rental base, services, adjustments, deposit, and amount due at start. Use it as a quick quotation attachment for approvals.