FAQ
Scaffolding questions and answers
The questions we hear most from contractors and homeowners around San Bernardino.
General questions
What areas do you serve?
We serve San Bernardino and nearby cities, including Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Redlands, Highland, Loma Linda, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Yucaipa, and Grand Terrace. If your job is somewhere else in the Inland Empire, call and ask.
How much does scaffold rental cost?
Price depends on how much scaffold the job needs, how long it stays up, and whether our crew sets it up and takes it down. A single wall for a week costs far less than a full building for a month. Send us the wall heights, lengths, and your dates for a written quote.
What information do you need for a quote?
The job address, the height and length of each wall or area, what the ground is like (concrete, dirt, slope), your start date, and how long you expect to need it. Photos help a lot.
Do you rent scaffold without setting it up?
Yes. You can rent equipment on its own if your crew is trained to erect scaffold, or add our installation and dismantling service.
Do you work on homes or only commercial buildings?
Both. We set up scaffold for homeowners, painters, stucco and roofing contractors, property managers, and general contractors.
How far ahead should I book?
A week or two of notice works for most jobs. Large projects, stair towers, and anything that needs engineered drawings should be booked earlier. If your date is close, call anyway. We will tell you what we can do.
Do I need a permit for scaffolding?
Scaffold on private property usually does not need its own permit. Scaffold or canopies on a public sidewalk or street usually need an encroachment permit from the city. Your project may need a building permit for the work itself.
Who is responsible for inspecting the scaffold?
Our crew checks the scaffold when we hand it over. After that, Cal/OSHA expects a competent person from the crew using it to inspect it before each shift and after anything that could affect it.
Scaffold Rental
How long is the shortest scaffold rental?
Most rentals start at one week. Call us with your dates and we will quote the term that fits.
Do I need to be on site for delivery?
It helps. Someone should point out where the equipment goes so the driver does not block a driveway, gate, or loading dock. If nobody can be there, send photos and clear instructions ahead of time.
Can I extend my rental if the job runs long?
Yes. Let us know before the end date and we will extend the term. Nothing gets picked up without a call first.
Scaffold Installation and Dismantling
How long does it take to set up scaffold on a house?
A typical two-story home takes one day. Bigger buildings, hillside lots, and jobs with canopies or stair towers take longer. We give you a setup date when we quote.
Can you move the scaffold partway through the job?
Yes. Many jobs go one wall at a time. We can move bays to the next elevation when your crew is ready.
Who inspects the scaffold once it is up?
Our crew checks it at handover. After that, your competent person should inspect it before each shift and after anything that could affect it, like high wind or an impact.
Scaffold Stair Towers
How tall can a scaffold stair tower go?
Most of ours serve one- to four-story buildings and warehouse roofs. Taller towers are possible and may need engineered drawings. Tell us the height and we will say what it takes.
Does a stair tower need to be tied to the building?
Usually, yes. Towers are tied in at set heights. If tying in is not an option, we use extra bracing or a wider base, and a tall free-standing tower may need an engineer's review.
Rolling Scaffold Towers
Can I use a rolling tower outside?
Yes, on a flat, hard surface like a parking lot or patio. Avoid using it in strong wind, and lock the casters every time you stop.
How high can a rolling scaffold go?
Height depends on the base size and whether outriggers are used. Tell us the ceiling or work height and we will set the right base.
Pedestrian Canopies and Sidewalk Protection
Do I need a permit for a sidewalk canopy?
If it sits on a public sidewalk or street, most cities require an encroachment permit. On private property, you usually do not. Your city's public works department has the final word.
Can the top of the canopy be used as a work deck?
Often, yes. We rate and plank the deck for the load you plan to put on it. Tell us up front so we build it for that use.
Engineered Scaffolding and Shoring
How long do engineered scaffold drawings take?
It depends on the job and the engineer's workload. Simple designs can come back in days. Complex ones take longer. Plan on at least a week or two and call early.
Do you install shoring too?
Yes. We install shoring frames and posts to support formwork or existing structures, built to an engineer's design.
Still have a question?
Call us or send a message. We answer scaffold questions for free.