Guide
How long can scaffolding stay up? Rules, inspections, hire costs
Updated
There is no statutory maximum for scaffolding on your own land. What actually limits it are three clocks: the hire period you are paying for, the 7-day inspection cycle, and the council licence if it stands on the pavement.
The three clocks on every scaffold
- The hire clock. Typical 2026 quotes include 6–8 weeks. After that, extended hire is commonly £100–200 per week, so an overrunning project quietly adds hundreds a month.
- The inspection clock. A scaffold from which a person could fall 2 m or more must be inspected before first use, then at intervals not exceeding 7 days, and after any event likely to affect its strength, such as a storm (Work at Height Regulations 2005, regulation 12).
- The licence clock. Scaffolding on the public highway needs a council licence, which is granted for a set period and must be renewed if the job overruns, see the licence guide.
The 7-day inspection rule in practice
Inspections must be done by a competent person and the results recorded; the scaffold tag on the standard is where you will usually see the last inspection date. On a domestic job the scaffolding firm normally carries out the inspections, but confirm that in the quote rather than assuming it, HSE's scaffolding guidance puts the duty on whoever controls the work.
Neighbours, overhangs and access
Scaffold on a neighbour's land needs their permission first. If a repair genuinely cannot be done without going over the boundary and the neighbour refuses, the Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992 provides a court-order route, slow and a last resort. Overhanging a public pavement, even without touching it, is still a matter for the council licence.
Budgeting for a long project? Put your real week count into the calculator, extended hire is where quotes and final bills part company.