Residential and light commercial scaffolding business

Roofing, painting, siding, masonry and general contractors, plus property managers and building owners with maintenance work.

A quoted price per job covering erection, rental for an agreed period and dismantling, with extra charges for longer rental or alterations.

• Comfortable with heights and heavy physical work
• Knowing scaffold safety rules and load limits
• Quoting jobs and managing a small crew
• Building relationships with local contractors

• Insurance for scaffolding can be costly and some insurers won't cover it, so get quotes before buying equipment; first-year premiums can be a large part of your startup budget
• Federal OSHA scaffold rules (and your state's own OSHA plan, if it has one) cover erection, inspection, fall protection and who counts as a competent person
• Check with your state licensing board and city or county about contractor licenses and permits, especially for scaffolds over sidewalks or streets
• Workers' compensation insurance is generally needed once you hire anyone, so check your state's rules
• Falls and collapses are serious risks, so inspect equipment before every job and retire damaged parts

Startup costs are typically around $60,000 to $150,000, depending on whether you buy or lease scaffold sets, your truck or trailer and insurance. Get insurance quotes before buying equipment, as first-year premiums can be a large part of your startup budget.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on how many jobs you win, your crew size and your pricing. The estimate assumes at least about 30 hours a week.

Check federal OSHA scaffold rules, and your state's own OSHA plan if it has one, covering erection, inspection, fall protection and competent persons. Also check contractor licenses and permits with your state board and city or county, and workers' compensation rules once you hire.