Masonry Magazine August 2010 Page. 20
Renting
Adjustable
Scaffolding
By Clint Bridges
Why would you rent adjustable scaffolding if you own frames? It's simple production and safety.
Anyone in the equipment supply industry, especially adjustable scaffolding, travels extensively. We have been to every state setting up, training and selling scaffold. As I travel around the country, contractors constantly ask the same questions, "How is the rest of the country doing?" or "Where are the busiest areas?" What they mean is, "Where's the work?" Except for a few areas, the rest of the country is doing the same as you (you probably know where those areas are, because those out-of-town contractors are in your area going after jobs). There is work, but there is little or no money in the jobs. There is a lot of bidding, but the numbers continue to be tight. Contractors have to get creative and innovative to get an edge.
How are we, EZ Scaffold, doing? Rentals are very good, about as good as they have ever been. Sales are down dramatically. As an American manufacturer, we need both so we are doing ok. This tells me that people are working. However, they went for so long with little or no work that they have enough money to start the jobs, but will have to wait to purchase equipment. I expect that a large portion of our rentals will turn into purchases (masons, as a whole, don't like to rent). This raises a question, why would you rent adjustable scaffold if you own frames? Simple: production and safety.
Production
In an old Masonry magazine article written by Bruce A. Suprenant, he references an independent study by the University of Texas, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), that shows using adjustable scaffolding rather than conventional tubular scaffolds increased mason productivity by more than 20 percent (should be much more). He goes on to illustrate how just a 10 percent increase in production can double your profit. These days, it could be the difference between getting or not getting a job.