Scaffolder: common questions
By The Busy Busy Index team · Updated 10 November 2026
How long is the wait for scaffolders?
We haven't yet found a verified, published wait-time figure for scaffolders specifically. Our tradesperson poll will add one. For urgent repairs of any kind, Markel Direct's survey found waits of 3 to 10 days depending on the city.
Source: Markel Direct via Fix Radio, 15 Jul 2025
Are scaffolders getting busier or quieter?
We don't have a trade-specific trend yet. CITB needs 400 extra a year, 1.7% of the workforce, one of the highest rates among trades. Across construction as a whole, most indicators point quieter: the UK Construction PMI was 43.6 in October 2026.
Source: CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026; S&P Global UK Construction PMI, 5 Nov 2026
Is there a shortage of scaffolders?
CITB's Construction Workforce Outlook says the UK needs about 400 extra scaffolders a year from 2026 to 2030 to cover growth and people leaving, around 1.7% of the current workforce each year.
Source: CITB Workforce Outlook, 17 Jun 2026
How much do scaffolders earn?
The National Careers Service gives an average of £25,000 a year for starters, rising to £51,000 with experience. Self-employed earnings vary widely and aren't covered by this figure.
Source: National Careers Service, not stated (live pages)