A Guide to Purchasing New Scaffolding Units
Whether you’re looking at replacing an old scaffolding unit, or your business is expanding and you need to increase your scaffolding arsenal, purchasing scaffolding equipment is a decision that will have long-lasting effects. While contractors have the opportunity of choosing new or second hand scaffolding, it’s always advisable for contractors to purchase new equipment for a myriad of reasons. Not only will the product be superior and have a greater return on investment, but the safety of your workers will also be significantly improved along with enjoying the benefits of a warranty and technical support.
On the other hand, if you’re just wanting a mobile scaffolding unit for some DIY repairs, a second hand unit may be more beneficial than a brand new one in terms of costs. Despite this, today we’ll be focusing on contractors working on construction sites who have safety obligations to their workers. To offer some insight into buying new scaffolding units, we'll be taking a closer look at the variables which must be taken into consideration so you can make an educated and rational decision.
Safety standards
By far the most vital consideration when investing in new scaffolding equipment is the safety of your workers. With the construction industry being one of the most dangerous industries in Australia, all scaffolding units must comply with Australia's stringent safety regulations. When shopping around for scaffolding units, keep in mind that scaffolding distributors must provide all relevant safety certifications like platform boarding requirements, maximum lift heights, maximum bay lengths, and maximum load limits for instance. These safety certifications indicate that the integrity of the scaffolding materials has been suitably examined and tested by the appropriate regulators.
Brand quality
Another essential variable in your decision is the quality of the brand of scaffolding. High-quality scaffolding units have a life-span of around 25 years which is dramatically higher than cheaper alternatives on the market. While it can be tempting to obtain cheap scaffolding, remember that lower prices generally correspond to lower quality, and this put the safety of your workers at risk. Furthermore, cheaper scaffolding generally costs more in the long-term after considering the life expectancy, replacement of parts, and repairs of the equipment. Spending more on high quality scaffolding equipment means that not only will you be buying a premium product that lasts longer, but the safety of your workers is considerably improved.
Technical support
You should consider acquiring scaffolding equipment from distributors that deliver technical support. This kind of assistance comes in handy if you need any help erecting or disassembling the scaffolding, in conjunction with any other issues that may arise. Hence, buying scaffolding from local distributors is always favourable as you know they are close by and can quickly and efficiently solve any complications you may run into. Delays on construction sites are very costly, so acquiring high quality scaffolding from local vendors with technical support is without a doubt the best choice.
Warranty
You know that you're obtaining high quality scaffolding when there is a warranty on the product. When performing research, always enquire about the warranty to give you an indication of the quality of the scaffolding distributor and the confidence they have in their product. What parts of the scaffolding is protected by a warranty? How long is the warranty? If a scaffolding provider has no warranty or a limited warranty on their products, it's a sensible idea to seek out a more trustworthy supplier.
When investing in new scaffolding units, always make sure that you search for high quality brands that have the relevant safety certifications, technical support, and a warranty to ensure you are maximising your return on investment. Not only will you be obtaining a better product, but you'll also be increasing the safety of your workers which is naturally the most significant consideration.
If you need any guidance or support when buying new scaffolding equipment, consult the professionals at Uni-Span, one of Australia's most qualified and respected scaffolding suppliers. For any information or queries, simply phone 1300 882 825.
