Programme-matched turnaround
Written quotes within a day and flexible crew numbers mean scaffolding doesn't become the bottleneck on your build.
Commercial Scaffolding
Commercial ScaffoldingIn Hadlow
Shops, offices, schools and industrial units all need scaffolding that's designed for the job, properly documented and inspected throughout. We work directly with contractors and site managers to keep your programme moving.
Free site survey. RAMS and design drawings provided.
CISRS-carded
Fully trained scaffolders on every contract
£10m insured
Public and employers' liability cover
RAMS provided
Full paperwork before work starts
Design available
Drawings and calculations for non-standard rigs
The Thompsons Towers standard
Commercial Scaffolding Backed By A Team You Can Check
CISRS-carded scaffolders
Every scaffolder trained, carded and checked before they set foot on your property.
£10m public and employers' liability
Full cover in place on every domestic and commercial job we take on.
Free survey, quote in one day
We survey at no charge and send an itemised written quote back within one day.
Six-week hire included
Six weeks of hire as standard, with weekly inspections throughout.
The service
Scaffolding for commercial sites across Kent
Commercial contracts bring their own pressures; programme dates, multiple trades on site at once, and a client or main contractor who needs paperwork in order before anyone climbs a lift. We work to those requirements as standard, not as an add-on.
Mason leads our crews on site and can flex between one or two teams depending on the size and pace of the contract, while Katie manages communication so site managers get straight answers on timing and documentation without delay.
Every scaffolder we send is CISRS-carded and trained in Asbestos Awareness, Manual Handling, Working at Heights and Scaffold Inspection through CITB, which matters when you're working alongside other trades and need confidence in who's on your site.
For non-standard structures; cantilevers, loading bays, or scaffolds over public access; we can provide design drawings and calculations at extra charge, giving you the technical backup needed for building control or client sign-off.
We take on commercial work across Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Ashford, Canterbury, Dartford, Gravesend and into London, working directly with builders, developers and facilities managers.
Who it's for
Building contractors, developers, facilities managers and shopfitters working on commercial or public buildings.
When you need it
New builds, refurbishments, roof and cladding replacement, shopfront work, or planned maintenance on multi-storey buildings.
Why a professional scaffold
Commercial sites carry higher footfall, more trades and stricter compliance requirements; the scaffold has to hold up to scrutiny as well as weight.
What it costs to wait
What goes wrong on commercial sites
Commercial scaffolds fail for different reasons than domestic ones; usually because programme pressure pushes corners to be cut on documentation or design.
Missing or out-of-date RAMS
Work starting before risk assessments and method statements are signed off leaves the main contractor exposed if anything goes wrong.
Undesigned loading for heavy materials
Commercial jobs often need to store blockwork, cladding panels or plant on the scaffold; without proper design this overloads standard components.
Public access left unprotected
Scaffolds near pavements or shop entrances need fans, netting or hoarding to protect the public, which is often missed when a job is quoted too cheaply.
Mistakes we get called out to fix
- Starting work before RAMS are signed off by all parties
- Not confirming the contractor's insurance limits match the contract value
- Ignoring the need for a scaffold design on complex or heavy-load structures
- Failing to protect public footpaths and shop entrances during the build
- Not booking in weekly inspections for longer contracts
- Choosing the cheapest quote without checking CISRS card status of the crew
Our process
From First Call To
Signed-Off Scaffold
01
Site survey and scope
We visit the site, review drawings if available, and understand access, loading and programme requirements before pricing.
02
Written quote and design
You receive a written quote within a day; for non-standard structures we provide design drawings and calculations at extra charge.
03
RAMS and sign-off
Full RAMS are prepared and shared with your site manager or principal contractor ahead of the build date.
04
Build and handover
Our CISRS-carded team erects the scaffold to programme, with scaff tags and inspection records handed over before other trades access it.
05
Ongoing inspection and adaptation
We inspect weekly through the contract and adjust the scaffold as the job progresses, then strike down once confirmed complete.
What you get
Specific Outcomes,
Not Vague Promises
Documentation that satisfies principal contractors
RAMS, scaff tags and inspection records are provided as standard, ready for your site file.
Structures built to hold real commercial loads
Design drawings and calculations are available for scaffolds carrying material storage, plant or heavy cladding.
Competitive commercial pricing
Our price promise means we'll beat any genuine written quote, without cutting back on insurance or crew quality.
Consistent crew and communication
The same team and office contact manage your contract from survey through to strike-down.
Confidence for site managers and clients
£10 million public and employers' liability cover, CISRS-carded labour and weekly inspections give a paper trail you can stand behind.
In detail
How we approach commercial scaffold contracts
Commercial scaffolding needs the same core standards as domestic work, but scaled up in materials, method and paperwork to suit larger, busier sites.
Materials
Commercial jobs typically use heavier-duty tube and fitting systems, wider working platforms and additional bracing to cope with multiple trades and stored materials on the scaffold at once. Loading bays are built where materials need to be lifted directly onto the structure.
Where the building or site demands it, we specify netting, debris sheeting or fan protection to control dust, falling material and weather exposure, particularly on occupied or public-facing buildings.
Methods
Larger commercial scaffolds are usually built in a planned sequence agreed with the principal contractor, often phased around other trades' access needs and delivery schedules. We coordinate delivery times to avoid site congestion.
For work near public areas, we build in protected walkways, hoarding and signage so pedestrians and shop customers remain safe throughout the contract.
Service variations
We provide independent scaffolds, birdcages for internal or ceiling-level access, loading towers, and temporary roof structures depending on the nature of the commercial project. Each is priced and designed to the specific loading and access requirements.
Longer commercial contracts sometimes need the scaffold adapted mid-project; extended, partially struck, or reconfigured as the works move through different phases of the building.
Situations it applies to
New commercial builds, office and retail refurbishments, school and public building maintenance, cladding replacement and industrial unit repairs are all typical commercial contracts we take on.
We also support shopfitters and facilities teams needing short-notice access for signage, lighting or roof repairs on occupied commercial premises.
Residential vs commercial differences
Commercial contracts generally involve larger structures, heavier loading, multiple trades and stricter documentation requirements than domestic jobs, often requiring formal RAMS sign-off before any trade can access the scaffold.
Insurance and inspection standards are identical across both; every job gets a CISRS-carded crew, weekly inspections and a scaff tag; but commercial sites usually need closer coordination with a principal contractor's own health and safety procedures.
Common questions
Commercial Scaffolding
Questions Answered
Still unsure? Ring 07355 037000 and speak to Katie or Mason directly.
How is commercial scaffolding priced?+
Pricing depends on scale, loading, duration and site access. A free site survey lets us give an accurate written quote, and we'll beat any genuine written quote already on the table.
How quickly can you turn around a quote?+
We aim to have a written quote back with you within one working day of the site survey, so your programme isn't held up waiting on scaffolding costs.
What does the process look like for a commercial contract?+
Site survey, written quote, RAMS preparation and sign-off, then a scheduled build with our CISRS-carded crew, followed by weekly inspections through the contract.
Do you guarantee your scaffolds meet standards?+
Yes. Every scaffold is built to be secure, safe and fit for its intended purpose, backed by RAMS, scaff tags and inspection records handed over to your site team.
What's the standard hire period for a commercial contract?+
A six-week hire is included as standard; for longer commercial programmes we agree extensions with you in advance so there are no surprises on cost.
Can you respond to urgent commercial access needs?+
Yes, we answer the phone out of hours and aim for a fast response, day or night, for urgent situations such as storm damage or unexpected access needs.
What insurance and documentation do you carry?+
We hold £10 million public liability and £10 million employers' liability insurance, and provide RAMS, scaff tags and weekly inspection records for every commercial job.
Which areas do you cover for commercial work?+
We take on commercial contracts across Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Ashford, Canterbury, Dartford, Gravesend, and into London.
Related scaffolding services
See every service on the scaffolding services overview or read more about Thompsons Towers.
Areas we cover
- Tonbridge
- Tunbridge Wells
- Hadlow
- Kings Hill
- Paddock Wood
- Maidstone
- Sevenoaks
- Ashford
- Canterbury
- Dartford
- Gravesend
- London
Postcode not listed? Check our coverage or ring the office.
Free survey · Quote in one day
Ready to get your
commercial contract scaffolded?
Book a free site survey and we'll return a written quote within one day, with RAMS ready ahead of your build date.
- CISRS-carded scaffolders
- £10m public & employers' liability
- RAMS, scaff tags & inspections
- Six-week hire included as standard
Opening hours
- Monday9am – 5pm
- Tuesday9am – 5pm
- Wednesday9am – 5pm
- Thursday9am – 5pm
- Friday9am – 5pm
- Saturday9am – 5pm
- SundayClosed
Phone answered out of hours for emergencies.