Scaffolding

[Jackdale]

Has anyone found please that scaffolding has severely impacted their business? I know it is necessary sometimes for essential works, but sometimes it is up for lengthy periods while landlords are looking at the cheapest options, trying to see what grants may be available, and having meetings, all while businesses are losing significant trade.

 

[WaveJumper]

Get straight onto your council, you will need to give them evidence of turnover loss, good to have details on footfall figures / comparisons etc. If your in a town centre have they got footfall cameras, many have check with your town centre manager if you have one. Speak to other traders as well the more you can get to complain and make a claim for loss's the better. if you can prove a significant loss you may get reduction in business rates

 

[DontAsk]

Has anyone found please that scaffolding has severely impacted their business? I know it is necessary sometimes for essential works, but sometimes it is up for lengthy periods while landlords are looking at the cheapest options,

Or the scaffold company is using the site as free storage until they need the kit for another job. They are notorious for it.

We asked our family friend builder to recommend a scaffolder. The answer was "Call xxx, he's a nice chap but, like all scaffolders, he is unreliable", LOL.

 

[MBE2017]

I had this problem on a retail unit I was leasing, urgent repairs to the roof of several shops all in the same block. The complete front of my shop was obscured from November onwards, and I was told the repairs would be done by December.

Needless to say, the scaffolding was still up in December, I informed the landlord I wouldn't be paying the rent since the work had been completed two week earlier, they were oblivious to the fact the scaffolding was still there, they were still also being charged, none of the other shops had called them.

The scaffolding eventually got removed third week of January, I got six months rent free for ruining my xmas trade.

 

[FairfaxScaffol]

It’s a continual problem that we encounter, it’s why we won’t “beat any price”. What I don’t understand with the approach taken by the Scaffolding provider is that, there is an opportunity to truly create a potential Customer but more so a flip side of this post and an online selling machine by communicating with businesses, helping those businesses to promote themselves with signage, cleared walk ways, commitment to completing on a date and lastly understanding it’s someone’s business, help them and they will help you.

I would advise anyone in this situation to get into the council, because on a public path or highway you need a license, which is normally valid for 28 days, auto renewed until end of project. In Southend, Essex, it’s the highway dept who control them and the requirements are strong, so you don’t cut corners. Even if it’s not on council land, they will help and almost certainly making noise by contacting Land Lord, local press, social media, and out the poor excuse of a Scaffolding company, as they are free and will alert the right people. Glad you got it sorted finally but from an industry professional I’m sorry for your experience. Like any business should, we care about our reputation.