I'm not keen on Scaffolding.
I do know that it's essential for many jobs, and I'm not complaining about it's use. It's just that it tends to go up a month or so before the builder or painter arrives, then, when the work is finished, it stays there for another few months before the Scaffolding Co can be bothered to take it down again.
For a job that might take two days, the poles will possibly be there for several months.
When I lived in London back in the 60's, it seemed as if the whole city was permanently covered in Scaffolding. It was everywhere. The strangest part was that 99% of the builder's advertising signs were from 'out of town'. They seemed to come from Devon, Shropshire, or Norfolk, rather than Bayswater or Balham; and were hardly ever there. Are there no London based builders?
This picture above is from opposite the church, about 100 yards away, and there's another lot just to the left of it. It wasn't so long ago that a long ladder and rope (to haul everything skywards) was normal. The present day eyesores are, I presume, a result of 'elf-n-safety'.
From where I am typing, I can see another lot of Scaffolding (below), just outside my window.
It's already been there for several weeks, and they only started work yesterday. I'm now waiting to see when the builders will return. I expect the edifice to remain in situ for months to come.
Having said all this, if I had a tall house that needed painting, I would hire the scaffolding myself, then paint it myself. I think I would enjoy wielding a paintbrush from on high, and feeling safe. Of course, I'd hire it on the strict condition that they removed the scaffolding pronto afterwards!
N.B. I would like to suggest that Government passes a law that the UK is Scaffold-free for the months of June, July, and August. During the months when folk are more 'out-n-about', at least then we could be free of these dreadful eyesores. Lobby your MP!
Worse than the sight is the sound. I always know when they are around because they must be the noisiest workmen. Around here there is always someone having it put up or taken down. As you say, it is health and safetly raising it's head again. I remember when my window cleaner used to stand on the window ledges hanging on for grim death, wouldn't happen now. lol
ReplyDeleteBriony
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There seems to be far more of it these days than I can ever remember. I don't object to its use, just that it stays there for so long.
DeleteAgreed, pretty scaffolding ain't. However, putting up scaffolding is an art form. It's amazing. From my vantage point I have had many an opportunity to watch these guys. It's like dancing the tango making it look effortless. These guys' dexterity, the speed they work at are breathtaking. You Tarzan, me Jane. Which reminds me: Did you know that one of the most expensive businesses, possibly theeeeeeeeeee most expensive, to insure, are scaffolding companies (indemnity, third party liability)?
ReplyDeleteAs to scaffolding becoming a permanent "installation" grating on one's aesthetics (think Big Ben - how long did that take!) I do believe that varies according to location. Where I live scaffolding goes up and down pretty sharpish. No hanging about. Not least because keeping scaffolding in place is expensive for the customer - some companies charging per day.
U
Where I live there are many beautiful Georgian and Victorian terraces that are permanently spoiled by all this wretched scaffolding. Couldn't we at least have a time limit on its use; say, no more than a week on any one house?
DeleteWell, obviously, how long scaffolding needs to be in place depends largely on how long the work takes the scaffolding is put up for.
DeleteYou do know, of course, that you can complain to the council (they do take those complaints seriously - particularly inner city and places of public interest ie tourism) if scaffolding is kept in place for more than a week or two for no discernible purpose.
As an aside, Cro, and forgive me, the English do have a peculiar penchant for making everything more protracted than necessary. It's a national sport.
U
It's just that the Brits don't like to complain. Anything for a quiet life, and I'm as guilty as the rest.
DeleteUrsula,
DeleteBig Ben is the Great Bell, the tower was always known as the Westminster Clock Tower, and was renamed the Elizabeth Tower in 2012, to mark the late Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
There has never been any scaffolding on Big Ben, it's probably impossible to put scaffolding on a bell!
There are several advantages to living in a village. There are no such things here. The cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are full of them.
ReplyDeleteWe don't see them in our village in France either!
DeleteMost of the multi storey blocks of apartments here are festooned with scaffolding at some time, but mostly the work seems to be completed pretty quickly.
ReplyDeleteSeeing all that scaffolding in your photo, and reading your comments, I'm glad I live in a single story dwelling. So do my next door neighbours, who painted all the exterior walls of their house using a roller on a long pole! No scaffolding needed.
Maybe I'll give it a try with my house - I've already got the roller, paint and the long pole!
I shall try to paint this house when it needs doing. It's not very high, and I have a long 3 piece ladder. I'll wear a parachute!
DeleteThat reminds me of the Parthenon. The scaffolding has been up around it for decades. The scaffolding was almost as old as the Parthenon. It's supposed to be mainly clear now . Haven't been up there in many years
ReplyDeleteNot too good for tourists, but if they're doing good for the building I suppose that's OK.
DeleteWhen we visited Hong Kong, I was surprised to see the scaffolding on a twenty storey block opposite our hotel - it was made from bamboo! I agree with you that scaffolding in this country often does stay up long after the main jobs are finished.
ReplyDeleteI've seen pictures of amazing bamboo scaffolding. It seems to work OK.
DeleteWe are going to have a new roof this year. Both roofing companies told me that they hire their scaffolding for a full month so even when the job is finished the scaffolding may stay up for two or three more weeks. And if that scaffolding is not needed quickly by the scaffolding company for another job it may stay up even longer.
DeleteI suppose they never know exactly when they'll be able to start work. It makes sense from their point of view.
DeleteRoofing work can obviously be hampered by bad weather.
DeleteInteresting Victor Meldrew moment you are having. Scaffolding around here goes up and comes down pretty quick, it is paid for by the day, is in much demand and nobody can leave it up longer than necessary; it is important to get to the next job.
ReplyDeleteGoodness knows who pays for it here, but I doubt if it's the householder. You can't get them to take it down. Last year when we came back there was scaffolding next door. The work was all finished, but the structure stayed for another two months or more.
DeleteI am surprised that it remains untouched for so long in your area. If scaffolding is left too long on site here it soon disappears into the wrong hands and the innocent householder when asked says "oh, someone came to collect it and we thought it was you".
DeleteHow laws get made
ReplyDeleteSupport my cause!
DeleteI do notice sometimes in Boston, MA city scaffolding seems to stay longer than it should. Also, scaffolding is up and workers are not using it more than 2 days a week. Wouldn't you think getting a project completely finished and moving on would be more advantageous? All contract terms, including scaffold removal, should be written in to the agreement with a penalty clause.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. In the lower example, above, the men came yesterday, spoke on their phones for most of the time, did a tiny bit of work, then quit around lunchtime.
DeleteThe householder certainly pays for the scaffolding but indirectly. The builder or roofer that quotes for the job will have their favoured scaffolding firm.
ReplyDelete'Some' scaffolders are not the brightest tools in the box (understatement!). One firm managed to block a back door for six weeks.
Apparently, there is never a rush to remove the scaffolding as it reduces the storage/yard costs. Far cheaper to move all that metal from house to house....
As you might see in the lower picture, three parking spaces are being hampered by poles, which means that their cars are now all over the place. The men arrive in two large vans making the area look more like a scrap yard.
DeleteBut June July and August are probably the best weather months for repairs and painting.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, but UK builders are all so rich that they go to their private vineyard estates in Italy for those three months anyway.
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