Buying is smarter!

Are you looking for a new rolling scaffold so you can work safely at height? For a company, it is an investment. Even as a self-employed person, you are obliged to work with safe equipment. For mobile scaffolding, there are a large number of brands with different qualities and different prices. For example, Altrex and Skyworks mobile scaffolds are known to be of very high quality, but also have a premium price.

New or used

Assuming that a rolling scaffold is used every working day, that means an average of 250 working days per year. We chose a premium rolling scaffold suitable for indoor and outdoor use with a working height of 8.20 meters. Solid aluminum and a construction method in accordance with the recent Occupational Health and Safety criteria with a generous wooden platform width and length. Price excluding VAT €2,350. Necessary accessories €550. A rolling scaffold trailer €1,950, -. Total investment €4,850, -. Rolling scaffolds that exactly meet the 2018 standards are difficult to obtain on the second-hand market. Assuming a five-year depreciation, the models are over-aged and may have been used extensively which may have scaffolding parts have been replaced or renewed. If you do consider a used scaffold, have the equipment inspected with an inspection report. The purchase falls under the Small Investment Scheme. This means that in a tax year 28% is deductible being €1.358,- Net that means depending on the tax rate the price of the accessories. Furthermore, the purchase may be depreciated in five years excluding the residual amount.

Alternatives to buying

Leasing is also possible provided the scaffold is separately registered and therefore identifiable. Financial lease is a form of lease in which the entrepreneur may include the scaffold on the balance sheet and write it off. After payment of all instalments, the entrepreneur acquires legal ownership of the scaffold and trailer. With operational leasing, the scaffold is not depreciated on the balance sheet. The lease installments can be recorded as expenses in the income statement. After paying all installments, the entrepreneur can obtain legal ownership for the residual value of the scaffold. Renting does not seem like an option to me. Indeed, in the long run, it will be many times more advantageous to own a rolling scaffold than to rent one each time.

Conclusion

Own purchase of the required equipment seems to be the best option. If the amount is not in stock then financial lease is the best choice. The tax scheme of the Small Scale Investment Deduction may be used and depreciation can be applied. As an entrepreneur, you are assured of the best equipment that meets safety guidelines. That, of course, is also worth something. Working at a height of eight meters is best done with a solid and reliable mobile scaffold.