Housing and other construction projects often require equipment for reaching the upper portions of a building. Scaffolding provides a safe method for elevating workers to necessary heights. Scaffolding comes in many types, shapes and sizes, but is commonly rectangular and collapsible. Scaffolding can be rented or purchased. To calculate the total amount of scaffolding necessary for a given project, the size and type of scaffolding must be determined.

Measure the total length of the area that will need scaffolding.

Measure the maximum height that the scaffolding will need to reach.

Choose a scaffolding size. Most scaffolding is rented or sold in collapsible rectangular pieces that come in varying sizes and shapes. The type of scaffolding will depend on the project requirements and limitations.

Divide the total length measurement by the length of a single scaffolding section. This will determine the total number of columns of scaffolding the project will require.

Divide the total height measurement by the height of a single scaffolding section. This will determine the total number of rows of scaffolding the project will require.

Multiply the number of rows by the number of columns to find the total number of scaffold sections necessary for the project.

Multiply the number of scaffold sections by the price per day to find the total price per day of the scaffolding rental. If the project has an expected duration, multiply the number of days by the total price per day for a rough estimate of the total scaffolding cost.