How a roofer chooses the access
There is no single rule that says every clean needs scaffold. The choice follows the building: how high the eaves are, how steep the slope is, what the ground below looks like, and whether the roof can be worked on without anyone standing on fragile or slippery surfaces.
The legal frame is the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Regulation 6(3) asks employers to take steps against falls that could cause injury, where that is reasonably practicable. It does not name scaffold or ladders. It asks for suitable and sufficient measures, so the method has to fit the roof in front of the crew.
For a householder, the useful question is simple: what will the crew be standing on, and what prevents a fall? Expect a clear answer before the day, and press for one if the reply is vague.
Gutter height, a conservatory roof below the main slope, a steep pitch, a roof that moss has made slick all count against a ladder-only plan. Each of those points to a different method of access, not to skipping the clean.
The common ways of reaching a roof
The table shows the usual options and what each suits. It is a guide to the thinking, not a promise that one is right for your house.
| Method | Suits | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Ladders | Low eaves, small areas | Soft or sloping ground |
| Platform or tower | Mid-height walls, one elevation | Space on the drive |
| Full scaffold | Tall houses, steep or long slopes | Pavement and road |
A scaffold also gives a working edge at the eaves, which matters because the gutter line is where moss and debris gather and where most of the rinsing happens. A platform can do the same for one side of a house without the cost and time of a full frame.
Which route we recommend comes from looking at the roof first. Pictures of the house from the pavement and the garden are often enough to say whether ladders and a platform will do or whether a scaffold quote should be part of the written price. Either way, you get one total after the survey.
When the scaffold sits on the pavement
A scaffold that stands on or over a public pavement or road is a highways matter as well as a safety one. Under section 169 of the Highways Act 1980, scaffolding that obstructs the highway needs a licence.
Kent County Council grants it, as the highway authority across the county. Kent County Council's guidance says the scaffolding firm makes the application, not the householder. A call to a district council will not produce a licence.
Kent County Council's published terms for 2026 to 2027 are these:
- a charge of £52 per week for the scaffold permit;
- applications, including renewals, 5 working days before the intended start;
- public liability insurance held by the applicant of at least £5 million;
- a site inspection fee of £78 if one is thought necessary.
When every pole stands on your own land, the licence question does not arise, so have the scaffolder tell you in writing where the boundary falls. Questions before applying can go to Kent County Council highways on 03000 41 81 81.
What to ask before the day
You do not need to know scaffold theory to ask good questions. Three will tell you most of what matters:
- How will the crew reach the roof, and what protects them at the eaves?
- Does any part of the access sit on the pavement or road, and who has applied to Kent County Council?
- How long will the access stay up, and who renews the licence if the weather delays the job?
Weather is the reason jobs run on. A wet week or a frosty morning can push a clean back, and a licence runs by the week. Knowing who is responsible for renewal before the first pole goes up saves an awkward phone call later.
Also ask about the ground. A ladder footed on a soft verge or a sloping path is not the same as one on a flat drive, and a tower needs room that a narrow side passage may not have. A good roofer will have looked at this when the roof was surveyed.
For the wider picture of the work, see our roof cleaning and moss removal service and the page on cleaning your own roof, which explains why this is rarely a ladder-and-hose job for a homeowner.
