Had to choose between a 12-foot lift or scaffolding for a high ceiling job

I had a big living room job in Springfield with a 15-foot ceiling. The choice was renting a big lift for $300 a day or setting up my own scaffolding, which would take half a day. I went with the lift to save time, and it let me finish the hanging in one day instead of two. Honestly, moving that thing around by myself was a bit of a pain in the tight space. But getting up to the ceiling fast made the whole job smoother. Has anyone else tried a lift on a solo job, or is scaffolding always the better call for you?

4 comments

4 Comments

tara6422mo ago

My last solo job in a tight hallway with a 14-foot ceiling was a nightmare with a lift. The wheels kept catching on the floor trim and I spent more time fighting it than painting. For me, setting up the scaffolding first is always worth the extra hour. It gives me a solid, stable platform all day and I can move around without worrying about tipping. I only bring in a lift now for wide open spaces like a gym or a warehouse.

sandra_bennett592mo ago

My last lift job in a narrow hallway made me a scaffolding believer too.

the_alice2mo ago

Ever try a baker's scaffold? Those little rolling ones are perfect for tight spots.

paige3311mo ago

Girl YES I have a friend who told me this EXACT story! He rented a lift for a cathedral ceiling job and it was such a nightmare trying to maneuver it around his client's fancy furniture. He ended up scratching the hardwood floor pretty bad and felt AWFUL about it. He swears by scaffolding now even if it takes twice as long to set up. I saw his photos from that job and honestly the lift just LOOKED like too much for a regular house.