Sonic Scaffolding 2000 ltd is driving Project Success with SMART Estimator’s Accurate 3D Planning

April 2025 Project of the month: Buckley Barracks by Sonic Scaffolding

Smart Planning Meets Large-Scale Execution: Sonic Scaffolding 2000’s Buckley Barracks: Hangar 3 Project.

Established in 2000, Sonic Scaffolding 2000 ltd has grown into a major player in the scaffolding industry, working on a wide variety of projects across the UK. With a strong reputation for reliable service and a solid presence near multiple military bases and heritage sites, Sonic takes on everything from listed buildings to complex infrastructure works and recently, one of their largest and most unique projects to date: the renovation of Hangar 3 at Buckley Barracks.

A Trusted Partner with Proven Experience:

What sets Sonic apart is their commitment to excellent service. The team prides itself on being proactive, solving problems quickly, and always being available to support clients throughout every stage of a project. Sonic’s portfolio typically includes large listed buildings, military housing blocks, and a range of smaller projects, but renovating a 100m x 50m aircraft hangar certainly stands out as a landmark achievement!

Buckley Barracks: Hanger 3 Project at a glance:

The 52-week renovation project, led by a main contractor, involved the full refurbishment of Hangar 3, including a complete roof replacement. Sonic was responsible for all scaffolding works required to provide safe and efficient access across the site.

Scope highlights:

100m scaffolds along both sides of the hangar, built to 8 lifts high
Towers, returns, and beam sections
A temporary internal wall to minimise wind uplift risks
A full-length Niko rail system for moving large stones throughout the site

Overcoming Challenges with Design & Innovation:

One of the standout challenges in this project was designing a scaffold system that could bridge over lower roof sections without disrupting the project timeline. Sonic’s solution involved beamed scaffolds and double boarding, with the main independent scaffold constructed above, demonstrating the team’s depth of expertise and careful planning. Additionally, working on an open military base meant that strict HSE compliance and consideration for high-wind conditions were crucial at every stage.

Communication & Logistics:

To ensure the smooth running of the project, Sonic implemented weekly quality inspections carried out by their branch manager and site supervisor and shared reports electronically with the client. Managing logistics was equally critical, with an enormous volume of materials transported from Salisbury to Chippenham. Sonic used their Hiab vehicle for pre-delivery and employed a forklift onsite to improve efficiency and reduce labour downtime.

Scaling Up with SMART Estimator:

Sonic used SMART Estimator to successfully win the project and manage it effectively. The software provided the confidence to price the work accurately and offered the flexibility to adapt materials and labour projections as the project evolved.

Key benefits of SMART Estimator for this project:

Accurate material and labour projections
Improved efficiency in project planning and adaptation
Greater involvement from non-scaffolding team members
More professional quote presentations with visual scaffold models
Enhanced client communication and better cost management

One of the standout internal successes was training non-scaffolding staff to use SMART Estimator. This boosted internal communication and made project management far more collaborative.

A Look Ahead for Sonic Scaffolding:

Under new management for just over a year, Sonic Scaffolding continues to embrace innovation and growth. The introduction of SMART Scaffolder tools has enabled them to streamline operations, win larger projects, and work even more efficiently.

The team says: “We’ve achieved so much in just over a year, with SMART Scaffolder in place and a motivated team behind it, the sky’s the limit for Sonic Scaffolding.”

For companies aiming to transform their scaffolding operations, adopting scaffolding estimation software like SMART Estimator is no longer a luxury, it’s essential. Sonic Scaffolding’s success story shows that technology-driven solutions are paving the future of the scaffolding industry.

Interested in how Sonic Scaffolding can support your next scaffolding project? Visit Sonic Scaffolding to learn more about their services and expertise.

Interested in how SMART Scaffolder can transform your project delivery? Contact Us to find out more about our innovative solutions.