Temporary Roof Scaffold Estimating Software Case Study: Kettering Library Restoration

Estimating Complex Temporary Roof Scaffolds with Confidence

Temporary roof scaffolds are among the most challenging structures to estimate accurately. Large material quantities, multiple scaffold lifts, temporary roofing systems and tight project deadlines all increase the risk of pricing errors.

This case study demonstrates how SMART Estimator was used to produce an accurate estimate for the temporary roof scaffold at Kettering Library, helping the estimating team calculate quantities more efficiently while maintaining confidence in project pricing.

We’re proud to feature Apex Scaffolding Limited and their impressive work on the Kettering Library restoration project.

With over 40 years of experience delivering specialist scaffolding solutions, Apex were tasked with providing full access and a large temporary roof system to enable the restoration of this historic town-centre building.

The project required careful planning, design, precision lifting operations, and collaboration with multiple stakeholders, showcasing the level of expertise needed when working on complex conservation works.

Built on Specialist Experience:

Apex Scaffolding Limited bring four decades of experience working on specialist scaffolding projects. The team pride themselves on delivering tailored access solutions and going the extra mile to ensure every scaffold system meets the exact needs of the client.

Their portfolio includes a wide range of conservation and heritage projects, many of which require temporary roof structures and bespoke scaffold designs, making the Kettering Library project a perfect fit for their expertise.

The Project: Kettering Library

Kettering Library is an historic building featuring a Collyweston tiled roof, which required full restoration alongside extensive brickwork cleaning.

Apex Scaffolding were responsible for providing full access around the building and installing a temporary roof structure to weatherproof the project throughout the restoration works.

Located in the centre of town, the project required detailed planning and coordination with the council, main contractor Messenger BCR, and heritage specialists to ensure the works could be carried out safely and efficiently.

Why Temporary Roof Scaffold Estimates Are More Difficult

One of the most challenging aspects of the project was installing the temporary roof structure.

Each roof bay had to be assembled in the middle of a closed road and lifted into place using a 100-tonne crane. The largest span of the structure reached 36 metres, meaning manoeuvring the system into position within the confined town-centre space was a major logistical task.

Due to surrounding protected trees, the team could not simply lift the structure into place and lower it down. Instead, the bays had to be carefully rotated in the air and then slid beneath the branches and onto the scaffold, requiring precise crane coordination and planning.

Additional structural challenges included ensuring no load was placed on two flat roof sections, meaning the scaffold had to span across the building using 750 beams onto the parapets, with further beams supporting the gable-end scaffold.

Safety and Planning:

Working in the middle of a busy town centre meant public safety was a key consideration throughout the project.

Road closures were required during lifting operations, and strict controls were implemented to ensure no members of the public were present around the building while crane lifts were taking place.

Months of planning with the council and project stakeholders ensured that the complex installation could be carried out safely and without disruption.

Using SMART Estimator

SMART Estimator plays an important role across all Apex Scaffolding projects, supporting both planning and commercial control.

The software allows the team to ensure the correct labour hours, materials, and budgets are allocated to each job, giving them confidence in project pricing and delivery.

Because multiple departments can access the system, both operations and commercial teams can clearly see what has been priced, what allowances have been made, and where adjustments can be made if required.

Clients have also praised the professional presentation of Apex’s quotations, with feedback highlighting how clear and well-structured their proposals are compared to others in the market.

Results & Reflections:

The Kettering Library project demonstrated the importance of careful planning, collaboration, and technical experience when delivering large-span temporary roof structures in complex environments.

The project also allowed Apex to further develop their expertise in craned temporary roof installations, an approach they have continued to refine on subsequent projects.

Looking Ahead:

With a strong pipeline of specialist scaffolding work ahead, Apex Scaffolding continue to focus on delivering complex access solutions across conservation and restoration projects.

As digital tools and industry technology continue to evolve, the team see these innovations as a positive step forward for the scaffolding industry.

Why Digital Estimating Matters for Temporary Roof Projects

Looking Beyond Individual Projects

SMART Scaffolder helps scaffolding companies plan, price, and manage complex projects with confidence, from conservation works to large-span temporary roof installations.

Looking Beyond Individual Projects

While this case study focuses on the successful estimation of a complex temporary roof scaffold at Kettering Library, the same estimating challenges are faced on projects of every size and sector. From commercial developments and industrial shutdowns to bridges, infrastructure, heritage restoration and petrochemical facilities, accurate scaffold estimating is essential for protecting profit margins and delivering competitive tenders.

SMART Estimator enables scaffold contractors to move beyond manual quantity take-offs and spreadsheet-based estimating by providing a consistent, repeatable workflow for calculating material quantities and producing professional quotations. As project complexity increases, digital estimating helps reduce manual calculations, improve pricing confidence and respond quickly to design revisions.

If you’re looking to modernise your estimating process, explore our Scaffold Estimating Software to see how SMART Estimator can transform your workflow. You can also Access our free Scaffold Estimating Calculator Pack to review your labour recovery rates, overheads and material depreciation before producing your next quotation.

For businesses looking to create digital scaffold models directly within BIM projects, discover SMART Scaffolder for Revit or learn how our connected scaffold management workflow links estimating, project management, handovers and inspections into a single digital platform.

Produce More Accurate Scaffold Estimates

If you’re still calculating quantities manually or relying on spreadsheets, digital scaffold estimating can help improve consistency, reduce administration and give greater confidence when pricing complex projects.

Explore SMART Estimator

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