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Accounting and invoicing for scaffolders

Erection and dismantling, hire period, safety nets and weather protection: scaffolders bill erection, standing time in weeks and dismantling separately. Saldiqo shows erection and dismantling as separate lines, creates hire invoices on schedule and shows which scaffolds are still up and not yet paid.

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What comes up for scaffolders

Three services in one

Erection, hire and dismantling have separate prices and arise at different times.

Extended standing time

Sites are delayed. Every further week is revenue that keeps running until the scaffold comes down.

Clients are often tradespeople

Roofers, painters and building firms order the scaffold. Reverse charge for construction may apply.

How Saldiqo helps

  • Erection and dismantling as linesPer square metre or flat fee, with acceptance date.
  • Hire as a recurring invoiceSaldiqo creates the weekly or monthly hire on schedule until the scaffold is down.
  • Reverse chargeFor jobs for building firms you choose the tax type reverse charge.
  • Open scaffolds in viewAfter the bank statement you see which clients have not paid yet.

Typical invoice lines

Examples that often appear on invoices in this industry. You set the prices yourself.

  • Erect scaffold, 240 square metres of facade
  • Hire, weeks 3 to 6
  • Dismantling and removal
  • Weather protection sheeting, square metres
  • Safety net, running metres
  • Stage invoice 50 % on erection

Tax and invoicing in the UK

What applies to invoices in the UK, in short. As of October 2026.

VAT
Standard rate 20 %, reduced rate 5 % and zero rate 0 %. Saldiqo calculates each invoice line with the rate you pick.
VAT registration
You must register once your taxable turnover passes £90,000 over any 12 months, or you expect to pass it within the next 30 days. You can deregister below £88,000. Until you are registered, your invoices show no VAT, and Saldiqo adds up your 12-month turnover for you.
What goes on an invoice
If you are VAT registered: your VAT number, the tax point, unit prices and the VAT total in pounds. A limited company shows its registered name on every invoice, and its company number, registered office and part of the UK on letters, order forms and the website.
E-invoicing
There is no mandate today. From April 2029 e-invoicing is planned for all B2B and B2G sales that carry VAT, through Peppol. The exact date and standard are not yet in law, and the government’s roadmap follows with the Budget on 28 October 2026.
VAT returns
VAT returns go to HMRC through Making Tax Digital, usually quarterly, due one month and seven days after the period. Saldiqo shows sales and VAT per rate and exports CSV. It does not submit to HMRC, and for Making Tax Digital you need software recognised by HMRC.
Record keeping
Keep VAT records for 6 years.
Late payment
Statutory interest on late business payments is the Bank Rate (3.75 % in the second half of 2026) plus 8 points, so 11.75 %. On top comes fixed compensation of £40, £70 or £100, depending on the amount owed (under £1,000, from £1,000, from £10,000). Consumers have no statutory interest.
Getting paid
Your sort code and account number are on every invoice. Customers pay by Faster Payments or Bacs, and banks check the account name with Confirmation of Payee. There is no QR standard in the UK.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bill the standing time automatically?

Yes. A recurring invoice creates the hire on a fixed date. You stop the series on dismantling.

Does the reverse charge apply to scaffolding?

Scaffolding for businesses that provide construction services themselves can count as a construction service. You clear that case by case with your tax adviser.

Do scaffolders in the UK have to charge VAT?

Only once they are VAT registered. Registration is required when taxable turnover passes £90,000 over any 12 months, or is expected to within the next 30 days. Below that you may register voluntarily. If you are not registered, you must not show VAT on your invoices.

Do scaffolders in the UK need e-invoicing?

Not today. A mandate for B2B and B2G sales with VAT is planned from April 2029, and the details were still open as of October 2026. You can keep sending PDF invoices for now.

How long should scaffolders keep invoices?

Keep VAT records for 6 years. You can store receipts digitally in Saldiqo. The legal duty to keep records stays with you.

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As of October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice, without guarantee. For your case ask your tax adviser.