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If you're getting a new roof in Wellington, you've probably been told you need "scaffolding or edge protection" before the roofers can start. This guide explains exactly what the law requires, the difference between scaffolding and roof edge protection, what each costs in Wellington, and how to get it organised fast.
Why Roof Edge Protection Is Legally Required in New Zealand
New Zealand's Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and the Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 require that falls from height are prevented wherever practicable.
WorkSafe NZ's guidance is clear: for any residential roofing work where a fall of 1.5 metres or more could occur — which means virtually all residential roofing — the person controlling the work (typically the property owner or the principal contractor) must ensure compliant fall protection is in place before work begins.
That fall protection takes two main forms: scaffolding or roof edge protection systems. Which one is right depends on your roof type, the work being done, and your budget.
Scaffolding vs Roof Edge Protection: What's the Difference?
Scaffolding for Roofing Work
Full perimeter scaffolding is the most comprehensive fall protection option. It provides:
- A working platform at the eave height (or multiple levels for multi-pitch roofs)
- Guardrails at 900mm and 1800mm
- Kickboards to prevent materials falling to ground level
- Safe access to all roof elevations
Full scaffolding is required for:
- Complex multi-pitch roofs with multiple working levels
- Jobs where roofers need to carry significant materials vertically
- Heritage properties with fragile gutters or eaves that can't take anchor points
- Long-duration roofing contracts where daily access to multiple elevations is needed
Typical Wellington cost: $1,400 – $2,500 for a standard two-storey reroofing project, including erection, weekly hire, and dismantle.
Roof Edge Protection Systems
Lightweight guardrail systems that attach to the roof or building eaves. These use:
- Eave-mounted stanchions fixed at regular intervals
- Guardrail tubes connecting the stanchions at the required heights
- No working deck — just a perimeter fall barrier
Roof edge protection is appropriate for:
- Simple single-pitch or gable roofs
- Reroofing where tiles or metal sheets are being replaced in manageable sections
- Solar panel installation
- Gutter cleaning or replacement
- Any job where the roofer works from the roof surface rather than a scaffolding deck
Typical Wellington cost: $500 – $900 for a single-storey house, $900 – $1,400 for a two-storey house, including erection, hire, and dismantle.
What Is a Scaffolding Handover Certificate?
Before any roofer can legally start work from your scaffolding or edge protection, the installer must provide a scaffolding handover certificate — a signed document confirming:
- The system has been erected in accordance with WorkSafe NZ requirements
- It has been inspected and found to be safe for use
- The responsible person (the scaffolding company) has handed responsibility to the site user
This certificate is not optional. A roofer who starts work without a handover certificate is working illegally. A homeowner who allows work to start without one may share liability if an injury occurs.
At Erect It Scaffolding, we provide a handover certificate with every roof edge protection or scaffolding installation. It's included in the price — not an extra.
Who Is Responsible for Roof Edge Protection?
This is where Wellington homeowners often get confused. The responsibility chain is:
The property owner has a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure the work environment is safe — including that fall protection is in place before trades start work at height.
The roofing contractor has their own duty as the person controlling the work at height.
In practice, most Wellington roofers will not start work without compliant edge protection in place — because their own WorkSafe obligations mean they can't. Some roofing companies supply their own edge protection; others require the homeowner to arrange it.
Either way, make sure it's sorted before work starts — and make sure you have the handover certificate.
Common Roof Types in Wellington and What They Need
Wellington's housing stock is diverse. Here's what different roof types typically require:
Iron/Metal Roofing (Corrugated or Standing Seam)
Very common in Wellington. Typically suited to edge protection systems — roofers work directly on the metal surface. Full scaffolding may be needed for complex multi-level roofs or where the pitch is very steep.
Concrete or Clay Tiles
More common in older suburbs like Khandallah, Karori, and Tawa. Tiles are heavy to carry and can be slippery when wet. Full perimeter scaffolding with a loading bay is often preferred for full tile reroof jobs.
Wooden Shingles and Heritage Roofing
Rare but present on Wellington's oldest villas. Heritage roofing requires careful planning — some eaves can't take standard stanchion fixings. Custom scaffolding solutions may be needed.
Flat Roofing (TPO, Modified Bitumen)
Common on Wellington commercial buildings and some modern residential. Flat roofs have their own edge protection requirements — the perimeter barrier needs to prevent falls at the roof edge, not from a pitch.
How to Organise Roof Edge Protection or Scaffolding for Your Wellington Reroof
1. Confirm with your roofer what type of fall protection they need and whether they supply their own or require you to arrange it.
2. Call Erect It — 027 886 6688 or fill in our quote form →. Tell us your address, roof type, approximate size, and your roofer's start date.
3. Receive a fixed quote within 24 hours. We'll confirm whether scaffolding or a roof edge protection system is the right option for your specific roof.
4. We erect and provide the handover certificate before your roofer starts. We coordinate directly with them.
5. Roofer completes work from the compliant system.
6. We dismantle promptly when the job is done.
How Much Does Roof Edge Protection Cost in Wellington?
| Property and System | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Single-storey — edge protection system | $500 – $900 |
| Two-storey — edge protection system | $900 – $1,400 |
| Single-storey — full scaffolding | $800 – $1,200 |
| Two-storey — full scaffolding | $1,400 – $2,200 |
| Hillside access surcharge | +$200 – $500 |
| Weekly hire rate | $80 – $300/week |
All prices include erection, the handover certificate, and dismantle. Free quote within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my roofer start before edge protection is installed?
No. Any roofer who starts work on a residential roof without compliant fall protection in place is breaching WorkSafe NZ regulations. If you're a homeowner who has commissioned the work, you may share liability for that breach.
My roofer says they'll sort their own edge protection — is that okay?
Some roofing contractors do supply their own edge protection, and that's legitimate — provided it is correctly installed and they provide their own handover certificate. Ask to see the certificate before work starts.
How long does edge protection installation take?
For a standard Wellington residential property, edge protection or perimeter scaffolding can be erected in a half-day to one day. Most jobs are ready for your roofer within 24–48 hours of your booking being confirmed.
Do you cover all Wellington suburbs for roof edge protection?
Yes. We cover Wellington City, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua, Kāpiti Coast, Wairarapa, and Horowhenua. No travel surcharge across our core service area.
Book Roof Edge Protection or Scaffolding in Wellington
Erect It Scaffolding Services Ltd
- 5.0 stars · 68 Google reviews · SiteWise Gold 2026/27
- Handover certificate included on every job
- 24-hour quote turnaround · 24–48 hour erection
- Based in Plimmerton — no travel surcharge across Greater Wellington
Call Dhillon on 027 886 6688 or fill in our free quote form →.