TL;DR: Cradle hire is the rental of a suspended access platform, either a temporary davit-mounted cradle or a permanent building maintenance unit (BMU), used to reach the exterior of a building safely for cleaning, maintenance, inspection or cladding work. In London, hire costs depend on cradle type (manual, powered, or BMU), building height, rigging complexity and hire duration. Manual cradles suit short jobs and budget-sensitive projects; powered twin-wire cradles suit taller buildings and longer contracts; permanent monorail or BMU systems suit towers needing year-round access. Every cradle used in the UK must meet BS EN 1808:2015 and LOLER 1998, with a thorough examination every six months. The fastest way to get an accurate price is a free site survey, since cost varies too much by building to quote generically online.
What Is Cradle Hire?
Cradle hire means renting a suspended access cradle, a platform that hangs from wire ropes attached to davit arms, a roof track or a counterweight rig, so operatives can work safely at height on a building’s facade. Unlike scaffolding, a cradle does not need to be built from the ground up, and unlike a cherry picker, it does not need road space or a ground crew below. It is lowered from the roof and repositioned along the elevation as the work progresses.
Cradles are used across London for window cleaning, facade cleaning and repair, cladding and glazing replacement, painting and re-coating, structural inspections, solar panel maintenance and stone or render repair on everything from Victorian terraces to 40-storey towers.
How Much Does Cradle Hire Cost in London?
There is no single day rate that applies across the board, and any supplier who quotes a fixed price without seeing the building is guessing. The main cost drivers are:
- Cradle type – a manual Scafor cradle is cheaper to mobilise than a powered twin-wire platform or a monorail-mounted BMU.
- Building height and roof access – taller buildings and restricted roof access increase rigging time.
- Hire duration – short-term contract hire (days to weeks) is priced differently to planned, recurring maintenance access.
- Rigging complexity – corners, curved facades, parapets and load-bearing checks all add engineering time.
- Powered vs manual – electric twin-wire systems cost more to hire than hand-operated cradles but move faster across large elevations.
- Method statements and compliance – RAMS, LOLER paperwork and one-to-one operator induction are typically included but add to the overall project cost on complex sites.
Because of this, the only reliable way to price a job is a free site survey. Most reputable London cradle hire companies, including ours, will not charge for this and can usually turn a quotation around within 48 hours.
Types of Access Cradles Available for Hire
Not every job needs the same equipment. Here is a practical comparison of the cradle types most commonly hired for London projects.
| Cradle Type | Length / Size | Safe Working Load | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alloy Platform (standard cradle) | 1–16m, no height ceiling | 200–500kg | Painting, cladding, cleaning and inspection on most facades |
| Mono-Rail System | 1–6m track, expandable to 100m+ | 300–2,000kg SWL hoists | Complex or curved facades needing repeatable, permanent access |
| Corner Cradle | 30°, 45°, 60° or 90° angles | Matches standard platform | Buildings with wraparound corners or non-linear elevations |
| Double Deck Cradle | 3–12m, two levels | Capacity-dependent, 2 hoists | Oversized cladding, glazing and large signage installs |
| Scafor Manual Cradle | 1–6m | 250kg (2 persons) | Budget jobs, or sites near water where power isn’t practical |
| Work Cage | 2.3m × 1m × 1.4m | 150kg | Confined, single-hoist inspection or repair work |
| Bosun’s Chair | Single-person seat | 90kg | Quick, precise access to a specific point on the facade |
Most contractors default to a standard alloy platform because it covers the widest range of jobs at the lowest cost, but a corner cradle, double deck cradle or manual Scafor system can save time and money once you know the shape and scale of the building you’re working on.
Cradle Hire vs Scaffolding vs MEWP: Which Is Right for Your Project?
Cradles are not always the answer. Choosing between a cradle, a MEWP (mobile elevated work platform) or scaffolding usually comes down to building height, ground space and how long the access is needed for.
| Method | Setup Speed | Ground Space Needed | Best Suited To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspended access cradle | Fast once rigged; roof-based | None at street level | Tall buildings, repeat or long-duration facade access |
| MEWP (cherry picker) | Moderate, permit-dependent | Significant, plus traffic management | Buildings under c.40m with open plazas or forecourts |
| Scaffolding | Slow to erect and dismantle | Full perimeter footprint | Long-term, whole-building works with multiple trades on site |
Cradles are the most practical option for tall London buildings with limited ground space, because the platform is lowered from the roof and there is virtually no disruption to street-level activity, pavements or residents below. Scaffolding remains better suited to major, multi-trade refurbishments, while MEWPs are cost-effective for lower-rise buildings with room for a vehicle at ground level.
Is Cradle Hire Safe? UK Standards & Regulations
Cradle access is one of the most tightly regulated forms of work at height in the UK, and that is exactly why it is also one of the safest when hired from an accredited supplier. The key standards are:
- BS EN 1808:2015 – the European safety standard covering design calculations, stability criteria, construction, and examination and testing of suspended access equipment.
- BS 5974:2017 – the UK code of practice for planning, designing, setting up and using temporary suspended access equipment.
- LOLER 1998 (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations) – requires a thorough examination of the cradle and its lifting gear by a competent person at least every six months.
- PUWER 1998 (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations) – covers safe use, maintenance and operator training.
- Work at Height Regulations 2005 – requires proper planning, supervision and fall-prevention measures for any work carried out above ground level.
In practice, that means daily pre-use checks of wire ropes and safety devices, load testing after installation or significant repair, and a detailed method statement and risk assessment (RAMS) before work begins. A reputable supplier will also provide one-to-one operator induction rather than assuming prior experience is enough.
How to Choose the Right Cradle Hire Company in London
Price matters, but on a work-at-height project it should not be the first filter. Before booking a supplier, check for:
- Accreditations – look for CHAS, SafeContractor, Constructionline and SAEMA (Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association) membership as a baseline.
- A free, no-obligation site survey – any supplier pricing a job without seeing the building or the roof access is skipping a step that affects both cost and safety.
- In-house rigging teams – mobile rigging crews and service engineers who can respond the same day reduce downtime if equipment needs adjusting mid-project.
- Documented compliance – ask to see LOLER examination certificates and BS EN 1808 compliance for the specific cradle being supplied, not just the company’s general accreditation.
- Track record on similar buildings – a company with decades of experience across London’s residential, commercial and heritage buildings will anticipate site-specific issues (parapet access, listed building constraints, occupied premises) that a generalist may miss.
Greater London Cradles is the trading name of Skyform Ltd, with over 40 years of access engineering experience and CHAS, SafeContractor, Constructionline and SAEMA accreditation. We supply and erect manual and powered cradles, monorail systems and work cages across London, with a free site survey, a quotation typically within 48 hours, and mobile rigging teams available for same-day response. See our full range of cradle hire and access solutions, or get a free quote for your project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cradle in construction?
A cradle is a suspended access platform, hung from wire ropes on davit arms, a roof track or a counterweight rig, used to give workers safe access to the exterior of a building for cleaning, maintenance, inspection or repair, without scaffolding or ground-based equipment.
How much does it cost to hire a cradle in London?
Cost depends on cradle type, building height, rigging complexity and hire duration, so there is no fixed day rate. The most accurate way to price a project is a free site survey, which most established suppliers, including Greater London Cradles, provide at no cost.
Do you need a permit to hire a suspended access cradle?
You do not need a public permit in the way you would for a MEWP using the pavement or road, since cradles are rigged from the roof. However, LOLER thorough examination, a method statement, risk assessment and, on managed buildings, freeholder or facilities management sign-off are typically required before work begins.
How long does cradle installation take?
A temporary davit-mounted cradle can usually be rigged and ready to use within a day for straightforward buildings, though roof access, corner configurations or curved facades will extend this. Permanent monorail or BMU installations are a longer, planned engineering project.
What is the difference between a cradle and a MEWP?
A cradle is suspended from the roof and needs no ground space, making it suited to tall buildings with limited street access. A MEWP (mobile elevated work platform) is ground-based and needs vehicle access and often a permit, which makes it more practical for lower-rise buildings with open forecourts or plazas.